Margaret Blackwood was about to retort when Alexander cut her off sharply. "Mother, Liam is still alone in the hospital room. Why don't you and Charlotte go check on him?"

Margaret's face twisted with fury, but with Alexander intervening, she had no choice but to relent. She shot Amy Sinclair a venomous glare before turning on her heel.

Just as she took a step, Amy's voice sliced through the tension.

"Wait."

All eyes snapped to her.

Amy's tone was ice-cold. "This woman knowingly filed a false police report against me, fully aware that I am the child's mother. Not only has she damaged my reputation, but she has also committed a serious legal offense."

She turned to the officer. "This can't be overlooked. What if she does this again during one of my performances? False reports like this could ruin my career."

The officer frowned. "Ms. Sinclair, do you wish to press charges?"

False accusations could be dismissed—or prosecuted.

The choice was hers.

Amy didn’t hesitate. "Yes. I demand a public apology for her slanderous actions—"

Margaret whirled around, her voice shrill. "You insolent little—!"

Amy didn’t even glance at her. "And if she refuses, I reserve the right to take legal action."

The officer cleared his throat. "Ma'am, I strongly advise you to comply. Given Ms. Sinclair’s public status, this could escalate quickly. You might even face detention."

"If this goes to court, you will lose unless she agrees to settle."

Margaret’s face turned crimson, her outrage palpable. "I am her mother-in-law! Me, apologize to her? Never!"

Amy’s gaze remained steady. "Margaret, as you pointed out earlier, Alexander and I are in the middle of a divorce. That makes us strangers."

Alexander exhaled sharply. "Amy, as long as we’re still married, she is your mother. Must you drag this out?"

Amy arched a brow. "Mr. Blackwood, she’s your mother, not mine. When she called the police on me, you said nothing. Now that she’s facing consequences, you suddenly remember family ties?"

Her lips curled into a mocking smile. "Even your mother understands that actions have consequences. I’m simply following her example. What’s the problem?"

She tilted her head. "Of course, if you’d prefer not to have Margaret apologize, you can do it for her. Just say—'My mother falsely accused Ms. Sinclair, and I apologize on her behalf, hoping for her forgiveness.'"

Silence.

The suggestion was brutal—forcing Alexander to humiliate himself and his mother. It was worse than Margaret apologizing herself.

Margaret trembled with rage, her finger jabbing toward Amy. Before she could unleash her fury, Amy spoke again, calm but firm.

"Margaret, the officer is still here. If you insult me again, damaging my reputation further, a simple apology won’t cut it."

Her voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "If this goes to court, I’ll request a public trial. Then the world will hear how a mother-in-law tried to kidnap her own grandchild."

She smiled. "I wonder how that will play in the headlines?"