*Chapter 53: Hidden Threads*
The penthouse was quiet when Zhao Liang returned late. He didn't speak at first, merely observing Li Xue as she quietly studied. A simple glance from him made her freeze, heart racing.
"You're slow," he said softly, almost casually. Yet every word was loaded with power. "If you can't meet expectations, you know the consequences."
Li Xue nodded silently. Clause after clause, penalty after penalty — ink and paper bound her more tightly than walls or locks.
Meanwhile, Shen Wei and Mei Yan shared a brief moment at a café, laughter mingling with sorrow. Han Qiang called Shen Wei later, joking about missing meetings but masking frustration over a failed investment. Life outside the penthouse was messy, real, and unpredictable — a stark contrast to Li Xue's controlled cage.