Chapter 4
Lexie said casually, "Oh, her name is Jasmine Austin. Do you know her?"
Eddie smiled and shook his head.
He thought he was overthinking it.
In the end, Clyde Brown still made me sign the voluntary resignation form.
No way I was keeping my job.
I wanted to go back and cause a scene.
But when I saw Gemma, I chickened out.
Gemma seemed pissed. "Clyde Brown doesn't dare cross Mr. Ford, so you'd better lay low for now.
"Next time there's a new project, I'll try to get you back on board.
"Did he forget what you pulled off with that last big deal? Oh my god."
After working there for five years, I was out in half a day.
It felt like my heart had been hollowed out.
After leaving the ER with a broken nose, I had to spend the next two weeks recovering.
I was dragging my suitcase around.
Feeling lost, I got a call from Claire.
She sounded anxious. "I'll send you the address. Get over here fast, and make sure you look good."
I thought it was a casual hangout, but when I got to the address, it turned out to be Claire's house.
It was the Wonder Manor in the Ford Mansion.
I gave Claire a quick rundown about how Lexie got upset with Eddie.
I was worried about how they'd get along as sisters-in-law in the future.
She took my hand and led me inside, her eyes full of concern as she looked at the wound on my nose.
Her eyes stung with tears. "What should we do? I set you up with a guy today.
"I wanted you to meet him. But since you're not feeling well, maybe I should take you home.
"I want you to forget about that jerk Eddie."
"If he's okay with it, I can meet him," I replied. I knew she meant well.
Claire let out a sigh of relief.
She helped me pick out a new outfit and started chatting about the Ford family.
The Ford family had three sons, and none of them was easy to deal with.
She was married to the second son, Dexter Ford.
Eddie, the third son, was a real piece of work. He caused a stir over some scholarship kid, and everyone in their circle knew about it.
The eldest son, Ethan Ford, was born to the first wife.
He was super accomplished and driven, but he had no experience in relationships at all.
He had zero interest in romance. He was a total workaholic.
"Anyway, everyone's on our case about having kids. The pressure's getting to me," Claire said as she led me into a living room.
She got called away to handle something and told me to wait for a bit.
After a few minutes, a man in a sharp suit walked by.
He had a calm, distinguished air and striking features.
Claire did know how to pick the guys.
He glanced at me, his eyes landing on the bandage on my nose.
"And you are?" he asked.
I said, "Please, have a seat. I'm your date for today. My name is Andrea Austin.
"I'm here for marriage. Let's be real. We're both at that age. If you want to know anything about me, feel free to ask."
I sat up straight, all business.
Blind dates always made me nervous.
He might ask about my family, or how I'd juggle work and home life, or even how I'd deal with in-laws.
He lowered his gaze, locked eyes with me, and sat down. His aura was so dominant that it was like the house was his domain.
"Andrea Austin? I've heard of you," he said. "Let's talk about work."
I never thought my blind date would want to talk about work first.
I gave him a quick rundown, but he kept firing off sharp questions, one after another.
He was sizing me up, like he was putting me through some test.
He managed to challenge me.
We went back and forth, trading questions and answers.
He was a marketing whiz, too.
I brought up my last big project.
"The Ford Group was our main competitor. It was an honor that my department secured the project," I said.
He took a sip of his coffee.
The distance in his eyes melted away, replaced by a faint smile.
"That was a good proposal. Can you walk me through your approach?" he asked.
We kept talking until noon.
I poured myself another cup of coffee, wanting to add a few more things.
He checked his watch and gave me a look, letting me know he had to head out.
"Maybe next time. I've got a meeting. Sorry," he said.
He reached out for a handshake, and I grabbed his hand right away. His palm was big and warm, and for some reason, I felt a rush of emotion.
I said, "I wish we'd met sooner. When we're together, we'll definitely have plenty to talk about.
"And if you like kids, we'll totally have at least one."
He looked as if he were imagining us living together.
He smiled. "Yeah, I feel the same."
As he walked out the door, Claire bumped into him and flashed a nervous smile.
Then she rushed over to me.
I smiled at her right away.
"We had a great chat, and he said we should meet up again. I think there's a chance," I said.
"The guy I set you up with had car trouble, so you'll have to reschedule. Ugh, shame," Claire blurted out, sounding exasperated.
We both stood there, stunned.
Claire blurted out, "Wait, you spent ages talking to Ethan?
"That's my husband's older brother, the first heir to the Ford family.
"Did you land yourself a CEO on a blind date?"