The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1931

Everyone suddenly remembered that Arabella had been bustling around in the kitchen. Given its vast size and each person engrossed with their own culinary creations, hoping to impress Arabella, they had no clue what she had whipped up for them.

The dish presented at the table was a particularly rare and expensive lobster, larger than life, its price tag dwarfing that of other well-known varieties. Originally, the chef had been tasked with preparing this lobster, but Arabella had spotted it earlier in the afternoon and volunteered to take over.

She transformed it into a dish of exquisite beauty, so tantalizing it instantly whetted everyone's appetite.

"Whoa, sis, you can cook lobster???" Clark was utterly astounded, hastily pulling out his phone to snap a flurry of photos.

"Sis, is there anything in this world you can't do?"

Before David could finish his thought, he felt a sharp pinch from Mom on his arm and a stealthy stomp from Dad under the table, all while receiving a barrage of warning glares from around the table.

Confused and in pain, David wondered what he had said wrong.

"It's okay." Arabella just smiled calmly, "Why don't you all give it a try?"

With that, everyone eagerly reached for their forks, chuckling and chatting.

"If Bella made it, it's got to be delicious."

"This is definitely chef-level work."

The chef, overhearing their praises, immediately concurred, "Even a chef with three to five years of experience might not handle a lobster this perfectly, this delicately. Ms. Arabella Collins's culinary skills are truly humbling."

"To hear that from Daniel..." Grandma Belinda said with a beaming smile, "means it's truly high praise. Bella, your cooking is definitely top-notch."

"Myrna's family went up to the mountains for a memorial service. They'll have dinner at the ancestral home. It's a long trip, and I didn't want her to have to travel back and forth," Chasel explained first.

"I also agreed with Carol that we'd keep it simple for dinner, and I'll visit her place later," Clark added.

Hans nodded in agreement, "Same for me."

The attention then turned to the two bachelors of the group.

David, who had been enjoying his meal heartily, looked up as the elder's gazes settled on him. After swallowing his bite, he said, "Sean is ahead of me in line. Nudge him first!"

He couldn't resist adding, "And Sean, when are you going to bring Ophelia home for dinner? Oh, wait, I should ask, when are you going to win Ophelia over?"