He recognized the woman instantly—it was Aurora. And the man sitting across from her was none other than Joshua.


    Another text came through, right after he''d finished reading thest, as if it had been timed.


    "Mr. Lerman, it seems losing an arm and an ear has really taken its toll on you. Your goddess, Aurora, was even willing to treat me to lunch... Does she not know I''m the one who put you in that hospital bed?"


    Leonard''s eyes turned bloodshot, and his breathing grew ragged. He could ept Aurora dining with anyone, but not with Joshua-the man who had nearly killed him.


    As if that wasn''t enough, another message arrived.


    "You''ve been through hell and back for her, a loyal knight in shining armor. Even an outsider like me can see your devotion. You made an enemy of us for her sake and ended up like this. Even if she can''t return your feelings, the least she could do is not break bread with your murderer. It seems your charms have faded, Mr. Lerman."


    Joshua''s words struck Leonard''s most vulnerable point. He remembered it was because he''d heard Aurora had been slighted by Ste that he had destroyed Ste''s hand.


    He had done it all for Aurora. Everyst bit of it. And now she was out, toasting the man who had ruined him.


    Even though Leonard knew this was a deliberate attempt to provoke him, the fact remained: she was with Joshua. He thought of Joshua''s true identity, and a low, gutturalugh escaped his lips.


    The sound was so chilling that his assistant''s skin crawled. "Mr. Lerman..." he stammered. "Perhaps we should move you to a more secure location for your recovery?"


    Leonard opened his mouth to reply, but rage overwhelmed him. He choked, spat blood, then slumped back onto the pillow, unconscious.


    His assistant stared in horror before frantically pressing the call button for the nurse.


    After lunch, Joshua and Aurora returned to thepany building together. On the way back, Joshua suddenly remarked, "I heard you''re a formidable race car driver, Ms. Williams."


    Aurora didn''t hide her


    aplishments; they were easily found with a quick search. That''s right, she said with a smile. "Don''t tell me you''re a fan of racing as well?"


    "I do enjoy it," Joshua replied. "To thank you for lunch, how about I challenge you to a race sometime?"


    Aurora''s eyes flickered. She had thought Joshua would be different from other men, but it seemed he was just as predictable.


    "I''d like that," she said.


    When they arrived back at The Williams Group, they ran into Ste and Foreman, who were just returning from their own lunch.<fn20ba> The rightful source is find·novel</fn20ba>


    The moment he saw Joshua, a cold, vicious glint shed in Foreman''s eyes. He nced between Joshua and Aurora, feigning confusion. "Joshua, you and Ms. Williams...?"


    Joshua smirked. "We just had lunch together, Mr. Richards. Is that so surprising? Or did you and Star not enjoy your meal?"


    Foreman nced at Ste, who showed no reaction. He forced a smile. "Not at all. Just a coincidence to run into you both."


    Just as Joshua was about to reply his phone buzzed. It was a message from Jake. "Mr. Gardner, following your orders um rose humiliating pictures of Leonard are now public."