Pamela was desperate to climb the social ladder, still dreaming of the prestige that came with paving the roads for her entire village. She wasn't one to hold a grudge; in fact, she was eager to get back into Henrietta's good graces. Forgetting she’d just been slapped, she immediately said, “Henrietta, Matteo is right. I just like you so much. I’m sorry, it was my fault. Until you two make up, I… I won’t speak out of turn again.”
Jolie now understood why she’d been hit—it was for repeatedly calling Henrietta her sister-in-law. She was still counting on Henrietta to make her a famous actress, a goddess with millions of fans. What was a little humiliation in the face of that? Greatness requires sacrifice, after all.
Jolie quickly added, “I’m sorry, Ms. Sargent. I won’t… I won’t call you that anymore either.”
Henrietta raised a cool eyebrow and gave a slight nod, accepting their apologies. She turned to Matteo. “Well then, perhaps the esteemed actor Matteo Coleman can escort these irrelevant people out.”
Matteo nodded. “Of course.”
He turned to his parents. “Mom, Dad, let’s go. It’s the middle of the workday. I’ll walk you out.”
Pamela was all too eager to please. “Yes, yes, look at me, holding you all up from work. Well, Henrietta, we’ll be going now.”
Henrietta didn’t reply, simply turning and walking away.

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