As dawn broke over the Tang villa, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold, Zhao Liang lay awake, his mind churning with schemes and calculations. Beside him, Yang Mei slept peacefully, unaware of the treacherous thoughts swirling in her husband's head.
Zhao Liang's eyes narrowed as he gazed at his sleeping wife. She had served her purpose well so far, providing the biological connection to Tang Ziyi that had gotten them this far. But in Zhao Liang's grand plan, Yang Mei was ultimately expendable.
He rose silently from the bed, careful not to disturb Yang Mei, and made his way to the ensuite bathroom. Locking the door behind him, Zhao Liang pulled out a burner phone he had kept hidden from everyone, even his wife. He dialed a number from memory, speaking in hushed tones when the call connected.
"It's me," he whispered. "I need you to start making preparations. The endgame is approaching faster than we anticipated."
