She quickly gathered the fabric to her chest, remembering the most pressing issue wasn't explaining her insults or dealing with Yue Linze's emotional state, but preventing herself from being devoured by this wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Mr. Yue! Wait! Let's talk!" Her mind raced, searching for a solution that wouldn't offend him or require her to make any sacrifices.

While she knew her consciousness was connected to his mind, and any actions wouldn't affect her in reality, she couldn't bring herself to cross that line.

No matter how normal Yue Linze appeared, he was still a patient to her. For a therapist to lose control and allow a patient to fall in love with them was a breach of professional ethics, let alone engaging in a physical relationship.

Even though her primary consciousness wouldn't remember anything after completing this mission, she would. She couldn't reconcile it with her conscience.

The thought of being intimate with a patient was unsettling, even if he was handsome, wealthy, and someone she could never hope to attain in real life.

Unaware of her inner turmoil, Yue Linze's patience finally wore thin. Gripping the back of her neck, he kissed her, eliminating the last bit of space between them. One bare-chested, the other with only a thin layer of protection, their body heat mingled instantly.

She froze, staring at his handsome features magnified at close range. She was about to protest when he sensed her intention. His grip tightened, instantly immobilizing her.

He began by gently nibbling her full lips, then, no longer content with surface contact, he deepened the kiss, his movements possessive and determined, though slightly clumsy.

At first, Tao Yu offered slight resistance, but with each attempt, his assault intensified, as if he meant to consume her whole. His hand remained firmly on her neck, forcing her to accept his every intimacy. Gradually, her resistance faded.

Under his relentless onslaught, her eyes glazed over, even offering a couple of involuntary responses.

The temperature in the room continued to rise. Yue Linze grew restless with just kissing. His free hand moved to her chest. The cool touch, even through fabric and skin, sent a jolt through Tao Yu. She snapped back to awareness, meeting his passionate gaze. She quickly turned her head, pushing against him.

Yue Linze shot her a displeased look and captured both her restless hands, pinning them above her head. Kissing her lips, he murmured, "Don't move."

Perhaps it was the atmosphere, but Yue Linze's voice, usually laced with coldness, now held a warmth. But Tao Yu didn't want his warmth; she knew it could burn her to ashes.

Embracing the rebellious spirit of playing dead, Tao Yu immediately moved. He responded by nipping her lip. Tao Yu gasped, staring at him in disbelief. Was he a dog?!

Seeing her stillness return, Yue Linze shifted his attention, trailing kisses down her delicate neck, pausing at her collarbone.

He seemed particularly drawn to her ear, burying his face in the crook of her neck, his lips lingering there. Tao Yu endured the strange sensations coursing through her body, lying stiffly on the bed. "Mr. Yue, please get up. I don't think this is appropriate."

She was truly dedicated to her job. Even at this point, she hadn't kicked away her s3xually harassing client but was instead trying to reason with him.

Yue Linze's response was to nip at her ear. Tao Yu yelped, her brows furrowing in a nascent scolding, only for him to soothe the bite with a kiss.

Speechless, Tao Yu recognized the lack of reason in his eyes. Her only recourse was to struggle, to escape this predatory room.

Finally annoyed by her resistance, Yue Linze tightened his grip, stilling her struggles.

Close to tears, Tao Yu pleaded, "Mr. Yue, I'm a doctor. A doctor's fundamental ethical responsibility is to avoid inappropriate relationships with patients. Even though I like you, please understand…"

Before she could finish, Yue Linze's hand slipped between her back and the sheets, unfastening the clasp of her bra.

A sudden looseness at her chest sent a wave of panic through Tao Yu. Her words tumbled out even faster. "Mr. Yue, please respect me! Even though I like you, I have principles. If I sleep with you like this, what kind of person would I be? I'm very conservative!"

She deliberately raised her voice, her righteous refusal echoing in the room, hoping her virtuous aura might sway him.

Yue Linze sat up, towering over her. He didn't put his full weight on her legs, holding himself taut. His already prominent abs were now even more defined, a sculpted landscape before Tao Yu's eyes.

The bath towel precariously draped around him, shielding only the essentials, hinted at the vibrant life force beneath.

Heat flooded Tao Yu's cheeks. She coughed, averting her gaze. "Mr. Yue, you're a man of means. You'll marry someone of your own social standing. What will happen to a conservative woman like me then? Left alone with a ruined life?"

She delivered her impassioned plea with such dramatic flair, she almost cringed at her own performance. She snuck a glance at Yue Linze, her heart pounding.

If this didn't work, she'd have to resort to drastic measures. Her career, barely begun, would be tainted. And if, by some minuscule chance, Yue Linze ever remembered what his alternate personality did in these moments of dissociation, she wouldn't even be able to remain as his assistant.

This thought widened her eyes. She looked at him with utter sincerity, hoping for mercy.

Yue Linze met her gaze, his expression unreadable. The air around him grew colder, making Tao Yu shrink back, second-guessing her speech. It sounded sincere enough. Surely, he hadn't detected any deception.

Was he angry at her rejection? Did that mean his interest was purely physical, not deep enough to consider her emotional needs?