The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 2060

Arabella's mind swirled with confusion and anger.

"If it weren't for you wrecking everything for the Murphys, my parents would still be living high on the hog, the toast of Tranquil City. They'd have more dough than they'd know what to do with, and they could've tossed some her way, set her up nice and cozy. This mess is all on you!"

A cold edge laced Arabella's voice. "From what I hear, you cut ties with Yvonne the moment you waltzed back into the Murphy family. And your so-called loving parents washed their hands of her too. Yet she's still taking care of you, shows she's willing to let bygones be bygones, that she's got a place in her heart for her daughter."

"Cut the crap, I don't want to hear it." Yolanda raged, her voice laced with hysteria. "Aren't you supposed to be some miracle worker?"

She motioned for one of her goons to bring something forward. "Drink this and I'll let them go. We can settle our score later!"

One of the lackeys approached with a shot glass of sinister-looking liquid. Arabella caught a whiff - it was laced with a lethal poison. She turned her head, refusing to drink.

She had once concocted a remedy capable of neutralizing the deadliest toxins, but she hadn't taken the precaution before leaving the house.

After all, her main goal tonight was to confront Stinger at the auction. Moreover, she was supposed to attend a banquet with Romeo later in the evening, so she hadn't prepared.

The banquet was set to start at seven, and it wasn't quite time yet. If Romeo couldn't get a hold of her, he would surely start looking into her whereabouts. But even if he did, it would take him at least an hour to get there.

And Yolanda's patience was clearly wearing thin.

At the moment, a couple dozen thugs were holding knives to the faces, necks, and bodies of Joyce and Mya. Edith was strung up high, the rope extending along a track into the building, presumably with the main switch upstairs.

"Don't even think about trying anything sneaky!" Yolanda seemed to read Arabella's thoughts. "The one hanging there is barely breathing. The switch is on the third floor, and even if you could fly, it would take time. But make one wrong move, and I'll off your two little friends first!"

Without warning, Yolanda viciously stabbed Mya's thigh, causing her to tremble in agony. Mya tried to stifle her cries, but muffled sounds of excruciating pain escaped her lips, as if she were suffocating.