Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 809

Everyone present, upon realizing what had just happened, no longer dared to look down on Camila Davis.

They suddenly understood: all this time, they’d tried to keep Camila out of their circle, but Camila herself had never even wanted to be part of it.

She didn’t need connections like theirs—she was aiming much higher.

Their so-called elite society was little more than an afterthought to her.

Lavinia Roberts watched it all unfold, her heart sinking to rock bottom.

She’d wanted to struggle, to argue her case one last time.

But in this situation, even the most eloquent speech would be useless. There was simply no coming back from this.

Lavinia wasn’t so foolish as to miss the obvious: the three people who’d spoken up earlier had been on Camila’s side from the start.

When she’d tried to smear Camila’s reputation and competency, they’d stepped in to shut her down—making sure everyone knew Camila had solved one difficult case after another, for people with far more power and influence than anyone in the room.

She’d mocked Camila, saying she wasn’t good enough for Dennis Williams, but Camila’s own abilities had already earned her the respect of the most influential figures in the city.

Everything Lavinia had done tonight—here, in front of everyone—had become a complete joke.

Not only had she ruined herself, but she’d dragged down the entire Roberts family with her.

A wave of belated panic crashed over Lavinia. She was terrified, desperate to beg for mercy.

But Camila didn’t spare her so much as a glance. She didn’t even bother to have her thrown out.

Being ignored was the greatest humiliation of all.

Everyone else understood—the Roberts family was finished.

No one even considered speaking up for Lavinia. In fact, they acted as if she didn’t exist, letting her fade into the background like a ghost.

The few who did look her way did so with thinly veiled contempt, making it clear they wanted nothing to do with her anymore.

Lavinia stumbled, nearly falling as she backed away.

Unable to stand the atmosphere any longer, she turned and fled the ballroom in shame.

Seeing her run, the desperate Harper Thompson didn’t dare linger either and hurried after her.

The commotion ended with the two of them slinking out, bringing the matter to a close.

At that moment, Camila was thanking Mrs. Molly and the others.

She lifted her teacup in a toast, her voice sincere. “Thank you, Mrs. Molly, and to my godfather Sarah, and Mr. Parsons, for standing up for me tonight. I can’t tell you how much it means.”

She turned, puzzled, and was startled to see her mentor standing there, along with her parents.

Her expression froze in surprise. “Mom, Dad… What are you doing here?”

Melissa George’s eyes were still a little red. She and her husband had witnessed everything—watching their daughter be isolated and slandered had nearly broken her heart.

If Mr. Morris hadn’t held them back, they would have rushed over to defend Camila long ago.

Jerry Davis didn’t say a word. He simply came over and took Camila’s hand in his, his wife by his side.

The warmth of their touch made Camila’s eyes sting.

She could guess—they must have seen everything.

Now, holding her hand, they were comforting her the only way they knew how.

Camila’s heart ached. She’d always known how much her parents cared for her.

The reason they’d been uncertain about her relationship with Dennis Williams was because they were afraid that something like tonight would happen.

And now, they’d seen it all for themselves.