The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1484

But Serena's triumph lasted all of two fleeting seconds before her mind raced back to a scene at school. Mr. Albright, in a very

public setting, had proclaimed that Arabella's chess prowess was his tutelage at work, and even floated the idea of Arabella

succeeding him.

If Arabella truly was his protege, given their mentor-mentee bond, it stood to reason that Mr. Albright would likely extend an invite

to his birthday bash.

With that thought, Serena's mood soured. It seemed Arabella's luck was infuriatingly good, having stumbled upon Mr. Albright's

guidance.

Without that stroke of fortune, Arabella probably wouldn't even know chess.

Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt

Her thoughts stewing, Serena's fingers danced over her phone, sending a Whatmessage to Martin.

[Martin, got an invite to Mr. Albright's birthday bash? | heard he's always been low-key, celebrating quietly. Never threw a big

shindig like he's doing this time. I'm head over heels for the violin, you know. | heard a bunch of venerable old-timers will be there.

Hope | can get a chance to bump into Jamie Noelle and earn a few pointers. I'm not a true Collins, as you well know. If | had a real

talent, I'd be in your league, Martin, and your folks might even warm up to me. | don't want the Collins family to pull strings for me.

| want to impress Jamie Noelle with my violin skills, making her want to mentor me. Martin, can you helpout?]

After sending the message, Serena got a case of goosebumps.

At the last inter-university competition, Alma had bowled over the judges with her violin, earning heaps of praise for her natural

gift. Perhaps that snob thought she was the bee's knees and got cocky. She even dared to challenge Arabella to a face-off onstage.

But Arabella's performance was crushing, garnering rave reviews.

Serena thought, if she could get Jamie Noelle's tutelage, her violin skills would eclipse both Arabella and Alma, and she'd be the

rising star of the violin world.

Then, not just the Collins family, but everyone would look at her differently, including her aunt.

Even without the "daughter of the Collins family" label, as a maestro of the violin, she'd waltz into high society.

As for Martin, well, by then, who knew if he'd even be in her league!

With that thought, Serena allowed herself a smug smile.

Eugene Albright's birthday party was set on his private estate, rivaling a 5-star resort in grandeur and beauty.

Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm

The invitation stated 7 p.m., but the road to the estate was already lined with luxury cars worth millions before the time. Their

occupants were clearly people of wealth and stature.

The majestic gates stood wide open, the butler and a cadre of eight servants lined up to welcthe arriving guests.

Unable to sit still in the main house, Eugene himself took up a spot by the entrance, awaiting his guests.

He glanced at his watch constantly; it was nearly 7 o'clock. Those old codgers hadn't shown up yet, nor had Arabella sent him any

message. He wondered if she had arrived.

With that thought, he kept peering out the gates.

The first to enter were Mr. Gardner and his granddaughter.