Jayden descended the stairs, the soft thud of his footsteps barely audible over the clinking of dishes coming from the dining room. The aroma of Harleen's cooking wafted through the air... roasted meat seasoned with herbs, fresh vegetables, and something sweet baking in the oven.
As he entered the dining room, he found everyone already seated around the large mahogany table. Jacob sat at the head, scrolling through his holographic tablet with a relaxed expression. Harleen was setting down the last dish, her face flushed from the kitchen heat. Tasha and Jessica sat across from each other, already engaged in quiet conversation.
"There you are!" Harleen said warmly, gesturing to an empty seat beside Tasha. "Come, sit. Everything's ready."
Jayden nodded and took his seat, his eyes subtly scanning the faces around the table. This was it... the moment to test what the system had shown him. If the admiration meter worked as described, he'd be able to see it hovering above each person.
