The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1723

"You probably haven't been to many fancy occasions, huh? It's normal to get butterflies. | know Grandpa Phillip's ways and temper

very well. If you slip up or do something wrong, I'm right there to smooth things over. Con, takewith you."

Serena had a way with words, that much was certain.

Aside from her gossiping, her actions often left others speechless.

Take, for instance, the twhen the family was enjoying afternoon tea together. Serena, thinking she had the inside track on her

parents’ tastes after all these years, made a show of it right in front of her. She'd pour Dad and Mom each a cup of tea. When it

cgrudgingly to serving Arabella, noticing she was wearing a white dress, Serena even considered scalding her.

When Dad asked about which college she wanted to apply to, Serena jumped in with "I'm aiming for Summerfield College,"

flaunting her academic prowess in front of Arabella.

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In front of everyone, Serena clung to Dad, Mom, and her brothers, acting all cutesy. To the outside, it seemed like the family orbited

solely around Serena. Eighteen years old and still acting like a child.

Then there was the tSerena knew Arabella wanted to go out, so Serena raced her for the driver, offering in a mock-generous

tone, "If you're really in a hurry, | suppose you can take the car first."

When Romeo clooking for Arabella and she hadn't yet gotten out of bed, Serena dolled herself up, slipped into something

revealing, and made a show of bending over and placing a hand on Romeo's knee, the curves of her chest on full display as she

confessed her feelings. After he turned her down, she had the gall to show up at his office, stalking him in secret.

She even had Holly pretend to trip and spill water down her front, making sure she was soaked right in front of Romeo, hoping to

stir something in him.

When Romeo was at Arabella’s beck and call, Serena had the nerve to tell him, "You can't always spoil your girlfriend."

She even lied to her best friend, claiming that Arabella had stolen her fiancé.

The list went on and on.

From the day Arabella returned to the family, Serena had never intended to live in harmony with her.

Later, after being scolded by Hans and Chasel, Serena seemed to change a bit, but it wasn't long before she was led astray again

by Martha.

Arabella aired these grievances, her gaze landing on Martha, "And you, ever since | cback home, you've never shownan

ounce of respect.”

In front of Arabella’s parents, Martha would play the angel, but in private, she wouldn't even acknowledge Arabella's presence.

She'd encourage Serena to get closer to Romeo whenever Arabella wasn't around.

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It was Martha's conspiratorial glances that emboldened Serena to act so recklessly.

"And then there was that night, Mom calleddown for soup, and you, you spiked it with something nasty."

Martha bristled at the memory, "You ungrateful little wretch, I'd nearly forgotten. You had the nerve to makeeat it. | was sick all

night!"

"That's called getting a taste of your own medicine," Arabella retorted, looking straight into Martha's eyes, fearless. "Just like when

you spilled oil all over the floor hoping I'd slip, and you and your daughter ended up taking the fall instead."

Martha, reminded of these humiliations, grew even angrier. "You're really asking for it."

She snatched a leather whip from one of her men and lashed it across Arabella’s back.

"Boss—" Horace struggled frantically, "Damn it, leave her alone! Cat me!"