Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 452

“I’m not going through with the engagement between the Williams family and the Lee family.”

“If the Lees want compensation, I can provide it. But as for a bride, you’ll have to pick someone else.”

“You little brat!” Mr. Morris’s voice shot up, red-faced over the phone. “Are you trying to make us look like liars?”

Dennis Williams’s tone was cool and even. “This whole arrangement is ridiculous anyway. People are individuals, not bargaining chips. Parents shouldn’t just trade away their kids’ futures like they’re swapping baseball cards.”

“These days, whatever you do, you have to respect personal choice. You can’t force something and expect it to work out.”

Mr. Morris huffed, “How do you know it won’t work if you don’t even give it a try?”

Dennis shrugged, not that Mr. Morris could see him. “You’ve got a point, but you only try if you actually want to. I don’t, and you can’t make me.”

Mr. Morris was beside himself. “Nancy—uh, Camila—she’s smart, well-mannered, sweet as apple pie, and just as pretty. And you’re saying she’s not good enough? Are your standards that high? What are you looking for, a movie star?”

Dennis just sighed. “Not at all. But whoever I do end up with, however she is, as long as she feels right to me, that’s all I care about.”

Something seemed to click for Mr. Morris. He pressed, “Wait a minute, is there someone else? Is that why you keep turning down Nancy? Is there a girl you’ve met? Someone from your unit? You’ve been in Harrisburg forever and haven’t come back to Cabinda—did you meet someone out there?”

Mr. Morris was sharp. But Dennis wouldn’t admit to anything. His voice didn’t waver. “No, there’s no one. If there ever is, I’ll let you know.”

Mr. Morris sputtered, then hung up in a rage.

He’s going to end up having a heart attack because of me one of these days, Dennis thought as he set the phone down, eyes narrowing, mind drifting.

Mr. Morris never shoots in the dark. Dennis had kept things locked down in Harrisburg. So how did the old man even get that idea? Did something leak? Was Cynthia Lee behind this?

Sensing something was off, Dennis called for Aaron.

“What’s up, Mr. Williams?” Aaron asked, poking his head in.

Dennis didn’t beat around the bush. “Check our people. See if anyone’s been bought off by Mr. Morris or anyone else.”

He didn’t elaborate, but Aaron understood instantly and got right to work.

She’d heard about him through some old connections. Back in the day, Raymond had come out of the same med school as Eric Morris, but he was so talented he actually outshone Morris, which got him kicked out. Since then, Raymond had built his own practice and earned quite the name for himself.

Sandra figured he was perfect for Jordan’s treatment. Raymond and Eric Morris were rivals, and Raymond’s reputation was nothing to sneeze at. With a miracle-worker like him on hand, Camila Davis and her mentor wouldn’t be so irreplaceable.

She wasted no time, heading over herself to make the request.

Raymond didn’t stand on ceremony. He let her in, though he wasn’t exactly warm. After she sat down, his apprentice brought her a cup of coffee.

“Ms. Taylor, you should know my appointments are booked solid for the month. Honestly, I’m not taking on new patients for the next six months at least.”

Sandra flashed her best smile. “Mr. Mitchell, I respect your rules. I came prepared—if you’ll take on Jordan’s case, we’ll pay five million up front.”

She leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Honestly, I should’ve known about you sooner. I only went to Eric Morris because I didn’t know there was another miracle doctor in town. But he’s gotten arrogant—thinks he’s the best there is just because everyone tells him so. I hear you came out of the same med school, so I’m sure your skills are just as good—if not better.”

Something in her words must’ve struck a nerve, because Raymond’s expression changed. He didn’t turn her down. Instead, he replied, “This case… for Brown, I’ll take it.”