Chapter 620

Despite Hattie's reassurances, Alivia remained skeptical.

"I'll stay with you for a few days until Lena gets back. Then Mandy and I will leave," Alivia insisted.

"Mandy, aren't you supposed to be at boot camp? Your dad mentioned you got into the University of Melbourne," Hattie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I have a medical excuse, so no boot camp for me," Mandy declared confidently.

Hattie shook her head, seeing right through Mandy's excuse to dodge the training.

"Mom, since you want to stay, I'll take you over there," Hattie offered.

"Josie, you must be exhausted. Go ahead and take a shower and rest. I'll take Grandma and the others next door," Hattie suggested.

Living together was simply out of the question.

Alivia was adamant about staying, and Josefina, wanting to avoid any unnecessary conflict, took the elevator to shower and change.

Josefina's actions, however, did not sit well with Alivia.

"Can you believe her? She's nothing compared to Lena!" Alivia huffed.

"Mom, if staying here is upsetting you, I can take you back home, alright?" Hattie offered.

Alivia fell silent. Going back was not an option; she had come and had no intention of leaving.

...

After her shower, Josefina sat down in the kitchen for a meal. Annika served her a bowl of clam dumplings, a tapioca pudding, and added some fried eggplant and fried chicken to the spread.

"Annika, this is too much. I can't eat all of this. Come, sit. Let's eat together," Josefina said.

Annika sat down but didn't eat, whispering, "Ms. Josefina, I don't think those two will let this go easily. If it comes to it, maybe you should find a ventriloquist to call the old lady?"

Josefina savored a clam dumpling, impressed by its freshness.

"I've thought about that, but pretending someone else is Lena over the phone isn't the best solution," Josefina replied.

Annika, thinking of Alivia's

demeanor, worried for Josefina. Fortunately, the rest of the Harrison family adored Josefina and wouldn't change their affection for her based on Alivia's words:

"Ms. Josefina, please eat up. Whatever you want, just let me.

know. If the cafeteria food doo net

cut'll cook and bring it to you," Annika offered content

Just as she finished speaking, Mandy walked in, sneering, "Look at you, cozying up to the powerful."

Annika glanced at Mandy, her tone even, "I am Ms. Josefina's caretaker. It's natural for me to align myself with her."

Josefina stifled a laugh as Mandy fumed.

"Do you believe I could fire you?" Mandy glared at Annika.

"I doubt it, seeing as you're not the Harrison family's Ms. Josefina. You have no authority to dismiss me," Annika replied calmly.

"Mandy, she's my caretaker. The decision rests with me," Josefina chimed in.

Mandy hadn't anticipated defiance, especially not from a servant, and certainly not Josefina siding with one.

"I'll tell my aunt about this!" Mandy stormed off, anger in her wake.

Annika looked to Josefina, "Ms. Josefina, I'll go apologize to her."

Josefina stopped her, "Annika, there's no need to apologize. You didn't say anything wrong. Don't worry, I'll handle this."

With those reassuring words, Annika sat back down.

Josefina continued eating her fried chicken, scrolling through her phone, and accidentally overate.

Full and satisfied, Josefina decided

to step outside for a bit. She was

curious to see what Mandy and Alivia were really up to if they were truly here for Lena's sake.