"Alexander is away on business, so I finally got the chance to meet you, Ms. Sinclair. Otherwise..." Victoria let out a soft laugh, her expression tinged with faint resignation. "He would never have allowed me to leave the house."

"Did you invite me here just to rub this in my face?" Amy asked, her voice cool.

"I heard you're divorcing Alexander," Victoria continued smoothly. "Not that it matters whether you truly want it or if this is all just an act. The outcome remains the same—you can't change anything."

Unlike Nathan, Victoria wasn't openly aggressive, but every word she spoke dripped with unshakable confidence. "Between you and me, Ms. Sinclair, he will always choose me first."

Amy was silent for a beat before countering, "If that's true, why did he marry me and not you?"

Victoria merely smiled. "Because I allowed him to marry you. You know how men are—they always crave what they can't have. Otherwise, why do you think he still cares so deeply for me?"

Just then, the waiter arrived with their freshly brewed coffee. The rich, bittersweet aroma filled the space between them.

Amy had had enough of the games. "Is Samantha with you?"

"No, she isn't with me. She's in Alexander's hands," Victoria replied, her smile never wavering. "She was the reason I nearly lost everything, so Alexander won't let her off lightly."

Amy's gaze sharpened. "You're saying Samantha is with Alexander?"

Victoria feigned surprise. "Samantha is your best friend. She defended you, confronted me, and crossed Alexander. And you don't even know where she is?"

"So, Ms. Langley, do you know where she is?" Amy pressed.

"No," Victoria sighed, her brows knitting slightly. "From what I understand, Alexander wants to teach her a lesson—make her truly understand fear."

"Her words hurt me, but they weren't the reason I tried to end my life."

"I don’t want this to end tragically, but I can’t stop Alexander. He’s determined to settle this for me..."

Victoria’s voice was soft, almost sympathetic. "Since I can’t change his mind, perhaps you, as his wife, can. Especially since Samantha is your friend."

Amy caught the underlying implication and nearly scoffed. Was Victoria really bragging about how Alexander was willing to destroy her best friend—all in her name?

The steam from their coffee had long since dissipated.

Amy responded icily, "If you truly don’t want this to end badly, then tell me where Samantha is."

Victoria shook her head. "I’m sorry, but I honestly don’t know. I came here hoping you could talk sense into Alexander."

With that, she glanced at her watch and stood. "Alexander’s flight is about to land. He’ll worry if I’m not there... I should go."

She picked up her bag and walked away without another word.

Amy watched her leave, her fists slowly unclenching.

Dominic had insisted Samantha wasn’t with Alexander. Victoria claimed she was.

Who was lying?

After paying the bill, Amy didn’t head home. Instead, she went straight to the hospital. She knew where Victoria had been admitted—finding her room number wouldn’t be difficult.