?<strong>Chapter 331:</strong>


    The video ended, and the room fell silent.


    The sudden silence seemed to magnify the feeling of loneliness.


    When Adrian walked in, Joelle couldn’t resist voicing her feelings, saying, “These kids don’t miss me at all. They’re too busy having fun at the Finch’s.”


    “I miss you,” Adrian responded.


    Joelle bit her lip, mustered her resolve, and pushed the phone back towards Adrian. “Ugh! Can’t you find something better to say at your age?”


    Once again, Adrian found himself ousted. He feltpelled to call Jonathan.


    Why was following Jonathan’s advice not working and even making Joelle upset?


    It must be because Jonathan didn’t teach him properly.


    Shortly after, Katherine changed her outfit and reappeared. Noticing her from the couch, Shawn saw that her new dress really suited her. “Where are you off to?”


    As she sprayed her perfume, Katherine answered, “I’m off to a movie with Arlo.”


    Shawn caught a whiff of her strong perfume.


    Shawn tried to sound casual, saying, “Does he have time? Isn’t he busy with his research?”


    “Whatever.” Katherine tossed her hair back. “I’m not sure. But considering I’m beautiful and sexy, lively and cheerful, witty and humorous, isn’t it normal for men to take an interest in me?” Having said that, she grabbed her bag from the couch beside Shawn.


    “Shawn, I might not return tonight, so don’t wait up for me. Bye!” The door shut with a soft click.


    Shawn clenched the remote control in his hand, and after a brief pause, he hurled it to the floor in frustration.


    However, the floor was carpeted, and despite his effort, the remote barely made a sound.


    Not only did Arlo agree to have dinner with Katherine, but he even arrived at the hotel to pick her up.


    As soon as the elevator hit the lobby and the doors slid open, Katherine spotted him instantly.


    “Arlo!” Katherine rushed toward him excitedly. “Let’s go!” Even Arlo, who was usually slow to catch on, noticed her careful dressing today. “You look stunning today.”


    Katherine tilted her head and sped her hands behind her back. “Hmm? When do I not look beautiful?”


    “Ahem.” Arlo blushed, his ears turning red. Clearly, he struggled with social interactions and found it hard to keep up with Katherine’s remarks.


    Katherine was genuinely surprised.


    She recalled how open Frankie had seemed during their previous phone conversation.


    Perhaps it was just that all researchers tended to be a bit reserved.


    There was an old saying, shy in person, brave behind a screen. This was true for online dating as well; people often showed their real selves when they were behind a screen.


    As they approached where Arlo had parked his car, he swung the door open for her. “Get in.”


    Shawn hurried down the stairs just in time to see Katherine sliding into the passenger seat. They drove off,ughing and chatting as they passed him.


    Arlo had picked the restaurant. He mentioned that during his marriage, his wife had heard great things about this ce, so he decided to take her there.


    Every time his wife came to visit him in Bristania, it became a tradition for them to eat at this restaurant.


    But on herst visit, she confessed to having an affair right at that restaurant.


    In that moment, Arlo felt a profound sense of betrayal.


    His wife, tears streaming down her face, confessed, “Do you know? The first time we came here, I told you the food was awful.”


    Arlo, caught off guard, replied, “I don’t remember that.”


    “What do you recall? Your job? Your projects? Have you ever really remembered me? Arlo, I’m tired of this! If you had just shown you cared a bit, I wouldn’t have turned to someone else!”


    Half a yearter, the restaurant got a new chef, and the quality of the food improved, but by then, Arlo was already divorced.


    Listening to his story, Katherine’s face, lit by the candlelight, showed nothing but sympathy. “It’s not your fault. Long-distance rtionships are hard.”


    Arlo nodded. “That marriage made me reflect deeply. Perhaps I am as she described, too absorbed in my work. But that’s my passion. Even knowing this, I’m not willing to change.”


    Katherine leaned in, her voice soothing. “If you don’t want to change, then you shouldn’t. It’s natural for your rtionships to take a back seat with your busy career.”


    Arlo shifted away, deliberately creating space. “I just don’t have the capacity for a rtionship right now!” Katherine’s smile wavered. “What did you say?”


    Arlo said evenly, “You’re very beautiful and impressive. Your enthusiasm and confidence are truly captivating. But it often feels like you’re searching for someone else in me. I think we’re not right for each other.”


    “You’re dumping me again, aren’t you?” Katherine’s voice was clear, cutting through the piano music, drawing nces from other diners.


    Arlo stayed courteous, saying, “I’m not following what you mean.”


    “How long will you keep up this act?” Katherine’s expression darkened. “I’ve moved past our history, and now you want to end things again? What do you see me as?”


    Arlo’s life was dull, and his emotions were nd. It was rare for him to show a series of confused expressions.


    Despite his efforts, understanding Katherine was futile. From the start, he sensed she was like a stranger to him. Initially, he thought his memory was failing him, but now it appeared that Katherine might be living with some misconceptions.


    “I apologize, but I need to return to work. I’ve taken care of the bill, so please enjoy your meal.”


    .


    .


    .