Josefina and Mandy turned their heads simultaneously, their gaze landing on a strikingly beautiful girl leaning casually against the doorframe, exuding an air of cool indifference.
Mandy's instincts kicked in, and she eyed the newcomer with suspicion.
"Fiona?"
Did she just call Josefina, Fiona? Why on earth does Josefina have another name?
"Hey there, Cassandra. It's been a while." Josefina stayed seated, unfazed by the sudden appearance.
Cassandra sauntered in, her black coat adding to her enigmatic, icy vibe.
Taking a seat, Cassandra found herself under Mandy's intense scrutiny, as if she were some dangerous predator.
"Fiona, I never thought you'd be pretending to be a student. You really threw me for a loop!"
Josefina arched an eyebrow. "As if you’re not pretending to shave a few years off yourself."
She gave Cassandra a once-over, clicking her tongue in mock disapproval.
"Josie, she’s got nothing on you. Not as pretty, and definitely not as fresh-faced. How dare she accuse you of faking being a student? At your age, you could be her mom!"
Josefina burst into laughter. "Hahaha."
Cassandra’s internal reaction: Where on earth did this idiot come from?
Mandy kept on, "Only someone with a decade-long brain freeze would say something like that!"
Cassandra was left speechless.
Josefina smirked, "Cassandra, what brings you to the school? Here to hit the books? Can your grades even get you into the University of Melbourne?"
Mandy chimed in, "Her thirst for knowledge must be intense!"
Cassandra’s pretty face twisted in anger. "Shut your mouth!"
Cassandra was boiling with anger, but she held back.
"Fiona, we’ll see about that. We'll run into each other soon," Cassandra said as she stormed out.
Mandy was puzzled. "Why did she call you Fiona?"
Josefina explained, "I have another name, Fiona. My grandmother took me in, and I took her last name. I was her god-granddaughter. After she passed, she left most of her money to me. The Stark family wasn’t thrilled about it; they all want a piece of it."
Mandy nodded, getting the picture. "And she has the nerve to ask you for money? Must be because she wasn’t good to her grandma, who then decided not to leave them anything."
Mandy suddenly thought about her own life. If she hadn't turned things around and been forgiven by her family, would they have left her anything? Probably not...
Mandy felt incredibly grateful for her change of heart and her family’s forgiveness.
Clinging to Josefina's arm, Mandy said, "Josie, you should definitely check why she’s at the University of Melbourne. Leave this to me, while you handle the rest."

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