The Princess and the Paupers

Chapter 20

At this moment, Martha brought some fruits and said, “Serena, you’ve been busy all morning. Would you like to have some fruits?”

Before Serena could thank her, Martha whispered, “Miss Serena, there’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”

Serena glanced at her, understanding what she meant. She saw another servant working nearby and stood up, saying, “Martha, take the fruits to the garden, and I’ll eat there.”

“Sure.”

Carrying the fruits, Martha followed Serena to a secluded corner of the garden. Seeing that there was no one around, she couldn’t help but express her concern, “Miss Serena, you’ve been through a lot! In the past, you wouldn’t have needed to go to such lengths to please Mr. and Mrs. McMillian.” Serena lowered her gaze, her lashes hiding the disappointment that emanated from her. While her eyes couldn’t be seen, her despondent aura was palpable.

In truth, she didn’t want to act this way, but in this household, Arabella’s status would only grow stronger while hers would diminish. At this moment, she still had a chance to catch up.

“Miss Serena, these are all imported fruits, and I’ve cut some of each for you. Please, eat them. You didn’t have much in the morning…”

Martha’s empathy was heartwarming. “Oh, and I wanted to tell you that for now, they haven’t revealed Ms. Bennett’s identity to the public, so in the eyes of outsiders, your engagement with Mr. McMillian is still valid…”

Serena’s eyes instantly lit up. Yes, Romeo, she still had Romeo…

What did it matter if she was the daughter of the Collins family? As long as she married Romeo, she would be on top of the world!

“You’ve grown up with Mr. McMillian since childhood. Although you haven’t met often, you still spent more time with him than that Ms. Bennett! She probably hasn’t even seen Mr. McMillian in person!”

“Martha, are you suggesting…?” Serena had a rough idea of what Martha was getting at, but she dared not say it, nor could she.

“I know some people from the McMillian family, and a few of them work at Phillip’s villa. I heard that these days, in order to force Mr. McMillian to show up, Phillip hasn’t been eating or taking his medicine, and he’s practically on the brink of collapse!”

Serena covered her mouth, clearly startled by the revelation.

still kicking! He’s hoping you and Mr. McMillian can pay him a visit. Don’t you have Mr. McMillian’s contact? Why not ask him out?”

“But…”

still a red-blooded male! If a pretty girl like you asks him out, he’ll definitely be tempted.”

to romance and isn’t thinking about marriage yet, there’s no rush. You can spend more time with him, build a stronger connection. Once you two are tight, who cares about Ms. Bennett?!”

your marriage. If you gain his approval…

were reignited, but her

we both know… that engagement actually belongs to my sister… I’m just a foster daughter.”

seemed slightly swayed by her

McMillians are still in the dark about Ms. Bennett. Serena,

over the years and didn’t want to see her in such a

side, she could make a name for herself nationwide!

and won’t have trouble finding a good family to marry into. But you’re different! You don’t have parents or a powerful backing. You’re just a foster daughter of the Collins family, and who knows if they’ll still acknowledge you in the future! You know how high society works. As a foster daughter, marrying well is a tough sell! If you don’t marry Mr. McMillian, you’ll be overshadowed by Ms. Bennett

up Romeo’s WhatsApp. There were messages she had sent before.

“Are you busy today?”, “Goodnight”, but Romeo

yesterday, when she had just

“Miss!”

lot more, and Serena finally stopped resisting. She opened the chat and sent several messages in a row.

are you there?]

heard your grandpa is sick and in the hospital. Let’s go see

you free today? Can you come pick

I can have my driver take me. It won’t be any trouble for

really worried about Grandpa Phillip!]

the second

1/2

16:20

spacious balcony and admired the view.

noticed two figures in

away to hear the contents, but the could tell that those two were Serena and Martha Serena was sitting in a white wicker chair, and Martha was standing next to

bit more, she went back inside, leaving only Serena and Martha in the garden, nervously staring at the