Chapter 109
Chapter 109
Calix rose to his feet and swung the door open, only to be greeted by Josefina's bodyguards, Jett and Tori, standing at the threshold.
"Ms. Josefina, this is a graduation gift from Judson," announced Jett, the hint of a smile on his face.
Josefina's eyes sparkled with delight as she made her way to the entrance. "Where is he?"
Jett shrugged, "Haven't seen him around. It's just the delivery guys dropping this off."
Before them were two massive crates, each towering over a meter high, their contents a mystery.
Soon, more visitors arrived.
"Good day, Ms. Josefina. This is a gift from Mr. Hough."
"Hello, Ms. Josefina. This is from Mr. Kennedy."
"Ms. Josefina, a present from Mr. Gruner."
"Ms. Josefina, this is from Miss Elder."
"Ms. Josefina, this is—"
One after another, the gifts kept arriving, filling the banquet hall to the astonishment of the Harrisons. Oliver and Brandon shared a look of bewildered amazement. How did Josefina know such a crowd? Surely the uncherished Ms. Josefina couldn't have such an extensive network?
Lena's gaze swept over the plethora of gifts. The hall had few attendees, but the gifts were numerous and certainly eye-catching.
"Josie, just how many points did you score on your final exam?" Lena asked, her voice casual but her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Hattie chimed in, "The score doesn't matter. What's important is that Josie is happy."
Garrett added, "Exactly, as long as Josie is happy, nothing else matters."
Robert spoke up, "You can't gauge a person's worth by their scores. Our Josie is talented in ways tests can't measure. The rest is trivial."
Calix nodded in agreement, "Right, scores aren't everything. Lena's grades weren't stellar either, and dad still sent her abroad to polish her skills before coming back for university."
Inside, Lena was rolling her eyes, but she held her tongue.
Brandon weighed in, "Josie's so bright, she doesn't even need to study. She could just take over the family business. With Oliver raking in the dough, all she'd have to do is spend it."
Oliver smiled, "The most important thing is Josie's happiness." Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.
Watching everyone rally around Josefina, Lena feigned an epiphany, "Josie, don't feel pressured. We're loaded, and Mom and Dad adore you. If you want to study, they could even get you into any university you want."
Josefina, facing Lena, replied deliberately, "Sorry, I don't need family help to get into uni."
Lena was taken aback and pressed, "Josie, what do you mean?"
Josefina pondered for a moment, "I could go to any uni I want with my grade."
Lena nearly scoffed. She'd never met anyone so full of hot air.
As confusion swirled, Josefina declared, "I am this year's valedictorian for the science final exams."
The room fell into stunned silence.
Hattie, sitting beside Josefina, clutched her arm excitedly. "Josie, is it true? Are you the valedictorian for the final exams? My goodness!"
Garrett boasted, "If our girl says she's the valedictorian, then she sure is!"
Calix, not missing a beat, "Weren't your final exam scores a big fat zero?"
His words inadvertently revealed his prior snooping into Josefina's grades. Garrett and Hattie shot Calix a fierce glare as he awkwardly covered his mouth, chuckling sheepishly towards Josefina.
But Josefina wasn't fazed. If anything, she felt cared for. Her family believed she'd scored zero but still arranged the banquet hall to celebrate her final exams. She was genuinely moved.