Remembering this, and then looking at the bath towel precariously clinging to Yue Linze's hips, understanding dawned. A wave of shock washed over her. "You... you don't have to go this far..."

Where had she gone wrong? Why was Yue Linze suddenly acting like he was about to offer himself to her? Hadn't he shown no interest in her before?

Tao Yu's mind raced, confused by the sudden turn of events. Not only was her mission unfinished, but Yue Linze was now seemingly intent on becoming intimate with her.

Had the world gone mad while she was unconscious?

Seeing her stunned expression, a hint of amusement flickered in Yue Linze's eyes. He leaned down, pressing her onto the bed, his body hovering over hers.

Tao Yu snapped back to reality, her hands instinctively pushing against his chest. The warmth of his heartbeat pulsed against her palms, traveling up to her brain. She realized her posture looked far too much like playful resistance. As if shocked, she quickly pulled her hands back.

"Sir, please calm down," she stammered, her eyes darting around the room, landing everywhere but on him. Everywhere she looked, she saw toned, powerful muscles, making it impossible to find a comfortable place to rest her gaze.

"You sacrificed so much for me. Wasn't it all for this moment?" Yue Linze's dark eyes held hers captive, like a predator fixated on its long-sought prey.

She was his. Watching the blush creep up her cheeks, Yue Linze held no doubt about this.

When had it begun? When she'd taken it upon herself to dismiss Zhou Yanran? Or when she'd spent an entire morning in the rehabilitation room, afraid to wake him? Perhaps it was when she'd shielded him from that falling cup...

Yue Linze couldn't pinpoint the exact moment, so he didn't dwell on it. It was enough to know that she belonged to him.

Having conducted countless therapy sessions alongside doctors, Tao Yu recognized the meaning in his gaze. She'd seen too many patients with psychological issues fall for their compassionate therapists, but she never imagined Yue Linze would become one of them.

When had his feelings developed? It was all so sudden!

Panic seized her. Yue Linze was unlike any patient she'd encountered before. He was dangerous, unfathomable, and moody. She could never predict his next move, making it impossible to adjust her therapeutic approach as she would with other patients.

Noticing her distraction, a flicker of displeasure crossed Yue Linze's eyes. His right hand gripped her chin, the cool touch snapping Tao Yu back to attention. Satisfied, he said softly, "Cat got your tongue?"

Tao Yu thought, Where did I even remotely express happiness?

His thumb gently caressed her delicate chin, then slowly moved upwards, resting on her reddened lips.

A mixture of ticklishness and awkwardness washed over her. She flinched, failing to evade his touch. Forcing a smile, she said stiffly, "Sir, aren't you tired holding yourself up like this? Why don't you rest for a bit?"

Yue Linze stared at her for a long moment. Just when Tao Yu braced herself for an outburst, he lowered his gaze. "I am tired."

Tao Yu breathed a sigh of relief, planning to make a quick escape as soon as he moved. She needed to devise a new treatment plan, one that maintained a safe distance.

She'd barely formed the thought when she felt a sudden weight on her body, a surprised squeak escaping her lips. Staring at Yue Linze, now lying on top of her, she exclaimed, "What are you doing?!"

"You told me to rest," he replied casually, twirling a strand of her hair around his finger.

I told you to rest, not on me! Please, go back to your plank position! Tao Yu's inner voice roared. Maintaining a calm facade, she said, "Mr. Yue, I think we need to talk."

"Call me Sir."

"Huh?" Tao Yu frowned.

Yue Linze's gaze met her innocent, confused eyes. After a pause, he said softly, "In bed, I prefer you to call me Sir."

Tao Yu froze, a blush flooding her cheeks. She opened her mouth, finally managing to stammer, "How did you know...?" Her words trailed off as she remembered the butterfly brooch. If it could transmit her voice, it could surely eavesdrop as well.

"Guessed?" Yue Linze's gaze shifted from her flushed lips to the top button of her blouse, a pale linen shirt buttoned all the way up, the picture of propriety.

Such propriety was a tempting thing to unravel. Yue Linze glanced at Tao Yu's face, confirming her continued nervousness. He masked his true intentions as his long fingers slowly began to unbutton her shirt.

Tao Yu was still reeling from the realization that she'd been overheard. If he'd heard that, then he'd also heard her entire conversation with Zhou Yanran, including all the fabricated stories about him in bed... She wanted to disappear. Her carefully crafted image of elegance and intellect was shattered.

Recalling the things she'd said about him, she cringed. "When did you start listening in?" she asked, a flicker of hope in her eyes. Surely, given Yue Linze's personality, if he'd heard her talking about him...

"Curious?" Yue Linze glanced at her.

Tao Yu nodded eagerly. A smirk played on Yue Linze's lips as he dropped a bombshell, "When you went to see Gu Yansheng."

"...." 

So, when she was ranting about him...

"I heard it," Yue Linze confirmed, as if reading her mind.

Tao Yu choked back a laugh. "Should I be grateful you didn't fire me?" She'd been careless, falling right into his trap. Thankfully, he didn't seem to mind. Otherwise, she'd be in serious trouble.

Yue Linze's smile widened slightly. If he hadn't heard her subsequent arguments with Gu Yansheng and Zhou Yanran, she would have paid a hefty price for her words.