?<strong>Chapter 327:</strong>


    The meal was delicious and aromatic, yet Shawn felt a deep annoyance when Katherine referred to him as “brother.” “Go ahead and eat,” he muttered, walking off to his room for a shower.


    The following day, as Katherine got ready to see Arlo, Shawn shadowed her, uneasy about how the meeting might unfold. He watched her change her outfit several times and spend extensive time on her makeup, barely managing to exchange a few words with him.


    Shawn had arranged for Katherine and Arlo to meet at a coffee shop beneath his office building. Arlo was somewhat confused about why he was there, but given that Shawn was his future boss, he didn’t protest.


    “So, you’re a researcher? How do you find the time to manage all your investments?” Katherine inquired, leaving Arlo bemused, though he did have a few small side businesses.


    “It’s actually not that much,” he answered.


    “Not that much?” Katherine retorted.


    Shawn intervened by pouring coffee for them, deftly steering the conversation elsewhere. Katherine asked again, “Do I look different from my pictures?”


    Arlo hesitated, admitting, “I’m sorry, I can’t recall seeing your photos.”


    “That’s alright. The ones I sent were edited. Now that we’re face-to-face, let’s be straightforward with each other.”


    Finding himself at a loss for words, Arlo asked, “Could there be some misunderstanding?”


    Katherine sighed. “Stop pretending. I admit, I was upset with you before. We were both young and reckless. I always wanted to start off as friends. Here’s my business card. Let’s make this our formal introduction.”


    Arlo epted her card, reading the name but without any recollection of her. “I don’t remember ever meeting you. I truly apologize.”


    A hint of disappointment showed on Katherine’s face, but she quickly recovered. “No worries. Let’s start getting to know each other now.”


    Arlo checked his watch and responded, “Sure. But I’m sorry, my lunch break is nearly over. I have to return to work.”


    It was obvious he was looking for a way out. Nevertheless, Katherine leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “What time do you finish work? Could you spare some timeter? I have several promising projects. Maybe you could help me with…”


    “Sorry, my schedule’s really unpredictable.”


    “Fine.” Katherine’s spirits fell as she stirred her coffee, watching Arlo depart.


    Shawn, who had been nursing his orange juice, finally spoke, “Didn’t I say? He’s not as wonderful as you imagined.”


    Katherine replied with a smile, “He’s quite decent. The greater the challenge, the more eager I am to tackle it!”


    “What’s your next move?”


    “I’m going to surprise him with ate-night snack!” Katherine said excitedly as she whipped out her phone.


    Shawn, unable to contain himself, grabbed her phone. “Katherine, isn’t this enough for you? Can’t you tell he’s not interested?”


    “Why are you so upset, Shawn? It’s not like I’m pursuing you.”


    Shawn let out a sigh. “I’m just afraid you’ll end up getting hurt.”


    “If I don’t make a move, nothing will ever happen!” Katherine snatched her phone back and started figuring out what snack to take to Arlo.


    Shawn sank back into the couch, his expression one of silent anguish.


    Later that night, he watched as Katherine went off to Arlo’s workce again. He sat with his assistant near the bridge, watching the brightly lit building, smoking one cigarette after another.


    “Mr. Watson, shouldn’t you just tell her the truth?” the assistant asked, popping open a can of beer.


    Shawn had considered revealing the truth to Katherine, but feared it might end their friendship. If she knew, what would be of them? At least now, he could remain close while she pursued another. But if he told her, would he still be able to keep her close?


    Katherine had made it clear she saw him as a brother. Pursuing her felt wrong. “I’ll think about it,” Shawn murmured.


    “If you keep waiting, she might find someone else!”


    Shawn took a long drag on his cigarette, trying to calm his nerves.


    The following day, Joelle and Adriannded. Shawn and Katherine headed to the airport to greet them. Back at the hotel, they all gathered to discuss the recent troubling developments with Rafael.


    Katherine said, “Shawn and I attended an event where Rafael was serving as a private doctor for an elderly man. Unexpectedly, the man died right there, and the police took Rafael in as the main suspect. He’s still locked up.”


    Joelle tensed up, clutching the arm of the sofa tightly as she heard about Rafael being detained. “Have you been able to see him?”


    Shawn sighed deeply. “We tried, but he wouldn’t meet with us. He even sent a message through someone else, telling us to think of him as gone.”


    “How could this happen?” Joelle whispered.


    Sitting next to her, Adrian asked in a calm tone, “Was the elderly man’s name Dalton Myers?”


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