The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1129

"Martha, over these past eighteen years, the total worth of the gifts I've received is not a paltry sum."

"Serena, have you been brainwashed by someone again? You mustn't believe their nonsense. You're just a foster daughter now, an outsider to the Collins family. Of course they'll want to fob you off with as little money as possible."

Serena was firm, "I believe Uncle Sampson doesn't think like that."

"Was it your uncle who brainwashed you?" Martha knew she shouldn't have let Serena go out alone. She was too innocent, too susceptible to manipulation.

"Martha, I think Uncle Sampson's right. Arabella suffered for eighteen years growing up in the Murphy family. It's only natural that everyone wants to make it up to her now that she's back with her biological parents."

"You're sympathizing with her now?" Martha was frustrated. She hadn't expected Sampson to change Serena's mind so easily with just a few words.

"She's part of this family. She didn't kick me out the moment she came back, but let me stay, enjoying the wealth and luxury that should have been hers. It's like she's sharing her fortune and her family with me."

"Foolish girl, this is not sharing. You've been with the family for eighteen years. They're willing to pay for this bond. The gifts they give, the care they show, have nothing to do with Arabella. It's due to the bond formed over these eighteen years that they're willing to do this for you."

"But Martha, she was switched at birth. The family feels guilty about her. If she asked to get rid of me using this guilt, there's a high chance the family would agree."

"Sweetheart, even if they let you leave, they would still worry about you. They would still take care of you in their own ways. Do you know why? Because for the past eighteen years, they've loved you like their own daughter! This bond, formed over eighteen years, can't be severed just because Arabella says so."

Serena lowered her head, remaining silent for a while before speaking, "But Martha, I still think Uncle Sampson makes sense."

Her parents still treated her as their daughter, throwing her grand feasts.