Remarried After I Secretly Divorced the CEO novel Chapter 233

**When the Stars Forgot to Return My Wishes**
**Chapter 233**

The sudden slap echoed through the room, a sharp and unexpected blow that caught everyone off guard. The sound reverberated, leaving a palpable tension in the air.

It was more shocking than anyone could have anticipated.

“Ouch,” Colin thought, wincing at the sting of the slap. It felt like a jolt of electricity had shot through him, igniting a mix of embarrassment and regret.

Just moments before, he had posed a question that, in hindsight, felt like stepping on a landmine. As Autumn began to explain herself, the realization of his misstep washed over him like a cold wave.

He quickly gathered his thoughts, his voice laced with sincerity as he addressed her. “Miss Lewis, I genuinely apologize for my earlier comment. I realize now that I was completely out of line—please don’t take it to heart.”

As if on cue, the other executives around the table chimed in, their voices overlapping in a chorus of apologies. They understood the weight of the situation; Colin was no ordinary young man. He was a rising star in their midst, his father a prominent figure in government.

In fact, the inside scoop about Wilson’s announcement regarding a new bidding process had originated from Colin himself. It was common knowledge that no one in their right mind would want to offend someone with such connections.

Rumor had it that several companies were preparing to send their engineers to participate in the bidding, as Wilson intended to evaluate each company’s capabilities through a rigorous exam.

With a flurry of questions directed at Autumn, she responded with remarkable composure, her analytical approach both unique and easy to follow. Colin found himself captivated, his earlier impression of her shifting dramatically. Now, he looked at Autumn not just with curiosity, but with a newfound respect—a kind of admiration that one might reserve for a truly remarkable woman.

Luna, observing from a distance, couldn’t help but notice the transformation. She watched as Autumn, once a mere bystander, now engaged deeply with industry leaders, holding her own in a conversation that seemed to flow effortlessly.

Her eyes narrowed, filled with disdain.

To Luna, Autumn’s presence was merely a result of Ethan’s support, a crutch that allowed her to navigate the upper echelons of society.

Still relying on a man to keep her afloat—how utterly shameful.

Luna resolved not to take the situation seriously.

To her, Autumn was nothing more than a façade, a woman inflating her image with hollow bravado—just waiting for the next opportunity to be knocked down again.

Nearby, Ryan had also taken note of Autumn’s newfound confidence.

He turned to Grant, his surprise evident. “Hey, when did Autumn become so impressive? She’s actually mingling with Colin Reed and chatting with him as if they’re equals.”

“Look at them, laughing like they’ve known each other forever. She doesn’t seem the least bit nervous. Could it be… she actually knows AI?”

Grant glanced over, a scoff escaping his lips. “If she really knew AI, do you think she could have kept it under wraps for so long? Don’t forget, Julian owns a tech company.”

“If Autumn had that kind of talent, given how much she idolized him, she would have showcased it in front of him ages ago. There’s no way she would wait until now.”

“Face it—Autumn only got close to Colin through Ethan. Colin’s just being polite because of Ethan, and nothing more.”