"Perhaps we could delay the performance briefly and arrange for a new dress to be brought to you," Alexander proposed, his tone measured in an attempt to diffuse the tension.

Amy's lips curled into a frosty, mocking smile. "This dress was specifically chosen to complement Oliver's performance attire. Alexander, the competition comes first. Victoria's little... mishap?" She let the word hang deliberately in the air. "That reckoning will come later."

Alexander's jaw tightened, his expression darkening as he visibly restrained himself. "I'll compensate you ten times the dress's value," he finally murmured, his voice low.

Amy couldn't help but laugh, the sound sharp and humorless. "Do I look like I need your money?" His gaze burned into hers, unrelenting. "Then name your price."

Amy's eyes flickered over the gathered crowd. The weight of their stares pressed down on her—curiosity morphing into silent judgment. The whispers she could endure, but she refused to let Oliver suffer because of her reputation. If rumors spread that she was greedy, it might taint his friendships at the academy.

With a bitter twist of her lips, she said, "Alexander, as my husband, not only do you refuse to stand by me, but now you're publicly demanding I name a price? What exactly are you implying—that I'm some kind of gold-digger?"

His eyes flashed. "That's not what I meant. I'm trying to resolve this."

Though it was often said not to air grievances in public, Amy had long since severed ties with Alexander and the Blackwoods. She had nothing left to lose.

"If you truly wanted to resolve this, why not have someone bring Victoria a new dress instead of me?"

Alexander held her gaze. "Amy, your performance outfit is ruined. Even if you took Victoria's, it wouldn't fit. Why should both of us suffer and jeopardize Liam's competition?"

Her voice was ice. "Alexander, let me make this clear one last time. The one jeopardizing Liam's competition is Victoria, not me."

"I know," he replied coolly. "But this competition means everything to Liam. He's your son. Are you really unwilling to compromise, even for his sake? Afterward, you can demand whatever compensation you want."

Liam's small face was tense, his tiny fists clenched at his sides.

Then, a low, amused chuckle cut through the murmurs of the crowd.

"Mr. Blackwood, stop weaponizing Amy's role as a mother to guilt-trip her. Or are you suggesting Liam's dreams outweigh Oliver's?"

Sebastian's smirk was arrogant as he added, "As for your money and compensation—do you honestly think I, Sebastian Kingsley, need your paltry tenfold offer?"

Nathan scoffed. "If you cared so much about the competition, you shouldn't have involved Amy in the first place. I thought you were forfeiting by even asking her."

Oliver stepped forward, his voice firm. "You don't get to talk about Amy like that. She's incredible!"

Samantha rolled her eyes. "A wannabe trying to compete with our Celeste? Seriously?"

Nathan's composure cracked. "Damn, I've seen liars before, but this is next-level delusion. Victoria graduated from Solmaris Conservatory, and you think she's no match for a housewife?!"