Chapter 2: The Wrong Man

The sound of Catherine's heels echoed across the polished floor as she walked toward the mysterious man.

Every step made Freya more nervous.

"Cathy... are you seriously doing this?"

"I've never been more serious," Catherine replied without looking back.

"If Ethan wants to become my ex-boyfriend... then I'll become his aunt."

Freya covered her face.

"This is either the smartest revenge plan ever... or the worst decision of your life."

Catherine stopped beside the man's table.

He still hadn't opened his eyes.

One hand rested casually on the arm of the sofa while the other loosely held a crystal glass filled with whiskey.

Even sitting there silently, his presence demanded attention.

"Hello," Catherine said with a smile.

The man slowly opened his eyes.

The moment their gazes met, Catherine froze.

His eyes were unlike anything she had ever seen.

Cold.

Sharp.

Almost intimidating.

"Can I help you?" he asked calmly.

His deep voice sent an unexpected shiver through her.

For a brief second, Catherine almost lost her courage.

Then she remembered Ethan.

Rebecca.

Her parents.

The humiliation.

She forced herself to smile again.

"Actually... I was wondering if I could buy you a drink."

The man raised an eyebrow.

"You're flirting with me?"

"Very obviously."

He looked at her for several seconds before replying.

"Why?"

"Because you're handsome."

"And because I suddenly realized I like mature men."

The corner of his lips lifted slightly.

"Interesting answer."

"Would you like another one?" Catherine asked boldly.

"Go ahead."

"I'm recently single."

"My ex-boyfriend betrayed me."

"So I decided to find someone much better than him."

The man quietly studied her expression.

"And you think that's me?"

"Definitely."

"You already look more reliable than he ever was."

For the first time that evening, the man actually smiled.

It was faint.

Almost impossible to notice.

But Catherine caught it.

"Sit down," he said.

"Thank you."

She immediately sat opposite him.

Several waiters exchanged surprised looks.

No woman had ever dared approach this man before.

Yet here she was, chatting with him as though they had known each other for years.

"What's your name?" Catherine asked.

"Shaun."

"Just Shaun?"

"Isn't one name enough?"

She laughed.

"Fair point."

"I'm Catherine."

"Nice to meet you, Shaun."

"Likewise."

Silence settled between them.

It wasn't awkward.

It was strangely comfortable.

"You said someone betrayed you," Shaun said after a moment.

"Do you still love him?"

Catherine stared at the whiskey in front of her.

"I loved the man I thought he was."

"Not the man he turned out to be."

"There's a difference."

Shaun nodded slightly.

"You're more sensible than most people after a breakup."

"Trust me," Catherine replied with a bitter smile.

"I'm only pretending to be calm."

"Inside, I want revenge."

"Revenge rarely brings happiness."

"Maybe not."

"But it'll bring satisfaction."

Shaun couldn't help chuckling softly.

"You're honest."

"Too honest sometimes."

"Good."

"I dislike people who hide behind masks."

Catherine looked at him curiously.

"Then why does it feel like you're wearing one?"

For the first time, Shaun looked genuinely surprised.

"What makes you think that?"

"Your eyes."

"They look lonely."

"Like you've spent a long time pretending not to care about anything."

Shaun remained silent.

No one had ever described him that way before.

"Maybe you're right," he admitted quietly.

Freya watched everything from across the room.

"Unbelievable..." she muttered.

"They're actually having a conversation."

Nearly an hour passed.

Catherine had forgotten she came here to cry.

Talking to Shaun somehow made the pain feel lighter.

"Well," she said while standing up.

"I should probably go before I embarrass myself any further."

"You're leaving already?"

"Unless you're inviting me to stay."

"I am."

She blinked.

"Really?"

"Have dinner with me tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I'm curious about you."

Catherine smiled brightly.

"Then it's a date."

"Good."

He reached into his pocket and handed her a business card.

"Call me when you arrive."

She accepted it without looking closely.

"See you tomorrow, Uncle Shaun."

The moment those words left her mouth, Shaun frowned slightly.

"Uncle?"

"Yes."

"You're Ethan Lowe's uncle, aren't you?"

Shaun stared at her for several seconds.

Then, instead of correcting her...

He simply replied,

"Perhaps."

Catherine grinned.

"Perfect."

"See you tomorrow."

She happily walked back toward Freya.

The moment she disappeared from sight, a man in a gray suit approached Shaun respectfully.

"Mr. Hill," the man said.

"Should I investigate Miss Jones?"

Shaun's eyes remained fixed on the exit.

"Yes."

"Find out everything about her."

"Also..."

"She called you Ethan Lowe's uncle," the assistant reminded him carefully.

"I know."

"Shouldn't we correct her misunderstanding?"

Shaun slowly picked up his whiskey.

A mysterious smile appeared on his face.

"Not yet."

"Let's see how long this misunderstanding lasts."

Outside the pub, Catherine hugged Freya excitedly.

"It worked!"

"He even asked me out tomorrow!"

Freya still looked shocked.

"Cathy... I have a strange feeling about this."

"What feeling?"

"That incredibly handsome man..."

"Might be far more dangerous than Ethan ever was."