The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 207

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace by Rohan Verma**
**Chapter 207**

Oliver Lopez stood frozen, a wave of disbelief washing over him as he processed Autumn’s bold threat. How could she, his own daughter, dare to confront him with such decisiveness?

But then again, she was no longer just a daughter; she was Owen Bennett’s fiancée, carrying his child. The implications of that relationship loomed large, casting a shadow over any power he thought he had.

He was her father, for crying out loud!

How could she so easily dismiss him now that she had ascended the social hierarchy?

Wasn’t the very reason he had kept her close all these years to ensure that he could eventually barter her for something greater?

The benefits he had received from Mars Wright had always felt insufficient, a mere trickle compared to what he desired. Thus, he had reluctantly permitted his younger daughter to forge a connection with Mars, all the while scheming to maximize his own gains.

Who could have predicted that before he could even fully integrate Cloudbreak Corporation’s assets into the Lopez Group, Autumn would leap onto an even grander stage?

The Bennett Group, of all entities!

What he had expressed to Autumn earlier was no exaggeration.

Even the most insignificant projects—the ones the Bennett Group had deemed unworthy—would be enough to catapult the Lopez Group into a realm of wealth he had only dreamed of!

This was a golden opportunity, a rare chance that felt akin to a stray dog stumbling upon a feast after days of hunger. How could he possibly let it slip away?

“Autumn, I believe there have been numerous misunderstandings between us. How about this? Just grant me one chance, and we can discuss everything, alright?”

Oliver skirted around Autumn’s question, never once addressing it directly.

His face betrayed the frantic anxiety of a man who felt fortune slipping through his fingers.

His voice grew strained, almost hoarse, as he continued, “I know I haven’t been the father you deserved, but we shouldn’t be at odds like this. Autumn, please, just give me one last opportunity. I promise I’ll treat you like the princess you are from now on, okay?”

Under normal circumstances, Oliver would never have found himself uttering such desperate words.

But the reality was stark: Autumn held all the power now.

If this were a historical drama, Autumn’s sudden social elevation would be akin to a family being chosen to marry a prince and ascend to royalty.

A girl who once seemed like a mere afterthought was now poised to change everything.

To relinquish this kind of extraordinary wealth would be sheer madness.

So, despite the pathetic nature of his plea, he felt compelled to voice it.

After all, he believed there would come a day when Autumn would find her way back to him, perhaps even seeking his forgiveness. Revenge, after all, was a dish best served cold. As long as his own status climbed alongside hers, he would find a way to reclaim his dignity.

A little humiliation now felt like a small price to pay for the promise of future glory. To Oliver, the potential rewards were absolutely worth it.

“I don’t think you grasp the situation,” Autumn replied, her voice steady and unwavering.

“I don’t even want you as a father anymore. What could I possibly need from you?” she shot back, her words laced with finality.

“Don’t call me again,” she concluded, and with that, Autumn hung up the phone, severing their connection.

To ensure he wouldn’t be able to pester her or anyone else in the villa, Autumn sought out a housekeeper and asked where the landline was before promptly unplugging the phone cord.

Sure enough, when Oliver attempted to call again, he was met with silence.

“Damn it!” he exclaimed, slamming his phone down on the table in frustration. “She gets a little support and suddenly thinks she can soar. How dare she treat me like this!”

Mrs. Lopez had been eavesdropping, her ears pricked to every word.

Though she had long since given up on her husband, witnessing him grovel before Autumn only fueled her disdain for the man.

She began to question her own decisions, reflecting on the lengths she had gone to—fighting tooth and nail, employing every trick in the book—only to end up in such a dismal situation.

Yet, despite their differences, there was a shared trait between her and Oliver.

They were both utterly self-serving.

Mrs. Lopez understood precisely why he was willing to lower himself before Autumn.

“And then there’s Mars. He may be arrogant, but he’s not foolish. A mix-up like that seems far-fetched, don’t you think?”

“You’re right!” Oliver exclaimed, slapping his thigh in realization. “I sensed something was off, but Owen Bennett himself admitted it. Perhaps he was aware of it from the beginning?”

“Or maybe he was complicit in the entire affair?”

“Look how quickly he rushed in to support her. It’s entirely possible he’s harbored feelings for Autumn all along, right?”

Mrs. Lopez internally rolled her eyes.

You’ve got to be kidding me, she thought. Owen Bennett, harboring a secret crush on Autumn? Did he honestly believe his daughter was some kind of divine being?

“Then why haven’t we heard a whisper about this until now?”

“Autumn was married to Mars Wright for years. The Bennett Group remained silent during that entire time.”

“This is Owen Bennett. Do you genuinely think he would be the other man for love?”

“What man in his right mind would simply stand by and watch the woman he loves marry someone else, only to go through IVF with them?”

“And consider this—if it weren’t for that entire debacle with Lydia and Hannah King, would Autumn have ever divorced Mars? Wouldn’t Owen’s grand plan have unraveled?”

“Then what do you think is actually happening?”

Oliver shot her a look, his tone shifting to one of mild admonishment. “I know you’re not fond of seeing Autumn succeed, but the reality is that Lydia is ruined. If the Lopez family is going to thrive, we must ride on Autumn’s coattails.”

It was a warning, clear and unmistakable.

Mrs. Lopez lowered her gaze, concealing the resentment brewing within her. Adopting a wounded tone, she replied, “You’re misunderstanding me. I’m merely concerned that Autumn might have bitten off more than she can chew and acted recklessly. Instead of sharing in her fortune, we might find ourselves entangled in disaster.”

Oliver inhaled sharply, the weight of her words sinking in.

“Are you suggesting… that Autumn deceived Owen Bennett? That she tricked him to latch onto the Bennetts and rid herself of Mars—and us?”