Chapter 19 Search Her Personal Items Veronica straightened her clothes with a satisfied smile , +2 Bonus checking herself in the mirror . She glanced back at the bathroom stall one more time before walking out confidently . ***** Veronica had barely returned when Lyra came back too . Once the meeting was completely over , Lyra walked out with Julian and two highly respected medical experts . " Lyra , Julian told me you're Professor Grace's last student , " Winston Hartwell , one of the experts , said with a smile . " You're so young but you can already handle complex surgeries on your own . You've really outdone your teacher . " Lyra smiled back , " You're too kind , Mr. Hartwell . I only got this far because my mentor taught me so well . " Winston shook his head with a chuckle . " You're just like teacher - way too modest ! " your After saying goodbye to the two seniors , Lyra and Julian headed downstairs . A crowd had gathered in the lobby , with Veronica in the middle complaining about her missing bracelet and 1/5 22:02 Chapter 19 Search Her Personal Items +2 Bonus demanding to see the security cameras . " Dr. Wynn , where exactly did you lose your bracelet ? " someone asked . H " Yeah , that's personal stuff . You can't just leave it anywhere, " another person said . Veronica looked completely upset . When she saw Lyra , she made sure to say loudly , " I remember going to the bathroom . After I ran into Dr. Sheppard in there , my bracelet was gone . " Everyone looked shocked . A lot of the meeting attendees worked at this hospital . " Dr. Sheppard ? That doesn't sound right , " someone said doubtfully . " Yeah , Dr. Sheppard doesn't seem like that type of person … " Maxen casually walked over with a few people . His eyes swept over the crowd . " What's going on ? " " Max . " Veronica rushed toward him , her voice shaky like she was about to cry . " The bracelet you gave me is missing . " Maxen's brow furrowed slightly . Before he could say anything , someone nearby spoke up , " Dr. Wynn said she was with Dr. Sheppard when the bracelet went missing . " 2/5 22:02 Chapter 19 Search Her Personal Items +2 Bonus Everyone turned to look at Lyra . Maxen's gaze landed on her too . Julian crossed his arms . " There's got to be some misunderstanding here . Lyra's not the type to take your bracelet . " Julian's words seemed to hit a nerve with Maxen . His expression darkened instantly . " Mr. Quinn , how long have you known her ? You're already defending her like this ? " Lyra felt her chest tighten , like she was falling into a bottomless pit . Her grip on her purse tightened without her realizing it . She knew he wouldn't believe her , but she never expected him to question her publicly like this , humiliating her in front of everyone . Julian smiled calmly , " Mr. Hawthorne , I always side with what's right , not with people I know . Everything needs proof . " " Proof ? That's easy enough to get , " Maxen said , stroking his watch while staring directly at Lyra . " Whether she took it or not , we'll know once we check her personal items . " Everyone went quiet . Veronica looked down , a flash of triumph in her eyes , then pretended to hesitate . " But Max , searching someone's belongings in public isn't really appropriate . " 3/5 22:02 Chapter 19 Search Her Personal Items +2 Bonus Maxen scoffed , " You said your bracelet went missing , didn't you ? If you suspect someone , check them . What's the problem ? " " Mr. Hawthorne's right , " someone chimed in . " If you suspect someone , just check them . If you've got nothing to hide , you've got nothing to fear . " " Yeah … " others murmured in agreement . Lyra's face went completely pale . Her heart felt like it was being torn open with a dull knife . Having her personal items searched in front of everyone was basically saying she might be a thief . She took a deep breath , trying to push down the crushing pain in her chest , and stared at Maxen . " Mr. Hawthorne , I never took her bracelet ! " " If you didn't take it , then why are you afraid of being searched ? " His words cut through her with cold logic . Lyra couldn't even argue back . But she wasn't stupid . Veronica wouldn't dare be so confident that the bracelet was in her bag unless … unless there was a reason . Veronica walked up to Lyra with fake concern . " Dr. Sheppard , Max already said it's just a quick check . If you really didn't take it , why would you be scared of letting us look ? " " Yeah , Dr. Wynn's right . A quick search won't hurt anyone . Only 4/5 22:02 Chapter 19 Search Her Personal Items someone with something to hide would be afraid of being checked , " someone chimed in . +2 Bonus Veronica nodded eagerly . " Exactly , Dr. Sheppard . That bracelet means a lot to me . If you really didn't take it , why would you be scared of letting me look ? " Before Lyra could respond , Veronica grabbed the bag from her hands . Lyra moved to snatch it back , but Maxen blocked her path . " Let her look , " he said coldly . B Write your comment ir Gifts 5/5