The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 2085

Arabella strolled into the living room of Reflections Villa, finding Lucas and Beverly comfortably ensconced on the couch, sipping tea and sharing laughs with her parents.

"Hey, Bella," Beverly's features, always graced with an aristocratic warmth, softened into a welcoming smile at the sight of Arabella.

"What's up so late? Aunt Beverly, Uncle Lucas, you needed to see me?" Arabella settled into an armchair opposite them, an aura of authority emanating from her relaxed posture.

Beverly returned the smile, gentle as ever, "Recently, some trouble befell the family businesses, and all clues pointed to someone known as 'Stinger'. Tonight, we found out you've nabbed him. Is that the case?"

Arabella's lips curved into a slight smirk, "You both are well-informed, indeed. Yes, he's with me."

"Would you mind turning him over to us? We're eager to find out why he did that," Beverly's voice was soft, almost as if coaxing a child.

"Why indeed?" Arabella mused, a playful edge to her tone. "Don't you already know?"

Both Lucas and Beverly were taken aback, clearly puzzled by the insinuation.

Tension suddenly crackled in the air.

"Bella, I'm not sure I follow." Lucas said with a congenial smile, his face a picture of benevolence.

"I'm just as clueless, just repeating what Stinger told me," Arabella maintained her smile.

Lucas, still smiling, prodded further, "And what exactly did Stinger tell you?"

"Not much yet, you arrived so soon," Arabella's smile didn't reach her eyes as she added, "Seems like you're quite concerned about Stinger."

"Of course, he's thrown my companies into chaos. I'm at my wit's end; I just want to get to the bottom of it," Lucas said, clearly agitated.

Beverly smiled diplomatically, "Bella's quite the prodigy, agile and sharp."

Louisa caught the underlying note, replying with a chuckle, "Indeed, and lucky for us, Uriah taught her self-defense. We owe him thanks; without those skills, she might not have caught Stinger tonight. You know, last time he came forward to clear the air for Bella, or folks might still think she's got ties to the underworld."

But when Uriah himself clarified that he was the one who taught Arabella her moves, well, that's a different story.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while longer, Lucas and Beverly finally glanced at the clock striking half-past eleven and rose to take their leave.

"We won't keep you any longer," Beverly said with a gracious smile. "You should get some rest."

"Right, right, you too, head off and get some sleep," Louisa said, walking them to the front door.