Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess novel Chapter 538

Garrett sent Josie a message that warmed her heart. "You've been a trooper, kiddo. Everything you've done for this family, I see it, I appreciate it. This cash isn't much, but consider it some pocket money from your old man."

Josefina couldn't help but smile to herself. Between Dad and Dorian, they were quite the generous duo – a cool ten million in total.

Lying in bed, scrolling through her phone, Josefina shot a text back to Oliver. When she found out Oliver was heading to the office, she replied with a meme that read, "Well, ain't that something."

After sharing some good news, Josefina drifted off to sleep.

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Lauren and Ruby were really going through a rough patch. The cops had confirmed that Billy had indeed skipped town with the cash, setting his sights abroad. With the guy out of the country, dragging him back to face the music wasn't going to be a walk in the park.

The news hit Lauren like a ton of bricks, and she collapsed onto the sofa in her apartment. She had another apartment in the city, which she'd tidied up and moved into recently. Without money, everything was a struggle.

Lauren, seething with rage, hurled a glass across the room. "That low-life Billy, running off with our money! I hope he lives worse than a beggar over there, with someone cleaning him out, pinching his cash and his ID, leaving him shouting into the void!"

Ruby looked ashen, slumped back in her chair, the very picture of a puppet with its strings cut. Lauren's complexion wasn't any better as she spat out bitterly, "Ruby, has Xavier gotten back to you yet? If we get really desperate, you could ask him to help us out so we don't starve."

"Mom, Xavier hasn't replied. He hasn't blocked me, but he's been ignoring my messages. I bet he's caught wind of our family's troubles and doesn't want to see me anymore. It's all Marina's fault. She wants to match Xavier with a family that can boost his prospects. Now that we're in this mess, Marina surely won't let him have anything to do with me."

"Xavier's no prize either, that damn mama's boy! Ruby, he's not worthy of you." If a stray dog had wandered by at that moment, Lauren would have likely given it a piece of her mind too.

Lauren retreated to her room, slipped into a chic dress, touched up her makeup, grabbed her purse, and stepped out.

Ruby watched her leave, her eyes darting around, then she snatched a hat and a cover-up and followed suit. One trailed the other, keeping a discreet distance.

Lauren hailed a cab, and Ruby swiftly caught another, tailing her mother. The driver didn't ask any questions – as long as the fare was paid. After a good half-hour's drive, Lauren got out near a hotel, and Ruby, staying a safe distance back, did the same.

Ruby watched, utterly baffled, as Lauren disappeared into the hotel. Was Lauren meeting her biological father? But why hadn't Lauren brought her along?

"What kind of person can't I meet?" Ruby furrowed her brow, determined to follow and find out. She wanted to know who her real father was too.