Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Lena took the soup with a feigned weakness, as though her heart was weighed down with sorrow. She was putting on quite the performance as she was still unaware of the surveillance in her room. Hattie observed her daughter's theatrics with a growing irritation. Had Lena done wrong and now she was blaming Josie? And this little act she was putting on, for whom was it intended?

"Lena, darling, I know Regina has been with you for years, but what she did today is inexcusable. It doesn't matter how long she's been with the Harrison family. She shouldn't have entertained such thoughts. I've made arrangements to have every penny she embezzled returned, and if it's not back in three days, I'm pressing charges."

A jolt of panic shot through Lena. This scandal couldn't come to light. She feared a desperate showdown with Regina.

"Mom, maybe Regina didn't take that much. Let's just let it go. If we dig too deep, I'm afraid she might start to do something crazy."

Hattie bristled at her daughter's words and spoke bluntly, "Lena, we're the victims here. Do you have any idea how much she embezzled? Three million. We're talking about three million dollars. Not only that, she's been selling off the ingredients we buy at bargain prices. She's been making a fortune off the Harrison family for years. Lena, honey, tell me, shouldn't we call the police for this kind of behavior?" Lena lifted her gaze, her expression strained as she forced a smile and nodded, "Yes, we should call the police. Regina has gone too far."

"If she comes to you, pleading her case, you can't help her."

Lena nodded stiffly, and Hattie continued, "Lena, Josie isn't targeting you. She's just dealing with the facts. Regina's actions are indefensible, and as the daughter of the Harrison family, Josie has every right to expose her. Don't hold it against Josie. She's looking out for the family's best interests."

Lena smiled and nodded, "Mom, how could I blame Josie? I just can't believe Regina would do such a thing. I trusted her, and defended her. I'm relieved no one blames me. It's all my fault." Hattie patted her head with a smile, "Lena, Josie isn't the type to hold grudges. From now on, you girls need to get along, okay?"

Lena's smile was sweet as she nodded, and it was only after Hattie left her room that Lena's facade crumbled. Anger surged within her as she threw a decorative pillow across the room. The soup sitting before her was an unwelcome sight, fueling her rage.

"I thought you were being kind, bringing me the soup, but you were just speaking for Josefina. Josefina, Josefina, it's always Josefina. What's so special about her? She hasn't been back with the Harrison family for long. Does she have such deep ties already? So hypocritical."

Lena trembled with fury, her complexion ashen. She sat on the couch, her brows knotted in worry. She had to find a way to kick Josefina out.

Only with Josefina gone from the Harrison family could Lena reclaim her rightful place and continue pursuing her goals.

Little did Lena know, Hattie's visit had unearthed something. Hattie went to Josefina's room and shared her discovery. "I found that Lena has two cell phones. She hid one under her pillow, and I caught a glimpse. It must be a phone, though the design is a bit odd, maybe a unique case?"

Josefina's brow furrowed as she pulled out a tablet and opened a drawing app. "Mom, can you sketch it for me?"

Hattie, who had an affinity for drawing, complied, recreating the phone's distinct corner from memory. When Josefina saw the sketch, she was stunned.