The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1618

"Just now." Betty’s voice trailed off, her gaze flitting over the distressed look on Serena's face. She didn't want to be the bearer of bad news, but honesty prevailed, "It's all of them."

"All of them??" Serena was dumbfounded, a silence enveloping her before she could muster another question, "Did they say when they'll be active again?"

"No."

Serena hadn't anticipated this level of austerity. To go without new clothes or shoes was one thing, but to have her cards cut off entirely was a whole different level of punishment.

All she did was bad-mouth Arabella a little bit. Was that really worth such a severe penalty? Arabella, the precious daughter who couldn't stand even the slightest discomfort without someone else paying the price.

And what about Serena? Locked up for days suffering - did her parents spare a single thought for her feelings?

Whether it was anger, grievance, or sheer desperation, something snapped in Serena. She swept her arm across the dinner table, sending plates and cutlery crashing to the floor.

Betty, frightened, bent down cautiously, "Ms. Serena."

"Get out," Serena's voice trembled with emotion.

"But you haven't eaten."

That evening, "Couple in Coat" shot up to the third spot on the trending searches.

A social media user had spotted a striking couple at a David concert. They were clad in matching overcoats, their faces obscured by black masks, but even so, their features were stunningly attractive.

Someone had used AI to reconstruct their faces, and although the result was only 70% accurate to the real thing, that 70% caused quite a stir. People couldn't stop raving about how good-looking the couple was, especially their unmatched elegance.

[Wow, that girl is so classy and charming. Too bad she's taken.]

[I wish I could have a daughter like her!]