Reasoning with a madman was as futile as arguing with a storm. The officers knew better than to waste their breath on a conversation that would lead nowhere.

"Mr. Blackwood, we'll be leaving now. Make sure to visit the station to give your statement when you're able."

Eager to escape the suffocating tension of the hospital room, they turned on their heels and strode out without another word.

Amy Sinclair had no interest in the melodrama unfolding before her either. She moved to follow them, desperate to put distance between herself and the chaos.

But as she passed Alexander, his hand shot out, fingers wrapping around her wrist like a steel cuff. "Where do you think you're going?"

Her gaze was glacial, colder than the depths of winter.

"I called the police. As the one who reported this, I need to assist with the investigation."

Alexander's dark eyes deepened, shadows swirling within them as if he wanted to say something—but the presence of others held him back.

He turned sharply to Gregory. "What are you standing there for? Get her out of here."

Gregory didn't hesitate. Ignoring Victoria's protests, he dragged her away, leaving only the echo of her indignant voice behind.

Samantha, watching the scene unfold, merely shrugged and followed suit. She had thought Alexander had finally regained his senses when he let her off with just an apology to Victoria. But then, right in front of Amy, this entire spectacle had played out.

Now, only Amy and Alexander remained in the room.

Amy stood in silence, refusing to speak first.

Alexander studied her composed expression, struck by the unsettling mix of familiarity and distance in her demeanor. It had been so long since she had looked at him like this—like he was a stranger.

Finally, he broke the silence. "How did you find Samantha?"

Amy met his gaze, her lips curving into a smile that never reached her eyes.

"Well, Mr. Blackwood, a man of your resources couldn't locate her. How could a simple woman like me manage it without help?"

His jaw tightened. "When did you find out?"

Her stare was sharp, unyielding. "What if I told you Victoria was the one who told me? Would you believe that?"

Alexander frowned. "Victoria told you?"

Amy arched a brow. "Why? Don't you trust her?"

A heavy silence settled between them before Alexander finally spoke, his voice smooth but firm. "Perhaps you misunderstood."

"Misunderstood?" Amy's eyes flashed like steel. "Why would I misunderstand her and not someone else?"

Alexander exhaled slowly, his tone measured. "My mother once hired people to kidnap Victoria to force us apart. She's claustrophobic. I couldn't just abandon her to deal with that alone."

"There's nothing between Victoria and me."

Amy let out a bitter laugh. "Let me guess—those late-night disappearances of yours were for her, weren't they?"

The memory of Victoria clinging to him made her voice drip with venom.

"You expect me to believe there's nothing between you two?"

Her relentless questioning hardened Alexander's expression. "Amy, are you interrogating me?"

Her fists clenched at her sides.

Then his gaze dropped to the scab on her cheek, and something in his expression softened.

"Amy, do you have any direct proof that Samantha was involved in the kidnapping?"

Without a word, Amy pulled out her phone and opened her messages, thrusting it toward him.

"Read for yourself."

Alexander took it, his fingers scrolling through the screen.

He didn't take long before he finished.