Victoria Langley felt a sudden clarity wash over her, as if someone had thrown a glass of chilled water in her face. The storm of emotions inside her had settled, and she realized she'd completely lost control of herself.

In the past, if Amy Sinclair had dared to lay a finger on her, Victoria would have shed a few strategic tears, played the fragile victim, and both Alexander Blackwood and Liam would have rushed to her defense. But Oliver Kingsley's unexpected taunts had thrown her off balance, and Amy's sharp slaps had shattered her patience, making her act recklessly.

"Oh, my head..." Victoria murmured, pressing her fingers to her temple, feigning sudden distress. "I'm so sorry, Alex... I think I had another one of my episodes..."

Amy let out a quiet, mocking laugh. "Victoria, you really do have a flair for theatrics. Like a tragic heroine straight out of a Shakespearean play."

Victoria had regained her composure now and chose to ignore Amy's biting sarcasm, allowing a single tear to trail down her cheek.

"Ms. Sinclair, little Oliver, I apologize if I frightened you earlier," she said softly, her voice dripping with false remorse.

Sebastian Kingsley gave her a knowing look. "Ms. Langley, you haven't forgotten what just happened, have you?"

"No," Victoria forced a strained smile. "I remember. Sometimes, my emotions just... overwhelm me."

"Really?" Sebastian arched a brow, feigning surprise. "Along with your usual ailments, there's more? My, my. Apologizing to Oliver must be quite the ordeal for someone as... afflicted as you, Ms. Langley."

"No, I was in the wrong," Victoria admitted, stepping toward Oliver. "Oliver, darling, I'm so sorry. I wasn't feeling well, and I lost control. Can you forgive me?"

Victoria knew this script by heart. Sometimes, it was better to play the penitent rather than dig herself deeper with excuses—even if the words tasted bitter on her tongue.

Oliver nodded sagely. "Oh, Ms. Langley, you were sick? It's okay, I forgive you."

Amy turned to Liam. "And you, Liam?"

Liam, still tangled in confusion, stiffened at Amy's directness. He stubbornly turned his face away, refusing to apologize to Oliver.

Alexander's voice dropped low. "Liam."

"I didn't do anything wrong!" Liam's eyes burned with frustration. "He started it! He said he'd take you away from me, just to make me mad, and now you want me to apologize?"

Amy's voice remained calm. "Oliver helped you, yet you're accusing him of trying to hurt you. Everyone saw what happened. Since when did you start lying, Liam?"

It seemed Victoria's influence had rubbed off on Liam, who had never lied before but now twisted the truth effortlessly.

Liam looked utterly shattered. "You're my mom, but you believe him over me?"

Amy's heart ached, but she steeled herself. "I believe in the truth."

She turned her gaze to Alexander, who hesitated before speaking. "Liam, apologize."

Liam clenched his fists, but under Alexander's unwavering stare, he had no choice. "I'm sorry," he muttered.

"It's okay," Oliver replied magnanimously. "Since you're Amy's son, I won't hold it against you."

Liam's hands tightened into fists, remembering Oliver's smug smirk from earlier.

Sebastian, sensing the tension had eased, addressed the teacher. "Children will be children. My son can handle himself. No need to make a mountain out of a molehill."

The teacher nodded in agreement, and the atmosphere relaxed, the incident fading into just another chaotic moment in the lives of spirited children and their parents.