The Day I Quit Him (Autumn and Mars) novel Chapter 40

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

**Chapter 40**

The atmosphere in the conference room crackled with tension as Mars Wright stood before the imposing figure of the Mistveil Group’s head. The man’s incredulous expression was a stark reminder of the gravity of the situation.

“Mr. Wright, it’s hard to believe that you think the standards at Mistveil are so low,” he remarked, his voice dripping with skepticism.

“Respectfully, who would willingly enter into a contract with someone who can’t even manage to arrive on time for a signing meeting? Especially someone who has shown up late not once, but twice?” Mars shot back, his tone steady, though the underlying frustration was unmistakable.

As the final syllable escaped his lips, a heavy silence descended upon the room.

The employees of Cloudbreak, who had initially felt a surge of righteous indignation, now wore expressions of sheer embarrassment.

Their collective humiliation hung in the air like a thick fog, and yet, with the architect of their disgrace standing before them, no one dared to voice their true sentiments.

“Wh-what do you mean by that?” a timid voice piped up from the back, a nervous glance darting toward Mars.

A wave of guilt crashed over him, and he felt the heat rise in his cheeks as his gaze flitted around the room, desperately avoiding the piercing stare of the Mistveil representative.

The man’s lips twisted into a faint, sardonic smile. “Are you genuinely unaware, Mr. Wright?” he continued, his voice dripping with disdain. “The first time you stood us up, our Mr. Parker was absolutely livid. If it weren’t for Secretary Autumn’s unwavering dedication to this project—and our trust in her character—do you truly think you would have been granted a second chance to meet with us?”

“And let’s not forget, signing with the Lopez Group was also a strategic move for your benefit. Mr. Parker has made it perfectly clear that he refuses to engage with anyone who can’t even manage to show up on time for a contract signing. Ms. Lopez had to practically plead with him before he relented and allowed Mistveil to sign with her company first.”

“Secretary Autumn pointed out that while the Lopez Group and Cloudbreak are distinct entities, you and Ms. Lopez are married. Thus, a contract with her family’s company is as solid as a contract with yours. This way, Mr. Parker would be appeased, and Cloudbreak would not suffer any losses.”

“Mr. Wright, your performance just now was nothing short of a remarkable spectacle. Ms. Lopez has worked tirelessly for Cloudbreak, yet not a single person from your company has expressed gratitude. Instead, you’ve all chosen to criticize her. Your corporate culture is… truly enlightening.”

By the end of his tirade, the representative had even dropped the formal title of Secretary for Autumn, a clear indication of the shift in respect.

Everyone in the room understood the implications.

The Mistveil Group recognized Autumn Lopez’s capabilities.

They trusted her.

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Naturally, they were more than willing to sign with her.

And what of Cloudbreak Corporation? With a CEO who could be tardy not once, but twice for such a crucial signing, what kind of future could possibly lie ahead for them?

The employees of Cloudbreak were oblivious to the fact that the reason Mistveil was hesitant to sign with them stemmed directly from their own CEO’s shortcomings.

Suddenly, memories flooded back to them. They recalled that this was the project Autumn had spearheaded for six long months, the one she had finally secured after pouring her heart into countless proposals.

One by one, pangs of guilt pierced through them, making it impossible to meet Autumn’s eyes.

All they could do was silently curse Mars for his unreliability.

In truth, this wasn’t the first time they had witnessed the CEO’s incompetence.

But as employees of Cloudbreak, they knew who held the reins of their livelihoods, so naturally, they didn’t dare to openly challenge Mars Wright.

“It’s not as if Mr. Wright was late on purpose,” Luna Ferguson chimed in, desperate to curry favor with Mars.

Stepping forward, she donned an innocent facade, addressing the Mistveil representative with wide, pleading eyes. “Everyone has their off days, right? Besides, they say the third time’s the charm. Mr. Wright has only been late twice, so surely there’s room for a third chance?”

“The Lopez Group and Cloudbreak are not the same entity. The contract that belongs to Cloudbreak should indeed be signed by Cloudbreak, wouldn’t you agree?”

After her statement, Luna turned to Autumn with an apologetic expression. “Autumn, sis, please don’t misconstrue my words. I’m not suggesting you have any ulterior motives regarding Cloudbreak. I merely believe… even within family, it’s crucial to separate business from personal matters. Despite your marriage to Mr. Wright, signing this contract in such a manner feels a tad… insecure.”

