Amy didn't waver under Alexander's piercing stare. With effortless composure, she tilted her head slightly. "Well, Mr. Prescott? Have you reached a decision?"

The room was packed with Prescott Industries' business partners and rivals from other elite families. Nathan had always been reckless with his words, accumulating enemies over the years. If he backed out now, this humiliation would spread like wildfire, tarnishing his family's reputation beyond repair.

Nathan's gaze flickered toward Alexander, silently pleading for intervention. Amy always listened to Alexander—his word could still sway her. But Alexander's attention remained fixed solely on Amy, his expression unreadable.

The weight of the moment pressed down on Nathan. His jaw clenched, his pride warring with necessity. Finally, with a shudder of reluctance, he dropped to his knees.

"Woof... woof!"

The crowd erupted into laughter. Nathan's face burned with humiliation, his fists trembling at his sides. He didn't need to look up to feel the mocking stares boring into him.

Samantha gleefully recorded the moment, already imagining how this would keep Nathan from ever bullying Celeste again. Victoria turned away, mortified, while Alexander remained impassive.

Margaret, however, couldn't stand Amy's triumphant smirk. "Don't get too full of yourself," she sneered. "Winning once doesn't make you invincible. What do you even have? A middle school diploma?" She scoffed. "All the great musicians graduate from Royal Solmaris Conservatory. What can someone like you possibly achieve?"

"A dropout like you probably can't even speak a proper sentence in another language," Margaret added with a derisive laugh.

Despite Amy bringing glory to the Blackwood name, the family wore expressions of defeat rather than pride. Margaret's words, though cruel, held a grain of truth. Talent alone wouldn't silence critics—without formal credentials, Amy's past would always be used against her.

Amy met Margaret's gaze evenly. "Degrees don't define victories. Maybe instead of tearing others down, you should teach your children integrity." Her eyes slid to Liam, lingering meaningfully. "If spite is all they learn, Blackwood Enterprises won't last long."

Having made her point, Amy turned to Samantha. "Let's go."

As she moved to leave, Elizabeth—who had earlier asked for Victoria's autograph—stepped forward eagerly. "Ms. Sinclair, I'm—"

"I know who you are," Amy interrupted with a knowing smile.

Elizabeth flushed, realizing Amy must have overheard her earlier exchange. But instead of shame, admiration sparkled in her eyes as she regarded Amy with newfound reverence.

"Ms. Sinclair," Elizabeth said earnestly, "would you consider joining Solmaris Conservatory's elite program? Your talent transcends academic records. With your skill, formal recognition is inevitable."