Chapter 227 This Wine Has a Problem
When I got back, Lila was practically bouncing with excitement and grabbed my hand.
"Diana, I know you just got back and should be resting, but I can't wait to share some awesome news with you," she said, her eyes sparkling.
"What's the good news?" I asked, feeling pretty good myself.
"A company wants to partner with us and have us as their legal advisors. They scheduled a meeting with me today. Let's go together." With that, Lila pushed her laptop towards me.
I glanced at the email on the screen, feeling a vague sense of unease, though I couldn't pinpoint why. However, Lila's enthusiasm was so contagious, and I couldn't help but feel excited too. After all, we had just landed a major client, and now this. How could I not be thrilled?
Without thinking too much, Lila and I headed out.
The meeting was set at a small club, which was a bit odd. Normally, such business discussions would take place at a law firm or the company's office. But this company insisted on the club, citing time constraints.
At that moment, Lila and I were too caught up in the excitement of new business opportunities to realize the potential risks. We nearly stumbled into a trap.
When we arrived at the club, a young waiter greeted us respectfully. "Right this way, ladies. Our general manager is waiting for you inside."
It was only then that I realized the company seeking our partnership was this small club.
Usually, such business meetings would have designated staff handling the details, but here the general manager himself was meeting us. It seemed a bit too grand.
Lila seemed to notice my hesitation and reassured me softly. "Maybe their general manager values us highly, so he's meeting us personally. It makes sense."
Hearing this, I nodded slightly, putting my doubts aside for the moment, and followed the waiter into a private room with Lila.
Inside, a portly man named Beckett Sinclair sat at the center. As we entered, he greeted us. "I've heard such wonderful things about you two, and I see now that the praise was not exaggerated."
He then said to the waiter, "Pour some wine for these two excellent lady lawyers."
However, Beckett's smile had a sleazy undertone that made me uncomfortable. So, I got straight to the point. "I heard your company is interested in a business partnership with our firm. What kind of partnership are we talking about?"
Beckett was taken aback by my directness but then laughed heartily. "Ms. Cooper, you are straightforward indeed. Here is the proposal our company has drafted," he said, taking a document from his briefcase and handing it to me.
I reviewed it carefully before passing it to Lila. After Lila looked it over, she nodded slightly at me. I slipped the agreement into my bag and gave a warm smile.
"We're very interested in your proposal, but we need to discuss the details further back at our office," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
Beckett nodded thoughtfully. "Of course, both parties need to show sincerity in a partnership. Your cautious approach is understandable, and it reassures us that we are in good hands." With that, he raised his glass to us.
Beckett took a sip of his wine, his eyes lingering on Lila and me, and then said, "This is a fine wine from our club's collection. Let's drink to a successful partnership!"
Without thinking much, Lila and I raised our glasses and drank.
Having been around Edward for years, I wasn't much of a drinker, but I had tasted various wines. The moment the wine touched my tongue, a strange, sweet yet spicy flavor spread in my mouth, unlike any wine I had ever tasted.
I suddenly realized there might be something wrong with the wine, but it was too late.
Lila also noticed something odd about the wine, but perhaps not wanting to appear rude at this crucial moment, she swallowed it with some difficulty.
I saw a flash of panic in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. My consciousness began to fade, and Lila, sitting next to me, was also in bad shape. As she put down her glass, I noticed her body sway and her face turned pale.
I wanted to call her name, but I couldn't make a sound.
Finally, a wave of dizziness hit me, and my vision blurred. I could faintly hear Beckett's creepy laughter, but I was powerless to do anything as my body slumped to the side.
When I woke up again, I was in an unfamiliar, luxurious room.
The faint, unsettling scent of the silk sheets was the first thing I noticed as I lay on the spacious, soft bed. I struggled to turn my head and look around. It seemed to be a guest room in the club.
Why was I here? Who was behind this?
I gritted my teeth, trying to sit up, but my body was too weak to move. Each attempt only brought a wave of exhaustion, filling me with despair.
'Where's Lila?' The question gripped my heart, but there was no one else in the room.
Just then, the sound of running water from the bathroom broke the silence. Who was in there? Was it Lila? Or someone else? My heart sank, and a strong sense of danger washed over me.
I stared at the bathroom door, holding my breath, my hands clutching the sheets tightly.
The water stopped abruptly. The bathroom door slowly opened from the inside. A man, loosely wrapped in a towel, walked out leisurely. I looked up at his wet body, and when I saw his face, my mind went blank, and I felt a chill run down my spine.
It was Lanny.
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