Alexander stormed into the mansion, desperate to confide in his grandmother.

But her reaction shattered his expectations. Instead of defending justice, she turned on his mother, Margaret, berating her for "tarnishing the Blackwood reputation" at the gala. Her words were laced with venom.

When his father intervened, the man merely muttered half-hearted criticisms about Nathan Prescott before retreating into silence.

Alexander watched his mother's trembling lips, the unshed tears glistening in her eyes. She looked unbearably fragile—a porcelain doll about to shatter.

He longed to embrace her, but the smirks of onlookers pinned him in place like invisible daggers. Helplessness coiled in his chest.

Margaret's mocking voice yanked him back to reality.

"Intentional or not, what exactly will you do, Alexander? Defend Amy? Those are your precious friends we're talking about!"

Her laughter was bitter. "If Amy truly mattered, would Nathan and his pack dare torment her? Watch how he sneers at her in public! Even schoolchildren mock her—all because you parade your affair with Victoria like some twisted trophy!"

"Your neglect painted a target on her back. And now you blame me?" She spat. "I won't be your scapegoat!"

Alexander's throat tightened. A flicker of doubt crossed his features.

Had his indifference truly destroyed Amy?

By dawn, Nathan's gang dominated Solmaris Daily's headlines.

Viral clips showed luxury cars swerving through red lights, the subsequent hit-and-run, and the perpetrators' chilling arrogance:

"Drunk driving? So what? Sue me!"

"Ran over your foot? I could kill you and walk free!"

"Know why? Ask who my father is! Or better yet—ask Alexander Blackwood! He's my brother's best friend!"

"The law? I make the law!"

The footage spread like wildfire.

Alexander's phone buzzed with Nathan's panicked call.

"Alex! The video—we can't contain it! It's everywhere!"

Lately, Nathan's name on caller ID only meant trouble. Alexander's jaw clenched as he scanned the headlines.

"I've seen it." His tone gave nothing away.

Amy's recent scandal had already tanked Prescott Industries' stocks. The old man was scrambling to rehabilitate her image, stripping Alexander of operational control to keep him from interfering.

Nathan, powerless to remove the trending topic, had foolishly promised his friends it would vanish. Now he begged, "You have to bury this! Before it gets worse!"

Alexander massaged his temples. "Remove it? So the world can accuse Blackwood Enterprises of corruption? Should I publicly endorse your crimes?"

The line went silent.

Cold fury seeped into Alexander's voice. "Nathan, do you comprehend the damage you've caused since targeting Amy?"