The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1846

“Bella's got nerves of steel, so let's not dwell on the past. We've got the New Year coming up, and there's a lot preparations to do. This year's going to be a blast with Bella around—our family's going to be livelier and happier for sure." Clark slung an arm around his sister's shoulder with a grin.

Everyone nodded, "Clark's got a fair point."

It was a reminder that there was still so much to do.

"Hey, Chasel, don't forget to bring Myrna over for dinner, we need all the cheer we can get." Louisa suddenly remembered, then turned to Sean, "And what about you, Sean? Got a girlfriend to bring home this year?"

"Why ask me and not Clark? I'm still the baby here!" Sean, feeling a tad protective, shrugged off the hand on Arabella's shoulder. "What's with the heavy hand? You'll make her uncomfortable."

"Now you care about your sister, where were you for the first half of the year?"

Clark's smirk was enough to make Sean suspect that he was deliberately stirring trouble in front of Bella. But then Bella spoke up, "Sean was badly hurt before. He stayed away because he didn't want us to worry."

Sean arched an eyebrow, giving Clark a proud look: You see that? Bella's taking my side!

Who has the stronger bond with her now?

He patted Bella's head, about to shower her with praise, when Clark interrupted him, "What are you doing? Stop that, you're messing up her hair!"

Clark reached out to adjust Bella's hair, but before his fingers could touch her, Sean swatted his hand away.

"Are your hands clean, bro? Disinfected? Don't bring germs to our sister!"

"A doctor's hands are cleaner than those of a brawler like you."

"You already had a girlfriend, Clark?" Sean looked at Clark, with pure surprise. When did this happen, and how did he miss it?

Clark hadn't expected Bella to speak up for Carol, especially with their parents previous reservations about her, fearing Carol's connection to Doom could spell disaster for the Collins family.

"Carol and her brother have officially taken over the Brooks Group." Clark didn’t finish his words, when Hans joined in.

"The Doom crisis has been dealt with by Clark, Romeo, and me," Hans stepped down the staircase, his voice steady, "We can all live peacefully from now on."

Louisa and Kenneth exchanged yet another look, and finally said, "Well then, let's invite her over for the holidays."

After all, she was also a poor girl, just like their beloved Bella and her experiences in the triangular zone—forced by a life of hardship to develop her skills.