Amy hesitated briefly before speaking. "I heard my sudden illness interrupted your plans with Victoria Langley, Alexander... Since she's already here, you should go."

Her voice carried a quiet resignation. "Theodore is keeping me company. That's more than enough."

Alexander's piercing gaze turned glacial, like an arctic wind cutting through the room.

Lately, Nathan had been whispering poisonous thoughts into Alexander's ear, almost convincing him that Amy had orchestrated this encounter.

Some stubborn part of him refused to accept she truly wanted out of their marriage.

His voice dropped to subzero temperatures. "Amy, I despise desperate women."

Amy had reached her limit with this ridiculous charade.

"Why is everyone so delusional?" She threw her hands up in frustration. "When I say divorce, why do you hear games? Are you all deaf or just willfully ignorant?"

Theodore Whitmore, who'd been observing the scene while snacking on almonds, finally intervened.

"Alexander, Nathan, Victoria - you've all misunderstood today's situation." He gestured toward Amy. "My young protégé here - I summoned her yesterday for assistance."

Three pairs of eyes snapped toward the elderly herbalist.

Alexander? Nathan? Victoria?

What peculiar names, Amy thought absently. But that wasn't the pressing issue.

Victoria spoke first, her voice laced with skepticism. "Mr. Whitmore, you're acquainted with Ms. Sinclair?"

"Naturally, didn't I just say as much?" Theodore arched a silver eyebrow. "Do I need to repeat myself more slowly?"

Nathan scoffed. "You expect us to believe Amy's your student? She's a housewife! Since when does she know medicine?"

His eyes narrowed. "Unless... this is some elaborate scheme between you two?"

Theodore regarded Nathan with amused pity. "Nathan Prescott, is your skull filled with sawdust? If we wanted to deceive you, would we announce our conspiracy?"

He shook his head. "Use what little brain you possess."

Nathan's mouth opened and closed like a gasping fish.

Alexander had been certain Amy had tracked him here.

Discovering her genuine connection to Theodore Whitmore unsettled him.

Strangely, realizing she wasn't pursuing him left a bitter taste in his mouth.

His intense stare pinned Amy in place. "You never mentioned knowing Mr. Whitmore."

Amy blinked in genuine confusion. "Why would I? How was I to know you sought him? Did you ever ask?"

The hypocrisy struck her. Alexander guarded Victoria's secrets like a dragon hoarding gold.

Yet he expected full disclosure from her?

Absurd.

Alexander recognized the flaw in his accusation, yet suspicion lingered.

"How exactly did you meet?"

Theodore answered for her. "Two years past. Amy came seeking medicine for her mother-in-law."

Alexander turned his interrogation toward the herbalist.

"When we arrived yesterday... did you know my identity?"