"I have my demands, but do they compare to what you've given your precious Victoria?" Amy arched a brow, her gaze sharp as she studied Alexander. "For her, you stole our wedding. You invested a hundred million into her career without hesitation, then froze my accounts—and now you accuse me of being greedy?"

Alexander's voice was glacial. "None of that justifies your relentless attacks on Victoria."

Amy scoffed. "Of course not. Because Ms. Langley is the epitome of innocence, isn't she?"

The mockery in her tone was unmistakable, and it grated on Alexander's nerves. To him, she was being utterly unreasonable.

Before he could respond, Amy cut him off. "I expect you and Ms. Langley to clear my name online. Otherwise, don’t be surprised when your reputations take a hit."

Alexander's dark eyes narrowed. "A hit to our reputations?"

"That's right, Mr. Blackwood. Don’t believe me?"

"Not particularly," he replied flatly.

Amy merely smiled. "Then let’s wait and see."

The conversation ended as bitterly as it had begun.

Shortly after Alexander left, Sebastian returned and drove Amy home.

The next day, Amy headed to pick up Oliver from school. Despite the ongoing turmoil, Oliver had begged to see her, and she couldn’t refuse.

The thought of him softened the ache in her chest, if only a little.

Traffic was heavy, and she quickly texted Oliver to reassure him. [Sweetheart, I’m stuck in traffic. I’ll be a few minutes late.]

His reply came instantly. [It’s okay, Amy. Drive safely.] A faint smile touched her lips.

In the past, even the slightest delay would earn her Liam’s irritation. Once, when she’d been sick and coughing the entire ride, he’d been too busy texting Victoria to even ask if she was alright.

As she approached an intersection, preparing to turn, a car suddenly barreled toward her!

Amy’s breath caught—she swerved, but it was too late.

CRASH!

The impact was deafening. Darkness swallowed her.

She didn’t know how long she’d been out, but the sound of soft sobbing slowly pulled her back to consciousness.

"Alex, you’re here! That driver—she didn’t even brake! I thought… I thought I was going to die!"

Blinking through the haze, Amy saw the unmistakable silhouette of Alexander lifting Victoria from the wreckage.

Victoria?

Was she the one who hit me?

Victoria clung to him, tears streaking her face. "I was so scared…"

Alexander’s voice was low, soothing. "I’ve got you. You're safe now."

The scene outside was chaos—onlookers, flashing lights, the acrid scent of gasoline.

Alexander didn’t spare a glance in Amy’s direction as he guided Victoria away.

Black smoke curled into the air. The heat was rising.

Amy coughed violently, her throat burning.

She tried to move, but her foot was trapped. Panic clawed at her as she fumbled for her phone.

The car was smoking.

If she didn’t get help soon, she’d burn alive.