Liam's mind was in complete turmoil.

Alexander's sudden move had caught him off guard. The boy had never encountered such deception before—truth laced with lies, designed to confuse. Liam, raised with strict values of honesty, didn't know how to navigate such manipulation.

His hesitation was painfully obvious, his expression betraying his inner conflict.

Amy knew Liam too well. One glance at his face, and she could tell Oliver wasn’t spinning tales.

Her restraint shattered.

Before anyone could react, Amy's palm connected with Victoria's cheek in a sharp, resounding crack.

Victoria staggered back, her fair skin blooming red. A sharp cry escaped her lips as she clutched her face. "How dare you—!"

Amy's eyes flashed like ice. "Damn right I did. Touch my son again, and you'll regret it."

In Amy's world, if a man strayed, the fault lay with him. The other woman was merely a symptom. She despised Victoria, but she hadn’t planned on acting so violently—until now.

Poisoning Alexander's mind was one thing. But targeting an innocent child? That crossed every line.

Did Victoria really think Amy would stand by and do nothing?

Victoria, coddled by Nathan and Alexander since her return, had never been humiliated like this. Rage consumed her. With a shriek, she lunged, nails aimed at Amy's face. "I'll kill you, Amy!"

Amy scoffed, catching her wrist mid-air, ready to strike again—

But a strong hand clamped around her own.

"Amy. Enough."

Alexander's voice was cold, cutting through the chaos.

With his interference, Victoria wrenched free and retaliated—a stinging slap across Amy's cheek.

Alexander's expression flickered. "Victoria, stop."

But Victoria was beyond reason. She clawed at Amy like a wildcat.

Amy didn’t back down.

She waited—then seized Victoria’s long hair in a merciless grip.

Victoria screamed, scratching at Amy’s hand, but Amy didn’t flinch. With one hand restrained by Alexander, she couldn’t strike back—so she drove her knee into Victoria’s stomach instead.

Another scream. Victoria crumpled to the floor, gasping.

Without Alexander’s interference, she was no match for Amy.

Alexander’s gaze darkened. Just as he moved to restrain Amy’s other arm, another hand intercepted his.

A smooth, amused voice cut through the tension. "Mr. Blackwood, involving yourself in a catfight isn’t very dignified. Taking sides against your own wife—what kind of man does that?"

Oliver’s face lit up. "Dad! You're here!"

Sebastian’s sharp eyes flickered over the scene—the teachers, Victoria, the mess of it all. His lips curled. "If I hadn’t shown up, it seems anyone would feel entitled to step on my son."