*Chapter 32: The Price of Silence*
The rain tapped gently against the penthouse windows, a rhythm Li Xue had come to cling to — a reminder that the world outside still moved freely. Zhao Liang's voice cut through the sound, sharp and calculated.
"You've been avoiding public events." His gaze lingered on her, unwavering. "Clause 3 states you must attend family and corporate functions as my wife. Failure means penalty."
Li Xue's stomach sank. She hated the glittering gatherings where she stood like a fragile ornament, smiling while whispers slithered behind her back. The orphan bride… the contract wife… The words never left the air.
"I don't feel well most nights," she said softly.
"Then learn to smile through it," Zhao Liang replied without mercy. "Your discomfort doesn't void the agreement."
Her silence was her only shield. To argue meant giving him another chance to recite those clauses like a sermon. To resist meant debt she could never repay.
Meanwhile, Shen Wei barged in, tossing his coat aside with his usual swagger. "Zhao Liang, your empire can wait — Han Qiang and I are starving. Dinner?"
Han Qiang followed, carrying documents in one hand and shaking his head. "You only think about food. Some CEO you are."
Their banter filled the space, pulling Zhao Liang briefly away from his icy focus. Watching them, Li Xue felt a pang of longing. Their lives revolved around ambitions, deals, and camaraderie. Hers revolved around survival.
As laughter spilled across the room, she pressed her hands against her lap, hiding their tremble. She had once believed marriage meant partnership. Now she realized it could also mean prison — one sealed with signatures and silence