Chapter 23 Drinking Companion It was evening when Lyra finished her work and was getting ready to leave her office . Veronica appeared at her door and knocked lightly . " Dr. Sheppard . " Lyra looked up , her expression calm . " What do you need ? " +2 Bonus " The hospital is currently negotiating a project to build a sleep medicine center . There's a dinner meeting tonight with government officials . You should go . " Veronica placed a file on her desk . Lyra glanced at the documents and suddenly smiled , " Dr. Wynn , you aren't going to handle the negotiations yourself ? You're handing this project over to me instead ? " " Dr. Sheppard , are you still holding a grudge about what happened before ? " Veronica responded with a smile . " We're colleagues after all , and I have complete confidence in your abilities . I feel very comfortable putting this project in your hands . " Worried that Lyra might refuse , Veronica quickly added , " Besides , this is Max's idea . He said I'm in charge of your work now , so when I tell you to handle this project , you can't really say no , right ? " Lyra's hands clenched into fists . She and Veronica had 1/5 22:04 Chapter 23 Drinking Companion +2 Bonus completely different positions before , but now Maxen was clearly using his personal authority to put Veronica in charge of her . Looking at Veronica's fake innocent expression , Lyra slowly relaxed her grip and picked up the documents to read through them carefully . Everything looked fine . Leonard had signed off on it too . Veronica probably wouldn't dare mess with the actual paperwork . Lyra closed the file and said flatly , " Fine . I'll handle it . " " Great , Dr. Sheppard . I'll send you the restaurant address and private room number in a bit , " Veronica smiled . Lyra didn't want to waste any more time talking to her . She grabbed the documents and left . Veronica watched her walk away , a cold smile creeping across her face . ***** Lyra soon got a text from Veronica with the details . The dinner was set for a private room on the fifth floor of the Imperial Hotel . 2/5 22:04 Chapter 23 Drinking Companion +2 Bonus She walked into the room carrying the documents , and all the men inside immediately turned to look at her . Lyra had met with government officials a few times before , but these guys clearly weren't them . She double - checked her phone message and confirmed the private room number . This was definitely the right place . " Sorry , I think I have the wrong room , " Lyra said , turning to leave . A buzz - cut man in a blue shirt blocked her path , his tone sleazy . " Don't rush off , cutie . You're in the right place . " She frowned . " What do you mean ? " T Two other men moved closer behind her , looking her up and down . The blue - shirt guy flashed a gold - toothed grin and rubbed his nose . " You're pretty hot . Looks like they didn't lie to us . We paid good money for you to keep us company tonight . If you leave now , who's gonna cover our losses? " The others joined in with crude laughter that filled the room . Paid money ? Keep them company ? Lyra's face went pale , then darkened with anger . The documents 3/5 22:04 Chapter 23 Drinking Companion +2 Bonus were definitely real , but this dinner was obviously a setup . Was this what Maxen had planned all along ? " I don't know what misunderstanding led to this , but I'm not here to entertain anyone . Please move aside , or I'll call the police . " Lyra reached for her phone , but the man slapped it out of her hand , sending it clattering to the floor . Before she could react , two or three men grabbed her and forced a drink to her lips , trying to make her swallow it . Lyra couldn't match their strength . After they forced half a glass of liquor down her throat , her throat burned and her stomach felt like it was on fire . She shoved the man away , and the glass slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor . Lyra fought back the nausea churning in her stomach , her eyes bloodshot as she glared at him . " Veronica sent you to do this , didn't she ! " " What Veronica ? We don't know anyone by that name , " the man in the blue shirt sneered coldly . He suddenly grabbed a fistful of Lyra's hair . " You're just some bar girl , aren't you ? Don't act all high and mighty . You took the money , so you better serve us properly . " Lyra winced from the pain and felt around on the table . The next 4/5 22:04 +2 Bonus Chapter 23 Drinking Companion second , she grabbed a bottle and smashed it hard against the blue - shirted man's head . Write your comment ir Gifts # $ " 4 2 4 " 4 9 H G + V 4 4 14 H L 4 + H A 6 - " 1 M L PM 4 M " 7 4 中 + 4 T が T