Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 254

Dennis Williams picked up on her distress in a heartbeat. “Ms. Davis, are you okay?” he asked at once.

Camila Davis hadn’t checked the caller ID, but the familiar, deep warmth of his voice finally registered. She tried to sound composed. “Mr. Williams? Oh, it’s you... I’m fine. Really.”

Dennis didn’t buy it for a second.

That voice was anything but “fine.”

“You’re not well,” he said gently but firmly. “Is it something physical, or is it just all the stress? I saw the news… Whatever it is, I hope you’ll let me know.”

Camila hesitated. She hated the idea of burdening him. But the truth was, she really wasn’t okay—neither in mind nor body. Maybe, just maybe, she needed someone like him to help her sort things out.

She caved quickly. “I… yeah, the news really got to me. The Smith Group just released a new medication today—the formula was stolen from my lab. My team and I spent months developing that drug, and I have no idea how it ended up in their hands…”

Her voice faltered, tinged with raw vulnerability. “I can’t find the leak… I’ve tried to analyze everything, but I’m coming up empty. I’m so stressed, my heart’s acting up too.”

Dennis frowned, concern tightening his features. He’d thought maybe it was just rumors or gossip weighing on her. This was a whole different level.

He knew how much time and energy went into developing a breakthrough drug—countless hours, sleepless nights. To have it all stolen in the blink of an eye? Anyone would be devastated.

She nodded, even though he couldn’t see her. “Of course I trust you.”

After a moment’s thought, she quickly summarized her findings so far.

Dennis listened, thoughtful. “From what you’re telling me, it all happened without warning. That means whoever did this was extremely careful. But your lab’s core data is protected by a separate system, right? Transferring it should have left traces. If they stole it, I doubt they did it in several steps—that’s too risky, too easy to get caught. So the data must’ve been moved all at once, and if the transfer logs were wiped, there should be a way to recover them.”

“I tried,” Camila said, frustrated, “but I couldn’t find anything.”

Dennis smiled, a knowing, easy smile. “Then there’s your clue. Someone on your pharma team is also a computer whiz.”