Chapter 19

"Yes, yes, I saw it clearly—Miss Weston shoved Mrs. Perkins first!" one of the gossiping ladies chimed in. "I saw it too! Miss Weston nearly knocked her over!" "She pushed her right on the shoulder and even messed up her clothes. Mrs. Perkins only pushed back after that!" "Exactly—we can all vouch for that." No matter how widespread the gossip was about Alexander being cold toward his wife, the man himself was standing right there beside her, eyes like ice. With him around, who would dare speak against Mrs. Perkins? Going up against Alexander? You'd have to be tired of living. "See that?" Samantha crossed her arms, watching the pair like she had all the time in the world. Melanie and Nathaniel looked like they'd swallowed something bitter, their expressions turning darker by the second. With so many voices backing her up, Melanie had nothing to say. She just stood there glaring at Samantha, cheeks puffed with frustration. The air was thick with tension. Nathaniel wasn't blind—he knew C