The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1942

"Thanks, Romeo! And a million thanks, Bella!"

She was beside herself with excitement, her eyes brimming with gratitude as she looked at Arabella. Sure enough, whatever

Arabella said was like a royal decree to her big brother.

Her sis-in-law was seriously something else!

"Bella! You're the best!" Cathy exclaimed, unable to contain herself as she rushed forward and hugged Arabella tightly. "From this

moment on, you're my true sis-in-law, Cathy's own flesh and blood. No one else comes close! Nobody's gonna mess with you on

my watch!"

"Sure are quick to claim family," Romeo remarked with a hint of sarcasm.

"Well, you're my big brother, and she's my sis-in-law. We're all part of the McMillian family. It's only right | acknowledge that, isn't

it?"

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Romeo was at a loss for words, not expecting Cathy to be so eager to strengthen their ties.

"Bella, | owe you a dinner!" Cathy whispered to Arabella, then announced more formally, "Hey, letadd you on WhatsApp,

okay?"

"Nice try," Romeo interjected, pulling Arabella into his arms protectively. "Don't think you can start paving the way for future

favors."

How did he know she wanted to keep a line open to invite Arabella for dinner later? She had indeed wanted to leave a contact

option for future outings.

Arabella took out her phone and opened her WhatsApp.

"Don't give it to her."

Just as Romeo tried to block the QR code, Cathy swiftly scanned it and dashed away, promptly adding Arabella as a contact.

Romeo was left dumbfounded.

"Bella, I'm gonna pull you into our sibling chat and the family group," Cathy announced, adding Arabella to their tight-knit group

chats, including the extended family one.

Romeo had previously been reluctant to add Bella to the family group, not wanting her to be pestered by relatives.

The next thing they knew, Jennifer clooking for Arabella, overhearing their conversation. She chimed in happily, "Yes, yes, yes,

let's bring Bella in. We're all family here. I'll send more gifts"

"Yay!" Cathy was over the moon.

Jennifer then made a gift list in the group chat.

Cathy walked away, tapping her phone screen furiously to collect the gifts, and called out, "Bella, why aren't you joining in? Get

your phone out, quick!"

"What are you doing?" Romeo pulled Arabella closer, visibly annoyed by Cathy's touchy behavior.

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Cathy had just patted Arabella's arm, trying to get her to join in the group.

"Keep your distance from my wife."

"Romeo, don't be so stingy. It was just a tap, con. | know she's your wife, but she's also my sis-in-law now, right?" Cathy

flashed a disarmingly charming smile.

Arabella laughed softly and pulled out her phone, diving into her first gift grab frenzy.

Other elders in the group, seeing Arabella join, sent their own greetings and gifts to welcher, each one sending several gifts.

In their private sibling chat, Jeffery and Luna also sent gifts as a warm welcome.

"Tonight's a real jackspot." Cathy murmured, her fingers growing sore from all the tapping, "What a harvest!"

"You missed one," Romeo pointed out, indicating another gift card on Arabella's screen.

Jeffery watched them from a distance, a flicker of sadness dimming the light in his eyes.