Chapter 27

Barry glanced at Banden. His expression didn’t look good, which meant he probably agreed with what Jayden had said. Otherwise, someone like Damien, who had always acted like Autumn didn’t exist, shouldn’t have even shown a hint of displeasure. Complete indifference.

He hurried outside; Autumn was already gone. She had been belted into a car, though he didn’t know which one. She had disappeared so quickly. He couldn’t help but think, “Autumn, were you just putting on a show, or have you really made up your mind to end the marriage?”

As he was thinking, Jayden came over and bumped his shoulder. “Heading out together?”

Banier was with Emilia, so he had no interest in tagging along as a third wheel.

Barry said, “Weren’t you here to recruit talent? Leaving without even finding one?”

Jayden replied, “I just spoke with Emilia a while ago. She knows the developer behind Lugi-X. She said she’ll introduce us when there’s time.”

Barry couldn’t help but sigh. “Emilia’s really impressive.”

Jayden’s tone was full of admiration. “Of course.”

Emilia had access to top-tier talent. Any recommendation from her would be far more effective than Jayden blindly searching on his own. He’d even watched her at a racing event once—on the track, she radiated a completely different kind of charm. He fully understood Damien’s choice. Emilia’s excellence wasn’t just apparent. If he were in Damien’s position, even with pressure from Hank, he would’ve insisted on not marrying Autumn and waited for Emilia to return with her PhD.

Damien had never explained why he married Autumn; Jayden still didn’t know what had been going through his head. All he knew was, if it were him, he would’ve never let himself end up entangled with someone like Autumn.

Before getting into the car, Autumn hadn’t expected Dawson to actually wait for her. He didn’t seem like the patient type. It was only when the car headed toward the restaurant that it hit her: on the first day of Faulkner Group’s CEO returning to the country, he had waited for a junior secretary. The thought made her uneasy. Yet no one in the car brought up the time she had delayed them.

Not that Autumn felt she had to be endlessly grateful just because Dawson waited. She thought about it from a different angle—if someone she was with got injured, she would wait too.

She felt this way because she had something to compare it to. No matter what had happened before, Damien never waited for her. It was always her arriving early and waiting on him. Often, he wouldn’t even show up, and she’d be left sitting there alone.

She had been full of thoughts, but let them all go the moment she stepped out of the car.

Janie invited the driver to join them for the meal, but he declined after finishing a fast-food lunch. Truthfully, he didn’t dare eat at the same table as Dawson. The restaurant was well-known, and bookings were full for the next month. It was rare to get a reservation.

Autumn was genuinely hungry. She didn’t pretend or politely decline. Once the food was served and Dawson picked up his cutlery, only then did Autumn and Jamie start eating.

They had shared a table the night before at the Caldwell residence. Dawson’s table manners were as refined as ever. The servers, waiting quietly nearby, kept sneaking glances at him. He wasn’t just good-looking; his presence and elegance made him feel like someone out of a high-end fashion magazine. But even the best models lacked the innate nobility Dawson carried. Seeing him in person, one could only admire him from afar. No one would dare entertain the thought of reaching out to touch him.

Janse took the initiative to explain to Autumn, “I studied abroad, and after graduation, I followed Mr. Faulkner. I didn’t know the situation back home. That day, I honestly didn’t recognize you.”

Autumn replied, “Well, now you do. It really was quite the coincidence.”

Jamie said, “I’ve looked at your resume. With your qualifications, why didn’t you join the tech department?”

Autumn answered honestly, “The secretary department is a little more relaxed.”

Jamie knew she was married and had a household to manage. Naturally, that meant she didn’t have as much time; but still—Autumn was so young, beautiful, and composed. To be married already felt like such a waste. Not that he knew why, but he thought it was a shame.

“Well, when there’s time, we should get together with Olivia.”

Autumn glanced at Jamie. Was it just a polite suggestion, or was he using it as an excuse to see someone he wanted to see? Maybe she was overthinking; Olivia had a fiancé. There was nothing to hide. She had probably mentioned it to Jamie.