Alexander's expression turned stormy. "Liam, enough."

Liam shrank back, instinctively seeking refuge behind Victoria.

Noticing this, Victoria quickly intervened, "Alex, darling, he's just a child. Don't be so harsh. Besides..."

"You've always set such high expectations for Liam, and he's exceeded every single one. He's the top student in his class at Royal Oaks Academy."

"Liam is ambitious—he wants to be the best at everything, and that's natural. But Ms. Sinclair..."

Victoria glanced at Amy and lowered her voice. "Having such a gifted son should motivate you to improve yourself too. As parents, we shouldn't be the ones limiting our children's potential."

Alexander seemed to consider her words, his dark eyes shadowed with contemplation, and he fell silent.

But Oliver stepped forward, his small voice surprisingly fierce. "Amy isn't holding anyone back! She's incredible!"

Liam scoffed, unable to resist. "She's my mother. Don't you think I'd know if she's incredible or not?"

"Oliver, maybe you should find someone else to partner with for the competition. Unless you want to lose and cry about it later."

Oliver jabbed a finger at Liam, his usual shyness replaced by defiance. "Stop talking about Amy like that! You're the one who's going to cry when you realize no one cares about your stupid grades! What's the point of being 'perfect' if you treat your own mother like garbage? Newsflash—people don't laugh at losers. They laugh at spoiled brats like you who don't know how to love anyone!"

Liam blinked, momentarily stunned by Oliver's outburst.

Victoria frowned, addressing Amy. "I understand you don't appreciate my involvement with Liam, but Oliver is just a child. It's unfair to teach him to say such cruel things to his own brother."

"If Ms. Sinclair insists on handling Liam alone, I promise I won't interfere anymore."

Amy nearly applauded Victoria's performance.

She had masterfully implied that Amy was manipulating Oliver like a puppet, turning him against his own family—all while accusing her of neglecting Liam yet refusing to let anyone else step in.

Such refined hypocrisy. Words, when wielded like a blade, could carve away a reputation without leaving a single visible mark.

Alexander looked at Amy, disappointment etched across his face.

"Amy, have you really resorted to using children now?"

Amy suddenly spoke up, her tone light. "Ms. Langley, could you do me a favor?"

Victoria was caught off guard. "W-what favor?"

"Could you tell Alexander that actually, Alex, Amy is your father?"

Victoria froze. In fact, everyone froze.

Alexander's expression darkened like an approaching thunderstorm.

"Amy!"

"Sorry, just joking." Amy's voice held no trace of remorse. "That might be too much to ask. How about this instead..."

"Alex, the sun rises in the west, and pigs not only have wings but can climb trees."

Oliver looked up at Amy, playing along.

"Amy, I'm only five, and even I know the sun rises in the east, pigs don't have wings, and they definitely can't climb trees."

Amy smirked. "See Ms. Langley over there? Whatever she says, people believe."

"If she claimed pigs could climb trees, some might actually believe her."

Oliver giggled. "No way! Are people really that gullible?"