The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 278

**The Proposal**

Ava Henderson felt a spark of excitement as a thought flitted through her mind, and a bright smile blossomed on her face.

“Well, I can’t wait to see it,” she exclaimed, her anticipation palpable.

Ruby Bennett, ever the perceptive friend, sensed the shift in the atmosphere and her own smile widened in response.

As they re-entered the bustling banquet hall, their presence went completely unnoticed by the throngs of guests mingling and laughing.

Ruby, with her innate ability to connect with people, wasted no time and drifted away to engage with a few acquaintances she recognized from previous gatherings.

While the other women maintained a veneer of politeness, their demeanor was anything but warm.

Ava, however, was not blessed with Ruby’s social finesse. She lacked the patience for idle chit-chat and, upon realizing that no one seemed inclined to approach her, she retreated to a secluded corner of the room.

Her posture radiated an air of seriousness, as if she were the only rational being in a sea of absurdity, convinced that no one else could possibly match her intellectual caliber.

A group of young men from affluent families noticed her and exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued.

“Ms. Henderson, it’s been a while! I heard you just returned from overseas?” one of them ventured, trying to break the ice.

Ava regarded them with a look of disdain, her voice laced with contempt. “I don’t know you.”

Yet, rather than feeling rebuffed, the young men merely chuckled and settled in around her, undeterred.

“You’re out of our league, Ms. Henderson. It’s no surprise you wouldn’t recognize us.”

“But we’ve admired you from a distance for quite some time,” another chimed in, eager to flatter.

“The esteemed daughter of the Henderson family, a top student who studied abroad.”

“If you were part of my family, they’d be venerating you like a deity! My dad always wanted one of us to be a true scholar. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the brightest bulb back then. I bombed my SATs, and he sent me off to some diploma mill overseas where I just goofed off for a few years before returning.”

“Honestly, guys like us can’t hold a candle to you, Ms. Henderson.”

Ava’s eyes narrowed further, her irritation palpable. “If you recognize that, then spare me the pleasantries.”

She had no intention of wasting her time on men who weren’t even remotely in her dating pool.

The young men exchanged glances again, their camaraderie unbroken.

“You’re right, you’re right. Someone of your stature is certainly above our level.”

“But what’s the harm in getting to know each other? What do you say, Ms. Henderson?”

Before she could voice her refusal, the boldest among them raised his glass and downed its contents in one swift motion. “This is my way of showing sincerity in wanting to connect with you.”

Ava grimaced in disgust.

Dealing with people like this was her least favorite activity, yet they had her cornered. She knew that if she didn’t take a drink, they might not let her leave in peace.

And if others saw her, a single woman, surrounded by these boisterous men, the rumors could spiral out of control.

With a resigned sigh, she picked up the glass in front of her and took a measured sip.

“I’ve had a drink. Can I go now?”

The men shared another conspiratorial look.

“Of course, Ms. Henderson. You’re a straight shooter. Our admiration for you wasn’t misplaced.”

Ava dismissed their flattery, allowing their words to slide past her without registering.

The guys rose, laughing and chattering as they made their way from her.

Ava watched them leave, her disdain deepening. Even their backs seemed obnoxious to her.

Irritated, she tore her gaze away, feeling her emotions threaten to boil over. To stave off any potential scene, she quickly took another sip from her glass.

The crisp, cool liquid coursed down her throat, soothing the irritation that had been building within her.

Gradually, her expression softened.

Nina, returning with Autumn Lopez from a brief exploration of the venue, caught sight of Ava and pursed her lips. “Is Ava trying to appear pathetic now?”

Autumn observed closely, her brow furrowing in concern.

“Her cheeks are a bit flushed. Maybe she can’t handle her liquor?”

“No way,” Nina replied, shaking her head. “Who in our circle doesn’t know how to drink?”

Autumn considered this and nodded.

In this social setting, aside from business dinners, no one would dare to stroll around with a soft drink in hand.

Recalling that this was a Bennett family affair, Autumn felt a twinge of worry that Ava might cause a scene if she indulged too much. She discreetly approached a staff member, asking him to keep an eye on her friend.

The staff member, already informed about Autumn’s identity, nodded respectfully in agreement.

Once she felt assured that someone was watching over Ava, Autumn turned her attention elsewhere.

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