The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1548

"You really should've clued us in earlier," Louisa chided herself for not catching on sooner, the guilt and self-reproach evident in her voice.

"Mrs. Collins, I'm just the help. It's not my place to gossip about family affairs. Besides, with Martha running the show and Ms. Serena Collins in her corner, they had the stage. Even if I had a chance to explain, I couldn't have cleared things up."

Edith stood by, silently serving them food as she spoke, "And, Ms. Serena Collins's always played the angel in your eyes - smart, kind-hearted, gentle. If I'd suggested she was bullying Ms. Arabella Collins, you'd likely have thought I was spouting nonsense before I even finished my sentence."

As Edith went on, she added, "Especially when Ms. Serena Collins cries, that's when I'm really done for! I could have lost my job!"

Louisa gave her a reproachful look, "After all these years of dedicated service in our home, how could we just send you away? We're not heartless like Martha."

That time Hans exposed Martha's deceit, revealing how she had spilled oil intending to cause Bella to slip. Martha was promptly fired by Hans for that.

When the news reached Kenneth and Louisa, they were furious, giving Martha a good tongue-lashing.

At the time, Serena had tried to intercede on Martha's behalf, but Louisa had even said that if she thought so highly of Martha, she might as well leave with her.

"It's just shocking. Beyond that oil incident, there were so many other things. Each and every one of them is infuriating. How can she be so malicious? She doesn't act like a servant at all; she thinks she's royalty!" Louisa slammed her hand on the table, too angry to eat.

"We thought she was treating Serena with such care because she considered her family. She had us all misty-eyed. Turns out she was only kind to Serena. To everyone else, she was downright cruel!" Kenneth was no less heated.

Meanwhile, Serena had moved to the guesthouse, where she was the sole occupant.

Aside from the light spilling from her bedroom, the entire building was shrouded in darkness.