Chapter 5

As Lian soaked in the warm bath, the scent of lavender and chamomile wafted through the air, attempting to calm his frazzled nerves. The sound of gently lapping water against the tub's edges created a soothing melody, but Lian's mind refused to quiet down. Jin's presence outside the bathroom door was a constant reminder that he was being watched, that his every move was being monitored.

Lian closed his eyes and tried to relax, letting the warmth seep into his bones. But his mind kept wandering back to his life as a pretender. How long could he keep up this charade? Would he ever be able to conceal his true identity for long? The thought of being discovered sent a shiver down his spine.

Thinking about it made Lian suddenly overwhelmed, so he decided to push away such thoughts for now. He focused on the sensation of the water, the smell of the bath salts, and the soft hum of the ventilation system. But his thoughts inevitably drifted back to his family, wondering if he would ever see them again. Were they safe? The thought of being separated from them forever was unbearable.

Lian's thoughts also turned to the outside world. Would he ever experience freedom again? Would he ever be able to walk outside of this mansion, feel the sun on his skin, and breathe fresh air? The idea of being trapped in this luxurious prison was suffocating.

The more Lian thought about his situation, the more anxious he became. He felt like he was living in a nightmare, with no escape in sight. Just as Lian was starting to feel overwhelmed, he heard a soft knock at the door.

"Miss Mei, are you okay in there?" Jin's voice was gentle, but Lian could sense a hint of concern.

Lian took a deep breath and tried to compose himself. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, trying to sound calm.

There was a pause, and then Jin spoke again. "I'll be right outside the door if you need anything, Miss Mei."

Lian nodded, even though Jin couldn't see him. He felt a strange sense of comfort knowing that Jin was there, watching over him.

As Lian finished his bath and got out, he wrapped himself in a plush towel and stepped into the huge walk-in closet. The room was a fashionista's paradise, with floor-to-ceiling shelves lined with exquisite gowns, dresses, and tops in every color of the rainbow.

The closet was immaculately organized, with each item carefully placed and spaced to maximize the available space. Lian's eyes widened as he scanned the room, taking in the sheer number of beautiful clothes on display.

He walked further into the closet, his feet sinking into the plush carpet. The air was filled with the scent of fresh fabric and the soft glow of LED lights highlighted the intricate details of each garment.

Lian's fingers trailed over the fabrics, feeling the softness of silk, the roughness of tweed, and the luxuriousness of velvet. He continued to explore the closet, discovering hidden compartments and secret drawers filled with delicate lingerie and sparkling jewelry.

As he walked, the sound of his footsteps echoed off the walls, and the soft rustle of fabrics filled the air. Lian felt like he was in a different world, one where beauty and luxury reigned supreme.

As Lian continued to explore the closet, he opened another door, and his eyes widened in awe. The room was filled with rows upon rows of shoes, bags, and accessories. The shelves were lined with designer labels, and the display cases sparkled with crystal and gold.

Lian's mouth dropped open as he scanned the room. He had never seen so many beautiful shoes and bags in his life. He walked further into the room, his eyes fixed on the stunning collection.

"If I were a girl, I would find this absolutely fascinating," Lian thought to himself. "But as it stands, I don't think I could wear all these clothes even in five years to come."

Lian's gaze lingered on a pair of Louboutins, their red soles gleaming in the light. He reached out a hand to touch them, feeling the smooth leather beneath his fingers.

Next to the shoes, a shelf displayed an array of designer handbags, each one more exquisite than the last. Lian's eyes widened as he took in the Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton logos.

Just as Lian was starting to feel overwhelmed, he heard Jin's voice from outside the closet. "Miss Mei, are you ready to get dressed?"

“Almost done.“ Lian replied as he walked out of the shoes room to figure out what to wear.

Lian stood in front of the closet, feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. He finally settled on a simple white sundress with floral patterns. It looked feminine and elegant, and Lian hoped it would be nice.

With the dress in hand, Lian began to think about how to put it on. He had never worn a dress before except when his mother helped him put on his engagement dress, and he felt a bit awkward.

Lian carefully put on the dress, trying to smooth out the fabric as he went. He fumbled with the buttons and zippers, feeling a bit clumsy.

As he looked in the mirror, Lian was surprised by his reflection. The dress looked lovely on him, and for a moment, he forgot that he was a man.

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THE LEE GROUP OF COMPANY

In a sleek, modern office, Julian Lee sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his eyes fixed on the city skyline outside the window. The sunlight streaming in highlighted the sharp angles of his face, and his piercing gaze seemed to bore into the glass.

Julian's assistant, Sophia, entered the room with a discreet knock. "Sir, I have the latest reports on Cheng's company," she said, handing him a folder.

Julian's gaze snapped back to the present, his interest piqued. He opened the folder and scanned the contents, his expression growing increasingly displeased.

"Cheng thinks he's rising to the top, but I'll bring him down," Julian muttered to himself, a plan already forming in his mind.

As he read on, Julian's anger grew. Cheng's company was gaining traction, and Julian saw it as a threat to his own empire. He couldn't let Cheng get ahead of him, not now, not when he was so close to securing a major deal.

"Sophia, we need to focus on securing that contract with Mr Creed tonight," Julian said, looking up at his assistant. "We can't let Cheng get his hands on it. Make sure I'm prepared for the dinner party. I want to know everything about Mr Creed's interests and preferences."

Sophia nodded, her face expressionless. "I've already prepared a briefing package for you, sir. Mr Creed is particularly interested in expanding his portfolio in the tech sector."

Julian nodded, his mind racing with strategies. "Good. Make sure I'm seated next to him at dinner. I want to be the first to pitch my proposal and secure that contract."

Sophia nodded again, her eyes flicking to her notes. "I'll make sure everything is in place, sir."

Julian closed the folder and leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "Sophia, I want you to find out everything you can about Cheng's dig up some dirt's it will be useful tonight," he said, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Sophia nodded and left the office, closing the door behind her. Julian watched her go, then turned his attention back to the city skyline.

A slow smirk spread across his face as he thought about the dinner party and the contract. "Tonight, I'll take a major step closer to bringing you down, Cheng," Julian thought to himself, his eyes glinting with determination.

He imagined the look on Cheng's face when he found out that Julian had secured the contract. It would be a blow to Cheng's ego and his business empire.

Julian's smirk grew wider as he savored the thought. He had been planning this moment for a long time, and he was ready to make his move.