Chapter 1198

Damita chimed in, "Yeah, I've heard about it too. Cassandra always makes such a big deal out of everything. The experiment hasn't even kicked off, and she's already acting like it's a done deal."

Mandy rolled her eyes. "Talk is cheap. I doubt she'll actually pull it off."

Josefina shrugged it off. "Let Cassandra do her thing. We just need to focus on what we've got going on. Mandy, how's the prep work coming along?"

"Almost there," Mandy replied. "I'm hashing out the details with Percy's assistant."

Josefina nodded approvingly. "Awesome, let's head to the lab."

As the trio walked down the path, Cassandra stepped in front of them, blocking their way.

"Josefina, could we have a chat?" Cassandra asked.

Mandy scoffed. "Even if you wanted a whole conversation, our Josie wouldn't waste her breath."

Damita added, "Who do you think you are, trying to get chummy with our Josie?"

Cassandra was momentarily lost for words, irritation simmering beneath the surface.

"Fiona—uh, Josefina, I guess I should call you that now, since it's your name," Cassandra said, trying to keep her composure.

Josefina frowned slightly. "Mandy, Damita, hang tight. I'll be back in a sec."

Josefina stepped aside, with Cassandra smugly trailing her to the side of the path.

Before Cassandra could get a word in, Josefina cut straight to the chase. "So, what kind of nonsense are you here to cause today?"

Cassandra hesitated, momentarily thrown off. "Josefina, could you not act like you're some kind of royalty? It's not like I owe you anything."

Josefina shot her a steely look. "You may not owe me, but you sure owe something to Grandma."

Cassandra's eyes flickered, a hint of unease showing. Josefina looked at her with clear disdain.

"I've put up with you for Grandma's sake. Cassandra, you ought to be making your apologies at her grave."

Cassandra clenched her jaw. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"

Josefina sighed, clearly fed up. "I never expected you to own up to it, Cassandra. Stop playing the fool in front of me."

Cassandra pushed forward, "Just give me Grandma's locket, and I' leave you alone it was hers in the first place, and it shouldn't be with

someone like you." fo

"Why don't you ask Grandma for her thoughts on that, hmm?" Josefina replied with a sly grin.

Cassandra went silent, her goal as clear as day.

The locket was what she wanted. But Josefina's firm stance was testing her

patience, leaving her more and more frustrated.

After a moment, Cassandra offered, "How about this: you hand over the locket, and

I'll disband the medical society. Deal?"

It was an enticing proposition.

Cassandra was certain Josefina would give in. With the locket, she could finally fulfill her obligations.

Realizing she needed to act,

Cassandra declared confidently, "Josefina, you do know what my

medical society means, right2:11 I decide to take on your group, things won't be easy for you, will they?"

Josefina just chuckled.

Cassandra urged, "Think about it."

Josefina asked, "Cassandra, why are you so desperate for the locket?"

Cassandra's gaze faltered. "Because it belonged to my grandmother. My dad wants it as a keepsake."

Josefina laughed again, this time̱

more sarcastically. "He didn't care about her when she was alive, and now he wants a keepsake? If he's so sentimental, why doesn the visit her grave?"

Tired of the conversation, Josefina turned to leave.

Cassandra, fuming, called out after her, "Josefina, you'll regret this!"