The moment Amy Sinclair spotted Alexander Blackwood and Victoria Langley, her brows knitted together, her eyes darkening with unmistakable disdain.

Her voice was sharp, cutting through the air like winter frost. "The violin isn't for sale."

Victoria's expression flickered before her gaze darted toward Samantha Reynolds, who stood protectively beside Amy.

Unlike Victoria's delicate, almost fragile beauty—the kind that made men want to shield her—Amy carried herself with effortless elegance. Her oval face, framed by soft waves of hair, and her luminous eyes gave her the air of a classical painting come to life.

When Victoria's eyes landed on Amy, something unreadable flashed in them.

She stepped forward, her voice laced with pleading sweetness. "Ms. Sinclair, is this 'Celestial Nocturne' your friend's violin? Could you ask her to lend it to me? Just for a little while?"

She clasped her hands together, her voice trembling with emotion. "Alexander and I first bonded over music. I used to play in the garden, and he would listen. It's... special to us. I don't know how much time I have left, Ms. Sinclair. I just want to play one last time."

As if by accident, Victoria tilted her head slightly, revealing a glimmering necklace around her slender throat. The light caught the gemstones, sending a blinding flash directly into Amy's vision.

Amy's voice turned icy. "People die every day. Should I hand over my possessions to every stranger with a sob story?"

Victoria flinched as if struck, her eyes welling with tears.

Alexander's expression darkened. "Amy, it's just a violin. If you want another one, I'll buy it for you."

Amy met his gaze, unyielding. "Exactly. It's just a violin. If she wants one so badly, buy her another. Why does it have to be mine?"

Victoria's voice was soft, trembling. "Ms. Sinclair, name your price. Whatever it takes, I'll make sure you're compensated."

The unspoken implication hung in the air—Alexander will pay for it anyway.

Amy's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Ms. Langley, you seem to have a habit of coveting my mother's belongings. First, her necklace. Now, her violin."

Victoria blinked, feigning innocence. "I don't understand what you mean, Ms. Sinclair."

Amy exhaled, cold amusement threading through her words. "The 'Celestial Nocturne' was my mother's. And that necklace you're wearing? It belonged to her too."

Victoria's face paled. "Oh... I had no idea. Alexander gave it to me last night. I thought it was a gift from him. I didn’t realize—"

Amy cut her off with a quiet laugh. "Now that you do, perhaps you’d like to return it?"

Victoria's fingers brushed the necklace protectively. She bit her lip, her eyes shimmering as she turned to Alexander.

"Alexander, if Ms. Sinclair wants it back... we should let her have it, shouldn’t we? It’s not worth fighting over."

Let her have it. Not return it. The subtle shift in wording was deliberate—implying the necklace wasn’t Amy’s by right, but something Victoria was allowing her to take out of generosity.

Amy’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. "How very kind of you."