The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1630

Louisa's gaze drifted beyond the windowpane.

In the winter's bitter embrace, the girl, whether from the cold or the pain, couldn't stop her slight frfrom shivering. Struggling,

she bent to retrieve the broken branch lying before her.

"Ms. Serena." Betty sobbed, shaking her head, "Stop torturing yourself."

Serena reached out but couldn't grasp the branch before her; whether from her lingering illness or the harsh beating she had just

endured, she once again collapsed weakly into the snow.

"Ms. Serena?!" Betty cried out, rushing to her aid. Serena's body was limp, as if all strength had fled from her. It took Betty several

attempts to finally prop her up, "Mr. and Mrs. Collins, Ms. Serena can’t make it! Please, cout and check up on her!"

Kenneth and Louisa were overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

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That was when Edith briskly entered the living room, "Mrs. Collins, something happened."

She handed Louisa an envelope.

Outside, Serena knelt, her teeth chattering in the cold.

"Ms. Serena, are you freezing? I'll fetch you a coat."

Betty started to rise, but Serena's icy hand pressed her down, her voice trembling, "No need."

She had dressed lightly on purpose, hoping to soften her parents' hearts. The more she suffered in the cold, the more disheveled

she appeared, the greater the chance to move her parents.

Before long, the grand doors of the main house swung open, revealing Louisa and Kenneth standing there.

"It's Mr. and Mrs. Collins; they've cto take you inside," Betty's face lit up with joy, she quickly wiped the tears from her face,

genuinely happy for Serena.

The moment Serena saw her parents, tears welled up in her eyes; she knew they still cared for her. Erik was right; as long as she

looked pitiful before them, her parents couldn't be heartless.

Earlier, she had tampered with the branch, hoping her parents would see the broken piece, witness her getting beaten, and be

moved to let her return to the main house.

It seemed her schwas about to pay off.

The snowflakes fell thicker, Louisa descended the steps, moving toward Serena. Kenneth held an umbrella over her.

Serena implored Betty weakly, "The branch's broken; use your hand, slap my face hard."

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Clearly, she meant for Kenneth and Louisa to hear.

"Ms. Serena???" Betty lacked the courage, shaking her head vehemently, "You're already pale; you can't be hit anymore."

"Do it quickly." Serena clutched her hand, as her parents drew nearer, pleading desperately, "Letlearn my lesson; let me

remember for life how outrageous my mistake was. If you won't do it, must I?"

Louisa approached and stood still before her.

"Fine, I'll punish myself," Serena was about to feign hitting herself. But in the next instant, Louisa raised her hand and delivered a

stinging slap.

Serena was stunned, even Betty was frozen in shock. What was happening? Wasn't Mrs. Collins here to bring Ms. Serena back to

the main house?