The Princess and the Pauper

Chapter 1918

"I still can't believe she was the ringleader of some secret society," Lucas exclaimed, clearly shocked.

"This whole situation feels like it runs deeper. But with Martha gone, there's some truth to the saying

'what goes around comes around'!"

Alma was stunned that Arabella had gone through so much and yet, there she was, sitting pretty as a

picture, not a hair out of place.

Alma thought, "Was she even human? Her luck was just too unbelievable! I mean, we're talking about a

kidnapping and a ticking time bomb. And she made it out alive. It's just mind-boggling!"

"So, that leaves just Erik still breathing," Lucas mused, then added with resolve, "This man, we can't let

him off easy! We have to grill him, find out if he intentionally switched the kids to give his daughter a

better life."

"I'll get to the bottom of it once he wakes up."

Louisa hadn't shared with them that there was more to the old fire incident, that a puppet master was

still lurking in the shadows.

Lucas and Beverly assumed that it was all Erik and Martha’s selfish scheme to switch two kids.

"Wake him up?" Lucas was confused by her words. "What's he doing sleeping at a time like this? Why

don't you shake him awake and give him a piece of your mind?"

"He's not sleeping, he's in a coma. It's a long story, but you know Bella's got healing hands. Luckily she

stepped in, and now Erik's out cold until we can question him about what really happened back then."

Lucas and Beverly's eyes shifted back to Arabella.

"Absolutely, Bella's skills are legendary," Lucas couldn't help praising Arabella's medical prowess,

especially since she had saved his own parents.

Beverly smiled and chimed in, "Bella's truly a jack-of-all-trades. Whoever ends up marrying her is one

lucky guy."

"But with the holiday rush and all, we need to keep a close eye on Erik, make sure he doesn't slip

through our fingers!" Lucas cautioned, pausing before adding, "If you need any help, just holler."

"Reflections Villa is locked down tight," Kenneth assured, clapping Lucas on the shoulder with a grin.

"No need to worry, we've got twenty guys just in his room alone!"

Lucas was surprised by the manpower. Nodding, he said, "Once he comes to and you've got the full NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

story, let me know. I want to get justice for Bella too! If it weren't for him and Martha, Bella wouldn't

have been cast out for all those years."

"I'm gonna teach him a lesson too, let him know that you don't mess with the Collins family!"

As Beverly finished her sentence, Arabella's lips curled into a sly smile, "Lucas, Beverly, you're so

concerned."

Her comment drew everyone's attention, and the atmosphere tensed.

"Knowing that you have my back and want to stand up for me. as the younger generation, I'm honored,

truly," Arabella defused the situation with a swift change in tone, easing Lucas and Beverly's

expressions.

"What are you saying? You're our niece. Who else are we supposed to care about, Erik? You're the

family's treasure now," Lucas said heartily.

The conversation then drifted to work matters and catching up on old acquaintances with Kenneth.

Feeling the conversation was wearing on her, Arabella stood up and excused herself, "I'll be right back,

just need to make a phone call."