Chapter 848

Shay's eyes flashed with a momentary flicker of disdain before she turned around, her face breaking into a radiant smile. “Cindy, wasn't this your idea? Why are you getting cold feet now?"

Joelle glanced around, oblivious to the mocking undertone in Shay's voice and expression.

Trying to gather her courage, Joelle squared her shoulders, but her nerves were still all too apparent.

"Come on, Cindy, grab a soda over there and chill out a bit. I just spotted some friends, gotta go say hi."

Without waiting for Joelle to reply, Shay was already making her way across the room.

Joelle made her way over to the drinks area, picked up an iced soda, and took a few sips.

When she looked up, she spotted Josefina.

Joelle eyed Josefina's outfit, her mind buzzing with irritation. "Josefina looks incredible! How did she even get an invite to this high-class event?"

Trying to be discreet, Joelle pulled out her phone and snapped a quick photo of Josefina chatting with Livia.

Reviewing the shot, Joelle mumbled to herself, "Even from the worst angle, Josefina looks amazing. Does she ever take a bad photo?"

Determined, Joelle pretended to be engrossed in her phone while sneaking another shot from a tricky angle.

Checking the new photo, she found Josefina looked just as stunning.

Joelle muttered under her breath, scrolling through the images, "Some people just have all the luck, looking good even when they laugh their heads off."

Just as she was about to continue her covert photo session, she realized Josefina had vanished.

She was right there a second ago, and now she's gone?

Joelle scanned the room but couldn't spot Josefina anywhere.

Just as she was about to stand up, Josefina seated herself right across from her. "Were you looking for me?"

Joelle, taken aback, stared at Josefina's fair skin, striking looks, and graceful poise. Recalling the Josefina she knew from school and the polished person in front of her, Joelle was baffled about which Josefina was the real one.

"Josefina, I didn't expect to see you here."

"If you're here, why can't I be?" Josefina replied with an arched brow and a slight smile.

Joelle felt cornered by Josefina's calm confidence.

"There's a camera up there to your left. It caught you snapping pics of me. Better think about how youre going to deal with that," Josefina said evenly.

Joelle's head shot up, and sure enough, there was a camera.

Panicking, Joelle protested, "I wasn't taking pictures of you."

"Whether you were or not, your photo gallery says otherwise," Josefina's words sent Joelle into tailspin. She clutched her phone tightly and retorted, "Who said have your photos? I was just taking

selfies, Josefina stop blowing things out of proportion. Everyone here is either rich or famous. Do you

think just because you're pretty, someone will come to your defense?"

Josefina chuckled softly, "How do you know they won't?"

"There are plenty of women here prettier than you. Looks aren't everything."

Josefina's smile widened, her voice smooth and alluring, “Do you think Shay would

keep you around if she knew you were stirring up trouble here?"

Joelle hated being called a "lackey" and couldn't stomach the term.

Josefina continued, "Do your parents know about your lackey behavior? You worked so hard to get into Capital College, just to be Shay's sidekick?"

Joelle, boiling with anger, shouted, "Shut up!"