The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 1968

"Con, eat your food properly, or | won't be inviting you all next time."

With just one sentence from Arabella, seven grumpy old men instantly picked up their cutlery and started eating like well-behaved

children.

"That's more like it. Isn't it nicer when everyone gets along?"

Another quip from Arabella, and the old guys began passing dishes to each other with exaggerated politeness and fake smiles.

The reporter on the sidelines couldn't believe that the spat between these venerable gentlemen had been defused so easily by a

young lady.

It really took Arabella to step in; moments ago, she and the photographer were too scared to make a peep.

The live chat was going wild. Arabella had managed to get seven feisty old men to toe the line.

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[Bella's incredible, I'm officially a fan now! Bella, you're my idol!]

[These old dudes are hilarious, | could watch them bicker all day.]

[I'm so jealous of Arabella, pampered and doted on by so many grandpas. Meanwhile, | just got yanked out of bed by my mom for

oversleeping.]

Seeing that they were finally eating peacefully, Arabella was about to head back to her own table when she caught sight of friends

from two tables waving at her.

"Bella, over here, cheers to you!" Kelly called out, wine glass in hand, beckoning Arabella over.

Ophelia, the sleek-haired BFF Deborah, the tomboyish Fanny with her jagged bangs, the elegant Freda with her collarbone-length

hair, and the guy friends Hayes, Magee, Burgess, they all waved at Arabella with smiles on their faces.

"All here?" Arabella responded with a bright smile, walking over and taking the glass of red wine from Kelly. "I'm touched everyone

could make it to my homecoming party. Here's to you all for making the time."

"Whoa, my dear lady, this formal politeness is new. | might need a moment to adjust," chuckled Hayes, his earring glinting. He

remembered when Arabella and Kelly visited his newly opened club, which went into complete disarray thanks to Zachary and

Yolanda .

"It's us who should be toasting to you," Ophelia said with a smile, leading the others to stand and raise their glasses.

"Congratulations on your big reveal. From now on, we're all looking forward to you showing us the good life."

"Deal, no problem."

They all laughed and clinked glasses with Arabella.

After Arabella took a sip, Hayes quickly took her glass away. "That's enough, just a sip. No need to down it all. You've hardly had

anything to eat. Go on, eat up. Did those old timers start bickering again? Cto you to mediate?"

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Arabella smiled lightly, "That's just how they are. I'm used to it by now."

"Bella!" Joyce called out excitedly from another table, "Cover here."

Arabella's roommate Joyce was sitting with Barry, whom she met during the extracurricular activities, and they looked every bit the

couple.

"Bella," Barry said, after serving Joyce her food and noticing Arabella approach. He picked up his glass and stood up, "Let's have a

toast."

"When did you two get together?" Arabella asked with a teasing smile.

"Joyce agreed to datelast week." Barry said with a bashful yet blissful grin.

Back during extracurricular activities, Joyce couldn't get over the wall and Barry gave her a hand. Later, when Joyce was pushed

into the pool by her classmate Noreen, Barry had dived in to save her.