The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1890

"Awake yet?" The voice on the other end of the phone, distorted by a voice changer, was emotionless.

Martin spoke the truth, "Yeah, she’s up."

A few days earlier, he had called Arabella, begging her to save Serena. Arabella had flatly refused.

Just when he was at his wit's end in the hospital, an unknown number called him, saying there was a way to save Serena.

But there was a catch: Martin had to agree to do three things for the caller.

The caller didn't specify what these three tasks were, only insisting that Martin agree first.

In the end, with Serena's life hanging in the balance, Martin agreed.

"What's the first thing I need to do?" Martin asked.

"No rush," came the calm, authoritative reply, even through the voice changer.

"When the time comes for you to act, I'll let you know. If I don't reach out, you don't need to contact me. Now that your lady's awake, our deal is in full swing. Here's to a pleasant collaboration."

With that, the call ended.

Martin felt uneasy. He had a hunch that the caller was trouble, but given the situation, he had no other choice.

He couldn't just watch the woman he loved slip away.

Initially, the caller had sent him to a place to pick up a pill. After Serena took it, she didn't wake up.

He even suspected the medication was faulty and made threats.

"You're just sour grapes because you missed out." Clark, picking up a photo of him and his sister, admired it contentedly, "I think this one will look perfect on my desk. And this frame is super cute."

"Look at you, it's hideous." Sean scoffed at Clark in the photo, "Look at Bella, she's practically grimacing with you."

"That's not true, she's clearly smiling."

"That's called a forced smile."

Seeing her brothers bicker again, Arabella couldn't help but laugh, "Alright, cut it out, you guys. We'll take more photos at the New Year's celebration, won't we?"

"How did you know?" Everyone turned to look at her in unison, puzzled. They hadn't leaked a word. Who had told her?

"Don't we take them every holiday?" Arabella replied with a smile, already anticipating the next round of family photos and the memories they would capture.