The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1507

At that moment, Martin stepped in front of a flustered Serena and shielded her with his body, offering an earnest apology on her behalf, "Serena really admires chess and holds Mr. Albright and Queena's skills in high esteem. She just never had the chance to study under them. She got a bit carried away boasting to her friends, without realizing it would spread like wildfire. It's her first time being in the hot seat, and she was unsure how to handle it, failing to clarify the situation right away. I'm truly sorry for the trouble caused. Queena, I apologize to you on Serena's behalf."

Martin's gesture won him some admirers among the crowd, but there were still murmurs of discontent.

"And who are you to apologize for her? Can't she speak for herself?"

"If anyone should be apologizing, it should be Serena to Queena."

"Just because she's a Collins, does she think she doesn't have to humble herself and can have others do her bidding?"

"Even for an apology, someone else has to step in. Serena must be too precious and too grand, huh?"

Serena knew playing the victim card was futile. Although she hated to admit she might be seen as inferior to Arabella, with so many eyes on her, there was no escaping the inevitable apology.

In the end, she bit her lower lip and approached Arabella.

"I'm sorry for showing off earlier. I didn't realize that one lie would need a web of lies to support it."

Her admission sent shockwaves through Lindsay. The stories Serena had spun - about being Queena's protege, about owning expensive chess sets - all of it was just hot air.

Since when had Serena become so vain??

Had Serena changed, or had she never really known her at all?

"Please forgive me," Serena bent forward in a sincere gesture of apology.

Arabella saw right through her, "You've certainly spiced up the birthday bash."

"Do you admit your mistake?" Arabella asked, her voice lazy.

Serena kept her head down, "Yes, I do. I shouldn't have falsely claimed to be your protege, nor should I have made up such stories."

"Tonight is Grandpa Eugene's birthday. You should stay until the party is over."

The crowd couldn't help but admire Arabella's magnanimity. Only Serena knew that Arabella's request for her to stay was just another way to increase her discomfort.

After all, she already felt utterly out of place, yet Arabella insisted she stay and leave after the end of the birthday bash.

Who knew what else was waiting for her!