Amy froze mid-step, her eyes widening in shock as she gaped at Alexander.

"Excuse me?"

Alexander's lips curled into that infuriating smirk she knew too well. "First you refuse to give me Victoria's medicine, then you extort money from me - and let's not forget how you humiliated her over some petty nonsense..."

He tilted his head, that arrogant glint in his eyes. "Tell me, Amy, is this all just some elaborate scheme to get my attention?"

A bitter laugh escaped Amy's lips. "Alexander Blackwood, your narcissism truly knows no bounds. Not everyone's desperate enough to scavenge through other people's trash. If she doesn't find it repulsive, I certainly do."

The color drained from both Alexander and Victoria's faces.

Remembering the substantial sum now sitting in her bank account, Amy casually tossed the life-saving medication at Alexander.

"I'm a woman of my word. That's the complete first treatment. If she refuses to take it and her condition worsens, don't come crying to me."

With that, Amy wrenched her wrist free from Alexander's grasp and turned to leave.

But he blocked her path again. "You owe Victoria an apology."

Amy looked up, her eyes sparkling with cold amusement.

"Not happening. What exactly do you plan to do about it?"

Alexander's expression darkened, but before he could speak, Amy continued in that deceptively sweet tone laced with steel.

"Oh, and darling? Remember - I still hold the rest of Ms. Langley's medication. Piss me off, and those precious vials might just vanish into thin air."

She met his gaze head-on, her smile sharp as broken glass.

"You're the ones begging for my help here - not the other way around. So lose the entitled attitude."

Her smile vanished, replaced by glacial fury.

"If you think making her kneel was harsh, test me again. I'll have you on your knees. Let's see what matters more - your precious pride, or Victoria's life."

Amy shoved past Alexander, her heels clicking decisively against the marble floor.

This time, Alexander could only watch her retreating figure, too stunned to react.

Theodore Whitmore had never imagined Victoria capable of such cruelty - poisoning someone? Unthinkable.

His hands trembled with barely contained rage. This walking hazard couldn't stay another second.

With the deadline reached, Theodore wasted no time evicting Victoria. Under Alexander's watchful gaze, she swallowed the medicine without protest.

Strangely, Victoria didn't seem upset about her expulsion. If anything, she looked triumphant.

"Well, since Dr. Whitmore no longer requires my assistance, I'll take my leave. Though I'm always available... if you can afford my rates," she purred, her sugary tone dripping venom.

Theodore's mustache quivered with outrage. "You vile creature! Where's your conscience?"

Victoria blinked innocently. "I haven't the faintest idea what you mean, Dr. Whitmore."

Her words sounded guileless, but the mocking twist of her lips betrayed her.

What did she have to fear? A powerless old man and a has-been housewife - neither could touch her. Even if they tattled to Alexander, he'd never believe them.

Watching Victoria's smug display, Amy didn't react with anger. Instead, she laughed - a bright, musical sound that made Victoria's smirk falter.

"Ms. Langley, is debasing yourself really an accomplishment worth celebrating?"

Amy tilted her head, feigning realization. "Ah, but I forget - you abandoned your dignity long ago. A little groveling is nothing - why, if someone demanded you lick their shoes, you'd probably ask which flavor they preferred."

Victoria's face contorted with rage, her carefully constructed mask slipping.

"You-"

Her gaze flickered to Alexander, still outside on his phone, and her composure returned, that sly, victorious smile creeping back.