The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1491

"Do I need a referral to show up here?"

That was when Roxanne got the picture: this girl had no clue what a "referral" even was. Probably wasn't formally asked to come, she thought.

"So, what's your deal with Mr. Albright?" asked Roxanne nosily, "My granddad and Mr. Albright are best friends, which practically makes me just like Mr. Albright's granddaughter. That's how I got to score an invite to his birthday bash. And you? How do you know Mr. Albright?"

Arabella was puzzled, could anyone claim to be Grandpa Eugene's granddaughter like that?

"Well, I guess that makes me like his granddaughter too."

If any Jane Doe could be Grandpa Eugene's "granddaughter", why not her?

"You??" Roxanne bristled, "Your granddad's pals with Mr. Albright? Which venerable old gent might that be? Do I know him?"

"Nope, you don't," Arabella cut the conversation short and moved on.

"What's with her attitude?" Roxanne muttered to Phyllis, feeling slighted, "She says she's like Mr. Albright's granddaughter?"

"Ridiculous. Everyone knows Mr. Albright doesn't just make granddaughters out of thin air. At least your granddad's an actual friend of his. Not like her, can't even say who invited her, probably scared of revealing too much, trying to bluff her way through. I smell trouble."

Phyllis always trusted in her own beauty, but seeing Arabella, she felt an unwelcome sting of rivalry.

Could it be that Arabella's face was the product of a surgeon's craft?

After all, could such a naturally beautiful face even exist?

Grandpa Eugene. [Who needs you.]

Exiting the chat, he checked his WhatsApp and saw Arabella still hadn't replied. The network must be patchy where she is, he thought, and then he fired off another message.

"Pumpkin, where are you? Haven't been to the estate in a while, huh? Forgot the way? If you're nearby, let your granddad pick you up!"

Reading the message, Arabella almost laughed.

She was about to reply when a new message from Charles popped up.

[Bella, are you already there, just letting Eugene stew a bit? Take my advice, make him wait a little longer. The old man needs to learn patience, always huffing and puffing...at his age, he should be taking it easy.]