The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1375

He then addressed the doctors. "Mr. Burton is mentally unstable and delusional. Please begin with some preliminary treatment."

"Of course, Mr. Gardner," the doctors replied with utmost respect. Two of them approached the bed and began securing Karl with restraints.

Karl's face finally changed. "What are you doing?!"

"We're just administering your treatment, Mr. Burton," a doctor said soothingly. "Don't be afraid. It's not life-threatening."

Before Karl could say another word, an electric current shot through his head and coursed through his entire body. He began to convulse uncontrollably, unable to even form words. Two doctors held electroshock devices to his temples. Karl was nearly shocked into unconsciousness, but the doctors were precise, stopping the current the moment he was about to pass out.

After thirty minutes, Karl was a wreck, his eyes rolled back, foam frothing at his mouth, and having lost control of his bodily functions. Though he had been humiliated during the global livestream, he had never experienced anything like this—a complete stripping of his dignity coupled with excruciating physical torment.

Sweat soaked his entire body. Through his blurred vision, he saw Joshua watching him with a meaningful expression. "Karl, Star never harmed you, yet you've always been convinced she was out to get you. Your persecution complex is quite severe. From now on, you can recover here peacefully. Think of this as your new home, and the doctors will treat you like family."

From that day on, Karl remained in the asylum, subjected to continuous "treatment." The methods included, but were not limited to, electroshock therapy, rotational therapy, hydrotherapy, and medication. Whenever Karl cursed Stella and Joshua, the doctors would diagnose it as a hysterical episode and administer electroshock to his head. The shocks lasted as long as his curses. One particularly vicious outburst landed him in the ICU. After a few more sessions, Karl learned to hold his tongue.

He knew he had to get out, but his phone was gone, the rooms had iron bars, and the doctors watched him constantly. Escape seemed impossible. Yet, Karl didn't give up. He feigned compliance to lull the doctors into a false sense of security while secretly trying to connect with other patients to find a way to contact the outside world.

Just as he thought he was close to succeeding, the patient he was working with turned out to be genuinely insane.