Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Josefina arrived at the venue only to realize that this wasn't a genuine art exhibition but rather a soiree for the well-to-do.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

"Oliver, why don't you head in on your own? Hanging with you feels like being a monkey at the zoo, constantly on display for people's amusement." Without a moment's hesitation, Josefina let go of Oliver's arm and stepped aside.

Oliver was stunned. Had Josie just ditched him?

As Oliver was about to call out Josefina's name, a graceful figure approached him. "Oliver, long time no see." Shay came over with a smile sparkling in her eyes, which held only Oliver.

Oliver furrowed his brow and, just as Shay was about to grasp his arm, he sidestepped, leaving her clutching at air. Her hand caught nothing, and as she looked at her empty palm, her eyes were brimming with disappointment. She lifted her gaze, her watery eyes filled with sadness and vulnerability.

Shay said with a cheery undertone, "Oliver, fancy seeing you here. I'm so happy to bump into you."

Without even glancing at Shay, Oliver moved forward to engage Grandpa Robert in conversation. This was Josie's very own grandfather, so he felt the need to make the first move.

Shay's eyes were tinged with sadness. She hadn't expected Oliver to remain so cold. But then, she consoled herself that Oliver was like this with everyone, and that his behavior towards her was no different, which was, in a way, comforting.

Shay cheered herself up and walked with her friends into the exhibition hall.

The exhibition was inside. This was just the foyer where people mingled, a place for small talk. The exhibition itself called for a more subdued atmosphere, where loud chatter would be out of place.

When Ruby and Xavier emerged, Josefina had already stepped away from Oliver's side, and they saw Oliver looking disdainfully at Shay before approaching Grandpa Robert.

Ruby's eyes nearly popped out of her head - wasn't this the same man who had stood up for Josefina the other day?

Xavier was equally shocked. This was Mr. Oliver?

Xavier didn't want to admit that he had potentially sabotaged his own livelihood and turned to Ruby beside him. "Is that Mr. Oliver? The Oliver Baldwin who calls the shots in the Baldwin family?" Xavier demanded.

Ruby snapped out of her trance and met Xavier's piercing stare, jumping in fright. "Xavier, why are you looking at me like that?"

"That day at the mall, did you do it on purpose? You knew Mr. Oliver's identity, and yet you let me spout those insults!"

Ruby shook her head in denial. "How

could that be Xavier, you're my boyfriend. I only wish the best for you. How could I wish for your downfall? It's all Josefina's fault.

She's trying to frame us, to drive a wedge between us!" Content

Xavier gazed at the imposing Oliver, surrounded by the elite - the wealthy, the powerful, the influential. Any one of them was out of Xavier's reach.

People Xavier couldn't hope to curry favor with were falling over themselves to please Oliver. This made him feel as if his pride was being trampled underfoot.

"Xavier, my parents are nice to Josefina. I'll go and talk to her, try to get a sense of things."

"Is she here too?" Xavier asked.

Ruby nodded and pointed him in a direction. Xavier looked over to see Josefina engaged in a pleasant conversation with Calix, who was smiling warmly. His eyes were full of affection.

Ruby couldn't see Calix's face. He

was wearing a mask, wary of being recognized. She felt a pang of jealousy, and her voice betrayed her envy of Josefina, "I can't believe it. Wherever we go, we bump into Josefina's lovers. Xavier, she could hook up with anyone, you know."