This claim caught Lorenzo's attention, halting him in his steps. He turned back and approached her, asking sharply, "Who?"

Although Lorenzo didn't genuinely love that late wife, finding someone who matched his own level of malevolence was rare.

To Lorenzo, it was more about the challenge of compatibility. The murder of his wife was not just a loss but a direct affront to his authority, a provocation he couldn't ignore. So he took the risk to confront Mitchel, driven by the need to demonstrate that his authority was not to be challenged.

Katie's mangled lips moved to speak, "It's..."

Lorenzo leaned in closer. "Who? Speak louder!"

"It's Mr. Richard..." Katie barely managed the surname before Lorenzo's mind began racing, scouring his memory for any adversaries with that name.

But before Lorenzo could piece together his thoughts, a sudden pinch interrupted him. Glancing down, he saw a syringe embedded in his arm.

Katie, despite her injuries, smirked grotesquely, her mouth stained with blood.

Lorenzo reached for his gun, but his reactions were sluggish, the drug quickly sapping his strength. A numbing sensation rapidly spread throughout his body. Lorenzo had been injected with a fast-acting high-potency anesthetic, taking effect within seconds.

"You!" It was all Lorenzo managed to utter, before collapsing.

Katie's laughter echoed maniacally as she staggered to her feet, gripping the knife that had mutilated her own face. With a frenzied energy, she plunged the knife repeatedly into Lorenzo's face.

One stab, then another, and another... She targeted only his face, each thrust more vicious than the last. A once handsome visage was brutally transformed into a grotesque mask of blood and tissue.

Laughing hysterically, Katie stabbed relentlessly, each motion accompanied by the curse, "Go to hell!"

Who would have imagined that Lorenzo, the feared overlord of Aurora, would meet his demise at the hands of a woman he had underestimated?

Only when Lorenzo's features were beyond recognition did Katie finally cease. She leaned close, caressing the ruined face with a twisted affection, her laughter chilling. “Look how much better you appear now... You really should have practiced more..." she muttered to herself, a clear break from sanity evident in her voice.

She crawled to retrieve a small, elegant pistol and then shakily rose to her feet. “Hide well. I'm coming to find you all." She cackled, her laughter haunting the corridor.

Meanwhile, Raegan didn't dare to slow down. She hastened her steps toward the elevator. Taking the stairs was not an option, given her physical condition compared to her pursuer. The elevator was a risk, but her only viable escape.

Once inside the elevator, Raegan frantically pressed several floor buttons and then the door close button.

The sound of footsteps grew louder, nearing the elevator just as the doors slid shut.

Raegan exhaled a deep breath of relief, watching the doors close just in time.