She feigned shock, covering her mouth. “Lorenzo wouldn't really cut open her stomach and take out your child, would he?"

“Shut up!" Mitchel's glare was lethal, his eyes emitting dangerous rays.

"Wow!" Katie tapped her chest, feigning fright. "So fierce, but..."

She chuckled, her voice dripping with coy sarcasm. “What does it matter? You're still Lorenzo's prisoner, aren't you?"

She didn't wait for a response, buoyed by her own mood. “Mitchel, you owe me. You used me to protect the woman you love from disaster. Don't you feel even a shred of guilt?"

Mitchel's Lips twisted into a cold sneer. "Guilt? For a vile creature like you?" His eyes filled with disdain. "For all you've done, being cut to pieces wouldn't be too much!"

Katie's expression shifted rapidly. "It was all for you. If you hadn't loved her, she wouldn't have suffered. Don't you see? My suggestion of having Lorenzo take her child out was merciful."

Mitchel replied coolly, “I think you'll soon experience that mercy for yourself."

Katie shivered and snapped irrationally, “Nonsense! Even if you die, I won't. Thinking of dying with her? You two would be perfect as miserable lovers in the afterlife. Wouldn't that be fitting?"

By now, Katie had abandoned any hope for Mitchel. He was fully aware of her actions, and without losing his memory, he would never fall for her.

With no hope remaining, Katie dropped all pretense, revealing her true, malevolent nature. "Mitchel, do you think I will let you have your way? Even if you both died, I would keep you apart. I won't let your graves lie together!"

Her extreme jealousy twisted her features. Her excitement mounting, she declared, "But do you think I'd let you die easily? I'll keep you alive. Aurora has many secret medicines that will keep your mind alert while your body withers. I want you to see the ruin you become. Your pride, talent, status, all that people envy, you'll be unable to use. You'll become nothing, a paralytic, a mere shell..."

As Katie spoke, a chilling smile crept across her face. "Mitchel, when that moment arrives, what pride will you have left?"

Her gaze was intense, almost possessed as she punctuated each word, “Remember, if I, Katie, cannot possess something, I'll ensure it decays or disintegrates before anyone else can claim it!"

Suddenly, a loud "Bang!" The clang resonated as a tray hurtled across the room.

“Ah!" Katie paused briefly, before clutching her head and letting out a sharp scream, Blood cascaded down the right side of her face Like a torrent, relentless and unending.

She hadn't seen Mitchel obtain the tray or how he managed to strike her with it. Were his hands not bound? How was this possible?

Terror filled Katie's eyes as she watched Mitchel stand up and approach her. When had he freed himself from his restraints? Now was not the time to dwell on these questions. Mitchel was more menacing than any of Maxwell's men, as if he were capable of tearing her apart on the spot.

“Help me!" Katie screamed in desperation for Maxwell's men, but the guard who had been watching them had momentarily stepped out. Another had urgently excused himself to the bathroom after ensuring both were securely tied. Thus, no matter how loudly she screamed, there was no one to hear her.

“Help me! Help..." Before she could finish her plea, excruciating pain erupted through her body.