The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1973

Someone approached Sean, looking to share a couple of drinks, but he casually remarked, "Now, I've got my little sis watching over me. I'll stick to water, thanks."

Water? At a gathering like this?

The once jovial Sean, a man never seen without a wine in hand, was sipping on water?

The guests were flabbergasted.

They watched in disbelief as Sean actually raised his glass of water for a toast. Panicked, they hurriedly lowered their own glasses a touch to show deference. After clinking glasses with him, they saw Sean nearly finished his drink and quickly downed theirs as well.

Tears brimmed in Serena's eyes, a mix of shame and anger boiling within her.

Was this really necessary?

Did Sean truly need to humiliate her so publicly at such a grand affair?

So what if she wasn't his biological sister? So what if she didn't carry the Collins family blood or had once been cruel to Arabella? Did that warrant such harsh treatment?

Was all his past kindness just an act?

"Serena, don't cry." Dora, although aware of Serena's past mistakes, knew that now Serena was her charge, her mistress. In that moment, all she could do was offer a tissue and a comforting word.

Watching the reporters flock to her brothers, Serena felt even worse.

Hans, the eldest, declared, "From the moment Serena tried to harm Bella, she is no longer my sister."

Chasel added, "We have only one sister, and that's Arabella."

Thinking it over, Arabella answered earnestly, "They've given me so much, both materially and emotionally."

"Can you be more specific? What kind of things have they given you? Anything particularly memorable?"

"They're all quite memorable."

But the reporters were relentless, "Such as?"

"Every family member has given me a bank card," said Arabella, knowing full well they wouldn't rest until they had some juicy details. "Each one with a balance in the millions."

Millions?