The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 2062

True to form, Arabella's words sent Yolanda over the edge. With a vicious swipe, Yolanda brought the knife down, but in a flash, Arabella spun and bent over, the blade slicing through the rope binding her instead of her flesh.

Once freed, Arabella quickly stepped forward, dodging the knife's remaining momentum that threatened to catch her back.

Yolanda hadn't expected Arabella's earlier display of weakness to be a feint. She came at Arabella with another slash.

Arabella shifted again, and Yolanda's knife cut through another rope.

Just as the onlookers were ready to pull their triggers, Arabella had already snatched the knife from Yolanda's grip and now held it to her throat, using her as a human shield.

Everyone froze, not daring to make a move.

Yolanda's eyes bulged in disbelief. "You were poisoned."

Why was she still so fast?

"Release Edith," Arabella commanded, her tone as cool and commanding as ever despite the pallor of her face.

"Don't listen to her," Yolanda shouted. "She's a law-abiding citizen, she won't actually kill anyone."

Arabella pressed the knife slightly, drawing a bead of blood from Yolanda's neck.

"I'm running out of patience," Arabella's voice was as chilling as a winter breeze. "I'll count to ten. One."

People were already scurrying towards the third floor.

"Two." Arabella's face was a mask of cold determination. "Three."

"Arabella!" Yolanda tried to bluster, "Murder is a hanging offense. You've just got back to the Collins family, become Miss Collins, are you really willing to throw it all away for me?"

"An unimportant person's death won't affect my life," Arabella's voice carried the cold of winter. "If anything, it's one less threat, one step closer to happiness."

By the time Arabella had counted to ten, the person had just reached the third floor, panting and out of breath. They hadn't managed to hit the switch when Arabella's dagger swiftly crossed Yolanda's arm.