It was understood that Lieu bought a luxury apartment at Argenta in the Mid-Levels for over HK$91 million back in 2014. The apartment with a floor area of about 2,200 square feet is now worth about HK$120 million.

Lieu, the sole owner of the apartment, was earlier spotted returning to the apartment alongside Chau.

Lieu then pawned the apartment to Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd, a subsidiary of investment holding company Melco International Development on November 4.

The company is currently chaired by Lawrence Ho Yau-lung, son of late casino king Stanley Ho Hung-sun.

It was understood that Lieu, now living in the UK, had signed an agreement to collect the loan to clear the debts of Chau's Suncity Group and that the loan terms were not specified on the document.

Lieu and Chau have three daughters and a son. After the couple reportedly broke up in 2019, Lieu moved to the UK with the children.