Oliver wore an expression of complete detachment. "I don't need him as a father. His opinion means nothing to me."

His words left Victoria stunned.

Then, without warning, Oliver flashed her a dazzling grin. "Victoria, anything you can pull off, I can do too—and likely better."

It wasn’t until she saw him dig his nails into his own arm that Victoria realized his plan.

Instantly, his eyes welled up with tears, his face twisting into one of sheer distress. "Ms. Langley, I'm sorry... I swear I didn’t hear anything..." He crumpled to the floor, hugging his knees, trembling as if terrified. "Please... don’t hit me again," he whimpered.

Victoria was frozen in shock. Even Liam, standing nearby, was too stunned to move.

The hallway fell deathly silent, Oliver’s voice cutting sharply through the air. On instinct, Victoria reached down to help him up.

Just then, a sharp voice sliced through the tension. "Victoria! What are you doing to Oliver?!"

Amy rushed forward, shoving Victoria aside. "Oliver, are you okay?"

Her urgency made her push harder than intended.

Victoria yelped as she stumbled backward, landing hard on the floor.

Alexander, who had just stepped out of the teacher’s office, took in the scene with a darkening expression. He hurried to Victoria’s side, helping her up.

"Amy, that was uncalled for."

Amy shot him a frigid glare. "Stay out of this!"

The kindergarten teachers crowded around Oliver, concern etched on their faces. "Oliver, what happened?"

Oliver sniffled, wiping at his tears. "I saw Ms. Langley take Liam into a blind spot where there are no cameras. I got worried, so I followed. Then I heard Ms. Langley whispering to Liam..."

Amy’s eyes narrowed. "What did she say?"

Oliver hesitated, rubbing at the red mark on his arm—the one he’d inflicted himself. "I... I didn’t hear anything." He cast a fearful glance at Victoria. "Ms. Langley, I swear I didn’t hear a thing..."

Encouraged by Amy, Oliver took a shaky breath and continued.

Amy’s expression hardened when she noticed the mark on his arm. She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Oliver, don’t be afraid. I’m here now. No one will hurt you. Just tell us what you heard."

"She told Liam not to tell anyone... but Liam almost slipped up earlier. And..."

"She said Mr. Blackwood was lying too—that he only pretended we saved Liam because he was worried about my relationship with Amy..."

The air turned icy.

Victoria scrambled to defend herself. "No, Alexander, I didn’t push him! He did this to himself—he’s setting me up! Ask Liam!"

She grabbed Liam, who was still in shock. "Liam, tell them! You saw everything! Tell them Victoria didn’t do anything—this kid is lying!"

"Lying?" Amy’s laugh was razor-sharp as she turned to Liam. "Liam, tell everyone right now. Is Oliver lying?"