The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1915

"Munch on this, Bella." Sean held out a piece of fruit he had snagged from a platter brought in by the house staff, feeding it to his sister.

"It's freezing out—better for sis to have a hot drink." Clark pushed a steaming cup of tea towards her. "Brewed it myself, but watch out, it's a bit scorching."

"Hey Bella, do you dig this?" Sean flashed an image of a gemstone necklace on his phone to Arabella. "The brand folks sent it over, saying the gem's a rare find. They're thinking of crafting it into this necklace style. You into it? Or maybe you'd want it as a ring or earrings."

"Wait up, I just remembered something that's even better for Bella." David whipped out his phone, pulling up a pic his buddy had sent him. "Check this out, don't you guys think sis would look even more smashing with this hair accessory? The moment I saw it, I knew it was tailor-made for her!"

"That's a winner. I'll wire you the cash to lock it down—as a gift from me to Bella," Chasel declared.

"No way, I spotted that first. I'll treat Bella, I've got the dough!" David objected, showing the photo to Arabella. "What do you think, Bella? It's decent, right?"

He was secretly worried if Arabella's taste was above theirs and she'd find it tacky.

"David, don't bother buying it."

Arabella's response made David hastily place the order. She didn't call it ugly. She was just concerned about him splurging, which meant she didn't despise the diamond hairpiece!

Alma watched them all bonding and felt like an outsider.

The real kicker was that the bitch, Serena, who would have died of jealousy seeing this, wasn't even here to witness it. Curiosity got the best of her, "Oh right, where's Serena today?"

Her question shifted the mood instantly. The brothers' faces soured.

What, did Serena screw up?

As Beverly walked into the living room, she couldn't help but ask, "Yeah, how come Serena's not around today?"

"Erik and Martha's daughter?" Lucas and Beverly exchanged incredulous looks.

Alma was thrilled to realize the previously haughty bitch was just the offspring of the house staff. She couldn't be happier.

Seeing the grandparents fuming over Serena, Alma couldn't help but fan the flames, adding fuel to the fire.

"The real reason I haven't visited you, grandpa and grandma, is because of Serena. I mean, she had her goons beat me up. So I've been home, nursing my wounds. I didn't show my face because I didn't want you to worry."

"Alma." Beverly's warning tone and reproachful glance seemed to scold her for making things worse.

"What did you say?" Bernard and Cornelia pressed for detail and learned Serena had bullied even Alma, having her beaten up, and that Alma had been recovering at home all this time.

"That ungrateful wretch!" Bernard and Cornelia's fury knew no bounds, tarnishing Serena's image even further in their eyes.