The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 329

He came looking for her.

At the time, Autumn Lopez was resting in the lounge.

She was waiting for Owen Bennett to finish mingling with the other guests and take her to the

auction hall.

When someone knocked, she assumed it was Owen and casually called out, “Come in.”

The lounge door swung open, and a handsome young man walked in.

Autumn’s heart leaped into her throat. “Who are you?”

The young man sensed her wariness and caution, so he stayed by the door without getting any

closer.

“Ms. Lopez, hi. My name is Abraham Rodriguez.”

“I messaged you on the platform before, about Teafall Peaks and its Misty Tea.”

Autumn’s eyes widened. “That was you?”

As her gaze landed on his face, something clicked, and she became even more guarded. “How did

you know I was here?”

She hadn’t revealed her location on any of her social media accounts.

How did this guy find out where she was and track her down to this specific lounge?

What was his real agenda?

“Ms. Lopez, please don’t be alarmed. I really just want to promote the Misty Tea from Teafall Peaks

and make a little money.”

“As for how I know you… well… I go to your alma mater.”

Of course, Autumn didn’t buy it.

She had graduated years ago. This kid claimed to be a junior in college–what kind of alumni

connection was that?

Autumn hadn’t even been back for a homecoming in years. There was no way he could have known

anything about her.

The thought sent a fresh chill down her spine.

“I graduated a long time ago.”

Autumn’s reminder was gentle, an attempt to placate him.

She had already used a shortcut on her phone to text Owen, and he would be there any second

She just needed to stall for a little more time until he arrived

As a pregnant woman, screaming or trying to run wouldn’t do her or the baby any gos

“I know,”

“Honestly, I saw you in the university’s archive of distinguished alumni. I was organizing old student records at the time, and your file just stood out to me.”

Now, not only did a chill run down her back, but the hairs on her arms stood on end.

*Does he mean he got ideas just from seeing my picture?

*Is he some kind of creep?

Perhaps the look on Autumn’s face was too obvious, because Abraham gave her a small smile trying to appear friendly.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I have a girlfriend.”

Autumn awkwardly touched her nose.

It wasn’t that she actually thought he had a crush on her.

The age gap between them was obvious enough.

She was just curious why Abraham was so persistent.

After all, even though she was a “distinguished alumna,” she hadn’t been “that outstanding

In fact, she wasn’t even the top student in her graduating class. It made no sense that he would have singled her out.

guess you’ve forgotten.”

Abraham sounded a little disappointed. “In your graduation speech, you wrote that your mother was from Teafall Peaks and that you hoped to one day help develop your mother’s hometown.”

“I wrote that?”

Autumn froze. She had absolutely no memory of it.

Besides, Teafall Peaks wasn’t a common name. If she’d really known about it for that long, why

couldn’t she remember it at all now?

More importantly, Autumn’s mother’s hometown wasn’t Teafall Peaks at all!

“You did.”

“I read that speech, and it left a deep impression on me.”

“To be honest, there are only about six hundred people in Teafall Peaks, including me.”

“Some people married into the community, others moved from nearby villages.”

“Teafall Peaks has seen some rapid development over the years, but the population has never

grown.”

“Growing and picking tea is what we do every day, but most of us really just long for a life in the

outside world.”

Autumn listened, her face blank.

This was a place she knew nothing about; she couldn’t relate at all.

Abraham seemed to notice her lack of interest and wisely stopped himself from rambling on.

“Look, I really am here looking for an opportunity.”

“I hope you can give me a chance. I really need the money.”

Autumn frowned at him. “I thought I made myself perfectly clear last time.”

“If you need money, you can get a part–time job or find work somewhere else. You shouldn’t be coming to me.”

“I don’t have any positions to offer you.”

“And if you’re looking for financial aid, you should apply to official scholarship programs. Submit

your information, and if you’re approved, I’m sure they’d be happy to cover your tuition and living

expenses.

“No, that’s not it. I chose you because I was hoping to find someone to help me develop Teafall Peaks.”

“It’s a really wonderful place. If you just visit once, you’ll fall in love with it.”

Autumn pressed her lips together, not responding.

Anyone who knew her could see from her expression that she was already very annoyed.

But Abraham, as if he didn’t notice, just kept rambling on about how great Teafall Peaks was.

Autumn had reached her limit and was about to cut him off when she heard Owen’s voice from

outside the door.

“If Teafall Peaks is so great, why does it seem to be completely off the map?”

“In this country, even a tiny, stinking ditch can get famous. I refuse to believe a place as amazing as you claim has zero reputation.”

Hearing Owen’s voice, a flicker of panic crossed Abraham’s face.

He opened his mouth to try and force a smile, but Owen didn’t give him the chance.

“Get him out of here.”

Several bodyguards swarmed in and pinned Abraham to the floor.

“I’m not lying to you! I know something about your mother!”

Autumn ignored his shouts, her gaze fixed on the tips of her shoes.

Once Abraham was dragged away, Owen hurried to her side. “Are you okay?”

Autumn shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Owen stroked her hair, his expression full of concern. “Did he scare you?”

“No,” Autumn said, taking a deep breath before adding, “I just think it’s weird.”

“Why have I never heard of this place before, and now all this random information is popping up one after another?”

Owen paused for a moment, then ventured, “Could it be… that someone found out you’re investigating something, and now they’re starting to come out of the woodwork?”

Autumn sucked in a sharp breath.

“Then what do you think they’re after?”

“Are they trying to stop me from digging further, or…?”

“If they wanted me to keep investigating, wouldn’t they send me more clues? Why send someone as strange as Abraham?”

Owen said, “Maybe the real players haven’t made their move yet. The ones showing up now are just small fry.”