Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess
Chapter 144

The phone clicked dead, and Ruby's anger flared like a bonfire in a Midwestern field. Clutching her cell, she redialed with shaking fingers. Soon after, a woman's stern voice crackled through the speaker. "Stop calling Xavier, Ruby. You're not fit to be part of the Rowland family."

Ruby recognized the voice-Xavier's mother. Their paths had crossed once. Mrs. Rowland's gaze had been laced with disdain when it landed on her, as if Ruby were some common weed unworthy of her manicured garden.

And then, silence. The call was disconnected again.

Ruby's thumb hovered over the screen, ready to dial once more, but a sharp message displayed: Blocked.

The atmosphere in the private dining room turned cold as a New England winter. Billy glared at Ruby, disappointment etched on his face, as he stood up and snapped, "Ruby, what the heck are you up to? I moved heaven and earth to book this VIP room, and now you're telling me Xavier blocked you? His mom forbids your little romance?"

Lauren's temper flared, "Is Xavier's mom out of her mind? Our Ruby's a catch-she's the one who's too good for Xavier!"

Billy just stared at her, dumbfounded. He seriously started to doubt whether Lauren had been replaced by a doppelgänger. How could she not grasp the gravity of the situation?

Ruby, tears streaming down her cheeks, sobbed, "Mom, Dad, I don't get it either. Xavier's been nothing but sweet to me, even said he couldn't marry anyone else. He must be under his family's thumb. I'll see him tomorrow, get to the bottom of this."

"Right," Lauren said with resolve, "I'll go with you to see Xavier tomorrow."

If Billy's fury could have taken form, it would have incinerated both Lauren and Ruby, leaving nothing but ash.

"You two complete blockheads!" Billy fumed as he stormed out. He couldn't bear another minute in that room.

Exiting the VIP area, Billy descended to the lobby, where he encountered Josefina stepping out of the elevator, surrounded by a group that seemed to be her family. They were all smiles, showering Josefina with adoring looks as if she were some kind of precious jewel.

Josefina caught sight of Billy and told her family, "I'll just pop to the restroom. You guys go ahead to the car."

The group left the restaurant, and Billy approached Josefina. "Who are they?" he demanded with a righteousness that was almost comical.

Josefina chuckled softly. "Mr. Antonio, since when are you someone to inquire about my affairs?"

Billy's eyes narrowed, fixated on her. "Why are you so hell-bent on ruining me?"

Josefina laughed, a sound as light as champagne bubbles. "When have I ever tried to ruin you? You're the one running the company. If it's failing, how is that my fault?"

Billy was stumped and pressed on, "But who are those people? Your family?"

Billy didn't quite believe it because he noticed the watch on Garrett's wrist, worth five million.

"Mr. Antonio, my personal life is none of your business." Josefina was exhausted, wondering how a simple meal could lead to an encounter with Billy.

She stepped forward to leave, but Billy tried to block her path. Alas, Josefina moved with the grace and speed of a gazelle, leaving Billy to stumble and fall. By the time he picked himself up and dashed outside Josefina was pulling away in a sleek Maybach.

Staring at the license plate and the parade of luxury cars following it, including a Mercedes, he doubted his own eyes.

"If those people were Josefina's relatives, what kind of family did she come from?"

The question gnawed at him as his phone buzzed. "Mr. Antonio," the voice on the other end started, "I've uncovered something..."

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