Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Lena was a picture of schadenfreude, lounging with a gleeful anticipation for a spectacle. She didn't believe for a second that Annika could come up with any evidence to clear her name.

Regina, equally skeptical, watched Annika with a detached amusement, ready to savor the moment her charade would crumble. She was curious, though. What proof could Annika possibly produce? Clearing one's name wasn't child's play, after all.

Annika remained unfazed. She whipped out her smartphone and launched the surveillance app. The look in her eyes sent a ripple of fear through Regina.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Annika passed the phone to Hattie, her voice laced with a blend of hurt and helplessness. "Ma'am, please look. I didn't take Miss Josefina's necklace. It was Regina, setting me up. There's video proof, just watch."

Hattie held the phone, scrutinizing the video with intense focus, and her expression turned to stone. The video was unmistakable: Regina was seen sneaking a blindingly sparkly necklace into Annika's backpack.

The video ended, and what else was there to misunderstand?

Hattie's gaze on Regina was as cold as the Arctic.

Regina's earlier confidence evaporated, leaving her visibly rattled. "Ma'am, what's going on? What did she show you?" Her voice quivered with apprehension. She didn't want to lose her job over this. Hattie handed her the phone with an authoritative tone, "See for yourself."

Regina's face went numb as she watched the surveillance footage.

Damn it! Why the heck did Annika have a camera in her room?

Before Regina could protest, Annika explained with resignation, "Ma'am, I didn't want to install the camera out of spite. At my last gig as a nanny, there was this snobby lady who loved to target those she disliked. So, I played it smart this time and set up a camera in my room."

Lena was dumbfounded. She hadn't expected Annika to pull off such a stunt.

Josefina glared at Regina. "Got anything to say now?"

Oliver chimed in, "Josie's got a knack for judging character. She's never wrong." Like with him.

Oliver always stood by Josefina's side, providing her with protection and support.

Regina was in a full-blown panic. She glanced at Lena, looking for an ally, but Lena dodged her gaze, refusing to make eye contact.

Lena spoke up, "Josie, you're putting a lot of trust in someone you've supposedly never met. Have you two known each other all along?"

"I do know Annika," Josefina admitted, "but I didn't expect her to end up working for the Harrisons. So what? What are you implying?"

"Miss Lena, surely you're not suggesting that I conspired with Ms. Josefina to frame Regina?" Annika retorted.

Josefina's snort was one of derision. "Was it me who told Regina to frame Annika? Knowing Annika doesn't tie me to your little scheme. Had Annika not had that camera, she would have been slapped with a theft charge and thrown in jail, wouldn't she?"

Hattie spoke up, "Josie told me about knowing Annika a while back."

Lena was staggered. How come she hadn't been informed? Josefina had already told Hattie about this?

Lena seethed internally, convinced

Josefina had set a trap for her. But

she refused to remain passive.

Taking the initiative, she said,

"Regina, how could you do this,

Annika? You're colleagues; you

should be supportive of each other. Now, apologize to

Annika-immediately."

Regina was taken aback, but quickly understood Lena's cue. With no

other choice, Regina muttered nez

"Annika, I'm sorry. It was all my fault. Please, forgive me, just this once."