Chapter 96


    Calix clutched his finger, wincing as he went in search of a band-aid. In the hallway, he spotted


    Josefina d infy loungewear. With puppy-dog eyes, he approached. "Josie, could you help


    me find a band-aid, pretty please?"


    Josefina asked, "You''re hurt?"


    Calix nodded, "I wanted to slice some fruit for you but ended up cutting my finger. It hurts like heck."


    Josefina felt a wave of empathy and told Calix, "Wait here, I’ve got some band-aids in my room."


    "Okay, I''ll wait right here for you."


    As Josefina took the elevator up, Lena appeared. "Calix, I have a Band-Aid right here. Let me put it


    on for you."


    Calix, hand over the wound, shook his head. "No, Lena, I''d rather Josie helps me. It might bring us


    closer, you know? Josie''s had it rough. We need to look out for her, treat her with extra TLC."


    Lena was visibly irked. This was not how she wanted to spend her days! Josefina was pitiable, but


    what about her?


    They were both equally pitiable, so why did everyone fuss over Josefina?


    "Lena, why are you so silent? Don’t you agree with me?"


    "No, Calix, you''re totally right," she replied awkwardly, slipping the band-aid into her pocket as if she


    never had it.


    When Josefina returned, she expertly dressed Calix''s wound and handed him a few extra band-


    aids.


    "Josie, I’ve never seen these band-aids in stores before."


    N?velDrama.Org content.


    "They''re homemade," Josefina exined. "The medicine inside is specially formted for bleeding


    cuts."


    "Josie, you''re amazing. You even know medical stuff!"


    Calix was astonished to find the bleeding had stopped, and the pain had eased. He was amazed.


    Impressive!


    Josefina, a bit embarrassed by the praise, got up to pour herself a ss of water.


    Soon, the family gathered for dinner. Five servants presented a delicious spread. Ten dishes graced


    the table alongside Robert’s, Garrett’s, and Hattie’s creations.


    Robertdled some seafood chowder into a bowl for Josefina. "Josie, try Grandpa''s specialty. I''m


    quite proud of it."


    "Thank you, Grandpa," Josefina said, epting the bowl with both hands.


    Garrett chimed in, "Josie, those pies in front of you are my handiwork. Give them a taste, will you?"


    He turned to Lena. "Lena, you should try some too."


    Hattie also encouraged Josefina and Lena to sample her homemade pasta. Josefina enjoyed the


    dishes prepared by the her family, finding them delightful.


    Lena ate mindlessly, her emotions numbed. Despite Garrett and Hattie having also prepared food


    for her, she felt it was all for Josefina, not her. Lena’s heart twisted with bitterness. Each bite of the


    dumpling felt like swallowing a grenade.


    Meanwhile, Josefina savored her pies with a contented smile.


    …


    When Rowan returned home, his wife, Sydney, greeted him at the door. "Rowan, what happened to


    your hand? How did you get hurt?"


    Rowan slumped onto the sofa, fuming, "That brat Oliver shot at me!"


    Sydney gasped, sitting beside him. "Rowan, calm down. Oliver''s always been reckless, sigh. He


    can''t see that you''re his father. Why won''t he show you respect?"


    "He’s never taken me seriously! The Baldwin family would still thrive without him."


    Sydney echoed his sentiment, "If he won’t hand over thepany, let him be. I married you, not for


    these material things."


    "Hmph, he wants control over the entire Baldwin family? He''ll have to get through me first!"


    With a painful backhand and steely gaze, Rowan dered, "I''ve set things in motion. By tomorrow,


    he’ll learn who truly calls the shots around here!"