Her Heart Her Terms (Lily and Xavier) novel Chapter 6

Lily was prepared for rejection due to lack of work experience but couldn't accept being turned down for shallow reasons.

All this information was already on her resume. Why did they even bother arranging an interview if it was a problem?

"Our company has its hiring policies. You're married without children. You might start planning a family as soon as you're hired. Maternity leave, parental leave… the company can't afford to keep employees who may be frequently absent." The interviewer stood up and motioned for the assistant to escort her out.

Lily chalked it up to bad luck, figuring she was only there to make up the numbers. She then gathered her things and left.

However, she was rejected for the same reason at the second and third companies.

It was even worse when she arrived at the fourth and fifth companies. Their receptionists simply told her that the positions had been filled and rejected her to participate in the interviews.

Her initial confidence had deflated in an instant.

She returned to Maryanne's apartment later that evening.

The aroma of home-cooked food filled the house as she walked in. Maryanne was dancing around with a small chocolate cake in hand.

"Congratulations, Ms. Joyner! Here's to landing a job and becoming a great designer! Let Xavier the Hound regret ever letting you go!"

Lily paused while changing her shoes with her face showing a hint of defeat as embarrassment washed over her.

Maryanne sensed something amiss and placed the cake on the table in the foyer before walking to her. "What is it?"

Lily forced a smile and tried to appear unfazed before shaking her head. "You bought the cake for nothing. I didn't get the job."

"How could that be possible?" Maryanne was shocked. "You got to the interviews! That's already halfway to success. Besides, you graduated from a prestigious college. You even won an award. You've got real skills even though you lack work experience. Those companies must be blind not to hire you!"

Lily had slipped on her slippers and pulled her to the table before sitting down. "Maybe it's just bad luck. I have two more interviews on Monday. It takes time to find a job."

However, she couldn't help but feel disheartened. Sarah was around her age and already the vice president of Nova Group while she was struggling just to get her foot in the door.

"Which two companies are you interviewing with on Monday?" Maryanne's eyes lit up with curiosity as she got up to get the little cake in the foyer.

"Voltis and Lupier." These two companies were very famous in Jadeford.

The companies Lily visited today were decent, but they were nothing near the level of these two giants.

Her hope felt slim after she had faced multiple rejections today, but she had to hold onto it.

She failed to notice Maryanne's odd behaviors as she was distracted by her low spirits.

Maryanne carried over the cake and pretended nothing was wrong as she cheered her up.

Lily joined in the laughter and small talk to show she was fine.

Maryanne quickly took out her phone and dialed a number once they were alone in their rooms. "Terence, do you know the boss of either Voltis or Lupier?"

The two companies were too big for her connections to reach. She could only call in a favor.

A man's gentle and sleepy voice came through on the other end of the phone. "Maryanne, it's three in the morning over here."

Maryanne pouted. "Whose fault is that for staying abroad for the past two years? There'd be no time difference if you'd stayed. Come on, help me out. Lily will be having two interviews with these two companies on Monday. Could you pull a few strings?"

"Who?" Terence Devereux's voice suddenly sharpened with alertness. "Lily? She's looking for a job? Would Xavier even allow that?"

"Don't mention that hound!" Maryanne was exasperated. "Lily's divorcing him. She needs a job."

Terence asked, "Divorce? Wh…"

Maryanne was running out of patience. "Stop asking questions! Just tell me if you can help me or not!"

"I got it," Terence murmured earnestly before hanging up.

"What did you mean by that?" Maryanne looked at her slowly dimming screen and was puzzled.

Did that mean he agreed?

…

Lily was jolted awake by a phone call early Saturday morning.