I am hoping for a lot of character development

The ML is only loosening the reins enough to keep her satisfied, but he isn't treating her as an equal, but instead sheltering her as much as possible. Though he has good grounds to do so, she is incredibly naive. She didn't read any of the body language of the creep senior while he's pulling her close and hugging her in front of her husband. She is purely a damsel in distress, and i think she's recognising that now. Hopefully she changes now, and asserts herself as his equal