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 pointedment 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 gettingte. Can you expect him to camp out here overnight?" Josefina shot back with a yful


    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 unttering


    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 nced at Lena, his eyes aplex 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.


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    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-ttering 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 asion. 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 nkly at Josefina, her cheeks ame with embarrassment.


    …


    Lena couldn''t recall how she returned to her room, her mind aplete nk. 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."