Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess
Chapter 167

Lena beamed at Josefina with a cheeky grin. "Josie, why are you looking at me like that?"

Josefina curled her red lips into a smile, her voice smooth as silk. "You've dolled yourself up so nicely. Wasn't it all for the sake of being admired?"

Lena instantly knew Josefina's pointed comment was meant for a certain someone's ears! Taking her usual seat across from Josefina, Lena was the epitome of grace and good manners. "Josie, why didn't you ask Oliver to hang around a little longer?"

"It's getting late. Can you expect him to camp out here overnight?" Josefina shot back with a playful smirk.

Lena was taken aback, her smile unwavering, her face a portrait of calm.

Garrett and Hattie walked in, and their expressions soured upon seeing Lena. They hesitated as if burdened with words they longed to say but couldn't.

Lena's heart leaped with joy. Could it be that Oliver had spoken ill of Josefina? It made sense. Josefina was just a girl from a modest background and hardly the favorite; what charms could she possibly hold to captivate Oliver for so long?

Surely, Oliver had grown weary of Josefina and had filled Garrett and Hattie's ears with unflattering words.

It had to be the case!

Lena felt a surge of satisfaction. She stood and approached her parents with a soft, concerned tone. "Mom, Dad, you both look a bit off. Did Oliver say something?"

Garrett glanced at Lena, his eyes a complex mix of emotions.

Josefina was now munching on a roasted corn cob and sipping an ice-cold soda, reveling in the summer coolness. Leaning back in her chair, she watched Lena's little show with quiet amusement. Hattie finally said, with difficulty, "It's nothing."

Lena's excitement grew. Hattie's 'nothing' surely meant something! Perhaps... Oliver had shared some less-than-flattering thoughts about Josefina. With this in mind, Lena's spirits soared. "Mom, you need to spill the beans so we can deal with whatever it is properly."

Garrett sighed, "Let's just drop it."

But Lena persisted, "Dad, why keep quiet? We're all family here. We can handle it better if we talk it out."

Hattie seemed torn. "Discuss it here?"

Lena nodded firmly. "Yes, right here."

With reluctance, Hattie spoke up. "Lena, dear, Oliver mentioned that your outfit was inappropriate for the occasion. It might set a bad example for Josie. He suggested you be more mindful in the future." Lena was taken aback, her face clouding over. "He was talking about me?"

Garrett added, "I told him you weren't aware of his visit. But Oliver pointed out that you saw him and didn't go to change. That wasn't appropriate."

Hattie chimed in, "Lena, I know you might not think much of it. But you're back home now, and here, well, we have certain expectations, you understand?"

Josefina rose and walked over to Lena, her voice soft but firm. "Lena, my dear sister, you really should be more careful in the future."

Lena stared blankly at Josefina, her cheeks aflame with embarrassment.

Lena couldn't recall how she returned to her room, her mind a complete blank. Regina followed closely and entered Lena's bedroom. "Miss Lena, don't be upset. The folks love you to bits. They won't hold it against you. Tomorrow, everything will be back to normal, and you'll still be their precious daughter."

Lena lifted her head, her eyes a storm of resentment, defiance, and dark thoughts, all merging into a choked sob. Regina continued to console her. "Miss Lena, your bond with the folks is the strongest and most enduring."

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