Chapter 563


    "You can’t think this way! My daughter is a bright spark, a real beauty—you''ll snag a great husband,


    no doubt about it," Serena chuckled, pausing for a moment with a twinkle in her eye. "Speaking of


    which... you know, your father’s colleague''s kid just got back from abroad. Caught a glimpse of his


    photo the other day, and boy, he’s a catch! Handsome and full of life. Wanna take a peek?"


    Karen eyed her mother skeptically, "That''s your grand scheme, isn''t it, Mom? You''re setting me up


    on a blind date?"


    Serena waved her hand dismissively, "No pressure, darling! It''s all up to you. If you''re not into it,


    forget it. But there''s no harm in looking, right? If there''s no spark, you just walk away. But if there is,


    why not give it a shot?"


    "Handsome, you say?"


    "Mhm."


    Karen pondered for a moment. "Got a picture?" she asked.


    Serena sprang to her feet, "I sure do! I''ll grab it from your dad. Just take a quick look!"


    Karen shed an ''OK'' sign. "Sure, let''s see it."


    She thought about how long it had been since herst date and shuddered at the thought of


    bing an old maid. If there was a chance to meet someone decent, someone with a kind heart


    and good temperament, she was open to giving it a try.


    It wasn''t like her friend Dorothy, who had been carrying a torch for Everett all these years. Dorothy


    wasn''t looking because she hadn''t let go.


    But Karen was different. She wasn''t pining for anyone, nor was in love. She was just toozy to


    mingle, plus babysitting and work kept her busy enough without throwing men into the mix.


    Came to think of it, she had Jeffrey to thank for this sudden openness to dating. Before, Karen


    wasn''t sure what she wanted in a man, and she couldn''t say for certain even for now. But she knew


    one thing—she didn''t want anyone like Jeffrey!


    The thought of him squatting outside all night over theirst squabble was ridiculous.


    Maybe Jeffrey was short-staffed?


    ...


    Little did Jeffrey know Karen was being lined up for a blind date. He was still wrestling with the idea


    of just showing up at her doorstep.


    If she didn''te down soon, how much longer would he have to wait?


    But then again, if he would be showing up unannounced and facing her parents, he wasn''t quite


    sure what he''d say.


    ''Hi, I''m the guy who''s been seeing your daughter but never made it official''?


    The mere thought made Jeffrey wince. He was anticipating the uing “mix doubles”, which


    would also be a harsh one.


    After much deliberation, Jeffrey dialed the manager of the Prosperity Consortium.


    The voice on the other end was as deferential as ever.


    "Mr. Turner! What can I do for you?"


    "Yeah, I want you to pick up some gifts and pay a visit to Karen''s folks as a gesture of goodwill."


    The manager was confused, "Mr. Turner, Miss Karen hasn''t been with the Prosperity Consortium for


    years!"


    "Just do it, will you? Stop fussing. Say the Consortium values her past work and is interested in


    bringing her back. Do I need to spell it out for you?"


    "Of course, of course, my mistake..."


    Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    "Remember, you''re to invite Karen out for a one-on-one. Get her toe downstairs, say there''s a


    company matter that needs discussing privately."


    The manager quickly agreed, "Got it! And then where do I take her? To you?"


    "I''m right outside her parents'' ce. Just get her down here, and I''ll take it from there."


    "Understood! I''m on it!"


    "Make it quick."


    Jeffrey hung up and cast a nce at the entrance to Karen''s parents'' building.


    He wondered if she''d suspect anything.