Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Chapter 101

The hallway was alive with the sounds of a heated argument.

"Alex, you're just an intern. Me putting my name on your sketches is a favor, a nod of respect. Don't push your luck!" Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

Ava, the company's designer, was glaring at Alex, her eyes brimming with sarcasm.

Alex stood his ground, his expression steely. "You might be the company's designer, but I drew those designs. They have nothing to do with you. What gives you the right to claim my work as your own? My designs will bear my name only!"

Ava crossed her arms, her tone dripping with disdain. "Alex, you do realize I'm mentoring you, right? If my name is on the design, I'll tell everyone you're my assistant. Your name will get out there, and your reputation will grow. Isn't that what you want?"

"No, it's not," Alex refused flatly. Fresh out of school, he didn't hesitate to speak his mind whenever something rubbed him the wrong way. Alex was fiercely defending his rights.

Ava thought she could easily manipulate the novice. "Alex, you're just a fresh intern. Whether you even get a permanent position is still up in the air. Even if you make a fuss, who's going to back you up? Remember, I'm the one with the title of designer here."

She pressed on with a mix of threats and temptations. "Give me the designs, and I'll make sure you're promoted to a designer. How about that?"

Alex's eyes were red with anger, yet he refused to cave in. "I'm going to tell the boss!"

"Josefina? The woman who climbed the ladder leaning on a man's shoulders? Do you really think she'll side with an intern over me?"

Alex was fuming. If it weren't for the fact that Ava was a woman, he might have already thrown a punch!

Just as Alex was swallowing his grievances, Josefina appeared. She opened the door to the hallway and stood at the threshold, her piercing dark eyes fixed on Ava. "I'm backing Alex."

Alex's eyes went wide with disbelief, staring at Josefina as if she were a guardian angel.

Ava, too, was stunned, her face a mask of incredulity. Was Josefina an idiot for supporting Alex instead of her? She snorted, not taking Josefina seriously. "Alex is just an intern."

Josefina descended the stairs, her gaze settling on Ava with a slight smile on her lips. "And? Does being an intern mean he doesn't deserve help? Ava, have you forgotten who's in charge here?"

"And what of it?" Ava retorted.

"As the boss, I always value talent the most! I'll stand by whoever has more of it."

Ava frowned. "Are you saying I'm less capable than an intern?"

"Indeed, you are less capable."

Josefina's eyes were cold as she spoke sharply, "The designs you handed in yesterday were derivative of Anya's work from last year. Did you think I wouldn't notice? Our company would have taken the loss if we used your designs."

Ava was shocked that Josefina knew of the renowned designer Anya's creations.

Josefina declared, "I'm more familiar with Anya's work than you are." After all, Anya was another alternative identity of hers.

Caught out, Ava's face flushed with anger. "I quit!"

"Go to finance right now. I approve your resignation."

Ava shot Josefina a venomous look. "You'll regret this!" With that, she stormed off.

Alex, still in awe, turned to Josefina. "Boss, with Ava's resignation, what will happen to our company's designs?"

"Isn't that what we have you for?" Josefina replied with a knowing smile.