The force of Victoria's shove sent Oliver sprawling across the polished floor.

"What in the world?"

He landed hard on his backside, the small herbal spray bottle slipping from his grasp and sliding away.

Victoria loomed over him, her dark eyes flashing with fury. "This isn't the time for your childish games!"

Oliver rubbed his scraped elbow, his small face scrunching in defiance. "I was helping."

A bitter laugh escaped Victoria's lips. "Helping? You bully Liam at school, and now you think spraying unknown substances at him during an allergic reaction is helping?"

Alexander's voice cut through the tension like ice. "Explain yourself."

Oliver shrank under the CEO's piercing gaze. "I—I was following Mrs. Sinclair's instructions."

Victoria threw her hands up. "You're ignoring a licensed physician for some homemade remedy? Ridiculous!"

"But she's his mother," Oliver insisted, his voice small but firm. "She knows what Liam needs better than anyone."

Something flickered in Alexander's eyes—doubt, fear, maybe both. "If anything happens to my son because of this..."

A murmur rippled through the gathered crowd.

"Look! Liam's breathing is stabilizing!"

All heads turned toward the little boy. Indeed, Liam's violent spasms had ceased. Though red patches still dotted his skin, his breathing had evened out.

The doctor picked up the discarded spray bottle, examining it with a frown. The distinct aroma of medicinal herbs filled the air—nothing like conventional pharmaceuticals.

Amy finally allowed herself to exhale, her knees giving way as she collapsed to the floor in exhausted relief.

The accusatory glares around her softened into uncertainty. Hands that had been restraining her moments ago now fell away.

Perhaps the frantic mother had known what she was doing after all.

Sirens wailed as the ambulance arrived. Paramedics swiftly assessed Liam, fitting him with an oxygen mask.

"Whoever acted first did everything right," one medic announced. "Any delay or wrong treatment could've been fatal." He nodded approvingly. "The boy's stable now. He'll be fine."

The words hung heavily in the sudden silence. All eyes turned to Alexander and Victoria.

The paramedic gestured to the parents. "We'll need consent for treatment at the hospital."

Victoria's cheeks burned as if slapped. She'd come with her own agenda, but this public humiliation stung. Eager to escape the judgmental stares, she hurried after the medical team, head bowed.

The truth had revealed itself with brutal clarity—and Victoria Langley had been on the wrong side of it.