The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 285

Margaret Bennett is Impressed with Autumn

Margaret Bennett is Impressed with Autumn

“You’re…”

Autumn’s mouth hung open, a name so familiar it was practically on the tip of her tongue, yet she didn’t dare say it aloud.

Margaret Bennett smiled, her voice bright and generous. “It seems I’ve been out of the Hollywood spotlight for too long. I don’t have many fans left, and nobody

recognizes me anymore.”

Hearing this, Mr. Bennett immediately wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist, his smile warm and doting. “How could that be?”

“You’ll always be the greatest actress in my eyes.”

“I rewatch your movies every single year. Everything about you is timeless and worth remembering.”

“Besides, you’re not old at all. Don’t sell yourself short.”

After speaking, Mr. Bennett glanced at Autumn with a cheerful smile. “Isn’t that right, Autumn?”

The question left Autumn feeling both flattered and a bit overwhelmed.

Just a moment ago, she was still reeling from the shock that Owen’s mother was *the* legendary, award–winning actress. Now, she was even more stunned by how down–to–earth the couple was.

One was a former business tycoon, the other a household name in the

entertainment industry.

Yet, when they spoke to her, they were as warm as family friends she had known for years.

The anxiety that had been twisting in Autumn’s gut instantly dissolved.

“Yes, that’s right.”

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Margaret Bennett is Impressed with Autumn

“I was just so stunned… I couldn’t believe Owen’s mother was you, so I just… Actually, I’m a huge fan. I’ve seen all of your work multiple times.”

“Really?”

A delighted smile spread across Margaret’s face.

“You seem so young, I didn’t think you’d pay attention to the old Hollywood scene.”

“My health took a hit after I had Owen, so I gradually stopped acting. After that, I waited for years but never found the right script. So, after winning my last Best Actress award, I announced my retirement.”

“I figured with all the new talent popping up in the industry these days, no one would remember us old–timers.”

“How could they not?” Autumn said, her voice filled with excitement. “I love

the classic movie stars the most! They had real talent and real beauty. Today’s

entertainment industry looks flashy, but it’s like it’s full of manufactured stars. Their acting is so cookie–cutter, all they can do is laugh or cry on command.

There’s no real soul to it, no power to move you.”

Margaret had only brought it up as a way to ease Autumn’s nerves and close the distance between them.

She hadn’t expected Autumn to have such insightful things to say.

Her opinion of Autumn rose considerably.

“Autumn, you’ve really studied the industry, haven’t you?”

Meeting Margaret’s gentle gaze, Autumn said, a little shyly, “Actually, a long time ago, I wanted to study film directing.”

“Directing?”

Margaret was even more surprised.

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Margaret Bennett is Impressed with Autumn

“You don’t meet many young women who want to get into that. Was it a passion of yours? Or was there something else that sparked your interest?”

Autumn thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth,

“Because back then, I was acting every single day of my life.”

“In my head, I’d be coaching myself on how to control my emotions for the next scene. I’d try to anticipate my dad’s, my stepmom’s, and my sister’s next moves, like blocking a scene…”

“I felt like my life was *The Truman Show, and I was both Truman and the director.”

“I tried to take control of my own life, but I eventually realized I was just being swept along by reality.”

Margaret looked at the young woman before her.

She had liked Autumn from the moment she saw her talking with Mars Wright earlier.

But back then, it was just admiration.

Now, hearing this raw confession, Margaret felt like she had just touched the free spirit hidden deep inside this young woman’s heart.

“So what made you give up on it?”

Margaret’s eyes were shining.

As someone who had reached the pinnacle of her profession, her instincts were sharp.

She believed Autumn had the talent.

It was just a shame that Autumn hadn’t continued down that path.

“My dad found out.”

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Margaret Bennett is Impressed with Autumn

Autumn stuck out her tongue, her expression a little awkward. “When my dad discovered I’d applied to film school, he was furious.”

“He locked me in the house for over two weeks, and didn’t let me out until I gave in.”

“By the time I got out, everything was already set in stone.”

“At the time, I thought my dad just wanted me to stop chasing unrealistic dreams. Later, when I found a good job and even had some success starting my own business, I was actually grateful to him.”

Autumn had once thought that if her father hadn’t made that decision for her, she

might still be struggling to survive in the snake pit of the entertainment industry.

When you thought about it, you could imagine what an unknown, rookie director would have to go through to make it.

Besides, there were too many uncertainties in Hollywood.

She had no idea what she would have faced.

But that didn’t mean Autumn had no regrets.

It was just that every time she thought about how she had followed the expected path–marrying Mars, building a successful business with him, and becoming the

envy of others–she figured this was just what life was.

Destined to be filled with ‘what ifs‘ from start to finish.

“Looking back, I was pretty naive.”

Autumn knew the Bennetts must have already done their research on her, so she

saw no reason to cover for the Lopez family.

“You’re a good kid, with a big heart. No one can predict life’s twists and turns. Maybe everything you went through before was just laying the groundwork for what’s to come?”

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