Chapter 39

Mrs. Rivers flattered Henrietta with practiced ease, her words sugary enough to make anyone feel pampered. No wonder Henrietta found Samantha more and more unpleasant. As Mrs. Rivers sweet-talked the matriarch, her eyes darted over to Samantha, who stood off to the side quietly, not saying a word. The smug look on her face made it clear—she wasn't just flattering, she was scheming. Her next words were practically dripping with intention. "Honestly, it's hard to find girls like our Sophia these days—so gentle, so well-mannered. Some women? They don't know how blessed they are. Always picking fights with their in-laws, arguing with their husbands—how can a woman like that ever bring luck to a family?" As she wrapped up that little speech, her gaze lingered on Samantha, not even bothering to be subtle. But if Mrs. Rivers thought Samantha would just swallow that insult, she was dead wrong. Samantha suddenly let out a soft laugh, casually swirling the wine in her glass. Her tone was disinte