Love may be priceless, but in China, a businesswoman has learned the hard way that it can cost millions and still end in heartbreak.

The businesswoman in Chongqing, surnamed Zhu, fell for her much younger married subordinate, He. Smitten, she paid three million yuan (Rs 3.72 crore) to facilitate his divorce and compensate his wife, Chen. The deal was simple: Chen would walk away with money for herself and child-rearing expenses, while Zhu and He could start fresh together.

For a year, the pair lived as lovers. But soon, reality replaced infatuation when Zhu realised she and He were not compatible after all. Their romance fizzled and suddenly, she wanted her money back.

Taking her lover and his former wife to court, Zhu demanded the return of the funds. At first, the court sided with her

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