The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 1355

"If we don't take action, we're done for!" Arlen's voice trembled with fervor. "Calvin, we're out of options. It's either Darren, Bard, Eunice, and that little girl who go down, or it's curtains for us. We've got to take the plunge."

"No, I'm not ready to die." Teresa dreamed of a lavish life, throwing money around like it was nothing, living the high life.

Bess wasn't keen on dying either. She had her whole future planned out.

"We've reached the point of no return," Arlen said, looking to Calvin for confirmation.

Calvin and Arlen nodded in agreement. "He's right, now's our best shot. Calvin, we're one step away from victory!"

Calvin mulled over another strategy in his mind. "There's one more way, a safer bet, that could preserve everything we've got."

"What way?" The siblings and their spouses were all ears, eager for a plan that promised such ease and security.

"The key lies with Eunice. With Darren suddenly taken ill, and Eunice and Bard rushing him to the hospital, they won't have a moment to gossip about our doings tonight. As long as Eunice keeps mum, Bard and Darren will be none the wiser."

That would give them the time they needed to devise an even more foolproof plan.

"But Eunice's no pushover. How could she not spill the beans? She won't miss a chance to rat us out!" Bess suddenly felt her husband's idea was half-baked, as good as useless.

Yet Arlen couldn't help but ask, "Calvin, you sure about this? Eunice's a tough nut to crack. We just tried to corner her and take out her husband. Would she really play ball?"

"We'll have to cut a deal with her." Calvin pondered before suggesting, "She's always had a soft spot for you. Pretend to ask her for the hospital's address, if she's alone, try to negotiate."