The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1956

“I wasn't entirely sure what you liked, so I picked out this bracelet.”

A bracelet?

Seeing the obscenely expensive diamond piece glittering in Samantha's hands, Stella immediately panicked. “Samantha, I couldn't possibly accept this.”

“If you refuse, it means you despise me.”

Samantha's face fell into a mask of exaggerated hurt.

“No, that's not it at all!”

Stella frowned, caught between a rock and a hard place.

The jewelry was simply far too extravagant.

“Then it's settled.” Samantha took the bracelet and fastened it around Stella's wrist herself. She looked at the girl with a soft, knowing smile. “No wonder Roger made it to this age refusing to get a girlfriend. He was just waiting for you to come along.”

“...”

Stella's mind went completely blank. Her thoughts spiraled into chaos.

Samantha actually knew...

“I have to say, the boy has incredible taste.” Samantha spared no effort in praising Stella. Sensing the girl's mounting anxiety, she made sure to emphasize her point. “Sweetheart, my son has a terrible temper and an awful personality. You really drew the short straw dealing with him.”

“Samantha, Roger and I...”

“I know, I know.” Samantha quickly clarified. “I know you haven't agreed to date him yet.”

“...”

Stella didn't even know what expression to make anymore.

“And you are absolutely right not to agree so easily!” Samantha patted Stella's hand, speaking with profound earnestness. “A man with his attitude needs to be thoroughly tested. I fully support you. Do not give him an inch.”

“If he makes you mad, hit him. Yell at him.”

Noticing the shock and faint distress in the girl's eyes, Samantha added, “And if your hand gets tired, just tell me. I'll beat him up for you.”

“...”

“Status, family background, what other people think... in this house, all of that means absolutely nothing,” Samantha cut in softly but firmly. “I only care about the present, and I only care about who you are as a person. As for everything else... if Roger doesn't care, the Gates family certainly doesn't give a damn.”

She knew this girl had survived unspeakable trauma.

Right now, what she needed most was someone to stand behind her and give her a solid foundation.

The Gates family would be that foundation.

“...”

Samantha's words sent ripples crashing through Stella's guarded heart. Her eyes grew hot and damp with overwhelming emotion.

Why was she being so kind to her?

The kinder they were, the less Stella felt she deserved to taint their family with her broken past.

“I adore you, and I would love nothing more than for you to be my daughter-in-law. Just give my idiot son a chance.”

Samantha squeezed Stella's hand, her voice radiating pure, unconditional maternal love. “And between you and me? Being the Gates family's daughter-in-law comes with some serious perks.”