Josefina stood off to the side, barely containing her laughter as she eavesdropped on Calix’s conversation with Ruby.
Ruby, for her part, never expected Calix to come at her like that. “How can you talk like that? This is just how my voice is. How can you attack me for my voice?” Ruby’s words were on the verge of tears.
Josefina, with a sly grin, whipped out her smartphone and played a voice memo for all to hear. “Josefina, let me tell you something. I am the real daughter of the Antonio clan. You were the one taken home by the wrong family, and that’s your bad! I will make sure you’re thrown out!”
The voice in the recording was fierce and domineering, a stark contrast to the Ruby who stood there about to cry.
Josefina, with a cool detachment, said, “Ruby, do you want me to keep playing this, so everyone can hear what you really sound like?”
Calix, with a smirk, added, “What happened to your voice? Doesn’t it hurt to speak like that?”
Josefina turned to Calix. “Let’s go over there,” she suggested, nodding toward where Walter was.
The two walked off towards Walter, leaving Ruby glaring at Josefina’s retreating figure with frustration boiling inside her.
Xavier, witnessing the scene, quickly approached Ruby’s side. “Ruby, how did your chat go? What exactly is her relationship with Mr. Oliver?”
Ruby was silent. Every time she saw Josefina, she would lose control and forget to ask the important questions. “I did ask, but she didn’t give me a straight answer. Instead, she’s cozying up to that guy by her side, calling each other ‘brother’ and ‘sister’ like they’re the best of pals.”
Xavier’s brow furrowed in concern. “Let it be for now. We can talk about it when we’re outside. This is Mr. Walter’s place, and we need to keep our cool.”
Ruby nodded in agreement. “Xavier, I’ll follow your lead.” She had come to this gathering to rub shoulders with the big shots and wanted to project an image of vulnerability and helplessness.
...
Walter and Grandpa Robert, old friends, exchanged pleasantries.
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