“Amber had worried at first that the scandal would make her persona non grata in Bishops Harbor, but apparently tax evasion was a crime that didn’t garner much antipathy among the one-percenters.”

This quote comments on the social dynamics and perceptions of crime within elite circles. It also reveals Amber’s lower-class origins, and in this light, her realization that tax evasion does not significantly tarnish her reputation among wealthy individuals reflects the lenient attitudes of the elite toward crimes that benefit them.

“When I was a little girl, I couldn’t get enough of fairy tales. I especially loved the ones where the heroine escaped from the monster and went on to live happily ever after. But what I’ve come to learn is that sometimes there’s no such thing as a happy ending.”

Spoken by Daphne, this quote contrasts the idealized fairy-tale endings of her childhood with the harsh realities of adult life. The bitter, defeated tone of the passage reflects her disillusionment with the notion of a perfect resolution and underscores her weary acceptance of life's complexities.

“Charm is making the person you're talking to feel like the only person in the room.”

This quote underscores the effects of charm as a manipulative tool in social interactions, emphasizing the fact that if a manipulator can make a target feel uniquely valued, that person immediately becomes more amenable to influence and persuasion. The passage also reflects Daisy Ann’s ability to use her charm to control and manipulate those around her, emphasizing her strategic approach to social dynamics despite the essential honesty and integrity of her character.