Kieran's appearance there didn't seem to indicate that he intended to join in or deliberately stir up trouble.
Looking at Celeste, he spoke in a familiar tone, "Going out for a meal with Mr. Harper?"
Celeste replied, "Mm."
"You'll be coming back later, right?"
"Yes."
She still had some things to take care of and needed to return to handle them.
Kieran nodded. "Alright, I'll come find you later then."
With that, he didn't say anything more. After glancing at Beck, he turned and walked away.
Beck knew that Kieran was actually provoking him.
He was showing him that while Beck had to go through a lot just to get Celeste to agree to meet, Kieran was already very familiar with many aspects of her life and had plenty of chances to be around her.
He had no need to play any petty tricks to get in the way of whatever was happening between them.
But faced with Kieran's provocation, Beck wasn't angry or anxious.
As it stood now, Celeste didn't seem to have romantic feelings for either of them. So, at most, he and Kieran were just the pot calling the kettle black.
In fact, if he had a choice, Beck would rather that Celeste show some affection, whether it was for him or even Kieran. At least that would mean she felt something…
He had already mentioned to Celeste that Shanice had recently been taken back by her grandmother.
It had been a while since they'd last heard anything about Shanice, so once they arrived at the restaurant, Celeste couldn't help but ask, "How's Shanice doing?"
Hearing her ask about Shanice warmed Beck's heart. He said, "She's doing well. She called a few days ago and said she misses you. She said she wants to come back and see you."
Celeste smiled. "That'd be great."
Then Beck, after a brief hesitation, added, "I heard that Jo's training went really well this time too. She'll probably win something in the next competition."
Patricia smiled and said, "Sorry, Beck. It's Linda's fault for interrupting your dinner."
Since they were elders, Beck still showed them respect.
He said, "It's alright."
But toward Linda, he showed no mercy this time. "Ms. Shaw, I don't think we're that familiar with each other. I hope something like this won't happen again. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
He wasn't just saying there shouldn't be a next time—he was clearly rejecting her.
Linda truly liked Beck. Hearing his firm rejection, and in front of Celeste no less, she instantly felt wronged, and tears started to fall. She couldn't help but choke out, "I—I didn't mean to—"
But Beck showed no sign of softening.
Since it had already come to this, he decided to be completely clear about his rejection.
"If I'm not mistaken, Ms. Shaw, you seem to be interested in me. But I can tell you very clearly—there is no possibility of a relationship between us. So, I hope you'll learn to respect boundaries moving forward."

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: The Breaking Point of Love (Celeste and Trevor)
I know everyone will not agree with me and I also know that Trevor is a trash and all but I want Trevor and Celeste to get back together. They should be the end game and for that to happen Trevor should start working hard for that second chance....
So we're going to go on for another 15 chapter's about jordan's temper tantrum with neither of the parents asking her what's wrong..stop milking it. The only reason i'm still reading is because i cant leave a book unfinished. What I'm pissed about is the book started with promise and turned into a circus....
The story should just come to an end and the writer should give their reader the closure they deserve. There's no point in keeping the story going. It's been the same since the start. Not has changed. The initial story plot was, that Celeste and Trevor are getting devorce and still after 800 + chapter, they are still heading for a devorce....
Don’t Shaws and Lockets reflect ever on themselves? Every difficult situation, they look forward to Wynn to ask for Trevor to help. Initially the focus of the novel was on how Wynn is so accomplished blah blah and now - she is just a useless person, incapable of anything. Irritating storyline...
I'm starting to get bored and I can't predict exactly where the story is headed....
Beck being the only actual adult to ask a child what’s wrong...
Can we get to the point its stagnant and I am unimpressed,I don't care about the company being in trouble nor the inner thoughts of others. Come on now....
Its a good thing both jordan parents are loaded. They going to spend a lot for Jordan therapy. 😂...
Wynn has no shame. And keeping the staff well beyond their work hours is an a-hole move....
I am again fed up with the storyline..it is just exhausting to keep reading only one side of story - where people are living in their own righteous bubble and assumptions....