Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

The caller was a stranger with an unfamiliar number. Josefina, with her photographic memory, immediately recognized to whom the number belonged.

Sensing the situation, Alex, ever perceptive, stood up and said, "Ms. Josefina, I'll step out then."

Once Alex had closed the door behind him, Josefina answered the call.

"Josie, I have to make a trip. It'll take a while before I'm back. I'm sorry I can't be there to cheer you on at the design competition." Livia's voice was tinged with reluctance and sadness. Hearing this, Josefina asked with concern, "You're leaving again?"

"I've got a lead on some herbs you need for your research. They're going to be auctioned off, so I'm heading out to get them. It'll take some time."

Livia had co-founded a pharmaceutical company with Josefina and was in charge of procurement. Whenever Josefina needed specific herbs, Livia would go to great lengths to acquire them. "Be safe, Livia, and take a couple of people with you," Josefina urged.

"Don't worry, Josie. When have I ever let you down? I promise to get the herbs back to you in time for your experiments."

After a few more words of caution, Josefina hung up the phone.

Alex stretched after completing a design sketch and accidentally bumped into something. Turning around, he found Holly standing there.

He apologized, startled, "Sorry, Holly, I didn't see you there."

"Alex, how's the competition prep going?"

"Still working on it."

She patted his shoulder reassuringly, "Keep at it. I believe in you."

"Thanks, Holly. I'll do my best."

With a smile, Holly left, and Alex sat there, staring at his design, wondering why Holly had seemed a bit off. Could there be something wrong with his work?

Erica had just finished drawing the design when Ruby walked in from outside and closed the door to her office. "Erica, you wanted to see me?"

With a nod, Erica said, "The competition is tomorrow. We need to be on our A-game."

Ruby was confident. "Don't worry, Erica. I won't let you down." Ruby was eager to see Josefina's defeat and the spectacle it would create.

Noticing Erica's concerned expression, Ruby sat down and quietly asked, "What's worrying you, Erica?"

"I'm just thinking about that pretender Josefina. Does she really have such powerful backers?"

Ruby bristled at the mention of Josefina. "That bitch, she slept with so many men, getting them to start companies for her, and then she becomes the boss. Erica, she really has no ability whatsoever. She just gets others to draw design drawings for her company, which will never compare to the quality of your designs."

After leaving Anya's company, a mysterious benefactor had approached Erica with a lucrative offer to join Antonio Corporation and help Ruby sabotage a lesser-known firm.

Erica, needing the money and unaware of the benefactor's motives, took the job. "Are you sure she has no talent? The designs from her company seem quite competent." "They're all done by others, Erica. Plus, I've made arrangements to ensure that company doesn't succeed. Once I win the competition, it'll be a win-win for us."

Ruby dreamed of meeting more influential men and proving to Xavier's mother how outstanding she was.

"Erica, just focus on your designs. Once you're ready, I'll take the stage. You know how the competition works, right? I'll bring home that trophy."