The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1516

Arabella watched as Beverly stepped forward to speak, choosing to remain silent herself. Instead, she turned to Eugene, "Grandpa Eugene, I reckon it's about time we got this birthday shindig started."

It was already half-past eight in the evening.

"Right you are, time to cut the cake." Eugene glanced around the gathering, "Haven't seen Charles and Nelson yet, have we?"

"Should be here any minute now."

"Alright then." Eugene gestured invitingly, "Let's all head to the garden, folks. That's where we'll be slicing into the birthday cake tonight."

His spirits were high; seeing his darling girl, who he had cherished since her childhood, utterly captivate the crowd brought a smile that stretched from ear to ear. It was a feeling of pure thrill.

Meanwhile, Alma stood rooted to the spot, her steps heavy as if her feet were filled with lead, unable to move.

"You’ve bit off more than you can chew," Beverly tossed these cold words at her, her expression icy, her gaze not that of a mother looking at her daughter, but rather at something worthless.

If Arabella's performance was truly improvised, her talent wasn't just a hundred times better than Alma's - it was beyond measure.

"Given her skills, you could practice for another ten years and still not even come close to her."

Alma looked at her mother in disbelief, not expecting such high praise for Arabella.

"You lost the battle at The Life music contest. Normally, I could have pulled some strings, especially since it's Mr. Eugene's birthday bash. That girl might have cut you some slack, and you wouldn't have to say goodbye to your violin. But you just had to be stubborn, challenging her to an impromptu composition. Did you see Nathan's face darken? He thinks you're a sore loser, causing a scene for no good reason."

Alma flushed with shame, "I just couldn't accept it."

Serena emerged with a smirk of schadenfreude.

"Back at Summerfield College, you insisted on that violin showdown and ended up humiliating yourself in front of everyone. I thought you'd learned your lesson, but no, here you are tonight, making a fool of yourself in front of esteemed elders. No wonder Aunt Beverly is livid. If I had a daughter as foolish as you, I'd be beside myself with frustration."

Even though Beverly had just likened her daughter's poor sportsmanship to Serena, implying an insult, Serena couldn't help but revel in Alma's downfall.

Alma, with nowhere to direct her anger, faced Serena and slapped her across the face, "You can't even hold a candle to me in violin; what gives you the right to talk smack?"

"You dare hit me?" Serena clutched her face.

"Yes, I hit you. So what?" Alma grabbed her hair, warning her, "You think I'm afraid of you, a foster kid? Just because I've been nice to you, you think you're better than everyone? You better watch yourself. You don't want to mess with me - I can make your life a living hell in a heartbeat!"