Chapter 31
indon and Oliver prepared to head back, while Garrett and Hattle took Josefina and Lena to see the pair off.
Standing at the door with a face full of kindness, Brandon said, “Hey Josie, drop by our place tomorrow If you’re free. The doc’s suggesting I need some more tests to make sure everything’s A–OK with me. You got time tomorrow, Josie?”
When you’ve taken someone’s gifts, it’s hard to say no. Josefina had accepted so many presents from the Baldwin family, so she naturally wouldn’t turn them down.
With her sweetest voice, Josefina said, “I’m free tomorrow, Brandon. I’ll come over in the morning.”
Brandon’s face lit up with joy. “Great, I’ll have someone pick you up then.”
Oliver shot Josefina a look before leaving with Brandon.
In the car.
The old man who was all smiles just a moment ago now had a dark cloud over his face
as he said to Oliver, “Oliver, lose ice–cold attitude and flash a smile now and then. It’s
clear as day that Josefina’s father isn’t keen on handing his daughter over to someone like you. He thinks you’ll treat her poorly.”
Oliver retorted, “Me, treat her poorly?”
Brandon shot back, “You have no clue what people are saying about you, do you?”
He turned to the driver. “Johns, come on. Give it to me straight, no holding back.”
Johns, trembling, spilled it, “People are saying… they’re saying Mr. Oliver is ruthless and merciless. He takes people down without batting an eye, like it’s as easy as killing a
chicken.”
Oliver was speechless. Was his image really that bad?
Brandon reminded him, “You haven’t even dated anyone before. I know you’re not into Lena, so I didn’t push you two together. Josie, though, she’s a good kid. Don’t you dare treat her with the same cold shoulder you gave Lena. She’s had it tough. Josie is sharp as a tack and sweet as pie, couldn’t hurt a fly. You gotta protect her.
Brandon had done his homework on Josefina and knew she hadn’t had an easy time with the Antonios. She was just an innocent kid caught in the crossfire.
Oliver just nodded slightly. Not another word was spoken. The vibe in the car was colder than a winter tundra.
Billy staggered home, pale as a ghost, looking like a walking dead man. Ruby and Lauren sat beside him, worry written all over their faces. “Billy, what’s going on?”
Dad, are you alright?”
Billy looked up blankly and slapped Lauren across the face. The slap rang clear, leaving a trickle of blood at Lauren’s mouth, and Ruby was in a panic..
“Billy, why did you hit me!” Lauren roared in anger.
Billy was just as furious, yelling back at her, “You shouldn’t have treated Josefina like that! I’m starting to think Brandon’s got his sights set on Josefina, not Ruby.”
Lauren snapped back. “Billy, what are you getting at? How did I treat her? You didn’t say anything about it either. You were okay with it, weren’t you?”
Billy’s face turned uglier, even looking a bit guilty. He knew all about Lauren’s
mistreatment of Josefina but hadn’t said a word in her defense, essentially giving Lauren the green light.
Ruby, sensing something was off with her arguing parents, piped up, “Dad, did sis say something? Or… did she bag herself a sugar daddy?”
Lauren let out a sneer, “I knew she couldn’t stay put! She’s just tramp, not some tycoon’s daughter. She’s only good for snagging some old rich dude.”
Billy struggled to get the words out, “Oliver called off the wedding, told me to stay away or he’ll beat me up each time he sees me. Our company’s done for!”
Lauren and Ruby were gobsmacked.
Ruby couldn’t believe it. “Dad, Oliver hasn’t even met me. How can he dislike me?”
