The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 252

**Chasing Light, Finding Peace by Rohan Verma – Chapter 252**

“Leo asked, a hint of curiosity evident in his voice.

It wasn’t that he held a conventional belief that girls were incapable of excelling in gaming. No, it was simply that the majority of games available seemed to cater more towards a male demographic, leaving little room for female players to shine.

However, after engaging in a conversation with Nina, he was pleasantly surprised to learn that she had immersed herself in almost every popular game on the market.

She wasn’t just a casual player who dabbled in gaming out of mere curiosity, trying it once or twice before moving on.

On the contrary, Nina had delved deep into the gaming world, conducting thorough research that would put many seasoned gamers to shame.

She could dissect the strengths and weaknesses of various games with ease, and he could easily imagine her ranking them from best to worst, perhaps even creating an elaborate spreadsheet to showcase her findings.

Initially, Leo had agreed to this meeting as a favor to Autumn, although he secretly hoped for a positive outcome that might benefit him as well.

But after their conversation, he found himself realizing that Nina was not just another gamer; she was a genuine talent, one that any company would be eager to snatch up without hesitation, even if it meant navigating a formal hiring process.

“I just love playing games,” Nina said, her laughter brightening the room. “Each game feels like a new universe, and we are the adventurers exploring uncharted territories.”

“And I’ve always believed that games allow creators to express their innermost thoughts and feelings.”

“To explore a game is akin to journeying through the creator’s mind. You might even stumble upon a shared emotional connection.”

“I love the sense of relaxation that envelops me when I play. It’s truly wonderful.”

Leo was taken aback; it was the first time he had ever heard someone articulate that sentiment.

His eyes sparkled with interest, ready to respond, when suddenly his phone buzzed to life, breaking the moment.

“Mr. Vance, we’re facing some issues with the beta test, and…”

The voice of his assistant faltered on the other end, a hint of distress creeping into the conversation.

Leo’s frown deepened. “And what exactly is the problem?”

“One of our concept artists just announced on Twitter that she’s leaving the company.”

“She also took the original character designs for our upcoming release with her.”

“She’s completely sabotaged the surprise we’ve been planning for ages. To make matters worse, she designed the new character from scratch and now holds the copyright. We can’t use her artwork to create the character model or the CGs.”

“With the launch date for this new character just a month away, we’re left with two options: either track her down and negotiate a costly licensing deal for the art, or design an entirely new character within a month.”

“The first option will drain the company’s finances tremendously. The second… if we miss the deadline, the losses will be catastrophic.”

Leo hadn’t stepped far away to take the call, and the hushed tone of his conversation allowed both Autumn and Nina to overhear the unfolding crisis.

A worried expression settled on Autumn’s face.

She couldn’t believe her old friend’s company was in such turmoil.

Yet, being somewhat unfamiliar with the gaming industry and its intricacies, she refrained from interjecting.

Nina, however, appeared lost in thought, her brow furrowed as she grappled with a tough decision.

Leo quickly ended the call, his demeanor calm despite the chaos brewing within the company.

Whether he was secretly panicking or maintaining a facade, neither Autumn nor Nina could decipher.

“Sorry, Autumn, something urgent has come up at the office. I need to head back immediately.”

“I’ll certainly think about what you asked.”

Leo cast a regretful glance at Nina.

If the company hadn’t encountered this crisis at such a critical moment, he would have been eager to extend an offer to her right then and there.

But now, pressing matters demanded his attention, leaving no room for new hires.

“Wait a second…”

This was a testament to his genuine admiration for her talent.

It also presented Nina with a golden opportunity to gain experience at a reputable company—a win-win situation.

“Then let’s go!” Nina exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over. “I-I promise to give it my all!”

Leo noticed the blush creeping onto Nina’s cheeks, and his own previously frustrated mood brightened in response.

“Don’t worry; there are plenty of people at the company who can assist you. If you encounter anything unclear, feel free to ask them.”

“O-Okay!”

“Alright, Autumn, I’m heading out now. Will you be alright on your own?”

Despite her excitement, Nina remembered that she was there with Autumn.

With her brother absent, she felt a sense of responsibility to look out for her friend.

“Your brother will arrive any moment now. Don’t worry about me.”

“Then I’m off!”

“Call me if you need anything, Autumn!”

Nina waved goodbye to Autumn before climbing into Leo’s car.

As Autumn watched the vehicle drive away, she contemplated finding a place to sit and wait for Owen. Just then, she spotted her parents, Oliver and Penelope Lopez, along with her sister, Lydia, hastily approaching the police station.

The trio locked eyes with Autumn, their expressions resembling that of charging bulls, their faces flushed with anger.

Autumn chose to ignore them, a decision that only seemed to provoke their fury further.

Oliver Lopez let out a cold snort, his aged features twisted with displeasure. “Shen Yunxi, do you think you’re above everyone now that you’ve married up? No matter what, I’m still your father. Even after you marry Owen Bennett, you’ll still need to invite me to the seat of honor. I suggest you don’t cross me.”