The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 123

With a firm resolve, the imposing doors of the conference room swung open, the sound echoing like a thunderclap, shattering the tense silence that enveloped the space. Autumn Lopez stepped inside, her presence commanding and undeniable, even as she gently cradled her prominent belly with one hand—a gesture that was both protective and assertive. The moment she entered, an electric shift swept through the gathered attendees, their gazes drawn to her as if she were a radiant beacon piercing through the heavy fog of anxiety that had settled over the room.

A chilling smile curled on her lips, one that stood in stark contrast to the cool, sterile atmosphere. “What a delightful gathering you all have here. I must confess, I’m rather taken aback that I wasn’t extended an invitation,” she remarked, her voice deceptively calm but imbued with an undercurrent of icy defiance that sent shivers of unease through the assembly.

The air thickened with tension, her words bouncing off the stark walls, creating an almost palpable charge. At the head of the table sat Oliver Lopez, her father, his expression morphing from shock to a pale shade of disbelief, as if the very ground beneath him had shifted.

“Autumn, what on earth are you insinuating?” he sputtered, his voice a tumult of incredulity and barely restrained anger. His eyes narrowed, casting a warning glare that seemed to reverberate with years of unspoken authority. “This is a serious meeting, and I won’t have you disrupt it with your antics.”

The shareholders, momentarily shaken from their stunned silence, rallied behind Oliver with surprising speed. A few, their investments in the company substantial, began to voice their displeasure, their words sharp and accusatory.

“You’re late and disrespectful,” one of them spat, his disdain palpable. “If you’re pregnant, you should be at home resting, not waddling in here as if it’s a casual affair.”

Another chimed in, “If news gets out, people will think the Lopez Group is so desperate that we need a pregnant woman running errands for us.”

Autumn raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening as she regarded her critics with a blend of amusement and contempt. “But… I did manage to secure the Mistveil Group project, didn’t I? Or am I misremembering? Which one of you was it that actually closed that deal?” Her gaze locked onto a particular shareholder, who immediately flushed crimson, caught off guard by her pointed inquiry.

“We’re just shareholders! If we had to negotiate every project, the company would be doomed, wouldn’t it?” he stammered, desperately attempting to regain his composure.

“Exactly! Let’s not forget that was just one project with Mistveil in all these years. What else have you ever accomplished?” Autumn’s voice dripped with sarcasm, her tone a stark contrast to the tension enveloping the room.

“Oh,” she said softly, settling into a chair opposite her father, her fingers lightly tapping on the tabletop—a rhythmic sound that punctuated her words. “So, what has he accomplished?”

“Nearly running the company into the ground?” she added, her words slicing through the air with surgical precision.

Oliver felt as if she had stripped away his carefully constructed facade and trampled on it right there in front of everyone. The humiliation was overwhelming, a bitter taste that lingered in the back of his throat.

“Autumn! What on earth do you think you’re doing?” he bellowed, slamming his fist onto the table, the sound reverberating like thunder. “This is a corporate boardroom! We’re discussing important matters, so leave your troublemaking antics at home!”

The absurdity of his words made her laugh, a sound that rang out like a bell in the tense atmosphere. So, it was perfectly acceptable for them to blame her without reason, but the moment she defended herself, she was the one causing chaos?

She shot her father a knowing look, fully aware of his moral shortcomings. No surprise there, nor was she angry. Instead, she simply nodded and called towards the door, “Andrew, please come in.”

A tense hush fell over the room at her request, an air of anticipation thickening the atmosphere. Oliver’s frown deepened, his patience wearing thin. “Autumn, are you deaf? We are in the middle of something important. You’re pregnant. Go home.”

Ignoring him completely, Autumn kept her gaze fixed on the entrance, her heart pounding with a mix of excitement and defiance.

The others, intrigued, exchanged glances, wondering who could possibly be the subject of such anticipation.

Then, Andrew Foster stepped into the room, moving slowly yet purposefully. His eyes scanned the crowd, and he offered an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry, traffic was a nightmare. I’m late.”

As a seasoned shareholder, Andrew’s presence was instantly recognized, and several people quickly rose to greet him, their expressions shifting from shock to respect.

With a warm smile and a few exchanged pleasantries, Andrew made his way to the seat beside Autumn, a move that sent ripples of shock through the room.

Oliver was the first to react, springing to his feet, disbelief etched across his face. “Andrew,” he questioned incredulously, “what is the meaning of this?”

In Oliver’s mind, Andrew was a peer, a heavyweight shareholder who should naturally align with him. The notion that Andrew would openly support Autumn was unfathomable. When had they even formed such a connection? Why was he in the dark about this?

“Heh…” Andrew chuckled dryly, sidestepping Oliver’s question as he redirected his attention to Autumn, whose demeanor now radiated confidence.

The crowd followed Andrew’s gaze to Autumn, and they suddenly realized that she was no longer the woman they remembered. The loose-fitting pantsuit she wore, a concession to her pregnancy, did nothing to diminish her commanding presence. Instead, she exuded an aura of authority, her expression steely and resolute.

Everyone was taken aback. Wasn’t she just a mere secretary at Cloudbreak Corporation? How could she radiate such power?

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