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.