The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 2022

Florence's hand flew up in a fit of rage, and the entire platter of pastries crashed onto Serena's face.

The delicate treats tumbled down her collar, onto her lap, and scattered across the floor.

Gritting her teeth, Florence demanded, “I'm asking you one last time, are you moving out today or not?”

“Mrs. Cooper, you've got a heart condition; don't work yourself up. If you don't want me living here, I'll

move out.” Serena responded with feigned concern, “But to leave Martin - that I simply cannot do. Even

if you sent me to a countryside cottage, cut off from transport, living on bread and water, with no one to

wait on me. I'd accept it all; just let me be with Martin.”

Florence was fuming, “Fine, you won't leave? Someone, throw her out!!”

The two housemaids were too terrified to show themselves.

“Dora? June??” Florence glanced around, astonished that they were defying her orders. She turned to

the bitch before her, “You've got some nerve. You've been here a few days and you've already got my

people on your side? Alright, today, I'll personally see you out!”

Florence stood up, and Serena, with tears streaming down her cheeks, clutched at her clothes and

pleaded, “Mrs. Cooper, I know you dislike me. Why not hit me to vent your anger? Beat me once, ten

times, twenty times, as long as you let me stay with Martin, I'll endure anything.”

“Serena, can you spare us the theatrics?” Diana stood up as well, moving to push her wheelchair.

Serena pressed her hands against the armrests and flung herself forward onto the ground, dropping to

her knees before them.

“Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Cooper, Martin and I are truly in love, please bless us,” Serena even went as far as

to bow her head to the ground.

Florence was stunned by the display of melodrama, not expecting the act to reach the extremes of

kneeling and bowing, “Today, even if you split your head open, you're leaving Martin! Diana!”

Diana immediately stepped forward to help lift the woman back into her wheelchair. But Serena played

the part of a limp ragdoll, sprawling on the ground, refusing to budge, “Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Cooper,

please don't be like this.”

Serena flailed her heavily bandaged hands, pretending to strike them carelessly, her long nails

deliberately grazing their wrists and the backs of their hands.

“Serena!!” Diana was truly enraged.

After enough thrashing, Serena clung desperately to Diana's leg, sobbing theatrically, “I really love Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.

Martin.”

Florence couldn't pull Serena away; she tugged at Serena's clothes, even her hair, but Serena wouldn't

let go.

“Have you no shame?” Florence was beside herself with anger and slapped Serena on the shoulder.

“Mrs. Cooper, you might as well kill me; as long as I'm breathing, I won't leave Martin.”

Florence launched into a physical tirade, and Diana joined in without restraint, their fists and feet

raining down.

“What are you doing?”

At that moment, Martin, having heard the commotion, rushed in. He pushed his mother and sister aside

and tenderly helped the woman on the floor.

“Why are you wet? What happened to your clothes?” In a panic, Martin took off his suit jacket and

draped it over Serena, noticing her shivering and disheveled appearance, his heart felt as if it was

being ripped out, overcome with anguish.