Chapter 169


    Josefina called the person with a hint of irritation in her voice.


    "What''s with all these cryptic texts? Is Ruby putting you up to this?" On the other end, the girl''s


    voice wasced with venom. "That backstabber Ruby has ruined me! She wrecked my entire life!"


    Frowning, Josefina questioned, "Weren''t you two supposed to be tight?" The thought of Ruby''s


    friend calling her to bad-mouth Ruby was something Josefina couldn''t quite wrap her head around.


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    With a bitter edge, Sally confessed, "Ruby invited us out for dinner, and I got stered. When I


    woke up, some old geezer was snoozing next to me. He let slip that someone had sold me to him!


    And it wasn''t just me—two other friends got the same treatment from Ruby."


    Josefina was stunned. Could Ruby really be so heartless, even to her closest friends? "Why don''t


    you confront Ruby yourself? Or go to the cops? I''m notw enforcement. I can''t arrest anyone, and I


    sure as heck can''t help you."


    Sally pleaded urgently, "The other day, I saw you with this super good-looking guy. I could tell—he''s


    loaded. Josefina, I know you''ve got the chops to help us out. After Ruby, the little princess, kicked


    you to the curb, are you just going to take that lying down?"


    Josefina''s brows furrowed. "Sorry, I don''t really know you." She ended the call.


    It wasn''t that she didn''t want to help. The fact that it was Ruby''s friending to her with this story


    just didn''t sit right with her.


    On the other side, Sally was in a panic, her face twisted in distress as she said to the two women


    beside her. "I told you this wouldn''t work. How could Josefina ever believe Ruby''s friend?"


    Tina and Veronica exchanged a look as if the sky was falling. Veronica let out a heavy sigh. "We


    were blind to think Ruby was a true friend."


    Tina took a deep breath, her voice fierce, "I''ve got a n. We keep ying nice with Ruby and get


    some dirt on her. When Josefina was with that guy at the restaurant, even the manager came out to


    greet them personally. I think he must be very important. Josefina and Ruby don''t get along, so


    she''ll definitely be on our side when the timees!"


    "But with Josefina kicked out of the Antonio family, she''s not exactly rolling in dough. Does she even


    have the means to help us?"


    Sally retorted, "Josefina? Not capable? Wasn''t she the valedictorian at the final exam?"


    In the end, they decided they couldn''t let Ruby off the hook just yet.


    ...


    Achoo! Fresh from the shower, Ruby sneezed.


    Slipping into her new nightie, a slinky little number, she dialed Xavier''s number for a video call. She


    imagined Xavier answering her call, unable to take his eyes off her seductive attire, utterly


    captivated.


    But as the call went unanswered, Ruby tried again and again, with no response. She wondered, "Is


    Xavier too busy, or is he ignoring me on purpose?"


    "Is Xavier done with me?" she mused aloud. Not one to sit idly by, Ruby decided she''d seek out


    Xavier first thing in the morning.


    ...


    Josefina headed downstairs, ready to hit theb since it was the weekend, and then to Luke''s ce


    for dinner the next day. Just as she reached the elevator, she caught Lena''s yful voice. "Mom,


    Dad, make sure to tell Josieter."


    Josefina paused by the elevator doors, curious about Lena''s mysterious message. What was it


    about?


    Spotting Josefina, Hattie waved her over. "Josie,e sit next to me."


    Josefina approached with a smile, d in a crisp white tee and casual ck pants, ready for


    whatever the day might throw at her.