Chapter 2


    That was a marriage the old man set up for her daughter! Scoring a connection with the Baldwins


    was a stroke of luck the Antonio family couldn''t even dream of in a hundred years. There was no


    way they were letting Josefina snag that deal. That good fortune was reserved for Ruby!


    Lauren, gripping Josefina''s arm, said icily, "You wanna leave? Fine, but first, scribble down a letter,


    cutting ties with us. Dere that you''ve got nothing to do with the Antonio n and that the


    marriage arrangement set up by your grandfather is for Ruby and has zip to do with you."


    Ruby, in a gentle voice, pleaded, "Josefina, Mom and Dad have raised you for eighteen years. Why


    are you making them upset, hmm? If you''ve got to vent, take it out on me, but please don''t upset


    Mom, okay? She''s not in good health, and I''m really worried about her."


    Lauren watched Ruby with affection, appreciating her more and more with each nce. "Ruby, you


    always know how to care for me, unlike some thankless girl we''ve fed!"


    Lauren went on, "Billy, don''t waste your breath on her! Ever since Ruby came back these past two


    weeks, our business has been booming. Didn''t you justnd a couple of big partnerships the other


    day? That''s all thanks to the good vibes Ruby''s been bringing!"


    N?velDrama.Org: text ? owner.


    Josefina couldn''t help but let out a snort. Were those two big deals really thanks to Ruby''s good


    fortune? She whipped out her phone and sent a message.


    Ruby bashfully said, "Mom, all this is thanks to you and Dad''s efforts. You both have sharp eyes


    and made smart investments."


    Lauren beamed, "Ruby, no need to be modest. You''re our lucky star."


    After a moment''s thought, Billy said, "Josie, we''ve been decent to you. The wedding was never


    yours to start with. Ruby is our flesh and blood, and she''s the one the Baldwin family is expecting."


    Josefina''s eyes were filled with mockery as she looked at Billy and said deliberately, "Are you sure


    those two partnerships came from Ruby?"


    Lauren roared in frustration, "If not her, then who? You?"


    Just then, Billy''s phone rang. It was his secretary. "Mr. Antonio, there''s trouble! Those two bosses


    are pulling out. They don''t want to work with ourpany anymore!"


    Billy panicked, "What! What happened?"


    "Mr. Antonio, I''m not sure what''s going on. They called out of the blue, saying your family''s jinx just


    got back in thest two weeks, and working with you will bring bad luck. We were supposed to sign


    the contracts this afternoon, and now it''s all gone up in smoke!"


    The secretary''s voice was loud and anxious, and everyone heard what he said.


    Two weeks? Jinx? Who else could it be but Ruby?


    One minute, she was a lucky star. The next, a curse?


    Billy pped his thigh in anger. "Those two deals could have made us a billion! A whole billion, just


    like that, down the drain!"


    Billy looked at Ruby withplex emotions, and Lauren''s heart sank too—after all, she cared more


    about that billion.


    Ruby couldn''t smile anymore. She was so proud just moments ago, but now, her face was flushed


    with embarrassment.


    Josefina, arms folded, watched the spectacle like it was the best show in town, clearly amused by


    Ruby''s fall from grace. "Mr. and Mrs. Antonio, let''s just wait and see who the real lucky star of your


    family is." Josefina turned on her heel with a cold arrogance and strutted out.


    Billy''s phone rang again.


    "Mr. Antonio, there''s more bad news! Our contract with Y Company doesn''t expire until next month,


    but they''d rather pay the penalty and end the partnership now!"


    Hearing this, Laurenpletely lost it. She fumed, "I''m going to find Josefina right now and ask that


    little tramp exactly what she''s done!"


    But as she reached the front door, the sight before her stopped her in her tracks.