In the darkness, that familiar figure approached.

He carefully closed the door, slipped into house slippers, and walked straight toward Liana.

To her thrill, Mr. Hohenheim had actually brought back the props—the black case holding them.

Moonlight veiled the room. Gu Qinghan’s eyes gleamed in the dark, tugging at her heart.

“Miss Liana, my apologies for keeping you waiting.”

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly into a calm smile.

Liana parted her crimson lips; her eyes shimmered faintly in the night.

Unbidden, her heart raced. Her throat went dry.

Is it finally happening?

Was the more intense punishment truly about to begin?

Liana waited, breath held.

But what reached her ears were cold, low words—

“Miss Liana, after much thought today, I’ve made a decision.”

The man finally spoke, voice hoarse.

In the dark, his eyes shone like a silent moon, casting serene yet chilling light.

“I will set you free. Tonight.”

His voice cut like a blade, glinting with frost.

Before Liana could even smile, she froze.

Color drained from her face.

“Mr. Hohenheim… what did you just say?”

Her expression blank, she stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief.

“The interrogation ends here, Miss Liana,” Gu Qinghan repeated gently, smiling.

Liana’s gaze hollowed. A lightning strike of shock. Her delicate frame trembled slightly.

Five long days. Gu Qinghan’s teasing, his training—each time pushing her body to the brink of hypersensitivity.

It was so close.

She *knew* it.

Just one slight punishment.

One scolding word. One low command.

And she’d plunge into the deepest abyss—no turning back.

But *now*? Of all moments?!

This bastard… saying he’d stop?

What was this “stop-short” challenge?!

A hot surge pressed her chest. She gazed pleadingly at Gu Qinghan, lips parted, eyes glistening.

Gu Qinghan spoke again, apology softening his features:

“For the excesses I’ve committed these past days… I hope you can forgive me.”

Liana forced a faint smile, voice choked. “Has something happened?”

“Yes. Something serious.”

He sighed softly, pacing slowly across the creaking wooden floor—each step echoing like a heartbeat.

“The Inspection Brigade has begun focusing their investigation on Building 38.”

Liana stiffened.

“Tomorrow morning… they may search this very room.”

“We have little time left.”

With every word, her spirit sank. Her face paled.

Gu Qinghan halted before her. Moonlight streamed through the window. He looked down, calm.

“In these final moments… I won’t use extreme methods on you anymore.”

Liana stared. Opened her mouth. Closed it.

“Extreme?” she murmured, head bowed.

She didn’t find them extreme.

They were *insufficient*!

*Use more force!* she wanted to scream.

But seeing his weary face, his tired eyes—she knew words were useless.

“Heh.”

Biting her lip, she lifted her chin, glaring up at him. “You expect me to believe that?”

“Your mouth says no… but your body’s honest. Planning something dirtier, aren’t you?”

Her eyes flickered. Her body trembled slightly.

Gu Qinghan blinked, then showed faint embarrassment. “Miss Liana… why would you think that?”

“Heh.”

Her gaze swept over him, landing on his hands.

“You say you’ll free me… yet deliberately bring back the black case full of props?”

“Do you truly think I’d believe that?”

Gu Qinghan paused, then gave a wry smile.

Silence lingered between them like a ghost.

After a long moment, he sighed. “Nothing escapes Miss Liana’s eyes…”

With a tired smile, he tore the seal off the cardboard box.

Liana’s gaze burned, locked on the gap. Moonlight revealed faint outlines within.

The props lay still.

Her blood began to simmer.

*Finally… using them on me?*

Her breath grew heavy. Skin flushed, hypersensitive.

*Five days… Do you have any idea what I’ve endured?!*

“Miss Liana,” Gu Qinghan bowed slightly, voice polite. “Please allow me one final struggle.”

“Less than seven hours remain until eight tomorrow morning.”

“Until then, I’ll challenge you my way—to face your true self.”

“For instance… to grant you freedom.”

Liana blinked, confused.

*Eh?*

*Not… ravaging my body?*

A chill of foreboding sprouted in her chest.

Ignoring her doubt, Gu Qinghan reached in and pulled out a scented quill.

Liana’s eyes locked onto it.

Unusual. The feather’s tip was wrapped with something.

He tugged—and revealed a black whip knotted tightly to it.

Another prop. Then a candle. A steel nail embedded in its base. A magnetic clamp.

Dozens of props linked end-to-end like a serpent. A centipede of desire.

Chills crawled up her spine.

“These are magic-infused devices—specially chosen, costly.”

“Do you know why I selected magic-powered ones?”

Smiling, he grasped the rope at the serpent’s tail and tied it to her handcuffs.

The dozen-meter “centipede” slithered across the floor, its head “biting” her wrist.

Props and body connected—but not as she dreamed.

“To simplify evidence disposal.”

He pulled out one last item: a bottle of viscous, purplish-black potion. Moonlight glinted off the glass. Eerie.

“Anti-Magic Potion, Level 2. Destroys magic-item vessels.”

He uncorked it, sprinkling the liquid evenly over every prop.

“Starting now, I’ll destroy them—from the quill onward.”

“You have under seven hours to reflect.”

“In seven hours, all props vanish—including the magic shackles on your wrists.”

He struck a match. A weary smile.

“Once free, if you hate my actions… go to the church tomorrow. Let me bear the scorn. I deserve it.”

“But if you wish for something else… wait for me.”

“I will return on time. Free you from this twisted body. Return you to the one you love.”

“I swear on my life to protect the life you desire.”

The match spiraled down, its faint glow catching Liana’s eyes.

At the centipede’s head, the quill—drenched in potion—began glowing, light devouring the dark.

Final countdown: seven hours.

The true struggle had only just begun.