Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 800

Smack—

The sharp crack of a slap rang out across the grand ballroom.

Instantly, the room fell silent. Every head turned, stunned, to stare at Camila Davis.

Harper Thompson was left in a daze, clutching her cheek, her face frozen in shock and disbelief.

Camila Davis… actually dared to hit her?!

Camila’s voice was cold as ice. “Harper Thompson, did you really think I wouldn’t lay a hand on you?”

“I let it go when you targeted me at the research institute. As long as you didn’t mess with my work, I could ignore it. But that doesn’t give you the right to spit venom and slander people. Just because you couldn’t win Benjamin Torres’ heart, you start spreading wild rumors.”

She fixed Harper with a steely gaze. “You keep accusing me of seducing Benjamin, but tell me—when have I ever done that? Outside of necessary work conversations, Benjamin and I have always kept a professional distance. Not once have I overstepped.”

“Everyone at the institute can vouch for me.”

“And as for Walter Wilson, we’ve known each other for years. He’s a colleague, a friend—close as a brother, in fact. Our relationship is above reproach, and you don’t get to tarnish it with your baseless gossip.”

“Even Dennis has never had a problem with it. So who are you to run your mouth and spread lies?!”

Harper just stared, dumbstruck by Camila’s commanding presence. She couldn’t believe Camila was still this fierce, even now.

But as the sting of the slap faded, anger flooded in—anger at being humiliated, and at Camila’s cutting words about her failure with Benjamin Torres. That was the truth Harper least wanted to face.

She seethed, her voice trembling with rage. “Camila Davis, how dare you slap me?!”

A mocking laugh rang out from Sarah Brown nearby. “Oh, please. You got slapped, so what? No one needs to book an appointment to put you in your place.”

“I haven’t heard anything this ridiculous in ages. You seriously think Camila would chase after your precious Benjamin? Give me a break. Her boyfriend is Mr. Williams, for crying out loud! With his background, not just in Cabinda, but anywhere, there aren’t many men who could compare.”

“Why would she even look at anyone else, with someone like Mr. Williams by her side? If you’re going to throw dirt, at least try to make it believable.”

“And as for Walter Wilson—sure, he’s got a lot going for him, but he’s the last person who’d get involved in someone else’s relationship. That’s why he’s still single, isn’t it?”

“Talk about manipulative!”

“Good thing we didn’t fall for it…”

The mood in the room shifted. The watchful, judgmental looks shifted away from Camila and landed squarely on Lavinia Roberts and her clique.

Harper, flustered, glanced uncertainly at Lavinia, desperate for direction. But Lavinia, ignoring her, snapped back at the crowd, “And what about you, just spouting whatever comes to mind? You say she’s innocent—prove it! Mr. Williams is a busy man; it’s not like he’s glued to her side twenty-four-seven. Who knows what Camila gets up to when no one’s watching? Maybe she doesn’t care who she flirts with!”

“And don’t forget—her character is rotten. Even if she’s not sleeping around, she never admits her mistakes at work. She’s always pretending to be perfect!”

Spurred on by Lavinia’s outburst, Harper found her voice again and leapt to her defense. “That’s right! Camila Davis, you’re an embarrassment to the medical and research community. Even if you’re dating Mr. Williams, you’ll only end up disgracing him!”

She finished with a contemptuous sneer.

But before the smirk could settle on her face, Camila’s hand flew again—another resounding slap, even harder than the first.

This time, Harper was sent staggering, crashing into a chair and nearly sprawling to the floor.