?<strong>Chapter 326:</strong>


    Shawn stood before Arlo, pleading earnestly, “Please give us a chance! We’ll ept any conditions you set!”


    Katherine found it difficult to watch Shawn grovel. She admired strength and usually chose boyfriends who were strong and supportive, unlike Shawn’s current disy of weakness.


    Katherine first set the table with dishes. She then stepped away to change her outfit and touch up her makeup, opting for a particrly bold lipstick shade she hadn’t worn before. She had noticed earlier how attractive Frankie was—definitely a catch.


    After Shawn wrapped up his talk with Arlo, they left the private room. Katherine strutted over confidently in her high heels. She looped her arm through Shawn’s, who looked confused by her bold move.


    With a smile, Katherine reached out to Arlo. “Hello, I’m Ke.” Shawn quickly picked up on what she was doing. Katherine watched closely for any change in Arlo’s expression. Feeling nervous? Worried? Intimidated? Good, he deserved a bit of unease!


    Arlo offered his hand. “I’m Arlo Todd.”


    “Arlo Todd?” Katherine’s smile held a hint of intrigue. “Mr. Todd, surely you go by another name, don’t you?”


    “Ahem!” Shawn cut in. “Katherine, Arlo has work to get back to. We should leave.”


    “I need to ask him something!”


    “Don’t!” Shawn quickly pulled her out and pushed her into the car.


    Once inside, Katherine confronted him. “You knew Frankie before, didn’t you?”


    Shawn climbed into the car, anxiously adjusting his tie. “I only met him recently.”


    “Why didn’t you tell me?”


    “Why needed I?” Shawn retorted, ncing at her. “You two had just an online thing. An online fling! It’s hardly a real rtionship! Did you actually fall for him?”


    “Shawn.” Katherine struggled to hold back her tears. Compared to her anger a moment ago, her current calmness was even more heartbreaking.


    “Have you ever felt that? Coming home tired, to someone who cares, who asks about your day, if you’re worn out from work? Have you ever constantly thought of someone, eager to share every experience with them? No matter the time or the wait, they always reply, never letting you down?” Shawn’s initial anger began to subside. “I have.”


    For the first time in their rtionship, he looked at her with genuine intensity.


    Katherine sniffled, and Shawn gently wiped her tears away. “But it’s all an illusion. We’re all just lonely. He might not be the catch you think he is.”


    Katherine looked down. “I understand. But I need to know, what’s wrong with me? Why did he end things so abruptly?”


    “There’s nothing wrong with you,” Shawn reassured her as he gently held her face. “You’re wonderful. You deserve someone better, someone who offers a genuine connection.”


    Katherine experienced a fleeting sense of familiarity mixed with novelty from Shawn’s gesture. But the feeling passed quickly, and she couldn’t quite grasp it.


    “Shawn, your hand.”


    He quickly pulled his hand back. “Sorry!”


    “It’s fine.” Katherine leaned back, feeling a bit awkward. Silence filled the car for the rest of the drive home.


    Upon arriving at the suite, they each went their separate ways. It wasn’t until the assistant served dinner that evening that they found themselves at the same table again.


    “Is Arlo married?” Katherine broke the silence with her question. It was the first thing she had said to him since their return. Shawn remained expressionless. “He was, but now he’s divorced.”


    Married, just as Frankie had mentioned.


    “Why did they split?” she asked.


    Shawn decided it was best to be upfront rather than have her piece together the storyter. “He and his wife lived mostly apart, and he tends to keep to himself. His wife had an affair.”


    “Okay.” Katherine bowed her head, took a few bites, then raised her eyes again. “Shawn, could you set up a meeting with him?”


    “What are you nning?”


    “He’s single, I’m single. What do you think?”


    Shawn asked, “Katherine, don’t you think you should have a little more self-respect?”


    Katherine retorted, “I do have self-respect; consider who Frankie is. A titan in the investment sphere, even listed among the global elite! If we were together, wouldn’t I have ess to all his resources?”


    “You’re just interested in his wealth?”


    Katherine crossed her legs, thinking back to their encounter earlier. “He’s also just my type.”


    With frustration, Shawn snapped his disposable fork in half. Katherine didn’t understand. “Why does this upset you? It’s my life.”


    Shawn took a deep breath, picked up a new fork, and continued eating. “Do what you want.”


    “You’re okay with it?”


    “Do I have any reason to object? You’re not my real sister; I can’t dictate your choices.”


    “Don’t talk like that! I’ve always thought of you as my brother!” Katherine attempted to mend the rift by offering him a piece of meat.


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