Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 795

That voice was all too familiar. Camila Davis turned around, utterly unsurprised to see Harper Thompson standing there.

Her eyes were calm and cold as she met Harper’s glare—a look sharp with bitterness and spite, unmistakably hostile.

Lavinia Roberts stood at Harper’s side.

Compared to Harper, Lavinia’s expression was even more openly malicious, as if she wanted everyone to see just how much she despised Camila.

Some things never change. Still as clueless as ever, Camila thought, unable to suppress a quiet, mocking laugh.

Can’t even hold back at the start of the evening, already rushing to make a scene. Fine by me. The party’s just begun—let’s deal with this now and clear the air before they ruin the night for everyone else.

Her voice was cool and unbothered. “If you had the nerve to show your face here, why wouldn’t I?”

She paused, her gaze unflinching. “The university’s medical school has always been part of the old families’ circle—of course we were invited. I’m curious, though. Which family are you representing tonight?”

Just one simple question, and Harper’s face flushed deep red.

The Thompson family wasn’t exactly old money, nor did they have ties to any intellectual or business elite. Harper’s parents were ordinary employees at one of the many Smith Group subsidiaries—nothing special.

For Harper, even getting to know people like Benjamin Torres and Lavinia Roberts was already the absolute pinnacle of her social reach.

Tonight, she was only here thanks to Lavinia’s invitation.

The lavish ballroom, the sparkling chandeliers, the elegantly dressed heirs and socialites—people she could never dream of befriending—made Harper feel even more out of place and insecure.

That only made her more desperate to cling to Lavinia. Only with Lavinia’s help did she stand a chance with Benjamin Torres.

If Lavinia backed her, maybe one day Benjamin’s family could climb back into the ranks of high society, and she—Harper—would become the esteemed Mrs. Torres.

Then she’d truly belong at parties like this—wealth, status, everything she’d ever wanted at her fingertips.

Murmurs spread across the room as everyone’s attention zeroed in on Camila and Harper.

Sarah Brown couldn’t stand to listen to another second of Harper’s nonsense. She immediately stepped forward, her voice sharp. “And who are you supposed to be, exactly? Representing her mentor? Please. Her mentor hasn’t said a word—what gives you the right to yap like a stray dog? Who invited you to speak?”

With Sarah speaking up, Larry Adams joined in, his tone mocking. “Strange—I thought tonight’s invitations were reserved for the old families. How did just anyone manage to sneak in? The Thompson family—I’ve heard of them. But as far as I recall, they don’t have a daughter named Ms. Thompson.”

He looked Harper up and down, his disdain obvious. “Remind me—what makes you think you belong here, standing with the heirs of real families?”

His scorn cut Harper to the core, and she clenched her fists, overcome with shame and humiliation.

Across the room, guests’ expressions shifted. Those not involved watched with open interest, eager for the drama. The truly distinguished guests, however, frowned in clear displeasure.

Larry hadn’t been wrong—everyone knew the exclusivity of this event. The sudden presence of an outsider like Harper was an embarrassment, dragging down the whole affair. No wonder they were annoyed.