Chapter 20 She Slapped Her ( +2 Bonus Veronica opened Lyra's bag and pulled out a diamond bracelet . Everyone around them gasped in shock . The way they looked at Lyra completely changed . " I can't believe Dr. Sheppard would do something like this , " someone whispered . " God , I really misjudged her ! " " How can someone with that kind of character be a doctor ? " " Stealing jewelry ? How desperate for money is she ? " Lyra listened to all the accusations flying around her , feeling like she'd been thrown into an ice pit . Her face went pale , but slowly , she found her composure . She became completely calm . She knew Veronica had planted the bracelet in her bag . There was no other way she could have been so confident about finding it . Veronica kept setting her up like this , but why ? Was it because of Maxen ? But her marriage to Maxen was supposed to be secret . How could Veronica possibly know about it ? " Dr. Sheppard , even if you really liked my bracelet , you can't just take it when I'm not looking , " Veronica said , looking deeply 1/6 22:02 Chapter 20 She Slapped Her +2 Bonus disappointed . " Sure , it's not super expensive , but it's my favorite one . Even if you wanted it , you shouldn't have done this . " The crowd around them started talking , pointing fingers , and making snide comments . Lyra heard every single word . Her hands clenched into fists , and her eyes went cold and empty. Maxen noticed how pale Lyra had gotten , and his chest tightened . He looked at the crowd with an icy stare . " Everyone just go . Now . " When Veronica saw him trying to break up the crowd , she stared at him in disbelief . " Max … " " So you're all saying I stole her bracelet , right ? " Lyra's voice cut through the noise . Maxen's frown deepened , and his deep eyes flashed with something dangerous . Lyra ignored him completely and walked straight up to Veronica , who looked a bit surprised . Then , she slapped her . The whole crowd went dead silent . Everyone who worked at the hospital knew that Veronica had Maxen's protection . Nobody would dare hit his person right in front of him . 2/6 22:03 Chapter 20 She Slapped Her +2 Bonus Julian's jaw dropped . He had no idea Lyra had this kind of fire in her . Damn , she was feisty ! He liked that in a woman . Even Maxen hadn't seen the slap coming . He grabbed Lyra's wrist . "What the hell are you doing ? " Lyra yanked her arm away , her eyes blazing red . " What am I doing ? I don't go around taking stuff that isn't mine . That's for sure . " She looked at Veronica , who was clutching her cheek in shock , and laughed , " I had the guts to slap you right in front of Mr. Hawthorne . You think I'd bother stealing your bracelet ? If I wanted it , I'd just take it from you . Why would I need to steal it ? " Your bracelet's been on your wrist this whole time . You're saying I stole it ? How exactly did I pull off this magic trick right under your nose ? Did you go into a coma when I took it off ? Or are your hands as numb as your common sense ? " " I- " Veronica never expected her to turn the tables like this . Her face went pale . Everyone else thought Lyra had a point . After all , it was something Veronica wore on her body . There was no way someone could steal it right off her wrist without her knowing . 3/6 22:03 Chapter 20 She Slapped Her +2 Bonus Maxen's eyes narrowed dangerously as he stared at Veronica . Veronica tried to hide her panic and said quickly , " No , that's not right . I wasn't actually wearing the bracelet , so … " Seeing her about to slip up , Lyra pressed harder . " You said this was your favorite bracelet and that Mr. Hawthorne gave it to you . If you weren't wearing it , how would I even know you had such a beautiful bracelet ? " Lyra grabbed the hand that Veronica was clutching the bracelet . " Are you saying you showed it off to me ? That you had it in your pocket and I saw it there and took it ? " " Enough . " Maxen grabbed Lyra's wrist . " How long are you going to keep this up in front of everyone ? " Keep this up ? Lyra stared at Maxen in disbelief , her heart going cold as stone . " I'm defending my innocence . Is that what you call making a scene ? " " Innocence ? " Maxen let out a harsh laugh . " The bracelet was found in your bag , and you're talking about innocence ? " Those words hit her like a death sentence . Lyra felt her blood turn to ice , her whole body going numb with cold . Her throat tightened as she choked out , " You know I would never- 4/6 22:03 Chapter 20 She Slapped Her " I only believe the evidence . " +2 Bonus His words cut off her last hope and crushed what was left of her heart . Veronica grabbed Maxen's hand , putting on a show of kindness . " Max , just let it go . Dr. Sheppard didn't mean any harm . I got my bracelet back , so I don't blame her . " Everyone around them praised Veronica for being so understanding . Meanwhile , no matter what Lyra said , it all sounded weak and pointless . The bracelet had been pulled from her bag right in front of everyone . Who would believe her now ? Lyra let out a bitter laugh , swallowing the pain in her chest . " Looks like I'm getting blamed no matter what today . Guess I picked the wrong day to leave the house . I'll pretend some lunatic just took a swing at me . " She shot a piercing look at both Veronica and Maxen , then turned and walked away without another word . Maxen pressed his lips together , feeling uncomfortable about the whole situation . He started to follow her , but Veronica 5/6 22:03 Chapter 20 She Slapped Her +2 Bonus grabbed his arm . " Max , just let it go . Don't make things harder for Dr. Sheppard . " 6/6 Write your comment ir Gifts