The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 2085

Arabella strolled into the living room of Reflections Villa, finding Lucas and Beverly comfortably ensconced on the couch, sipping tea and sharing laughs with her parents.

"Hey, Bella," Beverly's features, always graced with an aristocratic warmth, softened into a welcoming smile at the sight of Arabella.

"What's up so late? Aunt Beverly, Uncle Lucas, you needed to see me?" Arabella settled into an armchair opposite them, an aura of authority emanating from her relaxed posture.

Beverly returned the smile, gentle as ever, "Recently, some trouble befell the family businesses, and all clues pointed to someone known as 'Stinger'. Tonight, we found out you've nabbed him. Is that the case?"

Arabella's lips curved into a slight smirk, "You both are well-informed, indeed. Yes, he's with me."

"Would you mind turning him over to us? We're eager to find out why he did that," Beverly's voice was soft, almost as if coaxing a child.

"Why indeed?" Arabella mused, a playful edge to her tone. "Don't you already know?"

Both Lucas and Beverly were taken aback, clearly puzzled by the insinuation.

Tension suddenly crackled in the air.

"Bella, I'm not sure I follow." Lucas said with a congenial smile, his face a picture of benevolence.

"I'm just as clueless, just repeating what Stinger told me," Arabella maintained her smile.

Lucas, still smiling, prodded further, "And what exactly did Stinger tell you?"

"Not much yet, you arrived so soon," Arabella's smile didn't reach her eyes as she added, "Seems like you're quite concerned about Stinger."

"Of course, he's thrown my companies into chaos. I'm at my wit's end; I just want to get to the bottom of it," Lucas said, clearly agitated.