The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 125

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace** – by Rohan Verma
**Chapter 125**

Andrew Foster sat tensely on the edge of his chair, his mind racing as he absorbed the chaotic scene unfolding in the conference room. The atmosphere was thick with tension, a palpable energy crackling like static electricity, as voices clashed in a cacophony that mirrored the brewing storm outside.

His heart pounded in his chest, caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Should he step in and advocate for Autumn Lopez, or would it be wiser to remain a passive observer in this familial conflict?

As a shareholder, Andrew found himself ensnared in a precarious web of loyalties. His instincts, honed over years of navigating corporate waters, nudged him toward Autumn—not merely out of blind faith in her capabilities, but because he felt a deeper, more profound trust in her than in her father, Oliver.

He recalled the fire that had sparked in Autumn’s voice earlier, the way her ambition flowed like molten gold, rich and intoxicating. It had been ages since he had immersed himself in the corporate fray; after a long and fulfilling career abroad, he had finally settled into the comforting embrace of retirement. The last thing he wanted was to be caught up in a family feud that felt both foreign and eerily familiar.

Ultimately, he resolved to remain a silent observer, a mere spectator in this unfolding drama. He believed he had already provided more support to Autumn than most would dare to, and it was clear that this was a battle she had to fight on her own.

After all, this was the legacy of the Lopez family, and outsiders like him had no rightful place in their internal conflicts.

When Autumn’s gaze met Andrew’s, a flicker of understanding passed between them. She recognized his silence for what it was—disappointment entwined with a reluctant acceptance of the inevitable.

Their connection had frayed over time, particularly after her recent audacious decision to sever ties with her network of contacts in a desperate bid to save Cloudbreak. It was no surprise that Andrew hesitated to trust her again; the stakes felt higher than ever.

Yet, Autumn hadn’t entered this meeting with the intention of battling her father for the CEO title. To her, the Lopez Group had always felt like a heavy yoke, a burden she had struggled to bear for far too long.

As her pregnancy progressed, she grasped the harsh reality that even if the Lopez clan accepted her presence, the Bennetts would never allow it. It was time to confront her situation head-on, to make a decisive move that would alter the course of her life.

“Since it seems abundantly clear that none of you wish for me to continue as CEO of the Lopez Group, I’ll make this easy for everyone. I resign.”

The moment those words fell from Autumn’s lips, the cacophony of the conference room fell into an eerie silence, an almost surreal stillness that felt like a moment suspended in time. The collective gasp of disbelief was palpable, reverberating through the air like a shockwave.

All eyes turned toward her, their expressions a bewildering mix of shock and confusion. What was she doing? Had she truly come all this way only to announce her resignation?

Oliver Lopez stood frozen, his mind racing to comprehend the implications of her declaration. He had spent countless hours with Autumn lately, sensing a significant shift in her demeanor—a newfound strength that was not so easily manipulated.

He had anticipated a fierce confrontation when the truth about the shareholders’ meeting emerged, not this astonishing capitulation. Was this some sort of elaborate ruse?

A fleeting thought crossed Oliver’s mind: What kind of trap could she possibly be laying? She was merely a girl, after all. Cloudbreak had Mars Wright, and the Lopez Group had its own storied legacy. What scheme could she possibly concoct?

As he mulled over these questions, he dismissed the notion. Once the baby arrived, she would likely settle into the role of a stay-at-home mom. What could possibly compel her to fight him so fiercely at this moment?

Surely, she wouldn’t dare sever ties with her father. After all, she had always been eager to please him.

“Then do it! Resign right now!” Oliver exclaimed, unable to conceal the glee bubbling beneath the surface.

His face lit up with the smug satisfaction of a man whose cunning plan had seemingly come to fruition.

The others, still reeling from the shock, exhaled a collective sigh of relief. If Autumn was willing to step aside, their objectives had been met. Oliver would reclaim his position as CEO, and the future appeared bright once more.

“Just have the funds ready. I’ll resign on the spot,” Autumn replied nonchalantly, her fingers inspecting her fingernails with an air of casual indifference.

Manicures had never been her forte, and during her pregnancy preparations, she had even avoided coloring her hair. Yet, her nails now bore a healthy sheen, a testament to the care she had given them.

With a steady gaze, she met her father’s eyes, a smirk dancing on her lips. “What, do you really think you can just waltz back into the CEO position with your measly three percent of the shares?”

The room seemed to crackle with disbelief, as if struck by a bolt of lightning. Oliver was left speechless, his mouth agape in shock.

“What money?” he stammered, confusion etched across his face.

“Are you suggesting I should buy back the shares you hold?” Autumn retorted, her tone laced with sarcasm.

“Of course! Did you think I would simply hand them over for nothing?”

Oliver’s anger flared. “Autumn Lopez, how dare you!”

“You received those shares without spending a dime, and now you—”

“Without spending a dime?” Autumn interjected, shooting her assistant a pointed look.

The assistant, quick to comply, produced a detailed financial statement, the weight of its implications hanging heavily in the air. “This outlines every cent I’ve spent on the three of you over the years.”

“Perhaps you didn’t notice, but I annotated every transaction as ‘Payment for shares’.”

“What?” Oliver’s eyes widened in disbelief as he leaned closer to scrutinize the document. Each line item was meticulously noted, a testament to her claims.

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