Victoria's voice was like honey laced with poison, smooth and deadly. "Then there's Alexander," she purred, her lips curling into a smirk. "No matter what he's doing—whether he's in a meeting or... otherwise occupied—he always comes running when I call."

Her smile sharpened, venom glinting in her eyes.

"Even if you're in the middle of something intimate, he'll leave you without a second thought."

Amy's fingers curled into fists, her nails biting into her palms. The pain was nothing compared to the sting of Victoria's words.

Because it was true. More than once, Alexander had abandoned her in their most vulnerable moments, answering Victoria's summons without hesitation.

She had begged him to stay. But Alexander would only give her that cold, dismissive look and say, "Don't be ridiculous," before walking out as if their shared warmth meant nothing. Leaving her alone. Humiliated.

Amy forced a smile, meeting Victoria's gaze head-on. "So, after he left me, did he run straight into your bed?"

Victoria's composure flickered for a fraction of a second before she recovered. "Alexander and I... it's not like that."

She could lie about many things, but not this. No matter how deeply Alexander still carried her in his heart, Victoria had no real claim over him—not while Amy was still his wife.

And she knew exactly what the world would call her if she tried: a homewrecker. A woman with no shame.

"Not like that?" Amy echoed, her voice steady. "If there's nothing between you, then what exactly are you so proud of? That you're just his friend? That you never married him? That you never gave him a family?"

Victoria's smile faltered, a shadow of pain flashing across her face. "So what if I didn't marry him? If I asked for the stars, Alexander would tear them from the sky for me."

Her lips curved again, as if savoring a private victory. "Oh, and that wedding of yours? It was supposed to be mine. The dress? Exactly my taste. Even after all these years, Alexander still remembers what I love..."

Amy arched a brow, unfazed. "A mock wedding makes you this happy, Ms. Langley? If you're so special, why hasn't Alexander divorced me and married you yet?"

Her gaze never wavered. "Or is it that you don't want that?"

Bitterness flickered in Victoria's eyes. Her smile turned icy. "No wonder Alexander's family despises you. His friends can't stand you. Even your own son keeps his distance. Ms. Sinclair, maybe you should ask yourself—why?"

Amy laughed softly. "Ms. Langley, I could never compete with your charm. His sister adores you. His friends worship you. Even Alexander and Liam can't resist you. Honestly, it's almost impressive—how universally beloved you are."

Victoria caught the mocking edge in Amy's words. She was being taunted, her impending downfall hinted at with every syllable.

Both women knew how to strike where it hurt most.

Amy had held her tongue for too long. But now?

Why should she suffer in silence while Victoria gloated?

If this was war, she would fight fire with fire.

Why exhaust herself keeping the peace when others had no intention of doing the same?