"I've looked into it," Hattie sighed heavily, her voice tinged with a mix of worry and confusion. "Lena and those five guys, they went in one after the other. Must know each other. This kid, I just can't figure out what she's up to."
Josefina kept to herself the truth of the matter. She knew full well that Hattie would struggle to come to terms with it.
Hattie rose from her seat and approached the safe, extracting a sleek black box and placed it gently in Josefina's hands. "Josie, this is my jewelry set. My mom, your grandma, gave it to me when I got married. I want you to have it now," she said, her voice heavy with sentiment.
Josefina tried to give it back instantly, "It's too precious. I can't accept this. I've got plenty of jewelry already, and this... this should stay with you. It was grandma's gift to you."
But Hattie insisted, pressing the box back into Josefina's palms. "Josie, it's yours now. Everything I have will be yours eventually. Sooner or later, what's the difference?"
Upon opening the box, Josefina was met with the dazzling sparkle of sapphire jewelry, the stones massive, each no less than fifteen carats.
Josefina's phone buzzed to life, so she stepped aside to answer the call.
"Josie, we need you down at the lab. Can you make it now?"
"Sure, I'll be right there."
It had to be something complicated if Percy was calling her in.
With a quick word to Hattie, "A friend needs me, I have to step out," Josefina prepared to leave.
"It's getting dark. Isn't it too late to go out now?" Hattie fretted.
"I'll have the driver take me. I'll be back soon," Josefina reassured her before heading out.
...
Grandpa Robert dropped by to play chess with Josefina, only to learn she was out.
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