Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 343

Everyone’s eyes turned to the center of the room, right where Camila Davis and Walter Wilson were sitting.

Camila could feel the weight of all that attention—her stomach fluttered with nerves, but it was mostly excitement. She glanced at Walter, ready to go up on stage with him.

Except, he just stayed put, lounging back in his seat with a casual shrug. “Accepting the award is a solo thing,” he said, grinning. “You’re the star here, not me. You built the system, not me. If I go up there and someone asks a technical question, I’ll just embarrass myself. So, I’ll sit this one out.”

Camila sighed at his nonchalance, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

Jessica Harris gave her a wave from across the table, her eyes full of encouragement. “Go on! You’ll do great!”

Everyone was waiting for her, so Camila had no choice but to put on her best game face and make her way to the stage with steady steps.

“Congratulations, Ms. Davis, on taking home the grand prize!” The event host shook her hand warmly.

Camila smiled back, accepting the handshake and the shiny trophy. “Thank you,” she replied, already picturing herself stepping down and returning to her seat.

But before she could make her exit, the host’s voice boomed through the microphone again. “Now, Ms. Davis, would you please share with us what inspired you to develop the M Plan, the hurdles you faced, and what this success means to you?”

Camila hadn’t prepared a speech—not even close. She’d never expected this part.

She blinked, caught off guard, her mind momentarily blank as the host handed her the microphone.

She instinctively looked out toward the crowd, searching for Walter. Did he know this was coming? Was that why he ditched her up here? He had to have known. Why hadn’t he warned her?

But honestly, she couldn’t blame him. She’d been so busy lately she hadn’t even thought about it herself.

Now, standing under the bright lights, Camila tried not to panic. She was about to speak when, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed someone slipping into a seat in the front row, almost hidden in the shadows.

He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, blending effortlessly into the dim light. Even though she couldn’t quite see his face, she recognized him immediately. Mr. Williams… He actually came?

As if sensing her gaze, the man looked up and met her eyes. Just then, a beam of light swept over him, and he gave her a reassuring, gentle smile—a look that seemed to calm her nerves in an instant, like a warm breeze on a chilly day.

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