Victoria's gaze locked onto Amy with razor-sharp intensity, her eyes gleaming like polished steel.

"I'd rather lose everything than let a killer walk away unscathed!"

Alexander's brow twitched slightly.

"Victoria, you need to compose yourself."

"How can I compose myself when you're the one bleeding?" Victoria's voice cracked, her eyes burning with unshed tears.

"Victoria..." Alexander started, but she cut him off before he could continue.

Her expression turned deadly serious. "Alex, we can rebuild the studio. We can find another composer—your old mentor would help. I can handle anything life throws at me. But I won't stand by and watch you get hurt."

Amy stood a few feet away, observing the charged exchange with a smirk. Her voice dripped with icy amusement as she interrupted.

"Ms. Langley, if you give up now, doesn’t that make Alexander’s sacrifice meaningless? That knife wound—all for nothing. Are you really willing to throw it all away?"

Victoria's glare could have frozen fire. "It won’t be for nothing. I’ll make sure you pay. And for Alex’s sake, I’d rather lose everything than let you win."

Her words sounded noble, but Amy saw right through them—Victoria was just too proud to back down.

Amy let out a soft, mocking laugh. "Too bad what you want doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what Alexander decides."

Victoria instinctively looked at Alexander, only to find his dark, unreadable eyes fixed on Amy.

Her chest tightened. "Alex… you’re not seriously considering letting her go, are you?"

Alexander’s expression flickered. "Victoria, the concert is days away. We don’t even know if you’re strong enough to perform. We don’t have time for distractions."

Amy gave Victoria a small, victorious smile.

"See how devoted he is to you, Ms. Langley? Normally, he’d never let me walk free. But for you, he’s willing to overlook a knife wound."

Victoria bit down hard on her lip, the metallic tang of blood sharp on her tongue. Once, her "illness" had given her power. Now, it was her shackles.

She inhaled sharply, resolve hardening her features.

"I refuse to accept this."

Alexander’s voice was low, steady. "Victoria, don’t be stubborn. You once told me music was everything to you—that you’d sacrifice anything for it."

Victoria opened her mouth, but no words came out. Alexander had fallen for her because of her passion. If she abandoned it now, she’d be betraying herself.

His tone softened slightly. "Victoria, wait outside. I need to speak with Amy alone."

Disappointment clouded her eyes, but she didn’t argue. She turned and left, the door clicking shut behind her.

Once, she always had the right words for Alexander. Now, she had none.

It was Alexander who finally broke the silence.

"So, you’re that confident I won’t retaliate?"

Amy’s answer was light, almost careless.

"Absolutely."