The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1598

As Carol spoke, she looped her arm through Arabella’s and they strolled into the flower shop to buy a fresh bouquet of white roses.

While the florist was wrapping up the flowers, Carol whipped out her phone and started tapping away furiously, meanwhile saying, "Just give me a sec."

Arabella nodded, took out her own phone to catch up on some work emails, not prying into what Carol was up to but simply waiting quietly by her side.

After a short while, the florist handed over the neatly packaged bouquet, and Carol, finished with her task, took the flowers and linked arms with Arabella as they left the shop.

“Once Katherine gets back, she'll definitely paint a dramatic picture of what happened to my dad. So, I hacked into the store's surveillance system and sent the footage to my dad already.”

Only then did Arabella realize what Carol had been busying herself with. Carol's hacking skills were nothing to scoff at. Arabella had discovered this firsthand when she and Romeo had tried to break into Carol's computer and found it safeguarded by a firewall. At that time, Carol had even set up three security questions, all relating to Clark.

Thinking back, it all seemed like a distant memory.

“I told my dad that Katherine started the whole mess, that she threw the flowers I’d bought for Crystal's tribute on the ground and stomped on them. She even spewed nonsense about my late mom. I simply asked for compensation for the bouquet, and before I could demand an apology, she threw a fit. The surveillance footage clearly shows they were the ones who kept provoking the situation.” Carol explained, not forgetting to reassure Arabella, “Don’t worry, I won’t let them walk all over me in this family.”

She had been groomed to be the successor since she was little. Katherine thought she could take advantage of Carol? Fat chance.

On their drive to pay respects to Crystal, Arabella mentioned, “The Doom gang has been pretty much wiped out. Romeo and Clark have really stepped up.”

Carol’s heart warmed. She and Clark were so lucky to have such a caring and capable sister.

Ten minutes later, they arrived at Crystal’s grave site, where a large bouquet of ice-blue roses had already been placed.

Alger and Celeste had been there earlier, leaving behind an assortment of Crystal’s favorite treats.

Carol bowed down and began to share updates about her and Clark's life, as well as how her aunt and uncle were doing.

The girl in the photo on the tombstone wore a blooming smile, seemingly listening to Carol’s stories. As Carol spoke, a wave of emotion hit her, and tears welled up in her eyes. She promised the smiling girl that she would take good care of her aunt and uncle, and slowly help heal the wounds in their hearts.