The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 2135

When she was a child, her parents ran a modest garment factory in their hometown. They weren’t as wealthy as the Collinses, nor were they born into a well-known family like Louisa, but they lived comfortably, enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

But everything changed after her younger brother came of age.

From some point, her brother started making friends with the rough crowd and running wild—partying, starting brawls, and racking up debts. More and more debtors came to their door, she then found out that her younger brother had racked up a lot of gambling debts outside, the amount was enormous. He had impregnated a girl and beaten someone he did not even know into the hospital.

Despite her resentment towards his recklessness, her parents settled his debts to save his life.

She had hoped that he would change, but in no time, he was back to his old ways, running up another pile of gambling debts.

At that time, she and Lucas were seriously discussing marriage.

One night, she was abducted by a group of thugs, who stripped her and took compromising photos. They demanded she pay off her brother’s debts within a week—or they would publicize the photos.

Terrified that the Collins family would reject her, she kept the incident to herself. After receiving the Collins family’s betrothal gift, she used it to clear all her brother’s debts.

But even after her marriage, her brother was still frequently calling for her to lend him money. Perhaps thinking that being part of the Collins family meant she had deep pockets, his debts spiraled out of control, soon reaching tens of millions.

Twenty years ago, a million could buy a spacious home outright.

“At the time, we urgently called people to take out all the cash from the safe and the banks, but twenty million was a fortune at the time. We were only able to get ten million through various connections, and they instructed me to deliver the money alone. But Carson was worried about my safety and the sheer weight of the cash, so he insisted on accompanying me.”

“Once we arrived at the factory with only half the money, those thugs grew violent—they stabbed us, tied us up, and doused the place with gasoline. They locked the doors, intent on burning us, your parents, and your brother alive inside.”

Beverly was completely shocked; she had been completely unaware of these events.

Due to the large amount of fabric stored in the garment factory, once it came into contact with fire and gasoline, it burned rapidly. Fortunately, Bernard and Cornelia were only tied up, they were not fixed to any fixed posts or chairs.