The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 2048

"Arabella." Martin's voice trailed off in disbelief as the girl before him stood her ground, unyielding.

"No matter who he sends, they won't even lay a finger on me," Arabella said with a confidence that was both fierce and calm.

"But did you ever think about the people around you?" Martin couldn't help but blurt out. "They don't all have your strength."

"You try messin’ with Bella's folks, see what happens!" Sean barked, his temper flaring at the thought.

"That mystery guy, he's not just after you. If he can't get to you, he'll target those close to you. It's a no-brainer."

"Even if | save Serena, he'll still cafter me, then why the hell should | bother?" Arabella's retort left Martin speechless.

"Let him come," Arabella said coolly as she climbed into her car. "I'm curious to see what tricks he's got up his sleeve."

Martin watched her drive away, the Collins family's cars disappearing one by one from his view.

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In the end, all he could do was turn to Dr. Pierce.

"I'm just a dean here; saving lives is a job for the doctors." Dr. Pierce managed the hospital but wasn't remotely as skilled in

medicine as the big-shot doctors.

Martin's gaze lingered on Dr. Pierce's retreating figure, a sense of disappointment washing over him.

Then, his phone rang.

"Martin, you think you're clever, teaming up with the Collins family against me. You can forget about getting any antidote from

me!" The mysterious caller hung up in a rage before Martin could even respond.

Before he could digest the threat, his phone rang again. It was Dora.

"Sir, Serena's coughing up blood again, and all the doctors you brought in are clueless. What do we do?"

Hearing this, Martin rushed to the hospital room.

For two long days and nights, Serena's condition worsened, her vomiting of blood becoming more frequent, and the pain spreading

through her body was unbearable.

"Martin, it hurts so much." Serena lay weakly in his arms, tears of despair rolling down her cheeks. "When are the doctors you

called coming? My ears, my eyes, everything hurts so much. | think I'm dying. Why haven't any new doctors cto seethese

past two days?"

Martin fought back tears, unable to tell the girl in his arms that he had run out of options.

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Every doctor within his reach had been summoned, and none had an answer for Serena's mysterious ailment.

He had even begged Beck, the esteemed dean of Westerly College, renowned for his miraculous cures. But as soon as Beck heard

Serena's name, he refused without a second thought and had his doors shut tight.

Martin had knelt outside Barton's mansion for ten freezing hours, but the dean had left on his private jet without a word, clearly

unwilling to save Serena.

Desperate and helpless, Martin could only watch as Serena suffered, the ordeal draining him of all his strength.

"Martin, say something." Serena pleaded, her voice weak, sensing his guilt and sorrow. "Is it true? Have the doctors given up on

me? Are you unable to find anyone? Am | really going to die?"

Tears filled Martin's eyes as he whispered, "I'll find a way."

"The previous doctors, none of them knew what's wrong with me." Serena's tears flowed freely, "Is Arabella really my only hope..."

Arabella had her cornered, demanding that she beg for forgiveness and the antidote.