Chapter 196 The Rivers Family Plots Again

    When Helen heard what Marshall said, a hint of pride shed across her face–but it quickly turned to a frown. Her tone was uncertain. “Samantha did mention before that she and Mason were on good terms, but you saw his attitude today. He doesn’t care about Samantha at all. He’s fixated on that little tramp Sloane!”

    Conrad let out a cold snort, sounding smug. “Mom, don’t be fooled by Mason’s act. Himing to the Rivers family today? That was a power move. He wants to humiliate Lucas. Isn’t Lucas on the verge of dying? Mason’s trying ito /istomp on him while he’s down–even going so far as to steal his fiancée. Men like him only care about power and revenge. Love doesn’t mean a thing to him.”

    Marshall nodded, a calcting glint in his eyes. “Conrad’s right. Mason’s clearly drunk on power, but at the end of the day, he’s still a man. Samantha’s young, pretty, and knows how to behave. If she puts in just a little effort, Mason will be eating out of her hand.”

    Helen’s expression brightened. “Exactly! Samantha’s always been clever. She’s got ia /ireal knack for handling men. If she makes her move, Mason won’t stand a chance.”

    Adrian had been listening quietly this whole time, carefully hiding the fact that Samantha had already said she wanted nothing more to do with the Rivers family. Deep down, he still hoped she woulde back.

    “But, Mom, ever since that fight with you guys, Samantha hasn’te home once…” he reminded hesitantly.

    Helen waved it off like it was nothing. “She’s our daughter. There’s no such thing assting grudges in a family. I’ll talk her intoing home.”

    Marshall nodded in agreement. “You handle it.”

    But Adrian couldn’t shake his unease, so he went to visit Samantha at school before Helen had the chance.

    When Samantha saw Adrian, her face instantly darkened with irritation. “What are you doing here? Didn’t I make it clear I want nothing to do with the Rivers family?”

    Her words hit Adrian like a p, but he swallowed his emotions and said quietly, “Samantha, I know you’re still upset, but I came to tell you something important.”

    Samantha let out a coldugh, her expression indifferent. “Important? Whatever it is, I don’t care. I have nothing to do with any of you.”

    Adrian’s chest tightened at her attitude, but he pressed on, his voice anxious. “Samantha, Mason’s back. He’s taken over the Hawthorne family. Lucas… he’s not going to make it.”

    The moment she heard Mason’s name, something flickered in Samantha’s eyes, but it was gone in a blink. Her tone remained cold. “So what? Let Masone back. What’s that got to do with me?”

    Adrian felt a surge of panic and hurried to add, “Samantha, Mason came to our house today. He said he’s going to marry Sloane.”

    “What?!” Samantha jumped to her feet, her face twisting with rage. “He wants to marry Sloane? That tramp? Who does she think she is?!”

    Seeing her reaction, Adrian breathed a sigh of relief. “Don’t get worked up. Everyone in the family supports you and Mason. If youe home now, we’ll

    p you win him back.”

    Samantha scoffed, her voiceced with contempt. “Help me? What kind of help can the Rivers family offer now? Didn’t Marshall’spany go bankrupt?”

    Adrian’s face turned an ugly shade, but he forced himself to stay calm and reason with her. “Samantha, Mason controls the Hawthorne family now. If you marry him, you’ll be the wife of a powerful man. The Rivers family will rise again, and you’ll be the envy of everyone.”