But neither of them knew anything.


    Simone was more cooperative, racking her brain every day to think of ces Leonard might be hiding. Aside from losing her freedom, she hadn''t suffered much.


    But Aurora was a different story.


    She acted entitled, relying on her status as a Williams and as Ste''s sister, refusing to even offer any clues.


    At first, Joshua had been hesitant, but as time dragged on, he was on the verge of madness and ordered his men to use harsher methods on Aurora.


    Every day, Aurora was subjected to electroshock "treatment" to her head. Since she imed to have forgotten, Joshua was determined to make her remember. She was also subjected to extensive lie-detector tests.


    Her spirit was being utterly crushed.


    Joshua nced expressionlessly at Laurel Quinn before turning to a doctor in a white coat standing silently nearby. "Did you hear that? She''s a Williams. She can''t be missing for too long. I''m giving you a few more days topletely cure her amnesia."


    The doctors each held cold, intimidating instruments. At Joshua''s words, beads of sweat formed on their foreheads.


    "Yes... We''ll do our best."


    Then, the doctors began to "treat" Aurora''s head with medical devices Laurel didn''t recognize.


    "Ahhh!"


    The screams were incessant, echoing throughout the room.


    Laurel watched, stunned. The words of protest she wanted to say were stuck in her throat.


    She had only seen Joshua this grim and out of control once before, right before she had hypnotized him. He hadn''t been like this in a long time.


    The sounds of Aurora''s agonysted for about half an hour before finally falling silent.


    Joshua stood there the entire time, watching coldly, his expression unchanging.


    Laurel looked at the man''s sharp, refined jawline and his emotionless lips, and a chill suddenly ran down


    her spine a thaoment, this in


    partner she had known for years


    "Felt


    like aplete stranger.


    A doctor stepped forward to report. "Mr. Gardner, Ms. Williams has passed out."


    Joshua''s voice was devoid of any emotion.


    "Wake her up. Continue."


    "But....." the doctor said hesitantly. "In Ms. Williams''s current state, she really isn''t fit


    for more treatment... If we continue, she''ll actually go insane."


    The air was silent for a few seconds.


    After a moment, the man''s crisp, cool voice sounded.


    "That''s enough for today. Continue tomorrow."


    Without so much as a nce at Laurel, Joshua left the room.


    Auroray unconscious on the floor. From her struggles, the iron chains had left a ring of bruises around her wrists.


    Laurel took onest look at Aurora and left the dungeon as well.


    Joshua was already gone. Laurel knew that trying to persuade him now was useless; he wouldn''t listen.


    She had to find Beckett Torres.


    Beckett scoffed, his voiceced with


    disdain. "Why are you even


    bothering? Let him burn for all I care. Kidnapping a Williams


    heiress-honestly, he''s digging his own grave And if he was going to dot, the least he could do was cover his damn tracks instead of leaving you to sweep up his mess. If those families find out we''re involved, they''ll put a target right on our backs. You''re just enabling him, Laurel."


    Laurel''s expression clouded with worry. "Ste''s disappearance haspletely unhinged him. He''s past the point of caring about the consequences. If this goes on Tonger, he''s going to go on a


    rampage. Solmaris is going to be a bloodbath."