The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1920

Cornelia beckoned with a warm smile as she entered the garden and spotted her granddaughters, "Bella, Alma, you're both here.

Perfect, cover, my dears."

Arabella had only wandered off a short distance when she heard her grandma call. She quickly returned to Cornelia's side.

"Grandma Cornelia, you needed to see both of us?" Alma's face broke into a smile as if nothing had happened earlier.

"Well, my dears, | have a friend who's a violin maestro, and she’s been on the lookout for a protege. She messagedto ask if |

knew anyone who might fit the bill. She's looking for real talent."

Cornelia still held her smartphone, the chat window open, "Bella's already a master in her own right, way beyond my friend's skill

level, so it gotthinking about you."

She patted Alma's head affectionately, "You've loved the violin since you were a little girl, and you even took lessons from Oswald,

but he never truly passed on the torch. My friend, she's more skilled than Oswald, and | think you could really flourish under her

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tutelage. Given stime, you could do great things."

"Me?" Alma was caught in a bind. She couldn't admit that she could no longer play the violin.

"Bella here is Jamie Noelle. Since she's around, why don't you play something for her? Let's see where you stand. My friend has

very high standards, and even if you're talented and skilled, she might not be convinced."

Cornelia was about to fetch a violin when Alma quickly interjected, “Grandma Cornelia, I've decided not to pursue the violin

professionally."

"Why ever not?" Cornelia was clearly surprised.

"I've set my sights high, you see. | had even thought about studying under Jamie Noelle." Alma revealed with a playful grin as she

spoke, "But I've realized that's not really my calling. So I've made up my mind. Music and arts will remain hobbies, and | plan to

focus on building a different career. But thank you, Grandma Cornelia, for always thinking ofwhen opportunities cup."

Seeing Alma had other plans, Cornelia nodded, "You've always been decisive, my child. If that's what you want, | won't push.

Whatever you both choose to do in the future, I'm behind you all the way."

Relieved, Aima offered a smile.

"Well, then, I'll let my friend know | don't have a suitable candidate at the moment." Cornelia was about to leave when something

else occurred to her, "If you're ever in need of advice, you can always turn to Bella. When it comes to chess, she's a Queen, a

master of all sorts. For music, she’s both Melody and Jamie Noelle; and in medicine, she's Dr. Bell. Whatever path you choose, Bella

can surely give you a few pointers."

Alma, not to be outdone but resigned to the situation, replied, "Of course, Grandma Cornelia."

"But I'll say this upfront: just a few pointers. Don't bother her too much. Bella's a busy girl," Cornelia chuckled as she tapped her

screen, replying to her old friend's message, and walked back toward the house.

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Feeling a bit awkward, Alma looked up to find that Arabella had slipped away at spoint.

What was with Arabella, not even wanting to spend an extra second with her? Why the rush?

That bitch Serena used to be around the Collins family all the time, and Arabella never seemed so put off.

Could it be that she was even less appealing than that Serena?

From a distance, Arabella spotted the head of the bodyguard confronting a man who had been blocked from escaping. Crossing

half the garden, she approached the unfolding scene.

"Ms. Collins!" The head of the bodyguard seemed relieved at her arrival, his gaze falling on the uninvited guest with suspicion,

"This fellow was lurking around the basement skylight, acting all sneaky."

At the bodyguard'’s feet was a skylight that led down to the basement; a glance through it offered a view into a corner of the

subterranean space.