The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 61

"The guy who called and was all sarcastic was Mario." Ben started to say something, then stopped short.

"Can you stop beating around the bush? If there's anything else, just spit it out." Attlee was losing patience, tugging at his tie, looking all sorts of annoyed.

"Well, Allbara Investment doesn't want to work with us anymore. They seemed relieved, even pleased. I could hear them laughing at the end of the call!"

Attlee tried to make sense of this. "No, I have to call Mario myself and find out what's going on."

Ben quickly fetched the office phone.

Attlee first called Mario, who usually picked up faster than anyone else. But now, there was only the cold automated message: Sorry, the number you dialed is switched off!

Attlee refused to believe Mario was ignoring his calls. He tried several times, growing more agitated. He'd been ghosted!

He undid the top button of his shirt and dialed Mario's boss, Dylan, the head of Allbara Investment's Solterra division. To his surprise, Dylan had ghosted him, too.

Listening to the emotionless automated voice, Attlee's frustration peaked. Holding back his anger, he tried the other two companies.

They didn't pick up his calls, either.

After an hour of futile attempts, no one was responding.

Ben stood off to the side, shivering, when suddenly he received a message.

"Mr. Murphy."

"Can't you see I'm pissed off? Shut up! Let me cool down!" Attlee was very angry and extremely annoyed.

Ben couldn't speak, so he took a notebook from the desk and wrote: The board is looking for you.

Weren't they supposed to be a very small company?

As Arabella walked in, she saw a receptionist dozing off. She gently said, "Hello."

"Hello??" The receptionist, seeing a high-school-looking girl, rubbed her sleepy eyes. "Young lady, I think you're in the wrong place. This is Collins Fashion."

"My name is Arabella. I'm here to work."

The receptionist, hearing this, was instantly wide awake. "Ms. Bennett? Right this way!"

Kenneth had already told them yesterday that someone would be taking over the company. Since they hadn't disclosed Arabella's identity yet, they simply told the staff that Arabella was sent by the group's headquarters.

The receptionist led Arabella to the elevator and pressed the button for the highest floor, the 20th. "I'll take you to the office first."