Although arrogant, Karl wasn''t a fool. The hidden meaning in Joshua''s words hit him instantly. He stared at Joshua, his voice a low growl. "Thatst incident... it was you?!"


    Joshua nced at him. "I believe I told you that if you wanted revenge, you shoulde find me. But instead of settling scores with the person who actually wronged you, you went after Star time and again. What is it? Does bullying women give you a special sense of aplishment?"


    Joshua''s casual admission left Karl momentarily stunned. But soon, a coldugh escaped his lips. "What''s the difference betweening after you or Ste? It just means she didn''t get her own hands dirty. No matter who did it, she was the root cause."


    Karl''s lips twisted into a malicious grin. "Aren''t you just doing all this for her? So, I didn''t target the wrong person after all. And besides..." He locked eyes with Joshua, enunciating each word. "Seeing how desperate you are to take all the me, so afraid that someone might hurt her, I''m more convinced than ever that going after Ste is the right move. Hurting her would be far more painful for you than hurting you directly, wouldn''t it?"


    Joshua''s eyes slowly turned to ice. Seeing this, Karl''s grin widened. "You don''t want me to get revenge on Ste? Well, the more you don''t want me to do something, the more I''ll do it. As long as I''m breathing, I''ll make sure Ste never knows a moment of peace. I will make you both live in constant fear."


    At this, Joshua actually let out a softugh. "Karl, are you overestimating yourself? It remains to be seen who will be living in fear. Before you make such grand threats, perhaps you should first consider if you''ll even have the chance."


    Prompted by Joshua''s words, Karl finally took in his surroundings. It was a room that resembled a clinic, filled with various medical instruments. Then, he heard strange cries from outside. "Agh!"


    It was followed by the sound of frantic footsteps. "The patient ran that way! Get him!"


    "The ropes! Get him tied down!"


    "He''s struggling too much, we can''t restrain him! Administer a sedative, now!"


    The chilling screams echoed


    through the hallway, enough to


    make anyone''s blood run colet


    now, even the slow-witted Karl realized this was no ordinary hospital. He whipped his head toward Joshua. "Where is this?!"


    "This is thergest psychiatric hospital in Solmaris," Joshua said. "Mr. Burton, you should be gratef that Star and Mr. Burton have a decent rtionship. It''s the only reason you''re still breathing."


    Karl''s pupils contracted, his gaze bing wary and alert. "What are you going to do? I''m telling you, if go missing, the Burton family. Will turn this city upside down to find me! If you dare touch me, my grandfather will never let you get away with it!"


    Joshua''s tone was t. "Thest person who said that to me has been pushing up daisies for years."


    With that, he pped his hands lightly. The clinic door opened, and a group of doctors in white coats walked in. They bowed respectfully. "Mr. Gardner."


    Joshua turned to Karl. "These doctors are some of the world''s leading psychiatrists. I''ve already made arrangements for them to dedicate their services exclusively to you."