“You can see my perspective, right, sis? I’m just looking out for Mr. Wright,” she added, a smirk playing on her lips, believing that in front of so many witnesses, Autumn wouldn’t dare retaliate as she had before.

But she was utterly unprepared for Autumn’s fierce rebuttal, delivered without a hint of politeness. “Are you my husband’s mistress? What gives you the right to mediate between us?”

“And you’re calling me ‘sis’? Are you so desperate to be friends with me? Or are you preparing to play the part of the happy little family, like some antiquated mistress trying to win over the legitimate wife?”

In that moment, he also recalled why Luna had been transferred out of the Executive Office in the first place, and the awkwardness in the room became almost palpable.

The others in the room stared at the floor, holding their breath as if waiting for the next move.

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Autumn observed the unfolding chaos with a calm demeanor. Recognizing that the day’s signing had achieved its intended effect, she turned to the representative from Mistveil. “I sincerely apologize for this. This is an internal issue within our organization. I regret that you had to witness such an embarrassing display.”

“It’s getting late. Lunch is on me. I would like to treat you to a proper meal to celebrate our new partnership and wish us a fruitful collaboration moving forward.”

Autumn’s words flowed with such grace and professionalism, a stark contrast to Mars’s earlier outburst.

The representative accepted her invitation with enthusiasm, and together they walked toward the elevator, completely ignoring everyone else in the room.

Mars clenched and unclenched his fists, frustration bubbling within him. Finally, he shamelessly decided to follow them. “Autumn, you’re pregnant. You shouldn’t overexert yourself. Allow me to accompany you and take care of you.”

Everyone was acutely aware that it was merely an excuse, but Mars was indifferent to their judgments as he hurried to catch up.

The moment the three of them stepped into the elevator, Mars’s phone began to ring, the urgency in the tone unmistakable.

**Conclusion**

In the aftermath of the chaotic meeting, a palpable shift settled over the employees of Cloudbreak. The confrontation had laid bare not only Mars Wright’s shortcomings but also the deep-seated issues within the company’s culture. As they witnessed Autumn Lopez stand firm against the tide of condescension, a newfound respect for her capabilities began to blossom among the team. The realization that their CEO’s negligence had jeopardized their hard work and aspirations weighed heavily on their collective conscience. The embarrassment of the moment served as a catalyst for change, igniting a spark of accountability and camaraderie that had long been dormant. It was clear that the path forward required unity and a reevaluation of priorities, with Autumn emerging as a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil.

As Mars trailed behind Autumn and the Mistveil representative, the gravity of his actions began to sink in. His attempts to assert control and protect his image had only exacerbated the situation, pushing him further away from the very support he needed. Yet, in that moment of desperation, he felt a flicker of something deeper—a longing for connection, for understanding, and perhaps, for redemption. The prospect of losing both Autumn and the partnership with Mistveil forced him to confront his own vulnerabilities. It was a turning point, not just for his professional life but for his personal journey as well. Mars realized that in chasing the light of success, he had overlooked the importance of nurturing the relationships and trust that truly mattered. In seeking peace, he would have to confront his flaws and learn to embrace the very qualities he had dismissed in others, setting the stage for a transformative chapter ahead.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As we delve into Chapter 41 of “Chasing Light, Finding Peace,” the tension that has been simmering in the air is set to boil over. With Mars Wright’s humiliation still fresh in the minds of Cloudbreak’s employees, the repercussions of his actions will ripple through the organization. Will he finally confront his shortcomings and take responsibility for the chaos he has caused, or will he continue to deflect blame and hide behind the facade of corporate bravado? The stakes are higher than ever, especially with Autumn Lopez now firmly in the spotlight, having not only secured the partnership with Mistveil but also exposed the fractures within Cloudbreak.

Moreover, the unexpected phone call that interrupts Mars in the elevator promises to unveil yet another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. Who is on the other end of the line, and what urgent news could potentially alter the course of events? As secrets begin to unravel and alliances are tested, readers can anticipate a whirlwind of emotional confrontations and strategic maneuvering. The dynamics between Mars, Autumn, and Luna will take center stage, revealing hidden motivations and unspoken truths that could redefine their relationships forever. Get ready for a chapter filled with revelations, as the characters grapple with their ambitions and the consequences of their choices in the pursuit of peace and success.