Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1291

The room buzzed with whispers that just kept getting louder and nastier.

Walter’s face was stormy. He kept trying to step forward and shut everyone up, but Harden wouldn’t let him go. With every attempt, Walter’s patience wore thinner, and it was clear he was losing his temper with Harden too.

Just as Walter was about to break free, Audrey noticed and gently grabbed his hand. Her touch told him to relax, and he understood she wanted him to let it go.

She turned back to Amy and Iris, an amused glint in her eyes. Inside, Audrey could barely keep it together. Their petty, mean-girl act was almost funny for how desperate it was.

A few guys from Cabinda had no interest in staying quiet. They couldn’t help themselves and started laughing—loud, unrestrained, almost ridiculous laughter that instantly drowned out all the snide remarks in the room. Everyone turned to look at them, momentarily stunned, not understanding what was so hilarious.

Ablitt was doubled over, clutching his stomach. “Wait, wait, let me get this straight… You’re saying she’s chasing after rich guys for status? That she’d go as far as… seducing men? Oh, come on. That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard!”

Aeneas was laughing so hard he was pounding on the table to catch his breath. “Seriously, ignorance is one thing, but being this clueless and acting like you know everything? That’s next level.”

“Honestly, if she needed to suck up to anyone for money, the rest of us would be out begging in the street,” someone else chimed in.

Ablitt wiped away tears of laughter. “I mean, I’ve seen short-sighted people before, but this many in one place? That’s a first.”

Once he’d calmed down, he clapped his friend Sol on the shoulder. “Sol, the high society crowd here in Harrisburg is wild.”

Sol just stood there, lost for words. He hesitated before finally saying, “Well… a few people here don’t really represent all of Harrisburg’s upper crust.”

Truthfully, he didn’t know Audrey either. But seeing how his friends were acting, Sol could tell there was more going on than it seemed. He was no fool—that’s how he’d ended up friends with these guys in the first place. Sure, he was good at racing, but that alone wouldn’t have gotten him into Cabinda’s elite circles.

Once the laughter died down, Sol leaned in closer. “Ablitt, come on, we’re friends. Who is she, really?”

Ablitt grinned, shaking his head. “I’m not telling. But if you want to know about her status, let’s just say those people making fun of her aren’t even qualified to carry her shoes.”

Aeneas jumped in, “And by the way, we weren’t here to say hi to Mr. Wilson. We don’t even know him. We came over just to say hello to Ms. Williams.”

“Exactly,” Ablitt added, still grinning. “If anyone’s clout-chasing here, it’s us. I’d be honored if she wanted to hang out.”

He shot Audrey a playful wink. “Audrey, how about it? Give me a chance sometime.”

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