The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1762

Arabella curled the corner of her lip into a sly smile, "That would be me."

"Boss, why is it you? How come you've got Mr. McMillian's phone?" Jack's voice quivered with fear, "I haven't spilled anything in the last couple of days. I swear, I didn't mention a peep about your whereabouts in Belloria."

Arabella could sense his desperate will to survive and said with interest, "Oh. is that so?"

"Absolutely." Jack's voice grew even more nervous at Hans's tone, "I remember now, before you went off to Belloria, Mr. McMillian insisted on having a dinner with the guys. Everyone was going, and it just would've been rude for me to skip. Mr. McMillian might have thought I was too big for my britches, like I didn't respect him."

Her interest piqued further, Arabella prodded, "So you went?"

"Yeah. but I didn't ask for the gift card and the car keys. Mr. McMillian said it was a little something for the holidays. He made it clear that family should take it, and refusing would be a slap in his face. I figured, you and Mr. McMillian are practically family. It's not right to snub your own kin, right? Plus, Jones and Tom all took it too."

Jack was quick to drag everyone else into it.

"Mr. McMillian also mentioned that, should there be any danger, that sports car could outrun anyone with its speed and even activate bulletproof mode. He said it was to ensure we could protect you better."

"So everyone took one?" Arabella was oblivious to this development, "And the gift card?"

"The gift card was a New Year's bonus for the crew, not just us few. Everyone on the payroll, even those abroad or on missions—Mr. McMillian prepared one for them, asked us to pass them on. He said that loyalty like ours, following you through thick and thin, deserves recognition, so."

"How much did you take?" Arabella's tone was as sharp as if she were ready to sever their hands.

Jack was terrified, stuttering, "It was a blank check. we could fill in any amount."

A blank check? Any amount?