"Here's your golden opportunity. Take it and walk away," Nathan sneered, his tone laced with false generosity.

"This competition is being broadcast live across the country. Do you really want your pathetic behavior to trend online?" He smirked, glancing at Victoria. "If anything, you should be thanking her. Without Victoria's intervention, you'd be the joke of Newhaven's elite right now."

Samantha's jaw dropped at Nathan's audacity.

"Hold on—are you seriously justifying Victoria throwing coffee on Celeste? Should we send her a bouquet too?" Samantha shot back, her voice thick with incredulity.

Nathan shrugged. "If you insist, we won't stop you. Just don't come crying when your performance tanks. That's on you."

Victoria tugged at Nathan's sleeve, her voice trembling. "Nathan, please... I didn't mean to, but it was still my mistake..."

"You're too soft-hearted, Victoria. That's why people like her walk all over you," Nathan said coldly, glaring at Amy. "Amy, drop the act. Victoria apologized. Stop milking this for drama."

"If your petty feud ruins Victoria and Liam's performance, there will be consequences!"

Samantha blinked rapidly. "Celeste, do they always rewrite history like this?"

Amy gave a knowing nod. This was nothing new.

Samantha exhaled sharply. "If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd never believe someone could be more twisted than their lies."

Nathan remained unfazed. "Every word I said is fact!"

Amy held up her phone. "We've got it all recorded. Shall we let the internet decide?"

Nathan's face paled. "You can't post that!"

"Scared of being exposed?" Amy tilted her head, feigning innocence.

"Of course not!" Nathan snapped.

"Then why stop me?" Amy challenged. "Unless you're terrified?"

Nathan's ears turned crimson as he spluttered, "I-It's about protecting the children! They shouldn't be subjected to our adult conflicts!"

A derisive laugh escaped Samantha. "Relax. We'll blur out the 'innocent bystanders' you suddenly care about." She smirked. "Though honestly, only the adults throwing tantrums need censoring."

Nathan stood speechless, mouth opening and closing like a fish.

"Enough," Alexander finally interjected. "The competition starts soon. Let's end this."

Samantha scoffed. "How noble of you—speaking up only when it benefits you. What a united front you all make."

Ignoring her, Alexander turned to Amy. "What do you want?"

With time running short, Amy cut to the chase. "Simple. Return my dress. What happens to hers afterward isn't my concern."

Alexander frowned. "That gown was custom-designed to match Liam's outfit. We can't just hand it over."

He paused, studying Amy. "But name another price."