Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 752

His gaze shifted to Camila Davis, a flicker of conflicted emotion passing through his eyes as he spoke. “If she truly made a mistake and insists on denying it, then from this day forward, she’ll be permanently expelled from the Institute—never to return.”

That was a harsh punishment—perhaps too harsh.

But Abner Young was not a man without mercy.

After he finished, he looked at Camila and asked, “Are you willing to accept these terms?”

There was more in his words than a simple question. It was a warning—subtle, but clear.

If she agreed, and the investigation proved her at fault, there would be no room for negotiation. But if she admitted to a mistake now, the punishment would be lighter—nothing close to total expulsion.

Camila Davis refused to be the kind of person who swallowed her pride just to get by.

Jaw clenched, she answered, “I accept.”

Benjamin Torres still couldn’t fathom how things had escalated to this point. He certainly didn’t want Camila to leave because of this.

He hurried to her side, lowering his voice in urgent persuasion. “Camila, you should really think this through! If things don’t look good, just admit to a mistake. A penalty is better than being kicked out for good…”

He lowered his voice, almost pleading. “Sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Camila’s face was set. “There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

If she couldn’t defend her innocence even when wrongly accused, she’d spend her life crushed under the weight of that humiliation—a stain on her record, an endless source of ridicule. She refused to admit to a mistake she hadn’t made. To back down now would be to fall straight into someone’s trap.

She would never let that happen.

Seeing her resolve, Abner Young’s eyes shone with a hint of admiration.

He wasted no more words. “Very well. That settles it. Camila Davis, you’re dismissed for now—wait for the outcome.”

“Understood.”

Camila left the director’s office with her head held high, dignity intact.

Stepping outside, she felt the noon sun warming her shoulders, but inside, she couldn’t shake a wave of uncertainty. With everything happening, she knew her mentor would be worried for her. Guilt crept into her chest.

Ever since their reconciliation, her mentor had been dragged into one storm after another because of her. Who knew what everyone at the Institute would think of him after this…

“Camila!”

Benjamin’s voice called out behind her.

“Ms. Davis, you’re here?”

Patrick greeted her with a smile that quickly faded to concern. He’d watched her grow up and could immediately sense something was off.

He hesitated. “Shouldn’t you be at the Institute at this hour? Did something happen?”

Camila, feeling weighed down, didn’t hide the truth. She nodded. “I’ll explain when Master gets back.”

Patrick rarely saw her so dejected. Worried, but not wanting to pry and upset her further, he quietly slipped away to the kitchen, instructing the staff to prepare her favorite dishes and pastries. Sweet food for a bitter mood, he thought. Maybe a good meal would lift her spirits.

The morning passed in a blur.

Before long, it was lunchtime.

Eric Morris hurried back from outside, breathless. The first thing he saw was his protégé sitting in the garden, lost in thought.

He wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or worried.

But, for now, he let out a sigh of relief.