I stood up to face Victoria directly, refusing to be intimidated by her physical positioning or her comprehensive threats.
"No," I said simply.
"Excuse me?"
"No. I'm not ending my relationship with Alexander. I'm not complying with your threats. I'm not allowing you to control my choices through systematic destruction campaigns or strategic pressure."
"Then you're choosing to sacrifice your family's pharmaceutical interests for teenage romance."
"I'm choosing to stand up for myself and my relationship despite threats from someone who confuses control with love and manipulation with protection."
Victoria's expression shifted to something cold and dangerous. "You're making a mistake that will have lasting consequences."
"Then I'll live with those consequences. But I won't surrender to
