Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 166

After finally sorting things out with the housekeeper, Camila Davis could finally sit down and enjoy a meal in peace.

The next few days, she threw herself into the work at the research institute. Her team was a well-oiled machine—every formula, every step, was measured and executed with precision. Thanks to their efficiency, the new drug development was moving fast.

It was during one of these busy afternoons that Camila overheard the latest gossip about the Smith family.

Mason Smith’s birthday was coming up, and the Smiths were throwing a lavish party, inviting just about every big shot in Harrisburg—politicians, business moguls, you name it. Last time, at Lillian’s birthday, the Smiths had lost a lot of face. But now, with Jordan Smith recently landing a massive government contract worth hundreds of millions, they were eager to share the spoils and reclaim the spotlight.

When Camila heard the news, she barely reacted. Business was business, and sympathy was cheap—Lillian’s humiliation was just something people gossiped about over coffee. Unless their own interests were at stake, no one really cared. Most people cared more about cozying up to the Smiths than about what had happened to Lillian.

Rumors even started swirling about Jordan Smith and Sandra Taylor. People couldn’t stop talking: “Miss Taylor is such a gem—helping organize the Smith patriarch’s birthday party, running around making sure everything’s perfect.” “When Mrs. Smith was in the hospital, Sandra barely left her side—she looked after her better than Camila ever did.” Meanwhile, the story about Camila causing a scene at the last party was being retold with increasing exaggeration: “She practically embarrassed the whole family—no wonder she was kicked out.”

Camila couldn’t help but find it all bitterly ironic. For years, whenever the Smiths had a birthday or celebration, she’d been the one running herself ragged to make everything perfect. Did anyone ever thank her for it? Of course not.

On Mason Smith’s birthday, Barbara Jones happened to be discharged from the hospital. She was still recovering from an incident where Camila had, in a moment of desperation, bound her up with duct tape, leaving her with some nasty skin injuries that had only just healed.

Sandra Taylor, ever the considerate one, said, “Thank goodness you’re better in time for Uncle Mason’s birthday. It would be such a shame if you couldn’t wear your beautiful new dress.”

Barbara gritted her teeth at the mention of Camila, but couldn’t help but look at Sandra with growing approval. “Thank you, Sandra. You’ve been such a help these past few weeks, taking care of things and helping with the party. You really are a model of grace and competence.”

Sandra smiled sweetly. “It’s the least I could do.”

Barbara nodded, glancing at the clock. Guests would be arriving any minute. She quickly instructed Sandra, “Give Jordan a call—tell him to get home soon.”

“Of course,” Sandra replied, heading off to make the call.

—

At four o’clock that afternoon, Camila was still buried in work at the lab when her phone rang. It was Larry Adams, her friend and Lillian’s school counselor.

His voice was tense. “Ms. Davis, I just got a call from the school. Lillian’s father, Mr. Smith, showed up with a lawyer and a couple of security guards. He insisted on taking Lillian out, saying she had to attend Mr. Williams’s birthday party. I’m out of town for a conference and couldn’t stop him. What do you want to do?”

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