The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 246 Attlee came home looking pretty bummed out.

Olga Murphy took one look at him and gasped, “What on earth happened to you? Did the Collins family lay hands on you?” They're all big shots. How could they stoop so low as to mess with the richest man in Tranquil City? Talk about uncivilized! “It was two security guards.” Attlee didn't feel like elaborating.

“1 can’t believe Arabella would dare to air Yoli's dirty laundry in public!” Attlee sighed heavily without saying a word. He knew Arabella’s character all too well. When push came to shove, she wouldn't hesitate to throw her family under the bus.

It was nine o'clock at night, and Attlee’s 14 stores and four mansions were still on the market.

Melody’s lawyer called. “Sir, if we don't receive your compensation by midnight, we'll have no choice but to expose your daughter's plagiarism of Melody’s work” “Wait, give me some more time. | can’t control the fact that these properties aren't selling.” “You've got three hours left.” The lawyer said this before hanging up.

Attlee was freaking out. He had been trying to sell his properties for three days without any luck. How was he supposed to sell them in three hours? And who would househunt or shop for commercial properties in the middle of the night? And pay the full amount at once? He hurriedly called the agent. “What's the holdup? Why can’t we sell these properties?” “Sir, it might be because the price is too high and you're asking for full payment upfront.” 14 stores and four mansions valued at 18 million were hardly affordable to the average Joe.

“Well then, drop the price. We must sell these properties before midnight, no matter what!” After hanging up, Attlee watched as the time ticked away.

10 o'clock.

10:30.

11 o'clock.

Olga and Yolanda Murphy sat on the couch, too nervous to even breathe.

The agent still hadn't called! Yolanda clutched Olga'’s sleeve, trembling with fear. “Mom, am | going to be publicly shamed?” “Stop talking nonsense!” Even though Olga tried to comfort her, she felt completely defeated. It was already 11 o'clock, and they probably wouldn't be able to sell their properties.

Just then, Attlee’s phone rang. It was the agent.

He was over the moon, and even Olga and Yolanda perked up. Finally, someone's interested! “Did we sell them?” Attlee answered the phone with a sigh of relief, saying, “I knew my properties would sell. They're in prime locations.” “Sir, we've had a lot of inquiries, but only one person has made an offer.” The agent said awkwardly, “He said he would buy if the total price was 8 million.” “8 million? Is he out of his mind? My properties are worth at least 18 million. He wants to buy them for 8 million? He thinks he can just swindle me out of my wealth?” “Sir, it's getting late. Maybe you should consider about it.” “No way!” Attlee hung up in anger.

After hearing the conversation, Olga couldn't suppress her rage. “He wants us to drop the price by 10 million? Is he insane? Even robbers aren't that bold!” “Let's wait a little longer. No need to panic.” Attlee tried to calm everyone down, but he had a bad feeling.

Upon hearing that Attlee had refused to sell, Arabella smiled and discreetly issued some instructions.

It was 11 o'clock.

Attlee’s phone suddenly rang, and everyone's hopes soared again. Without checking the caller ID, Attlee picked up, “Did we sell?” “Sir, this is the lawyer. You have half an hour left. I've sent you the statement we're going to release. If we don’t receive the payment by then, we'll go public with it.” “Wait.” Before Attlee could finish, the lawyer hung up.

The message painted Yolanda in a very unflattering light. If this information were leaked, the Murphy family would definitely get slammed.

Olga took the phone and read the message to Yolanda. Their faces turned somber.

It was 11:45.

Olga started to plead, “Should we just sell the properties for 8 million? Yolanda’s reputation is more important.” Even though they knew it would be a huge loss, they had no other choice.

If Arabella went public with Yolanda’s misconduct, the whole country would know.

By then, the reputations of Yolanda’s parents and their company would be in jeopardy.

Attlee was extremely reluctant, his face twisted in agony.

“Money is just material possessions. Besides, if mom leaves her shares to Yolanda, our wealth would increase, right?” “We should sell. Yolanda's reputation is more important.” ‘Attlee, we're running out of time! The buyer also needs time to arrange the full payment.” “Stop hesitating!” “Just sell them!” Finally, under Olga’s pleading, Attlee picked up the phone and called the agent.

Upon hearing that he was willing to sell, the agent immediately contacted the buyer. A while later, he called Attlee back with an awkward tone: “Sir, the buyer said if the price drops to 7 million, he would buy.” “What? | thought it was 8 million. Why is he lowering the price again?” Attlee was furious. “Tell him to check out the market price for similar properties in the area! He's already getting a steal, and he still wants to haggle? Does he think we're desperate to sell to him? Does he think we're idiots?” “Sir, please calm down.” “I'm not selling!” Attlee said it angrily and hung up.

Upon hearing that he had refused to sell, Olga and Yolanda were frantic, trying to change his mind.

It's already 11:50 p.m. right now. If they didn’t sell this off ASAP, once the news gets out, they won't even have the chance to sell it! “Mr. Dylan is just messing with us.” Attlee complained, frustrated and with nowhere to vent his anger.

Olga and Yolanda, with tear—streaked faces, pleaded with him. After some coaxing, Attlee’s fury finally subsided. He grabbed his phone and said, “Fine, seven million it is. But | want it in one lump sum, right now!” Attlee had already drawn up contracts. As soon as the other party paid and signed it, the contract will be effective.