Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Josefina scoffed with a sneer that didn't quite reach her cold eyes, "And who do you think you are, honey? Think we'll just roll over and play fetch because you want a competition?" Josefina's dark eyes bore into Erica, sharp and intimidating, sending shivers down Erica's spine. Erica couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen such a gaze somewhere before. "Aren't you the hotshot new designer at Antonio Corporation? If memory serves, your name is Erica, the very same Erica that Anya Fashion kicked to the curb last month, right?" Erica's heart skipped a beat. How did she know? It was supposed to be a tightly kept secret, known by only a handful.

The crowd around them erupted into a frenzy.

"She got canned by Anya?"

"I heard she tried to poach clients from other designers and didn't learn her lesson even after getting caught. That's why Anya gave her the boot."

"If she can't even keep her act clean, you've gotta wonder about her character."

"Why is she smearing poor Alex? Could there be some personal vendetta?"

The speculation was relentless, but Erica found her voice amidst the chaos.

"How on earth do you know about that? Who are you, really?" Erica demanded, suspicion lacing her tone.

"Don't worry about who I am. Right now, there's something else I need to ask," Josefina said, turning her attention to Ruby. "Actually, it's more of a question for you. Why did the design sketches I left at home end up in your hands? You've claimed my work as your own and profited from it. Ruby, I'm dying to hear your excuse."

Ruby felt like the sky was crashing down on her. Erica also hadn't expected this twist.

Ruby was defiant, "What are you on about? I've never touched your sketches. Can anyone prove they're yours? Is your name on them?"

Silence fell over the crowd.

Lena, with Hattie and Garrett in tow, arrived at the scene. She had been pushing for Hattie to come ever since Ruby's accusation against Josefina surfaced. Lena wanted the Harrison family to witness Josefina's downfall, and let Hattie see that her beloved daughter was nothing but a fraud.

When Hattie and Garrett got there, they walked in on Josefina's confrontation with Ruby.

"What's going on here? Ruby stole our Josie's designs?" Hattie inquired.

"Looks like it. Josie's not one to fib," Garrett chimed in, confident in his judgment.

Lena's heart sank. She regretted bringing them here. How could they blindly trust Josefina, a girl they hadn't seen in eighteen years? The level of trust baffled and, frankly, made Lena quite envious. The couple unconsciously quickened their pace to stand by Josefina's side, respecting her wish to keep her identity under wraps.

Meanwhile, Lauren lashed out at Josefina, "You ungrateful brat! You were raised on our dime, and I know your true colors. Ever since you stayed with us, I knew you were disobedient and a compulsive liar. You think you can be Anya? As if."

Billy joined in, "Josefina, you can't just make things up and expect them to stick. How can you accuse Ruby like that?"

Josefina retorted, "When have I falsely accused her? I have evidence. Can't I present that? How about you zip it until the evidence is out, can you manage that?"

With that challenge hanging in the air, everyone waited with bated breath for Josefina's proof.

What could she possibly have up her sleeve?

Even Ruby was thinking the same thing. There was no way Josefina could produce any real evidence.