Amy realized her nails were digging crescent moons into her palms, yet the physical pain couldn't register through the emotional storm raging inside her.

True mastery reveals itself in recognizing superior talent. Even if they competed a thousand times, she knew Victoria would always outshine her.

Amy's jaw clenched so tight her teeth ached, her eyes burning with undisguised bitterness. Of all people, why did she have to lose to Victoria?!

How?!

"Amy." Alexander's smooth baritone sliced through the charged atmosphere. "A wager is a wager."

No one had anticipated Victoria actually defeating Amy. Not even him.

Though no musical connoisseur and admittedly biased toward Amy, even Alexander couldn't deny Victoria's performance had cast an undeniable spell over every listener.

Amy trembled with barely contained fury. Since returning from Solmaris, she'd always maintained the upper hand over Victoria. Even during recent humiliations, Alexander had smoothed things over. But today, not even he stood by her!

Watching Amy's frozen stance, Victoria spoke coolly, "Ms. Langley, shall I help remove that necklace, or can you manage?"

Amy's eyes glistened with unshed tears of humiliation as she reluctantly unclasped the sapphire pendant.

"This round... Ms. Sinclair, you've won fair and square."

With the entire Newhaven Elite watching, refusal would cost her both dignity and reputation.

Amy inhaled sharply, forcing composure. "Ms. Sinclair, here's your prize."

The necklace meant little - she'd only worn it daily to torment Victoria. But that Celestial Nocturne...

A dangerous glimmer flashed in Amy's eyes. She would possess that violin, no matter what.

As Victoria's fingers closed around the familiar sapphire, her vision blurred momentarily with emotion.

Alexander observed her reaction, his gaze sharpening. Could this trinket truly hold such significance?

He parted his lips to speak, but Samantha's pointed remark interrupted.

"Self-reliance always prevails... Thank heavens Celeste demonstrated her worth, or her treasures might've become someone else's party favors."

Victoria blinked away the moisture and secured the necklace safely before turning to Nathan.

"Well, Mr. Prescott? Your turn."

Nathan's face turned the color of spoiled milk, as if he'd bitten into a rotten lemon.

"Victoria, surely... You can't seriously expect me to get on all fours and bark?"

Victoria regarded him with newfound serenity. This man had been a persistent thorn in her side, and finally, he'd handed her the perfect opportunity to pluck it out.

Her lips curved into a deceptively sweet smile. "Mr. Prescott, honor binds a gentleman's word. If Ms. Langley, a lady, could uphold her end, surely you wouldn't disgrace yourself by comparison?"

Using Amy as leverage left Nathan speechless.

Victoria swept her gaze across the gathered elite, pitching her voice to carry.

"Nathan, many here conduct business with Prescott Industries. Would you truly risk your family's reputation over a simple wager?"

Nathan's eyes darkened with fury, his teeth grinding audibly.

"Victoria, is that a threat?!"