Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 718

“No—no, I can’t! I’m not leaving!”

Lavinia Roberts’ face had gone ghostly pale, her eyes wild with panic. She stammered out an apology, desperate for mercy. “I’m sorry, Mr. Williams, it’s my fault, I... mmph—!”

Her protests were cut short as a security guard clamped a hand over her mouth and dragged her away.

The crowd that had gathered watched the scene unfold with uneasy fear, but no one dared speak up. Moments later, the event organizers stepped in to restore order, urging everyone to disperse.

No one was inclined to linger. Within moments, the little market stall was left with just a handful of people.

Dennis Williams’ icy expression melted as he turned to Camila Davis, his tone gentle. “That ought to make you feel better. Next time you run into someone like that, don’t hold back—teach them a lesson. Didn’t I tell you? Whatever happens, I’ll handle it. If you end up hurt or upset, I’m the one who worries, aren’t I?”

Camila blushed at his sudden tenderness, though she couldn’t help but feel a warmth bloom inside her.

“I did fight back,” she admitted, “but I didn’t expect her to know self-defense. She caught me off guard for a second.”

“What about your pepper spray?”

Camila shook her head. “I didn’t bring it—since I was with you today.”

She didn’t say it outright, but the trust was clear. Dennis’ eyes darkened with guilt. “That’s my fault—at least you didn’t get hurt.”

Just then, Camila remembered Nathan Gates and Jarvis Peters, who had stepped in to help when Lavinia lunged at her. Out of courtesy, she turned to Nathan. “Nathan, thank you for your help back there.”

Nathan stiffened awkwardly. Truth be told, he’d only acted on orders from his boss. Yet here he was, the only one getting thanked. He shot a quick glance at his employer, Jordan Smith, whose expression remained unreadable, as if he couldn’t care less.

Jarvis cleared his throat. “Well, I’ve always admired your medical school—dreamed of exchanging ideas with someone from there. Never had the chance before, but meeting you today feels like fate. I was wondering if we could become friends. Maybe someday, I could visit your medical school—ah, I mean, just to observe!”

Camila was surprised—this was all a bit sudden, wasn’t it? They barely knew each other, and he wanted to visit her school?

Aaron, standing nearby, seemed to sense her hesitation and leaned in to explain quietly, “Jarvis Peters is a bit of a medical fanatic. His greatest passion is poring over every rare medical text he can find. Of course, most families guard their secrets closely, so he makes friends everywhere he goes. He’s intense, but honestly, he’s the most talented heir the Harris family has had in a century—just a bit scatterbrained.”

“I see,” Camila chuckled, understanding dawning on her. So he’s got his eye on our school’s ancient texts, she thought. But that didn’t bother her. In fact, the medical school had once welcomed all students, eager to pass on knowledge for the good of humanity. It was only after a betrayal by Raymond Mitchell that they tightened their traditions, shrinking the circle of inheritors. Now it was just her and Patrick’s son, Kyle Garcia.

She smiled at Jarvis. “You want to read our medical school’s old manuscripts?”

Jarvis’ eyes lit up, nodding so eagerly it was almost comical. “I won’t lie—I’d love to! I’ve admired your school since I was a kid. When I was a teenager, I even thought about cutting ties with my family to ask Mr. Morris to take me as a student. My father nearly broke my legs over it—locked me in the study for three days and nights, so I never got the chance...”