The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1639

As the child was hurled away, the fighter was ready to bask in the wild cheers from the crowd, but a hush fell over the audience instead.

A girl, who seemed to have slipped into the cage unnoticed, caught the child in a protective embrace.

Outside the cage, the mother, her face streaked with tears, clung to the bars, pleading desperately, "Are you from Solterra? Please, save my kid. His dad is drowning in debt; he didn't choose to be up there. I'm begging you, please."

"Shut up," her pleas were abruptly cut off as someone gagged her and pinned her arms behind her back.

The fighter didn't know who this girl was, and the host seemed just as clueless.

Arabella confronted the fighter, her tone dripping with contempt, "Picking on a kid? Aren’t you ashamed?"

As Arabella started to leave with the child, the fighter punched the iron cage door, prompting the host to snap out of it and announce, "This is a special surprise we arranged for the show, folks. Feel free to place your bets."

A staff member quickly locked the cage door. The desperate mother outside struggled and wept as the teen girl, frail and slight, now faced the prospect of dying in the cage with her child.

Horace finally squeezed through the crowd to the cage, and when he saw his boss locked in with the intent to save the child, he sprang into action, starting with rescuing the mother.

The fighter, oblivious to the girl's background, knew only that winning tonight's match would net him a cool hundred grand. He was determined to win at all costs.

Arabella didn't have boxing gloves or any protective gear, and she was still holding a child. As the fighter lunged with a punch, she swiftly side-kicked, sending the 300-pound behemoth staggering back.

The audience erupted in shock and excitement, never expecting such strength and skill from the girl. Realizing Arabella was no amateur, the fighter cracked a grin, relishing the thought of a worthy opponent. He swung at her again.

The crying child in her arms was terrified by the punch, but Arabella reassured him, "Don't be scared."

As the fighter's fist came hurtling towards her, Arabella dodged with lightning speed and launched a counterattack. Her foot connected with the fighter's head, and his midsection and waist didn't escape unscathed. With a stylish spinning kick, she forced him back once more.

Arabella didn't hear him and delivered a strong kick to the fighter.

"Boss! This place belongs to Zebulon! Zebulon! Let's get out of here!"

Horace pushed open the cage door, but the fighter, seeing him, punched the iron door again. There was no way he would let this girl escape; winning against her still meant a prize.

"Go!" Arabella commanded, glancing back.

Dozens of staff members, armed and determined, pushed through the crowd towards them, clearly not intending to let the disruptor along with the mother and child leave without a fight.

Horace had no choice but to sling the bag over his shoulder, carry the child, and take the mother's hand, leading them away first.