The quote: "Theresa grinned in a way she must have hoped was wicked." Could not put all together...
Especially the parts "she must have hoped" and "was wicked" seem to me as one of them is unnecessary here.
Of course I'm wrong on that. But where is the right way for understanding?

Question

The quote: "Theresa grinned in a way she must have hoped was wicked."  Could not put all together...
Especially the parts "she must have hoped" and "was wicked" seem to me as one of them is unnecessary here.
Of course I'm wrong on that.  But where is the right way for understanding?

Answer

It' a pretty intricate constrction: lapping/tangling construction. There must be some articles in your native language focusing on this problem which you may refer to.

Answer

it's an awkward sentence you are right, but it makes sense, is grammatically correct and all parts are necessary.

the writer uses "must have" to express the fact that he doesn't know what she was thinking, and is only guessing.
Why did she grin in that way? She "must have" done it deliberately because she wanted to look wicked. Maybe teresa was flirting, or maybe she wanted people to see that she was planning something,