Aileen spotted Hailey and excitedly rushed over. "Hailey, you''re here!"


    "Hello, Mrs. Zamora and Aileen!" Hailey greeted them.


    Pam''s expression brightened at the sight of Hailey. "Den, you should''ve told me Hailey wasing! We could have prepared more dishes."


    Before Den could exin that Hailey wasn''t staying for dinner, Hailey spoke up. "Mrs. Zamora, I''m not picky. As long as there''s enough food to fill me up, I''m happy."


    "Well then, you''ll definitely be well-fed!" Pam replied.


    Everyone shared a lighthearted chuckle.


    "I''m going to take a shower," Den said, heading toward his room.


    Once inside, he turned on the shower, letting the cold water rush over him.


    The aphrodisiac Adeline had used on him was incredibly potent, and despite his experience, it was hard to shake off its effects.


    The cold water sshed against his muscles, droplets scattering in every direction. He slowly closed his eyes, trying to steady himself.


    Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Hailey''s soft voice rang out. "Den?"


    He didn''t look up. "Yes?"


    Hailey continued, "Mrs. Zamora asked me to bring you clean clothes."


    "Just leave them in here," he responded.


    Hailey stepped inside, the frosted ss door keeping them apart. Without meeting Den''s gaze, she asked, "Where should I put them?"


    "Hang them up," he said.


    "Got it."


    With that, Hailey carefully hung the clothes on the rack.


    Den turned his head slightly, his gaze locking on the silhouette of her figure through the frosted ss.


    She moved with grace, the gentle curve of her body faintly visible. Her long, dark hair tumbled down, casting a spell of allure in the space around her.


    She stood on tiptoe to hang his clothes, her body angled to the side. Her chest was full and rounded, and her back curved elegantly, exuding a youthful vitality. Den''s eyes grew red-rimmed, his hand reaching out almost mechanically. Outside, Hailey''s voice broke the silence. "Den, are you done? Why are you taking so long?"


    There was no response.


    She tried again. "Den, why aren''t you answering? Are you purposely ignoring me?


    "Den?


    "Den!"


    Through the frosted ss, a quiet tension filled the air. The sound of her calling his name was so melodic, each repetition echoing in his mind like a burst of fireworks, leaving Den momentarily lost in the sensation.


    The feeling was brief but intense, like the pull of opium-both strange and addictive.


    "Den? Den!"


    "Enough! Are you trying to drive me mad?" Den snapped.


    Hailey went quiet for a moment before stepping out.


    Den turned off the water and grabbed a towel to dry himself off. After changing into fresh clothes, he emerged from the bathroom.


    Meanwhile, Pam had already finished preparing the vegetables. Den moved into the kitchen, ready to begin cooking.


    Aileen sat at the table, focused intently on her homework. Hailey couldn''t help but admire Aileen''s beautiful handwriting. Aileen was a top student and was always the highest-ranked in her ss.


    "Aileen, you''re really impressive! Which high school are you aiming for?" Hailey asked.


    "I want to go to Central High School. Den went there, and he got in with the top score," Aileen responded.


    Hailey recognized the name. "I heard he was the top scorer in the state for the college entrance exam."


    Aileen nodded proudly. "Yes,


    Den''s always been number one,


    from elementary school all the way through university. He''s my role


    model but I still feel like I have a


    long way to go before I can catch up to him."


    Hailey couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe for the Zamora siblings-they were both so remarkable. While she was an excellent student herself, she knew she could never match Den''s level of achievement.


    She walked into the kitchen, watching as Den prepared the meal. "Den, is it because my grades aren''t as good as yours that you don''t like me? Do you think I''m not smart enough?"