Chapter 35


    Josefina hopped out of the car by the roadside and said to Ryan, “Ryan, I’m off to catch up with an


    old pal. You head on home, okay?”


    “Miss, let me at least drive you there,” he insisted.


    Josefina chuckled and shook her head. “It’s alright. I’ll manage just fine on my own.”


    She snagged a bike from a nearby share station and pedaled off towards the address Billy had sent


    her.


    ...


    Billy showed up at the café Josefina had mentioned, bringing Lauren and Ruby along for the ride.


    As they pulled up to the café, they spotted Josefina rolling up on her shared bike.


    Ruby perked up, a smug look on her face. “Well, well, seems like Josefina’s not having the time of


    her life, is she?” She didn’t arrive in a car, nor did she take a cab, just pedaling away on a bike.


    Ruby tilted her chin up. Her expression was a mix of disdain and snobbery.


    Lauren said with a sneer, “Billy, look at her. So broke she can’t even afford a car.”


    Billy shot Lauren a re, “Would you just zip it?”


    Lauren mped her mouth shut. After all, they still had business to deal with.


    Billy approached Josefina with a smile that seemed kind and gentle. “Josie, why’d you bike here?


    Why not catch a cab? If you’re strapped for cash, just let me know, and I’ll foot the bill.”


    Josefina’s gazended on Billy, just watching him with a smile.


    “What’s so funny?” he asked.


    A sly smile yed on Josefina’s lips. “I’m just wondering, what’s the deal with you calling me here


    today? If you know I’m broke, why bother? It doesn’t seem like something you’d do. After all, you’ve


    always been all about clout and fortune.”


    Billy’s brows knotted, but his smile quickly returned. “Josie, let’s head inside. There’s something I


    want to chat with you about.”


    Josefina headed straight for the café, not even giving Lauren and Ruby a nce.


    Lauren stamped her foot in frustration. “That cheeky brat, acting like she doesn’t see me!”


    Ruby, soothing her, took her arm. “Mom, don’t stoop to her level. She’s not your darling daughter.”


    Lauren scoffed, “Let’s go. I want to see how long she can keep up this act.”


    They all entered the café together. It was quiet inside, just the four of them.


    A cup of coffee sat in front of Josefina, its rich aroma filling the air. Just one whiff, and Josefina had


    a hunch about the situation. With a calm demeanor, she prompted, “Spill it.”


    Billy, with a grin, started, “Josie, ever since you left, a bunch of our partners pulled their


    investments. You know these people, don’t you?”


    Lauren’s eyes bore into Josefina, filled with malice and a range of emotions, the clearest being


    contempt — a sentiment that almost made Josefinaugh.


    Josefina leaned back in her chair. Her natural beauty was undeniable, even without makeup.


    “I know them, so what?” she said nonchntly.


    Billy’s eyes were fervent, almost pleading. “Really? Josie, do your old man a favor. Talk to them, get


    them to keep doing business with ourpany, will you?”


    Lauren, suppressing her contempt, spoke evenly, “Josie, we raised you for eighteen years. Don’t


    you think you owe us something?”


    Ruby chimed in, “Josie, you’re so capable. You can win over those big shots. Help us out one more


    time, please.”


    Josefina saw the disdain in Lauren and Ruby’s eyes all too clearly. Sheughed, “You look down on


    me in your hearts, yet here you are asking for my help. Isn’t that just pathetic?”


    Lauren couldn’t keep up the facade any longer, gritting her teeth. “Josefina, how dare you call us


    pathetic? What are you then? If it weren’t for us raising you, you’d be dead by now!”


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    In a cool and steady tone, Josefina replied, “Then why didn’t you kill me? Oh, that’s right. You’d be a


    murderer then.”