Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 971

The sudden, cold words snapped Cynthia Lee back to her senses. She looked at her father in shock. "Dad..." She couldn't believe those words had come from his mouth. Nicholas Lee shot her a warning glance. "We'll discuss this when we get home. It's come to this, and the Lee family must save face. We can't come away from this with absolutely nothing!" "Okay," Cynthia nodded, quickly accepting her father's proposal. She desperately wanted Camila Davis to vanish from the face of the earth. That way, there would be no one left to compete with her. A crazed, excited glint appeared in Cynthia's eyes. Across the room, Camila felt a sudden wave of malice. She instinctively looked over and caught the dark, fleeting expression in Cynthia's eyes, as well as the hostile stares from the rest of the Lee family. Audrey Williams noticed Camila's distraction. "Camila, what is it?" she asked, following her gaze to where the Lee family stood. Seeing them, Audrey offered a polite, composed nod of greeting, showing no awkwardness despite having Camila by her side. The Lee family's expressions darkened at the gesture. In the past, they would have found Audrey's politeness charming. Now, it was just an eyesore. Hazel Wood, Cynthia's mother, couldn't help but mutter, "That Audrey Williams is another ungrateful wolf. After all the times we treated her so well, always thinking of her... and now she sides with that bitch Camila!" Cynthia's eyes also flashed with anger. She had spent a great deal of effort trying to win Audrey over in the past. But Audrey, seeing their shifting moods, remained unfazed. She had known the Lees would turn on her, and she wasn't afraid. She turned to Camila with a playful smile. "I bet the Lees are cursing me out right now." "Why?" Camila, Sarah, and Jarvis all looked at her curiously. Even Walter Wilson glanced in her direction. Audrey spoke as if she could hear Hazel's insults from across the room. "If I had to guess, they're probably calling me an ungrateful wolf or something similar. After all, Cynthia gave me quite a few gifts. But... that was all to get on my good side, hoping I'd put in a good word for her with my brother." Sarah nodded. "That's true, you don't want to bite the hand that feeds you. Did you help her?" Audrey shook her head. "Every time she gave me something, I gave her something in return, usually more expensive. I never took advantage of her, and I don't owe her a thing. Heh, I would never meddle in Dennis's affairs anyway. He's had his own mind since he was little, and all his decisions have been wise. I trust him completely—in business, family matters, and especially his love life. I'll only ever support him." Her friends couldn't help but smile at her explanation. Sarah hooked her arm through Audrey's. "Mr. Williams is so lucky to have such a sensible younger sister!" Audrey lifted her chin proudly. "Of course he is!" The elder Mr. Williams and the nearby Douglas and Charlotte were also amused by her words. As they were talking, the birthday banquet officially began. Joseph Adams and Kimberly Howard, always presenting a united front of marital bliss, walked onto the stage together to address their guests. "Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my birthday celebration. Your presence tonight brings great honor to our home and our family. Today is a day of double joy for The Adams Family, and we'd like to take this opportunity to announce a major decision regarding The Adams Group..." At this, the murmuring crowd fell silent, all eyes turning to the stage. "I heard they were going to announce the new heir. This must be it." "I think so, but... where's Mr. Adams?" "Yeah, I haven't seen him at all tonight..." "That's strange. Mr. Adams has been quite active in business circles lately, and he's been managing several successful projects. Why wouldn't he be here at a time like this?" "Oh, you don't know his status? In The Adams Group, Larry Adams is just a stepping stone for Brian. Besides, with his mother's sordid reputation, he's lucky he's not a laughingstock. If they let him on that stage, a lot of people would object!" "True. Brian has been training at The Adams Group for years. He's not like that other one who was just dropped in halfway through..." Hearing the whispers from below, Kimberly's heart swelled with secret delight. This was exactly the effect she wanted. The reputation and connections she had cultivated in Cabinda over the years were all to pave the way for her son, secure her position as Mrs. Adams, and guarantee a life of luxury. As for any obstacles in her path, they all had to be removed.