Amy reclined against the pillows, her voice calm yet unyielding. "She rammed into me."

Alexander's gaze was as frigid as his tone. "Victoria claims you rushed out deliberately and hit her."

Amy lifted her chin to meet his eyes—dark, impenetrable, like a midnight storm. "So, you're taking her word over mine?"

The silence stretched between them, heavy and suffocating. Finally, Alexander spoke. "Victoria has no motive to harm you."

Amy's lips curled slightly. "And I do?"

His stare bore into her, sharp and unreadable. "Did you do it on purpose?"

"No."

The room plunged into silence, broken only by the distant beeping of hospital monitors.

After what felt like an eternity, Alexander finally spoke, his voice clipped. "Rest. I'll handle this."

She watched him leave, her expression unreadable. He didn’t believe her. If he had, he wouldn’t have asked. He was waiting—for proof, for a slip-up.

Moments later, her phone buzzed. Benjamin's voice was tight with concern. "Celeste, I just saw the news. Are you alright? How bad is it?"

Amy frowned. "How did you hear about it so quickly?"

"It's everywhere," he murmured. "Are you hurt?"

"Just minor injuries. I’ll be discharged soon. Don’t worry."

"Call me if you need anything."

Benjamin wanted to help bury the story, but despite his fame, his reclusive nature left him powerless against the media storm.

Amy exhaled, closing her eyes. Victoria had played this perfectly—bold, calculated, even sacrificing herself to sell the lie. Public opinion was already turning.

A sharp knock shattered her thoughts.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Before she could respond, the door flew open. Nathan stormed in, Victoria trailing behind, her arm wrapped in pristine white bandages.

"Amy, you vicious witch!" Nathan snarled, jabbing a finger at her. "First the pool, now this? You think you can keep getting away with it?"

Amy’s expression frosted over. "Get out."

"You don’t give orders here!" Nathan snatched a glass from the bedside table and hurled it at her. Water splashed across her face. "Alex won’t protect you this time! You’re going to rot in jail!"

Still injured, Amy couldn’t dodge.

"You hurt Victoria?" Nathan advanced, fists clenched. "If I beat you bloody, Alex would probably thank me!"