Nathan Prescott wore a triumphant smirk, while Victoria Langley's lips curved into a barely concealed smile.

Still?

What a calculated choice of words.

Amy Sinclair, however, remained unshaken. Her voice was steady, her demeanor composed.

"Alexander Blackwood, don't you think it's fair to hear both sides before passing judgment?"

Alexander's striking features were cold, his gaze unyielding. "Victoria and I had just stepped away, and you appeared moments later. Are you really going to pretend you weren't here to stir trouble?"

Amy's eyes flickered between his icy expression and the smug faces of Victoria and Nathan.

She offered a small, amused smile. "Fine. If Ms. Langley wants it so badly, she can have it."

Alexander's expression softened slightly. Victoria's smile widened, while Nathan practically swelled with pride.

Amy extended the bracelet. "Here you go, Ms. Langley."

Victoria didn't hesitate—she reached for it eagerly.

This bracelet was proof of Alexander's favor, a victory snatched from her rival.

Yet, just as her fingers closed around it, the delicate chain slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor.

Clink!

The sound was sharp, final—the bracelet shattered into fragments.

Silence fell over the room. Victoria stood frozen, disbelief etched across her face.

"Ms. Langley," Amy broke the quiet, her tone laced with mock concern.

"You were so desperate for this bracelet. How could you be so careless?"

Victoria snapped out of her daze. "Amy—you did that on purpose!"

Amy arched a brow, feigning innocence. "But it was your hand that dropped it. How is that my fault?"

She tilted her head slightly. "Unless... you have a habit of breaking things when they don't go your way?"

Nathan exploded in outrage. "Alex, look at her! Amy's ruthless! She made Victoria drop it, then has the nerve to blame her!"

Alexander saw right through Amy's game. His voice was glacial. "Amy, apologize to Victoria."

Amy's response was breezy, utterly unbothered. "No."

Alexander blinked, momentarily taken aback.

Nathan fumed. "Alex, she admitted to breaking it! We should call the police—let her spend a night in a cell! That’ll wipe the smirk off her face!"

Amy smiled sweetly. "Mr. Prescott, you clearly don’t understand the law. Damaging store property only requires compensation. No jail time involved."

Nathan jabbed a finger at her, triumphant. "She confessed! Alex, she just admitted she did it on purpose!"

Amy rubbed her temple as if his shouting had given her a headache. "Mr. Prescott, your logic is as flawed as your hearing."

"I said if someone damages property, they pay for it. You twisted that into a confession. Is there really a connection?"

Nathan puffed out his chest. "You're scared of jail! That proves you're guilty!"

The absurdity of his claim had bystanders exchanging incredulous glances.

Is this guy serious?

Being in the same store as him was almost embarrassing.

Even Victoria's expression soured.

Yet through it all, Amy remained perfectly composed.

"I never said I'd be paying. I was simply educating you on the law."