The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1796

"I know what Erik wants, and the moment he shows up, I'm gonna catch him. | want to trade him for Serena's life. Is that okay?"

Martin pleaded as he bowed deeply, "Please."

The four exchanged knowing glances, silently concluding that the kid was a lost cause. He was hopelessly devoted to that girl,

Serena, who just couldn't see it. Her heart had always belonged to Romeo.

"Just go home." Louisa was adamant about not releasing Serena, "She's hurt Bella tand tagain. I'm not about to let her off

the hook that easily. And to be brutally honest, if she's really dying, it's Erik's fault. Why hasn't he shown up all this time? If he can

ignore his own daughter's life or death, why should you, just her boyfriend, bother?"

"Mrs. Collins." Martin began, but Louisa cut him off.

"Even if you linger around for a day or two, | won't release her. Get that through your head." She said coldly and wearily, not

desiring to make any interactions with him, "Go home, Martin. You're a decent man, and | have no intention of having someone

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escort you out. There's no room for negotiation withabout that girl, so don't waste your energy."

Martin looked to the other elders for support, but they remained silent, evidently in agreement with Louisa.

He knew further words were futile, "My apologies for upsetting you, Mrs. Collins."

He bowed once more, his voice as polite and respectful as ever, "I'll bring Erik back as soon as possible to trade for Serena. It's

late; | won't disturb your rest any longer. Goodbye."

He knew he couldn't use force to get her, especially with Bard and Eunice here, their clout partially extended to this place.

The holidays were approaching, and Serena's brothers would be returning home. The Collins family had deep roots in this city.

Outnumbered and outgunned, Martin knew that brute force was neither his preferred method nor his style.

There was only one way left: to capture Erik. Erik held the truth about the clinic fire that the Collins family wanted to know. Even if

Erik fell into their hands, he wouldn't be killed outright - he'd likely suffer sphysical pain at most.

But Serena was a different story. She had been without food and water for two days and nights, wounded, and he didn't know how

much longer she could last.

Watching Martin's retreating figure, Kenneth sighed, "Why doesn't the kid see? Is that girl really worth all this trouble?"

"The Cooper family have raised him too well. A person with such heart and soul is rare these days. It's a shame, but Serena is

destined to break his heart," Bard remarked regretfully.

"If that girl survives, with her temperament, she's bound for trouble." Eunice added, "She and Martin won't last, and the Cooper

family wouldn't welcsomeone like her into their family. Let's not worry needlessly. We've done what we could; the rest is up to

him."

"Two days have passed, and Erik is still nowhere to be seen," Louisa's concern was barely concealed.

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Just then, a servant cwith urgent news, "Mr. and Mrs. Collins, there's been no sound from the girl in the basement. When |

opened the door, she was lying there, motionless and cold to the touch, with a burning fever. Her breathing's almost gone. | had to

check for a long tbefore | could feel a faint breath."

The servant's voice trembled with fear. With New Year around the corner, they dreaded the thought of a death in the house.

"Why don't we have the doctor take a look? Then we'll know her condition." Eunice suggested, and then looked around, "Let's see

how much longer she can hold out."

Without food or drink and injured, she probably had a day or two, at most three, left to live.

If Erik continued to be absent., having her die in the house would indeed be an ill omen.

After examining her, the family doctor rushed with her medical bag to the stone table in the garden.