James smiled. "I''m serious, but I still stand by my point. You should talk to Den first and find out if he''s even open to the idea. He might not want to be your tutor, or maybe he has no interest in running apany at all."


    "Dad, what are you really getting at?"


    "Maybe Den has already chosen a path that''s risky and uncertain. He might not be able to settle down, and he might not be in a position to offer you the stable future you deserve."


    James had personally recruited Den after recognizing his potential. But after entering university, Den started skipping sses. Concerned about wasting such talent, James had reached out to him multiple times.


    With his connections and influence, he could have guided Den toward a sessful career in academia or business. Den was brilliant-he would have excelled in either path.


    But Den had refused. And at that moment, James understood that Den had already chosen a different road, one far from the future James had envisioned for him.


    Meanwhile, Hailey was the cherished youngest daughter of the Lambert family, raised infort and protected from hardship. She wasn''t suited for someone like Den.


    Yet Hailey didn''t seem to grasp what her father was implying. "Dad, no matter what, don''t try to stop me from being with Den. I really like him."


    James sighed. After a brief pause, he suddenly asked, "What about Ewan?"


    "Dad, why are you even bringing him up? He never liked me! And besides, he''s too busy messing around with Melody."


    James chuckled but said nothing. Maybe Ewan hadn''t liked Hailey before, but who was to say how he felt now?


    Hailey linked her arm through James''. "Dad, I know you just want what''s best for me, but I need to make my own choices. Right now, I really like Den. I just want to be with him."


    James gently tapped her forehead. "Maybe you should wait until Den actually wants to be with you."


    Hailey was taken aback.


    Her father''s words resonated deeply. Here she was, talking about her future with him, yet she had no idea how Den truly felt.


    Determined, she pulled out her phone and opened WhatsApp.


    "Den, have you made it home yet?" she typed.


    At that very moment, Den was speeding down the road on his motorcycle.


    The vibration of his phone broke the silence. He nced down briefly, seeing Hailey''s name sh on the screen.


    Another message appeared.


    "Ride carefully tonight. Be safe, okay?"


    A small smile tugged at Den''s lips, but he didn''t reply.


    Just then, another message popped up.


    "Den, do you like me?


    "If you don''t answer, I''ll take that as a yes!


    "Den, let''s be together.


    "I want to be your girlfriend."


    Hailey sent a series of messages, each one bolder and more heartfelt than the


    Despite this, Den didn''t respond to a single one.


    His motorcycle wove through the neon-lit streets, and as he nced up, his gaze fell on the luxury car ahead of him. He knew James and Hailey were inside. The car''s license te was a symbol of the exclusive Lambert family. He had been following them since they left the hospital.


    Hailey was right there, just ahead of him.


    She had asked if he liked her.


    How could he not?


    She was radiant, innocent, and impossibly passionate. No matter how hard he tried to keep his distance, she always managed to break through, shining into his life like the sun.


    Pam and Aileen adored her as well.


    Who could resist a charming, stunning youngdy from such a prestigious family?


    But


    everything, Den


    nolol but feel like he had though... he wasn''t worth g to offer her. It was as


    of her.