The first divorce filing requires a six-month waiting period before the second can be submitted. With mediation and legal procedures, finalizing a divorce could drag on for at least two years.

Marriage? A simple signature. Divorce? A labyrinth of complications.

Even with mutual consent, the law demands a cooling-off period.

On the other end of the call, silence stretched.

"Amy, is Liam with you?" Alexander's voice cut through the line.

Amy's brows knitted. "No, he isn't."

Alexander pressed further. "Are you absolutely certain Liam isn't with you?"

Amy's patience frayed. "What are you implying, Alexander?"

"Liam is missing."

Her tone turned glacial. "If Liam's missing, then go find him. Why call me? Do you think I can conjure him out of thin air?"

Alexander's voice was steel. "You don't sound the least bit surprised. No panic, no concern."

Victoria's whispers had already sown doubt in him about Amy—especially now, when she showed no trace of alarm.

Amy understood the accusation beneath his words. A bitter laugh escaped her. "When I was worried about him, you and your mother dismissed it as hysteria. 'Overreacting,' you called it."

A beat of silence. "Amy, this isn't the time to revisit old arguments."

"Then what is your point?"

"You're his mother. If you wanted to take him somewhere, you could've just told me. No need for secrecy."

Amy scoffed. "Exactly. I am his mother. Why would I sneak around? Maybe ask Victoria. Liam adores her—perhaps he went to see her."

"I already checked with Victoria. She hasn't seen him."

"Well, I'm telling you now—he isn't with me either." She ended the call.

Oliver, seated nearby, spoke softly. "Amy, is something wrong with Liam?"

Amy exhaled. "Alexander called. Liam's missing."

Oliver's eyes widened. "How could Liam go missing? Shouldn't we help look for him?"

"No need. He probably sneaked off to see Victoria. Besides, with Alexander's resources, finding one child is effortless. They don't need us." She was done being their fool.

Meanwhile, Gregory rushed in with an update. "Mr. Blackwood, we've traced the young master's location. He went to the amusement park alone."

"Amusement park?"

Alexander's frown deepened as he recalled the faint background music during his call with Amy.

His gaze sharpened, locking onto Gregory like a predator.

"Where is Amy now?"

Gregory, ever efficient, had already tracked not just Liam but also Amy, Victoria, Margaret, and anyone connected to the boy.

He hesitated. "She's... also at the amusement park."

Alexander's jaw clenched.

He had chosen to trust her. And she had lied to him.

His eyes darkened like a gathering storm. "Prepare the car. We're going to the amusement park. And ensure Amy doesn't leave before I arrive."

"Right away, sir."

Gregory sped toward the park. But halfway there, Alexander's phone rang.

"Mr. Blackwood—emergency! The young master has fallen into the lake!"