The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 150

**Chapter 150**

“Is the food really arriving this quickly?”

Maxwell Walker raised an eyebrow, a curious mix of surprise and intrigue dancing across his features. His gaze flicked toward his assistant, Autumn Lopez. She stood there, her entire demeanor seemingly frozen, caught in a whirlwind of her own emotions. Was it anticipation? Anxiety? The lines between the two blurred in her mind, leaving her in a state of confusion.

Thoughts of Owen Bennett swirled in her head, tangled with the cryptic remarks he had made earlier. Just as she was about to untangle them, a sharp knock on the door jolted her back to the present.

“Mr. Bennett?”

Autumn exclaimed, her voice betraying her shock as she swung the door open.

*Thump.* Her heart raced wildly, pounding against her ribs like a frantic drum, echoing the sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through her.

In perfect synchrony, she and Maxwell turned to face the entrance, just in time to see Owen stepping into the room, his presence commanding attention.

Clad in a sleek black suit that hugged his frame perfectly, Owen looked impeccably polished, his hair styled with precision. Yet, the loose tie around his neck suggested a relaxed demeanor, a stark contrast to the composed persona she was accustomed to.

Maxwell sprang to his feet, a burst of energy radiating from him despite the age difference between them. In the cutthroat realm of business, respect wasn’t merely a product of age; it was earned through status and reputation.

With a sense of urgency, Maxwell approached Owen, extending his hand with a slight bow, his voice infused with unexpected delight. “Mr. Bennett! What a delightful surprise to see you here!”

A subtle smile tugged at Owen’s lips as he accepted the handshake, his gaze shifting to Autumn, who stood nearby, her heart fluttering at the sight of him.

“This isn’t mere chance. I’m here to collect someone, and I thought I might as well enjoy a meal while I’m at it. You don’t mind, do you, Maxwell?”

Maxwell’s eyes followed Owen’s to settle on Autumn, and a flicker of shock crossed his features, quickly morphing into a broad grin.

In this industry, appearances could be deceiving. Maxwell had no inkling of the history or connection between Autumn and Owen, but one thing was glaringly evident: Owen’s presence elevated Autumn from a mere business prospect to someone worthy of admiration.

After all, there was a monumental difference between the Bennett Group investing in Autumn’s company and the CEO himself coming to personally escort her.

Years of experience in the corporate arena had sharpened Maxwell’s ability to read between the lines.

“Of course, I don’t mind at all! Having you join me is a true privilege, Mr. Bennett. I’ll be bragging about this encounter for at least the next six months, haha!”

Catching the underlying tone in Maxwell’s words, Owen replied, “This is a private matter. I would appreciate it if you could keep this under wraps, Maxwell.”

“I heard you’ve been exploring an amusement park project lately. How’s that progressing?”

Instantly understanding the unspoken communication, Maxwell shook his head, feigning concern. “Not quite as smoothly as I’d hoped. My team is capable, but they’re dragging their feet. I’m worried that if they don’t pick up the pace, someone else might snatch the project right from under us.”

Owen’s smile widened, radiating confidence. “How could that happen? Your judgment is impeccable, Maxwell. I have faith that your team is top-notch. The project will turn out just fine, so take a breath and relax.”

Maxwell’s face lit up with genuine appreciation.

“I’ll take that as a good omen, then.”

“Alex, fetch another menu. Mr. Bennett is our esteemed guest today, and we must ensure he has an exceptional dining experience.”

Alex nodded in agreement, about to leave when Owen interjected.

“No need for that. My tastes align closely with Ms. Lopez’s. We can stick to the current order.”

Maxwell’s eyes sparkled at Owen’s words, and he burst into hearty laughter. “That’s perfect! Autumn ordered a generous spread and was fretting about finishing it all. With your help, Mr. Bennett, she won’t have to worry anymore.”

Then, as if suddenly recalling something, he shot a look at Alex and chuckled, “Oh, I just remembered some dietary restrictions I neglected to mention. Alex, why don’t you accompany me?”

Without waiting for a response from either Owen or Autumn, he ushered his assistant out of the private room.

Suddenly, the space was left with just Autumn and Owen.

Autumn grasped the subtext of the conversation that had just unfolded, and a wave of embarrassment washed over her, making it difficult to meet his gaze.

“What’s the matter?”

Owen was fully aware of her shyness, yet he chose not to acknowledge it directly.

He sauntered over casually, taking her cup and pouring himself a glass of water.

“Hey—”

Autumn instinctively grabbed his hand, halting him in his tracks.

As he finally caught her attention, a flicker of amusement danced in Owen’s eyes.

“Hmm?”

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