Having him directly unlock the chain was convenient, but the price was too high. Easily swayed by his attractiveness, she couldn't guarantee she wouldn't fall for him.

So, a less aggressive approach was best. She’d start by understanding his inner thoughts. Once she knew what he was truly thinking, she was sure she could complete her mission.

He knew she would back down. Yue Linze glanced at her sideways. “What do you want to ask?”

Tao Yu hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “Are you keeping me locked up because you're angry with me?”

Love didn't breed resentment. Unless the loved one had done something to cause anger and pain, and those negative emotions persisted, resulting in lingering resentment.

“Something like that,” Yue Linze answered after a long pause, his gaze fixed on her.

Tao Yu, hearing the answer she’d expected, found her initial question replaced by a larger one. From the beginning, she'd shown Yue Linze nothing but affection, constantly striving to please him. She couldn't understand what she could have possibly done to provoke such intense resentment, resentment so profound it prevented the host personality from resurfacing.

Her voice was tinged with anxiety. “Can you tell me why?”

This question was technically against the rules. Yue Linze had told her to figure it out herself. But she’d seized the opportunity to ask anyway.

Her lips felt dry after she spoke. She carefully observed his every expression. When he remained silent, she quickly added, “It’s okay if you don’t want to answer. I can try to figure it out myself… I’m just not very clever, so you might have to give me some time.”

Yue Linze was the most enigmatic patient she’d ever encountered. She didn't dare push him too hard, afraid of further offending him, adding to the existing resentment.

“Are you that eager to know?” Yue Linze asked indifferently, dropping his calm facade. His gaze, sharp as a blade, sliced through her, making her heart tremble.

Tao Yu’s expression turned serious and sincere. “If you’re willing to tell me.”

Silence descended upon the room, a long, heavy silence. Their eyes locked, each searching for something in the other’s gaze.

Finally, Yue Linze’s cool fingers hooked under her chin, tilting her head further back, exposing the delicate curve of her neck.

Tao Yu swallowed, trying to remain compliant. The light fractured in her eyes, making them sparkle. Her expression was gentle, yet tinged with defiance.

“It’s this expression,” Yue Linze said, his gaze lingering on her face. His other hand brushed against her cheek. “You look so docile, as if you’ve been tamed. But I know it’s never truly you who’s been tamed.”

A moment of confusion, then a thought surfaced, shocking her. She stared at Yue Linze in disbelief.

How was that possible? She’d hidden it so well. How could he have possibly known?

“You told me.” The fingers pinching her earlobe tightened, only loosening when he saw her wince.

Tao Yu stared at him, bewildered. “When did I…?”

“Your eyes, your lips, your tone of voice, your subtle movements, every single detail tells me,” Yue Linze murmured, his lips curving into a smile. “You don’t love me, do you?”

His expression was tender, his voice soft and magnetic. His gaze, his tone, everything about him radiated affection. Yet, Tao Yu felt a chill run down her spine.

Her throat tightened. She wanted to deny it, to refute his words, but facing those eyes, she couldn't speak.

She hadn't expected him to see through her charade, to be so deeply wounded by her deception.

Yue Linze waited patiently, like a benevolent predator, allowing his prey to discover its own capture.

Finally, Tao Yu lowered her head, defeated. “I’m sorry.” No wonder the resentment lingered. It was all because of her misguided attempts to help.

She’d tried so hard, only to worsen his condition. A wave of despair washed over her.

Yue Linze tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze. After a long moment, he pulled her onto his lap, resting his head on her shoulder. “If you don’t love me, why are you so good to me?”

He smelled of the shower gel he’d used, a pleasant, lingering scent. Tao Yu’s body, initially stiff from the intimate position, gradually relaxed against him.

She pressed her lips together, gazing into his eyes. “If I lie now, will you see through it?”

Yue Linze didn't answer. Tao Yu gave a wry smile, jiggling the chain on her wrist. “Because I’m your doctor. I want to help you. It’s part of my treatment. But if I’d told you that from the start, you wouldn’t have believed me. I had no choice if I wanted to stay…”