Sydney watched with growing irritation as Josefina and Cash bantered away, completely at ease with each other.
"Mom, how does Josefina know Cash? Look at them, chatting like they've been friends forever. Cash usually keeps everyone at arm's length, but with Josefina, he's all smiles and sunshine."
"Calm down, Sydney. You're blowing a simple smile way out of proportion. Shea, you're being way too reckless lately."
A single glance from Sydney was enough to silence Shea, making her think twice before speaking up again.
"Your mentor's about to show up, and you think she won't know Cash? The minute Cash sees her, he'll be all respectful and polite."
Sydney's reassurance quickly lifted Shea's spirits.
"Really, Mom? Is my mentor actually coming? I asked her before, and she said she wouldn't, didn't want to deal with all the people."
"I mentioned Josefina would be here, and how much everyone respects Cash. If she comes, she'll be the star of the show. Your mentor couldn't resist; she told me she'd be here soon."
Hearing this, Shea felt a bit conflicted. Her mentor wouldn't listen to her but would take Sydney's word for it. Did she really matter so little? Shea didn't voice her feelings, just gave a soft nod.
Right on cue, Jane made her entrance. She was dressed in a chic purple outfit that mixed modern style with a hint of tradition, her hair elegantly pinned up, her sharp eyes taking in everything around her.
Jane walked up to Sydney, "Lin Yu, where's this Cash everyone's been buzzing about? I'm curious to see what kind of person warrants my attention."
Sydney pointed out, "Ms. Jane, over there. The girl in the black dress is Josefina, and the guy in the black suit, laughing with her, that's Cash."
Jane already knew Josefina, that girl who wouldn't lend a hand when someone fell, full of malice. "So she knows Cash—maybe she's one of his inner circle?" Jane was intrigued.
Jane was boiling inside, barely keeping her temper in check as she retorted, "You don't know me? I was talking with your mentor, you were right there, don't you remember?"
"When was this? Doesn't ring a bell."
Jane grudgingly mentioned a place, hoping it would jog Cash's memory. But he still drew a blank.
"Sorry, but I don't recall anything like that. Maybe you've got it mixed up?"
Jane forced a smile, her eyes icy as she pressed, "Are you really forgetting, or just pretending? I was right there with your mentor, you were with us, how could you forget?"
The air, thick with tension and misunderstanding, stood in stark contrast to the earlier laughter that had filled the space.

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