The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1846

“Bella's got nerves of steel, so let's not dwell on the past. We've got the New Year coming up, and there's a lot preparations to do.

This year's going to be a blast with Bella around—our family's going to be livelier and happier for sure." Clark slung an arm around

his sister's shoulder with a grin.

Everyone nodded, "Clark's got a fair point."

It was a reminder that there was still so much to do.

"Hey, Chasel, don't forget to bring Myrna over for dinner, we need all the cheer we can get." Louisa suddenly remembered, then

turned to Sean, "And what about you, Sean? Got a girlfriend to bring hthis year?"

"Why askand not Clark? I'm still the baby here!" Sean, feeling a tad protective, shrugged off the hand on Arabella's shoulder.

"What's with the heavy hand? You'll make her uncomfortable."

"Now you care about your sister, where were you for the first half of the year?"

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Clark's smirk was enough to make Sean suspect that he was deliberately stirring trouble in front of Bella. But then Bella spoke up,

"Sean was badly hurt before. He stayed away because he didn't want us to worry."

Sean arched an eyebrow, giving Clark a proud look: You see that? Bella's taking my side!

Who has the stronger bond with her now?

He patted Bella's head, about to shower her with praise, when Clark interrupted him, "What are you doing? Stop that, you're

messing up her hair!"

Clark reached out to adjust Bella's hair, but before his fingers could touch her, Sean swatted his hand away.

"Are your hands clean, bro? Disinfected? Don't bring germs to our sister!"

"A doctor's hands are cleaner than those of a brawler like you."

"Yeah, but you're a forensic pathologist, dissecting corpses! Stay away from our sis and don't let her smell that scent on you, man!"

As the brothers squabbled, Louisa couldn't help but interject, "Sean, I'm talking to you! Why dodge the question? Got a girlfriend or

not?"

"Don't tellyou haven't found a girl yet?" Kenneth's voice was a mix of disdain and sympathy. "That grumpiness would scare off

anyone."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sean deflected again. "Why the focus on me? Clark's the older one. Shouldn't you be pressuring

him first?"

Louisa and Kenneth exchanged a look, both seeming hesitant to speak.

"Who says Clark's without a girlfriend? Right, Clark?" Arabella gave Clark a gentle look. "This year, aside from Sean and David,

Hans, Chasel, and Clark will all be bringing their girlfriends hfor dinner."

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This brought Carol into the conversation as well.

Kenneth and Louisa shared another look, their hesitation growing.

"You already had a girlfriend, Clark?" Sean looked at Clark, with pure surprise. When did this happen, and how did he miss it?

Clark hadn't expected Bella to speak up for Carol, especially with their parents previous reservations about her, fearing Carol's

connection to Doom could spell disaster for the Collins family.

"Carol and her brother have officially taken over the Brooks Group." Clark didn’t finish his words, when Hans joined in.

"The Doom crisis has been dealt with by Clark, Romeo, and me," Hans stepped down the staircase, his voice steady, "We can all

live peacefully from now on."

Louisa and Kenneth exchanged yet another look, and finally said, "Well then, let's invite her over for the holidays."

After all, she was also a poor girl, just like their beloved Bella and her experiences in the triangular zone—forced by a life of

hardship to develop her skills.