The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella)

Chapter 568 In the car, Romeo was incessantly checking his phone, finally getting the text he'd been waiting for.

Just a simple message: All is well. Accompanied by a photo of her dorm room.

But the first thing Romeo noticed was her slender figure, reflected on the glass door as she took the photo.

She looked stunning.

As he was about to reply, there was a knock on the car window.

"Romeo," Serena was standing outside the car, smiling sweetly, "It's stuffy in the car. Why don't you cout for sfresh air?" Ignoring her, Romeo went back to his text. Serena knocked on the window again.

"You must be bored all alone in the car. No one to chat with. All the drivers are helping my sister move her stuff. Mom and Dad aren't here either. We've got nothing to do, so why not grab a coffee at a nearby café and wait? Romeo, are you even listening?" She deliberately pressed her chest against the car window, trying to get Romeo's attention. But he didn't even glance at her, focusing on his phone as if she didn't exist.

Feeling embarrassed and frustrated, Serena looked to Martha in the other car for encouragement.

"Romeo, | don't mean anything by it. We grew up together; can't we even have a cup of coffee now? What could | possibly do to you with all these people around?" "I'm engaged,” Romeo said coldly without looking up from his phone, "keep your distance." Upon hearing this, Serena put on a pitiful look.

"Do you really prefer the icy and rude ones?" Before Serena could finish, Romeo shot her a warning look.

"Romeo." She was telling the truth! Arabella was indeed cold and had a knack for rubbing people the wrong way. She wasn't defaming anyone! "| just wanted to invite you for a coffee, but if you'd rather stay in the car, | can join you." Serena said in a soft and wronged tone, "Is there a misunderstanding between us? Did my sister say something bad about me?" "You're too full of yourself." Romeo's gaze turned icy. "You're not even worth mentioning." "Romeo." "In this lifetime, even if you mimic her every word and action, even if you have plastic surgery to look like her, | wouldn't give you a second glance." This was the first tSerena had been humiliated like this. She stood there, embarrassed and ashamed.

"I despise hypocrites and selfish people, and people who think too highly of themselves, and you are all of them." Serena bit her lip, holding back tears.

"If you keep pushing, your cushy life as a rich girl will be over." Feeling humiliated, Serena ran back to her car and burst into tears.

"How could he say that about me? I'm not fake; I'm not selfish; I'm not self-centered.” Serena sobbed inconsolably in Martha's arms, feeling wronged. "What does Arabella have that | don't? Just because he's a billionaire, does that make him so great? His words were too harsh!" Martha consoled her, saying, "Men like Mr. McMillan are naturally arrogant. Winning his heart isn't easy. Otherwise, every good- looking girl in the world could be Mrs. McMillan. Why should it be you?" "But what's so great about Arabella? She just plays the piano, slacks off at work, and is always cold." "Men are drawn to women who are cold and indifferent. It's their desire to conquer. It's not your fault.” After Martha's explanation, Serena finally stopped crying and wiped her nose.

"And you're not smart enough. You should have cried in front of him; that way he would feel awkward and guilty for bullying a girl.

But now, dry your tears, listen to me, and try again.” "Do | have to go again?" Serena really didn't want to make a fool of herself again. Romeo's reaction was terrifying. If she went again, he'd probably hit her! "You need to be persistent; show him what makes you special!" Martha continued, "Let him know you truly like him! Not like other girls who are after his wealth and status.” After sthought, Serena finally got out of the car.

This time, following Martha's advice, she bravely knocked on Romeo's car window and said softly, "Romeo, I'm sorry | was wrong. Please don't be mad; just hearout.” Romeo glanced at her, and seeing a glimmer of hope, Serena said with a wronged tone, "Could you get out of the car while we talk? It's suffocating with you staring at me." She lowered her head, like a child who'd done something wrong, nervously expecting forgiveness.

But to Serena's surprise.

The next moment, she heard the car door open.

Romeo's dress shoes cinto view.

As his feet hit the ground, it felt like a dream to Serena. She couldn't believe it. She looked slowly up at his incredibly handsface.

Romeo got out of the car! He actually got out of the car! He was standing right in front of her! Martha was right; men can't stand seeing women in tears, looking helpless.

She had purposefully made that face, showing a bit more skin, just to get this reaction.

Just as Serena was about to let her joy show and say something, Romeo was already on the move, breezing past her.

The whole thing took only three seconds.

Serena stood there, dumbstruck, as he got into Carl's car, which quickly drove away.

It took her a moment to realize that Romeo hadn't gotten out of the car to hear her talk. He saw Carl coming to pick him up, so he got out.

From start to finish, all of this had nothing to do with her.

Her previous happiness vanished, replaced by embarrassment and shame.

In the car, Carl was driving and asking at the stime, "Boss, what's up? Weren't you supposed to drop Ms. Bella off at school today? Why the sudden change of plan? Did you have a spat with Ms. Bella?"