Chapter 12: The Unavoidable Blind Date

Jaylene didn't take Auntie Bailey's words to heart, thinking that she was just talking casually about introducing her to a boyfriend, considering she was in her early fifties and going through menopause.

Because she was fired from Clayton Corp and didn't need to go to work, she didn't wake up early the next day, but slept in until dawn.

By the time she got up, her mother, who was the principal of a nursery school, and her father, a high school teacher, were already out. Her favorite breakfast was placed on the dining table.

While having breakfast, Alisha sent a text message: "Jaylene, I submitted my resignation letter today. I estimate that it will be approved in a few days. Hurry up and find a good job so I can come and work with you after my resignation period!"

".."

Jaylene was speechless after reading Alisha's text; she did not expect Alisha to be so loyal and insist on going through with the resignations together.

What she didn't expect even more was that she would also cause Alisha to lose her job as well. It seemed that her plan to mope around at home for a few days after losing her job, relationship, and self-esteem had gone out the window.

She has to find a job ASAP; otherwise, what will happen to Alisha when she's done with her resignation period?

Although Jaylene had three years of work experience, she had no experience in job searching. She was introduced to Clayton Corp directly after graduating by Alexander Preston, while Alisha was introduced by her.

Finding a job may sound easy, but in reality, it is incredibly challenging, especially for someone like Jaylene, who has never searched for a job before. It's a brand new experience for her, much like a bride's first time on a bridal palanquin.

In the morning, she submitted her information online and made several phone calls, then received two interview notifications.

The construction industry is unique, especially for a female like her. Many companies filtered her out directly, and those she applied to declined her due to her lack of independent project experience.

Only now did Jaylene realize how important it is to have her own work, especially mature, and even marketable projects. It's unmeasurable how much these projects can benefit her.

But it's too late, as time will not go back anymore.

In fact, during her two-plus years at Clayton Corp, as the leader of the design team, how could she not have any projects of her own?

However, every time she submitted her work to the director, Alexander Preston, he would always make some small changes, which, in her opinion, were optional as the overall effect would be similar.

But after Alexander modified her work, the internal data showed that it was designed by both of them. However, when the project was submitted for use, the only name mentioned was Alexander Preston.

Alisha suggested to her several times before, but Jaylene never took it to heart. She thought, what's the difference if it was designed by Alexander? After all, they were going to be family someday.

Now she knows where the difference lies, but what good will it do? Who would believe her?

She spent an entire afternoon job searching and was exhausted yet gained nothing.

While on her way back, she received a text message from Joseph Thompson, asking her where she was and inviting her to dinner.

A jobless person like her wouldn't have the mood for dinner.

So she replied in a bland tone: "I'm jobless and at home, having dinner now. I will not accompany Mr. Thompson for dinner."

As Jaylene politely refused Joseph, she was stunned to see Auntie Bailey sitting in her house, and even more surprisingly, a young and chubby man was sitting beside her.

"Jaylene, this is Gabriel Lexio," Auntie Bailey enthusiastically introduced. "Peterson is 31 years old, a postgraduate, and is now a Technical Director in a company, earning an annual salary of about two hundred thousand, plus bonuses, so he has an income of three to four hundred thousand a year."

After introducing Peterson, Auntie Bailey hastily introduced Jaylene to him: "This is Jaylene Ziel I've been telling you about, a really good girl, graduated from a prestigious university, and is now a designer at the Clayton Group, a white-collar in just two years after her graduation."

".."

Upon hearing these words, Jaylene couldn't help but roll her eyes. Auntie Bailey had exaggerated both parties, making them seem like land turtles and flowers.

"I'm already unemployed," Jaylene said, immediately seeing the surprised expression flit across Gabriel Lexio's face.

"Ah, Jaylene, you resigned?" Being the neighborhood committee aunty, her reaction was quite quick.

Before Jaylene could answer, Auntie Bailey continued, "Being unemployed doesn't matter. Young people should dare to change jobs. There's always a higher mountain to climb, right, Peterson?"

Gabriel Lexio glanced at Jaylene's youthful and beautiful face, smiling and agreeing: "That's right, Auntie Bailey's words are extremely accurate. And a young, beautiful, and talented woman like Miss Ziel will certainly find a good job."

Jaylene almost vomited upon hearing this. The sight of Gabriel's fatty face and protruding belly made her feel a strong dislike for him.

Her father, who is teaching senior high students, has not returned yet, but her mother, the kindergarten principal, is at home, serving cut watermelon and apple slices to Auntie Bailey and Gabriel Lexio.

"Auntie Bailey, thank you for your kindness, but—I have already accepted someone's proposal." Jaylene casually mentioned as she looked at the neighborhood committee aunty with a mouthful of bright red watermelon juice.

What? Accepted someone's proposal?

The three were taken aback, unable to digest the information at once.

"Jaylene, you and Alexander broke up just last week. How is it possible that you've already accepted someone else's proposal?" Nancy Scott's voice trembled with shock and confusion, asking, "You're not just... trying to avoid us, are you?"

Nancy had every reason to speculate, considering Jaylene was probably uninterested in Gabriel Lexio. Although he was not bad looking, he definitely couldn't compare with Alexander Preston's refined appearance.

But nowadays, aren't good-looking men unreliable?

Gabriel Lexio was actually above average in terms of appearance, but due to his obesity, he looked like a meatball and wasn't considered attractive.

However, he had a high-paying job and steady income. If Jaylene could marry a man like Gabriel Lexio, at least she wouldn't have to worry about buying a house in the future, right?

"Miss Ziel, we've just met today, and we haven't interacted yet, have we?"

Gabriel Lexio stood up quickly and said to Jaylene, "I think we should spend some time together to get to know each other better. You will find that I am a very romantic and interesting person and that I know how to live a good life."