Alexander froze for a split second at the unexpected sight before him, but his features quickly twisted into a sneer of disdain.

"Victoria really knows how to create a spectacle, doesn't she? We step away for five minutes and Amy's already pulling another stunt. I'd bet my fortune she jumped in deliberately, just to grab your attention! Next she'll pretend to be drowning so you'll have to rescue her with some dramatic CPR. Pathetic. Her manipulation tactics are getting more transparent by the day."

A sudden realization struck Alexander - hadn't Amy confessed her paralyzing fear of water? The memory of her admitting she couldn't swim flashed through his mind. His body tensed to dive in when, to his astonishment, Amy broke the surface effortlessly and swam to shore with strong, confident strokes.

Alexander wasn't the only one shocked. Even Victoria, standing frozen on the bridge, looked completely dumbfounded.

But wait - hadn't Nathan just claimed Amy couldn't swim?

As Amy climbed onto the bank, both men rushed forward, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. Alexander extended a hand, but Amy ignored it, hauling herself up with practiced ease, her face an emotionless mask.

Victoria, usually the queen of subtle victim-playing, typically orchestrated situations where she could blame Amy while basking in sympathy. But to physically push Amy into the water in public? That was shockingly bold. Amy hadn't anticipated this move - Victoria usually cared too much about maintaining her perfect image to risk such obvious aggression.

Victoria recovered quickly, plastering on her trademark look of worried innocence as she hurried over. "Ms. Sinclair, how did you end up in the water? Were you not watching your step?"

Amy's piercing gaze locked onto Victoria's perfectly feigned concern.

"So you're saying I just... slipped?"

Victoria's eyes widened dramatically. "You mean... it wasn't an accident? You did this intentionally?"

She immediately covered her mouth as if realizing her mistake, casting nervous glances at Amy like she feared provoking her further.

Lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, Victoria continued her performance. "Ms. Sinclair, I've told you repeatedly - Alex and I are just friends. You're Liam's mother - that will never change. There's no need for such... extreme measures. If my presence upsets you this much, I'll stop visiting Liam. Please, don't hurt yourself like this."

Every word dripped with false sympathy, clearly implying Amy had staged this entire scene for Alexander's attention.

Nathan, never one to miss an opportunity to pile on, snorted loudly. "Seriously, Amy? This is beyond pathetic. What's next - throwing yourself off a building so Alex has to catch you? You're not even convincing as a damsel in distress."

Alexander studied Amy's soaked form, her clothes clinging to her curves. His voice dropped to a husky murmur. "When did you learn to swim?"

Amy wiped water from her eyes, her tone icy. "After your mother's gala last year, I made it a priority."

That fateful evening at Margaret's birthday celebration, one of Nathan's drunken friends had thought it hilarious to push Amy into the pool. When she screamed for help, the entire party had laughed, accusing her of attention-seeking theatrics. Not a single guest lifted a finger to help. Some had even filmed her struggle, treating it as entertainment.

Back then, Liam had still been on her side. Sensing something wrong, he'd run to fetch Alexander. Ultimately, it was Alexander who pulled her from the water and rushed her to the emergency room.

The incident had caused such a scandal that Margaret's entire gala was ruined. That was also the night Alexander discovered Amy's crippling aquaphobia.