The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1763

Jack continued with a brotherly fervor, "Look, I'm just sayin’, God forbid, if you guys ever have a spat after the wedding, or if that

Mr. McMillian ever dares to give you a hard time, we will be ready to roll up our sleeves and throw down. No mercy. You'll always be

our boss. We've always got your back."

"He heard you," Arabella interjected, her tone light and teasing. "He's not looking too pleased right now."

Jack's heart skipped a beat. "Hey, boss, what's that? You're breaking up. I'll give you a ring later."

"Oh, call this number next time. My phone's busted."

Jack's despair deepened.

"Your phone? That thing's as tough as a brick, cutting-edge like a stealth jet, and it's broken? How?"

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He suspected his boss was pulling his leg, just trying to get him to call Romeo, but the thought made him nervous. He was scared

to make that call.

"Even the toughest brick, if it falls from the eighteenth floor, is bound to shatter, let alone survive an explosion."

"That bad, huh?"

Just a few hours earlier, Arabella had used Romeo's phone to ask him to send extra guys to keep Reflections Villa secure, not

letting any bad guys take advantage. She hadn't mentioned what she and Horace had actually gone through.

At this point, Jack felt a twinge of jealousy that Horace had been through thick and thin with the boss, and his voice took on a

slightly sour tone.

"Why'd you bring that dunce Horace back? What about me?"

"You can hang with Romeo," Arabella said coolly. "You're all family anyway, doesn't make a difference who you're with."

"Don't dolike that," Jack pleaded, "I was just kiddin" around. How can | be family with him? You and me, we're blood, man. Boss,

do you really trust that goofball Horace to get things done? He's got that dopey, adorable look when he smiles, nowhere near as

reliable as me."

"I think his dopey, adorable look is quite endearing, and besides, he's got good instincts in a pinch."

"That still doesn't beat me!"

"In a year or two, when Mr. McMillian sets you up with someone, I'll need someone by my side if you leave."

"Con. Even if Mr. McMillian introducesto a knockout, a real diamond, | wouldn't take it. I'm with you for life, boss. Don't

kickto the curb, man. I'll even return all the gifts Mr. McMillian's given me."

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Arabella finally chuckled at his tics, "Alright, enough. | called to ask about Reflections Villa. Everything okay there?"

"It's all good! But we were too late, Erik slipped away! It's below zero out here, andand the boys are freezing our butts off

standing guard."

"Have people take turns. You don't need to be out there 24/7."

"It's almost holiday time, sof the guys have gone home, we're short-staffed." Jack was quick to show his devotion, "But not

me. I'm an orphan. I'm available 365 days a year, not like speople."

"Enough with the guilt-tripping," Arabella cut in. "That's it. I'm hanging up now."

Jack heard the call end with a beep and was surprised his boss hadn't given him a hard time. Was Arabella giving him a pass on

accepting Mr. McMillian's gifts? Arabella still had a soft spot for them.

After all, Mr. McMillian was the richest man in the world. The little they accepted from him didn't even amount to a day's interest in

his bank account.