Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1216

He didn’t bother hiding the truth from Audrey. “Yeah, we’re friends. She definitely likes Walter, but honestly, I can’t bring myself to support her.”

Audrey’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Why not?”

Harden rubbed the back of his neck, looking a bit sheepish. “We’re all friends, so I probably shouldn’t say this, but... Iris just isn’t right for Walter. There’s something missing.”

That was putting it nicely. Harden and this group had known each other forever, and he probably understood Iris better than anyone else. The Carter family wasn’t exactly top-tier anymore, and things were only getting worse for them. They’d been trying to marry into a more powerful family, and Iris was dead set on marrying up.

Of course, the person she wanted most was Walter Wilson. In Harrisburg, only the head of the Smith family could even come close to Walter’s status. After Walter’s messy engagement broke off and he got cheated on, his reputation among the city’s elite skyrocketed. It was no wonder Iris was so taken with him.

The problem was, back then, Walter only cared about Camila Davis, so Iris never got her chance. But if she couldn’t have him, she wouldn’t let anyone else get close either. Behind Walter’s back, Iris had used all kinds of forceful and dirty tricks to drive off any girl who tried to approach him.

Now, with rumors that the Wilsons wanted to set up blind dates for Walter, Iris was working even harder—badmouthing other girls, spreading gossip, doing whatever she could to ruin their reputations.

Harden knew all of this, but since they’d been friends for years, he kept it to himself and didn’t share any of it with Audrey.

Audrey picked up on the hint and didn’t pry. She just grinned and said, “Thanks for telling me.”

Harden’s grin matched hers. “No problem.”

The food arrived quickly, and with a quick, “Let’s eat,” everyone dug in. Audrey didn’t know most of them well, but thanks to Harden’s extra effort, she felt like she could fit in. Most people at the table were friendly, except for one guy Audrey couldn’t quite place. Every time he looked at her, she felt uneasy.

Abbott wasn’t just staring. Whenever he spoke, he seemed to be fishing for information.

“Ms. Williams, you don’t seem like an ordinary person at all. You’re so knowledgeable, your perspective is way above ours. That elegance, that way you talk… Are you from one of Cabinda’s top ten families? Last time we met, it was so rushed I didn’t even get your full name, Ms. Williams.”

The conversation shifted and everyone went back to eating, as if nothing had happened.

“Yeah, the chef here is still amazing. Seriously, everyone, eat up.”

“Eat while it’s hot…”

The mood lightened again. Just then, someone knocked at the door. A second later, a familiar face walked in.

Iris stood there with a gentle, sweet smile, teasing everyone. “You all went out to eat and didn’t invite me?”

She walked in with a limp, her ankle still not fully healed.