When Walter caught Natalie in his arms, his gaze was warm, his smile soft, and his tone gentle.


    Having starred in countless roles as a couple with Shawn, Celeste didn''t need much to recognize the look in Walter''s eyes-he had feelings for Natalie.


    Her gaze flicked to Shawn, whoseposed demeanor faltered as a hint of disappointment shed through his eyes.


    "Mr. Watson, nice to meet you," Celeste said, extending her hand with a yful grin.


    "Ms. Kennedy, pleasure''s mine," Walter replied, shaking her hand before turning to Shawn. "And you must be Mr. Haines. Good to meet you."


    "Good to meet you too," Shawn said, shaking hands briefly before stepping back, his quiet presence making him almost blend into the background.


    "Alright, let''s grab dinner!" Celeste chirped, her lively voice breaking the tension. She pulled Natalie from Walter''s side, leaning close to whisper, "Is he your boyfriend?"


    Natalie shook her head. "No, he is just a good friend. We grew up together."


    "Oh, childhood friends, huh? Sounds like a ssic love story," Celeste teased with


    a sly smile, but her eyes flicked to Shawn, who was trying hard to keep his emotions in check.


    Shawn tugged at Celeste''s sleeve, giving her a subtle look. Celeste raised an eyebrow and smirked knowingly. She gave him a wink that implied, "I''m setting this up for you. Don''t blow it."


    Shawn sighed silently.


    Their little interaction didn''t escape Walter''s and Natalie''s notice. Natalie frowned slightly, wondering what was happening, but Walter gently took her hand before she could ask.


    "Yes, Natalie and I are childhood friends," Walter said, his voice steady butced with an unexpected softness. "I used to have a crush on her, but the Langleys arranged for her to marry someone else. So, I kept my feelings to myself."


    Natalie looked at him in disbelief. Walter, always calm andposed, now wore an uncharacteristically tender expression. His normally taut lips curved into a rare, warm smile.


    "And now that she''s no longer engaged," Walter continued, his eyes fixed on Natalie, "I think it''s time I pursued her properly."


    "Can I, Natalie?" His voice was gentle, but the intensity in his gaze was undeniable.


    Natalie froze for a moment before responding, "You''re already holding my hand. Doesn''t that mean you''ve already started?"


    Turning toward Shawn and Celeste, she said, "This is Walter, my childhood friend —and as of now, my boyfriend." Then, she looked at Walter, "And this is my cousin, Celeste, and her friend, Shawn."


    The introductions hung in the air, but Shawn forced a smile. "Congrattions to both of you. I didn''t expect to witness the start of a new romance today."


    His tone was polite, but the strain behind his words was evident.


    "Let''s eat to celebrate!" Celeste interjected, trying to lighten the mood.


    Walter, still holding Natalie''s hand, led the way. "Dinner''s on me."


    ????


    ???.]


    Natalie held his hand just like this when they were kids and brought him out of the orphanage to the Langley residence. However, his time with the Langleys had been brief before Grace sent him away to a specialized school.


    As they walked, Walter gently squeezed Natalie''s hand and gave her a small, reassuring smile. Natalie returned the gesture, their unspoken understanding keeping their facade intact.


    Near Silver Coast Beach, there was amercial street lined with seafood restaurants and shops featuring local delicacies.


    Neither Walter nor Natalie had


    visited Dithoria State often, and even when they did, it was always a quick in-and-out for business. They didn''t know much about the local culture or cuisine.


    As for Celeste, she was the heiress of the Kennedy family, born and raised with every luxury. Others always handled her daily needs, and even when she studied abroad for college, she had housekeepers and attendants to care for her.


    She wasn''t particrly familiar with Dithoria either, especially the coastal areas.


    Celeste turned to Shawn. She asked, "Shawn, I heard you live around here. Do you know any good ces to eat?"


    Shawn replied, "Yeah, there are some nearby."


    "But I didn''t grow up here," Shawn added in a slightly muffled tone. "I was raised in Amberton."


    "Oh, you grew up in Amberton? What a coincidence! Nat was raised in Amberton, too, and so was Mr. Watson," Celeste said with a smile. "I guess it really is fate." Shawn''s expression turned a little bitter as he said, "Yeah, it really is fate."


    Celeste then leaned toward Shawn, whispering, "Don''t worry. I don''t think they''re actually dating. Did you see how calm she was? No spark, no excitement. It''s totally fake."


    Shawn''s eyes lit up, hope flickering back. "Really?"


    "Shawn, we''ve done enough romantic scenes together. You think I can''t tell what''s real and what''s staged?" Celeste replied confidently.


    Relieved, Shawn rxed slightly, though he said nothing more.


    As the group continued walking, Walter suddenly stopped and turned. "Someone''s taking pictures of us," he said quietly, looking at Celeste and Shawn.


    "Two celebrities walking through a public area with a crowd? Yeah, that''ll do it," he added with a faint smile. "We should probably split up."


    Before Celeste or Shawn could respond, Walter tightened his grip on Natalie''s hand and pulled her into a run, weaving through the crowd until they disappeared.


    "Hey! Wait!" Celeste called after them, but it was toote.


    Her phone buzzed just then, and she answered it.


    "Celeste!" her manager''s voice practically screamed through the line. "You and Shawn are trending-again! And this time, it''s for a love quadrangle. What the hell is going on?"