The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1492

Arabella shot back with a grin, [Maybe I should give you the runaround as well, eh?]

[Oh no, no, no. You know how patient I am, kiddo. Even for my own birthday bash, I take things slow and steady.]

Arabella chuckled, [Haven't left the house yet?]

[Any minute now.]

[Drive safe.]

Those words from Arabella made Charles' day. He couldn't help but snap a screenshot and share it with his buddies in their group chat.

[Just look at the angel, so thoughtful. She's all grown up now, and cares for me!]

He added a smug emoji for good measure.

Grandpa Eugene, [I texted her and didn't even get a single exclamation mark in reply! Is that screenshot from ages ago, or what?]

Beck chimed in, [Must be my lousy internet here. Still waiting on that sweet message from her.]

Nelson quipped, [Just drove through a tunnel, bad reception, you know?]

Jarvis, [You two are fooling yourselves. Messages going out but none coming in? Who you trying to kid? Wake up, the girl didn't text you.]

Beck, [@Tanner, sounds like she's texting you though.]

To prove Arabella's message was fresh, Charles posted a new screenshot with the timestamp.

That stirred things up among the elders.

Arabella saw the group getting rowdy again and was about to tell them to calm down when someone bumped her arm, reaching for some grub.

Lindsay grabbed herself a cupcake and said to a friend, "Some folks have no shame, like that actress all over the tabloids, always the one chasing after other people’s husband. Heard all three of her affairs were with guys who are married."

Madeline was there too, tagging along with her grandpa to get a taste of high society. She nodded in agreement with Lindsay, "Some are proud to be a home wrecker, flaunting it in the wife's face, so arrogant."

"People think they're so charming, totally oblivious to how revolting their actions are. That wife was a real lady from a noble family, a perfect match for marriage, not like some broke interloper," Lindsay sneered, and as she walked away with her cupcake, she bumped Arabella on purpose.

"Stop."

Arabella wasn't going to let that slide.

"Easy to judge others, huh? And what about you, doing it on purpose?" Arabella's cold gaze bore into Lindsay, her narrowed eyes glinting with icy resolve, "I don't believe we've met."