Victoria Thornton's face flushed crimson, her anger so intense it bordered on purple.

Demanding apologies had always come naturally to her—words dripping with condescension as she ordered others to kneel. But now, the roles were reversed, and the taste was bitter.

Despite her simmering resentment, Victoria couldn't ignore the sheer authority radiating from Sebastian Kingsley. Annoyance prickled beneath her skin, but she kept her voice measured.

"Mr. Kingsley, don't you think you're overreacting? The security footage clearly shows your son threw the first punch. Violence is never justified. And yet, instead of apologizing, you expect us—the victims—to grovel for forgiveness? How is that fair?"

"It isn't," Sebastian replied, his tone glacial. "But what I say is law. You have one minute. Kneel and apologize to Celeste, and I’ll consider this matter closed. If you refuse..."

A slow, dangerous smirk curled his lips. "Winter is coming. Perhaps it's time for Thornton Industries to freeze over."

Victoria had assumed Sebastian was here only to demand an apology for Oliver's injury. She'd already been considering swallowing her pride—better to have Bradley apologize than escalate things further.

But she hadn’t expected him to demand her apology to Amy Sinclair.

The truth was, her disdain for Amy stemmed from pure, unadulterated envy.

How could a woman with nothing but beauty—no wealth, no influence—end up married to a man like Alexander Blackwood? And how could her son, Liam, be so effortlessly brilliant and well-mannered?

Meanwhile, Victoria came from a family of scholars, forced into business for survival, trapped in a loveless marriage with a philandering husband. And her son? A carbon copy of his father—neither bright nor charming.

Her jealousy had festered into contempt.

So when Sebastian demanded she apologize to Amy, her response was immediate: "Me? Apologize to her? Never!"

Sebastian merely nodded, unfazed.

"I may not control the world, but crushing Thornton Industries? That’s child’s play."

With deliberate slowness, he pulled out his phone and dialed, his voice icy.

"Thornton Industries just crossed me. Burn it down. I want it done in ten minutes."

Victoria’s breath hitched. "You—you can’t be serious! I don’t believe you!"

Sebastian’s smile was chilling. "Let’s see how brave you feel in ten minutes."

Just then, Nathan Prescott arrived.

Unaware of the full situation, he glanced around. "Lex, you called me here in such a hurry—what’s going on?"

His gaze landed on Oliver’s injury, and a smirk tugged at his lips. "Well, well. Someone got into a little scuffle, huh?"

Alexander’s eyes were sharp as daggers. "Nathan. Tell me the truth. Did you use my name to turn the entire preschool against Liam?"

Damn. How had he found out so fast?

Nathan’s eyes flickered toward Victoria Langley, but she kept her head down, refusing to meet his gaze.

His pulse quickened.

He was caught. There was no point denying it. If Alexander was asking, he already knew.