Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 712

She patted the little one on the head and said, “Stay with Aunt Audrey and Uncle Larry, okay? Be good, listen to them, and don’t run off on your own!”

“Mm-hmm, I know!” The little one nodded, already well-behaved and used to Larry Adams and the others taking her to play. She understood her mom had things to do and didn’t cling, obediently trotting off with Larry and Audrey.

Once the group had left, Camila Davis and Dennis Williams set out for the conference together.

But to call it a “conference” was a bit of a stretch—it was more like an exclusive marketplace. The event took place inside a stately old building, where rows of tables had been set up. Vendors offered rare medicinal herbs, fragments of ancient medical texts, handwritten formulas—treasures you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

There were organizers stationed throughout, keeping everything orderly. And with the invited guests all being respected figures in the medical world, heirs of old families with secret knowledge, or influential people seeking treatment, the place had an air of calm sophistication—almost like a high-end auction.

It was Camila’s first time at something like this, and she found herself fascinated by it all. She strolled along with Dennis, taking in the sights. “Have you been to this kind of event before?” she asked.

“I have.” Dennis squeezed her hand, nodding slightly. “A few years ago, when Audrey’s heart problem flared up again, I came here looking for a doctor.”

They walked deeper inside as Dennis told her, “There’s a lot of good stuff here. You never know what you might find. Maybe something will catch your eye.”

“Great!” Camila was already interested, and hearing that made her all the more eager. She slipped her arm through his and began browsing in earnest.

As they walked, she saw plenty of fascinating things—rare herbs, reprints of ancient medical books, old handwritten notes—everything she loved. But while these items were valuable, none were truly unique or extraordinary, so she browsed without buying.

Dennis leaned in. “No need to rush,” he said. “The best things are usually in the back. Don’t forget, those old families brought their collections too—their treasures are always tucked away.”

Camila nodded, her eyes sparkling. “Let’s go see, then!” She quickened her pace, eager to reach the heart of the marketplace.

Dennis watched her excitement with a fond smile, indulging her every whim.

But just as they were about to head farther in, Dennis spotted a familiar face.

“Mr. Williams, I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Dennis caught the hint in his tone and glanced at Camila. Before he could say anything, she nodded. “Go ahead, I’ll keep looking around.”

Dennis smiled. “I’ll come find you in a bit.”

She nodded and watched as the two men walked off together.

Left on her own, Camila continued to browse. Just as Dennis had said, the deeper she went, the more fascinating the finds became—fragments of rare medical texts, seeds of endangered herbs, ancient notes on cultivation and treatment. She bought quite a few items, pleased with her haul.

Eventually, she came upon a quiet stall tucked away in a corner. There wasn’t much on display and hardly any customers. Camila’s attention went straight to a medical book sitting near the edge of the table. What caught her eye was that, unlike the other scattered fragments, this book was intact. But the writing on the cover was unfamiliar—strange, almost impossible to decipher.

The stall owner was a young man with long hair, striking and almost androgynously handsome, but he looked languid and disinterested. Unlike the other vendors, he wasn’t hawking his wares, just lounging in his chair with his eyes closed, as if dozing.

On the counter, a small sign read: Prices as marked. Pay by scanner. Theft is a crime.