The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1917

"Really, what's the connection between these two things?"

The conversation circled back to the beginning.

Beverly's face remained composed, but she was acutely aware of the events that transpired that fateful night.

Because Alma and Arabella had lost a violin duel, Serena just had to rub it in Alma's face, which was the last straw that led Alma to

violence. She first slapped Serena, pulled her hair, and then got drenched in champagne.

But Alma wasn't one to take things lying down. After getting splashed with champagne, she retaliated by smashing a cake into

Serena's face, pushing her off the swing, trampling her, and even dousing her with red wine.

When it all boiled down, it was Beverly's daughter who had started the bullying, and quite ruthlessly at that.

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"That night, Serena mocked my violin playing compared to Bella's, and even said that no matter how talented Bella was, she

couldn't touch her deeply rooted status in this family over the past eighteen years."

"She also said that even if Bella has Collins blood running through her veins, she's still from a no-nfamily, just like me, not

worthy of the high society. | couldn't hold back and argued with her, and that's when she splashedwith champagne.”

"She even said that Kenneth and Louisa are notorious for spoiling your daughter, and that all Serena had to do was cry in front of

them, and they'd believe her black is white tall tales. If she said it, you would believe her, and I'd be the one getting a strict

talking-to from mom and dad. Even with a hundred mouths, | couldn't clear my name. That's why I've kept silent about this whole

mess."

As Alma spoke, her eyes began to glisten with unshed tears.

Everyone was shocked to hear the extent of Serena's cruel words behind the scenes!

Beside them, Arabella fought off sleepiness, nearly dozing off as she listened.

She hadn't witnessed the altercation between Alma and Serena that night, but she could tell that Alma was lying.

Yet, Alma had hit a nerve with the Collins family.

"The nerve of her, calling Bella lowborn. Saying even with Collins blood, she can't measure up to an adopted daughter of eighteen

years?" Bernard was livid.

"Kenneth and Lucas are both my son, | treat them equally. How's Lucas’ daughter not fit for society? Serena! She's clearly trying to

drive a wedge between us," Cornelia was equally enraged, feeling she had been blind and had wasted years doting on Serena.

Seeing her plan working, Alma feigned concern, "Grandpa, Grandma, don't be upset. It's the festive season, don't let it ruin your

health. Tomorrow we will hold a feast, just think how joyous that will be. Why don't we talk about the arrangements for tomorrow?"

As they discussed Arabella's homecoming banquet, the mood lightened somewhat.

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Finally, Lucas mused, "I always thought Erik was trustworthy and Martha was so warm and outgoing. Not just you, but in my eyes,

they were family. | never imagined they'd be such rotten characters deep down. If only they had revealed sooner that Serena was

their own flesh and blood, we wouldn't have had to wait until now to find Bella, sparing her eighteen years of undeserved

hardship."

"Indeed." Cornelia sighed, fate plays strange games.

Beverly chimed in, "We can't let those two off easy. They need to be dealt with, for Bella's sake."

"It's a pity Martha's gone now, crushed by her own scheming. Otherwise, | wouldn't have let her off so easily!" Louisa said

indignantly.

"What do you mean?" Beverly's eyes flickered with surprise, "Are you saying Martha is dead?"

Louisa then recounted the incident of Martha kidnapping Arabella.