The Princess and the Pauper

Cornelia struggled to rise from the floor, her wrists and ankles bound together, forcing her into the same kneeling position as Bernard and the others.

This posture was clearly Serena’s way of forcing them into submission.

Wheeling her chair forward, Serena towered over them as they knelt, bound to the pillars by her subordinates. The sight filled her with vindictive satisfaction, yet she also pitied them. If only they had played fair, they wouldn't have fallen to such lows.

Cornelia didn’t resist. Instead, she looked up with a mix of disappointment and disbelief. “Was it you who ordered us to be tied up?”

“Surprised? Unexpected?” Serena smiled. “Don’t worry, your precious granddaughter will come to save you soon. Do you know why | had you bound here instead of with your son and daughter-in-law? Because soon, | want to see who Arabella will choose to save first — you or her parents."

Serena said this and burst into laughter again, only to continue after a while, “If she saves you first, she'll watch her parents get hurt. If she saves them, she can only watch as you suffer. Just imagining her agony, her helplessness, unable to protect everyone, and finally being overwhelmed — and having to witness your demise at the same time.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

The thought of this was a delight for Serena. “It's like the time | witnessed my own mother being pushed down the stairs.” She wanted Arabella to experience that same torment!

“So, you wish for us to die?” Bernard, once seeing Serena as his “granddaughter,” felt complex emotions. He never expected her to become so heartless in such a short time.

There's truly no saving her now!

“My family is gone, so why should Arabella’s live?I’m living in pain, why should you tread over me to happiness. You never cared about me, you all deserve to go to hell, you all deserve to die.” Serena roared, her body shook with rage, and her eyes brimming with tears.

Bernard remained silent, his disappointment beyond words, unwilling to engage further. Cornelia averted her eyes, convinced that Serena had lost her mind and that further words were futile. Seeing their calm expressions only infuriated Serena more, so she deliberately provoked them further.

“Your five beloved grandsons will also be arriving today to accompany you in death. Don’t you like having the whole family together? Well, today, all of you can gather together in hell.”

She laughed until tears came again. Across the way, Louisa sensed something was wrong; Serena dared to call the other five. How could she be so confident?

The skills of the eldest and the others were not to be underestimated, and with Bella.

How could Serena be so sure that everyone would die here today? Had she planted explosives or something in this area? Then wouldn't it be dangerous for Bella and the others if they came?

Suddenly, Louisa's phone rang. Serena saw the screen ding the |

rds; Barlingrbadishter a phrase that cut deep into her heart! Please read the original content at

She dismissed the call, changing the contact's name to “Tras, arckonly! after rast cdiled again did she lazily answer. Please read the original content at .

“I'm here,” came Arabella’s steady voice from the other end.

Arabella, eyeing the decrepit hospital before her, didn’t immedi tely get but cespegeniger eats told her that t ee not the place. Please read the original content at .

“You have arrived at HATTUT Hospital?” Serena asked gleefully. “Then come to the old mansion!”