A reflective silence unfurled, finally fractured by Barlow's admission.

“No, that's not it. Kennedi probably approached Karina because she considers her more approachable than you."

Rosalynn was surprised.

More approachable than her?

“So, you're implying Kennedi perceives me as a rival in love and assumes you're courting me?"

No wonder there was something strange with the way Kennedi looked at her the other night.

So that was the reason.

“Isn't it? I am indeed courting you." Barlow's teasing grin resurfaced.

Rosalynn stared at him intently.

"You're not pursuing me at all. Who are you, really, Barlow?"

She had seen glimpses of the enigmatic Layers hidden beneath his boyish charm. There was more to him than met the eye.

“I'm just an ordinary man." His answer, as cryptic as ever, only heightened her curiosity further.

Taking a direct shot, Rosalynn demanded, "Kennedi claimed you deliberately approached her, causing her family's downfall. Is that true?”

Barlow's grip on the wine glass tightened, his knuckles whitening.

After a moment's pause, he replied, "Kennedi's father committed crimes.

Her family would've faced ruin even without my interference."

A light bulb flickered on in Rosalynn's mind.

“Are you a police officer?"

Hutton had once confided that his investigations into Barlow curiously uncovered no past, which left her grappling with more questions than answers.

Could he be a cop?

“I wanted to be a cop, but I have a criminal record." A glimmer of regret danced in his eyes.

“So, are you a police informant?" Rosalynn probed further.