What exactly makes Oliver so special? All he does is play the innocent angel!

A sharp pang of jealousy shot through Liam's chest.

He burned with the desire to expose Oliver's true colors, to show Mom how this supposed golden boy wasn't nearly as perfect as she believed.

But after a steadying breath, Liam swallowed his words.

He'd fallen for Oliver's tricks too many times before. Without concrete evidence, no one would take his side.

Besides, that wasn't his purpose for visiting today.

He had something far more crucial to accomplish.

With Liam present, Samantha had to temper her usual sharp remarks about Alexander Blackwood.

The conversation drifted to safer topics instead.

Throughout dinner, Oliver charmed everyone with amusing anecdotes from his daily life. Despite his young age, he possessed an uncanny ability to entertain, sending the adults into repeated fits of laughter.

Amy ignored Liam completely, but Samantha made sure to include him, occasionally asking about his studies and recent activities.

Liam responded with impeccable manners, every inch the well-bred young gentleman.

As Samantha studied Liam's face - so strikingly similar to Alexander's - she suppressed a sigh.

No one understood better than Samantha just how deeply Amy loved Liam.

If not for Liam, Amy would never have tolerated Victoria for so long, nor cared for her like a personal maid, even preparing special herbal remedies.

As dessert plates were cleared, Samantha turned to Liam. "So, Liam, you came all this way to see your mother. Was there something particular you wanted to discuss?"

Liam's fingers tightened around his backpack straps. "I... I brought something for Mom," he murmured.

For the first time that evening, Amy's gaze flickered toward him. Samantha brightened. "Oh? What did you bring?"

Hesitation flashed across Liam's face.

He lifted his eyes to meet Amy's directly.

It was the first real eye contact she'd granted him since his arrival.

A strange fluttering hope stirred in Liam's chest.

Perhaps Aunt Samantha was right - perhaps Mom still cared about him.

If he just swallowed his pride and apologized, maybe things could return to how they were before.

This thought bolstered his courage.

He unzipped his backpack and produced a handmade mug, shifting awkwardly. "It's... the birthday present I made for you," he mumbled. "I got it back from Victoria..."

Apologies didn't come easily to Liam, and the words left an unfamiliar heat in his cheeks.

With trembling hands, he extended the mug toward Amy, his voice barely audible.

"I made this myself. I hope... you'll like it..."

This was as close to an apology as Liam could manage.

In the past, the slightest softening from him would have Amy sweeping him into an embrace.

But not tonight.

Amy stared at the offered gift, making no move to accept it.

Liam hadn't anticipated this reaction.

Panic crept into his expression as his face paled.

Why wasn't she taking it?

Hadn't she always been quick to forgive him?

The air grew thick with tension.

Sebastian Kingsley leaned back in his chair, observing silently with unreadable dark eyes. Samantha watched Liam with worried eyes full of unspoken advice. Amy remained frozen, her expression inscrutable.

Liam's confidence wavered. His outstretched hand began to shake.

Then Oliver broke the silence.

"That's your gift for Amy, Liam? It's wonderful!" he exclaimed brightly.

He moved toward Liam. "Here, let me give it to her for you."

Before Liam could react, Oliver reached out and took the mug from his grasp.

Liam froze momentarily, then instinctively tried to snatch it back.