The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1764

Bank employees had approached Arabella, marveling that a stash of ten million in the bank could yield an annual interest of over three hundred thousand dollars.

But Arabella couldn't keep her cash idle; she poured most of it into research and shared a fair chunk with her crew as a perk.

After ending the call, Arabella handed the phone back to Romeo with a playful smirk, "Someone trying to buy me off?"

"It's more of a reward," Romeo was quick to correct her, "The guys have been through thick and thin with you. They deserve a little something."

"Think I don't spoil them enough?"

"Of course not," Romeo's survival instincts kicked in, "I just hate to see you spend. Save your earnings for yourself. Let me cover the expenses. I need to earn more for a better life for you."

Arabella couldn't help but chuckle, and they shared a warm, knowing smile.

At Reflections Villa, Louisa woke up and headed to the living room. The coffee table was brand new, no shattered glass on the floor, and the tear-streaked figure was gone. Everything was spick and span, the help had even placed fresh flowers around, and a subtle floral scent lingered in the air.

Everything seemed perfect, yet Louisa felt an emptiness inside, a sense of time having moved on without her.

Kenneth came downstairs too, his mood as somber as hers.

"I talked with Bard for a long time last night, took some meds, and somehow fell into a deep sleep. I wasn't there for you, and that's on me."

Although Kenneth was heartbroken and furious, he prioritized comforting his wife, wrapping his arms around her, "We thought having two daughters would liven up the place. Now that one has shown her true colors, it's better she's gone. Let's just say we fed a thankless dog."

"Why, when David came home that one time, did you secretly give Ms. Bella an unlimited credit card and tell her to hide it from Serena. I mean, the person in the basement."

"Why didn't you even glance at the foot spa she sent home? You ignored the hints from Martha that it could be used with the herbal packs from Ms. Bella. You only used the gifts from Ms. Bella, not hers."

"And the expensive skincare she bought for you with her prize money, why did you dismiss it, using it merely as hand cream until Martha reminded you time and again to barely use the gifts she sent."

"What's this about Martha reminding us? What did Martha ever remind us of?" Louisa's anger flared, but then she had a revelation. So, this was how things between them and that ungrateful girl had deteriorated, amplified by Martha's behind-the-scenes meddling.

Was that old witch really tarnishing their image behind their backs?