Miss Josefina: Nobody's Princess

Chapter 158

Lena rose to her feet. The determination was clear in her stance as she prepared to take her leave. “Brandon, since you’re tied up with things, I’ll get out of your hair.”

“Sure thing, Lena,” Brandon replied with a nod. The concern was evident in his voice. “You just keep honing your medical skills. I heard from your granddad that your grandma was poisoned right under your watch at the hospital where you’re doing your residency. That’s downright dangerous!” Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Suppressing the fury within her, Lena forced a smile. Her lips twitched slightly. “You’re absolutely right, Grandpa Brandon. I’ve already reported the incident to the hospital chief. The hospital will handle the situation.”

“Well, I sure hope they do a proper job of it,” Brandon sighed, shaking his head.

Lena couldn’t bear another minute there; she turned on her heel and left the place in haste.

She was absolutely livid!

...

After leaving Brandon’s place, Lena drove to a secluded spot. Her rage found an outlet as she struck the steering wheel with force. Her hands turned red from the impact.

Her phone rang, and upon seeing the caller ID, she answered immediately. “Ms. Lena,” the voice on the other end said, “Oliver’s due for his afternoon tea. He’s planning to hit up Blossoms today.”

That bit of news was the balm Lena needed. “Alright.”

She hung up, drove to the café, picked up a selection of afternoon tea treats, and headed to Oliver’s office building.

The receptionist recognized Lena but noticed she didn’t have an appointment today. “Ms. Lena, are you here to see Mr. Oliver? Did you make an appointment?”

Holding the box of tea-time goodies, Lena replied, “I’m just dropping off some afternoon tea for Oliver. We go way back to our sandbox days; I don’t need an appointment. Don’t worry. I’ll take the fall if there’s any trouble.”

Lena gestured to the café bag. “This is for you, a little afternoon pick-me-up.”

“Thank you, Ms. Lena!”

The receptionist’s eyes widened at the sight of the exclusive 1888 tea set, but by the time she looked up, Lena had already stepped into the elevator.

However, the moment Lena stepped off the elevator, she was stopped by the secretary. The entire floor was Oliver’s domain, so Lena wasn’t going to slip by unnoticed.

Lena spotted George and approached with a cool demeanor.

“George, this is for Oliver. I’m just going to take it in,” she said, moving forward.

George blocked her path. “Ms. Lena, I haven’t been informed of Mr. Oliver expecting any afternoon tea delivery from you.”

Lena’s brow furrowed. A mere secretary thought he could obstruct her way? What was George, anyway?

Though Lena remained silent, George could read the scorn in her eyes as if she had spewed the vilest of curses.

With a neutral expression, George continued, “Ms. Lena, without an appointment, you can’t see Mr. Oliver. He’s swamped every day. If everyone showed up without an appointment, how could he possibly get any work done?”

Lena’s face flushed with indignation as she retorted, “George, I’ve known Oliver since we were knee-high to a grasshopper. You’re telling me I need your permission to bring him tea?”

“Ms. Lena,” George replied smoothly, “you don’t need my permission, but you do need Mr. Oliver’s approval.”

At a loss for words, Lena stood there, clutching the heavy, burdensome box of tea. She was so tempted to toss the whole thing in George’s face.

Biting back her frustration, she managed to smile thinly and said, “George, would you be a dear and let Oliver know I’m here?”

George’s smile was all politeness but no warmth. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Oliver’s tied up and can’t see anyone right now.”

Lena was left speechless. Her frustration was boiling over as she stood there with the afternoon tea, which was heavy in her arms and a weight upon her pride.