Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

"I've looked into it," Hattie sighed heavily, her voice tinged with a mix of worry and confusion. "Lena and those five guys, they went in one after the other. Must know each other. This kid, I just can't figure out what she's up to.

"

Josefina kept to herself the truth of the matter. She knew full well that Hattie would struggle to come to terms with it.

Hattie rose from her seat and approached the safe, extracting a sleek black box and placed it gently in Josefina's hands. "Josie, this is my jewelry set. My mom, your grandma, gave it to me when I got married. I want you to have it now," she said, her voice heavy with sentiment.

Josefina tried to give it back instantly, "It's too precious. I can't accept this. I've got plenty of jewelry already, and this... this should stay with you. It was grandma's gift to you."

But Hattie insisted, pressing the box back into Josefina's palms. "Josie, it's yours now. Everything I have will be yours eventually. Sooner or later, what's the difference?" Upon opening the box, Josefina was met with the dazzling sparkle of sapphire jewelry, the stones massive, each no less than fifteen carats.

Josefina's phone buzzed to life, so she stepped aside to answer the call.

"Josie, we need you down at the lab. Can you make it now?"

"Sure, I'll be right there."

It had to be something complicated if Percy was calling her in.

With a quick word to Hattie, "A friend needs me, I have to step out," Josefina prepared to leave.

"It's getting dark. Isn't it too late to go out now?" Hattie fretted.

"I'll have the driver take me. I'll be back soon," Josefina reassured her before heading out.

Grandpa Robert dropped by to play chess with Josefina, only to learn she was out.

"Josie's working too hard." Hattie lamented. "She's busy all day and has to deal with issues at night. She's only eighteen but so capable, smart and quick-witted."

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Grandpa Robert nodded in agreement, "Josie stands out among her three brothers. She's not just obedient and sensible, but also has impressive medical skills and remarkable abilities. Hattie, why don't you get some nutritious groceries tomorrow, to help Josie keep her strength up?"

"Absolutely, Dad. I'm going to the kitchen right now to start a soup for her. It'll be ready when she gets back."

Grandpa Robert chuckled. "I've arranged a special delivery of groceries for tomorrow. Told them to throw in some of the kind of stuff young women fancy. We'll cook up something nice for Josie." Upon hearing this conversation, Garrett, who had just come home, smiled. "Dad, you always think of everything."

Grandpa Robert's expression turned serious and he admonished, "Or what? Should we be as clueless as you? Josie's been back for a while, and you haven't taken her out for a weekend getaway or spent a Saturday with her. You need to take your mind off work and spend time with your family, you know?"

Garrett found himself speechless. With his sons away, who else but him could manage the family business?

Garrett worked very hard, yet he wore a smile on his face. "Dad, you're right. How about a family hike this weekend? We could do an indoor barbecue."

Garrett was having it tough, but he hid it behind a smile. "Dad, you're right, as always. This weekend, let's take the family hiking and do some barbecuing in the wild."

Grandpa Robert replied, "In this scorching weather? Are you trying to overheat Josie?"

Garrett suggested, "How about we have a barbecue indoors then?"

Grandpa Robert was quick to nip that idea in the bud. "Barbecue, barbecue, you're obsessed with barbecue!"

Grandpa Robert suggested, "Why don't you take Josie shopping for some new clothes? Arrange a fashion show, and let her see the models in outfits that would suit her. Isn't that what you work for? To provide for your kids?"

"Right again, Dad," Garrett conceded with a nod. "We'll do it your way."

This heartwarming scene was overheard by Lena from the second floor, fueling the flames of her resentment.

Why did they all adore Josefina so much? Was it simply because she was their biological daughter?