Accident Prone

Dr. Snow didn't reach his destination when a commotion of people's whispers shook the banquet hall, and everyone turned toward the main entrance. On an instinct, Dr. Snow looked at Elizabeth, and based on her expression, he knew who arrived. He didn't need to guess because he saw the guestlist.

Liz's smile reached her eyes while watching Max walk through the main door and step into the event hall. She saw him stop and sweep with his eyes over the people present as if he is anxiously looking for someone. And when his eyes met Elizabeth's, his expression shifted slightly, and she knew that such a gentle gaze is only for her to see. There was a moment of stillness before he nodded slightly in greeting, and Liz returned his nod.

Almost everyone looked toward the main entrance. All the donors present know about the Alpha group and the fact that Max and Nathan showed up, is a big deal. If there is such a thing as fans in the business world, Max and Nathan have them. The only thing that would make this entry scene grander is if Hunter is with them as well.

"It's true… He is back…", one older woman whispered, and they all understood that she is talking about Max.

The word in the business circle is that Max left his fickle lifestyle behind, with resolve to take Alpha group to the next level and that Nathan is transferring his CEO position to him. One look at Max tells them that the rumors are true and that they are looking at the soon-to-be CEO of the Alpha group. It's more than his physique and the sharp suit and the confidence… it is the aura of a leader to which even the seasoned businessmen have an instinct to submit to.

Liz observed Max as he walked toward her, his lips occasionally moved, probably returning greetings of the people he passed by while his eyes didn't leave hers.

Liz was so enchanted by Max's charming smile, confident strides, and his deep blue eyes which make it impossible to look away, that she didn't notice Nathan and Foxy who followed closely behind Max in an obvious display that Max is the leader of their group of three.

"Hello, beautiful…", Max greeted Liz in a low voice when he stopped one step away from Liz.

"Hi, handsome…", she greeted him back.

"I assume this is Elizabeth, Liz, the girlfriend?", female voice came from the side, making Liz break the eye contact with Max.

Max responded with a small nod and introduced the woman who got Liz's attention. "Liz, this is Foxy, my secretary."

Foxy shook Liz's hand. "Nicole Foxwell, and I am much more than a secretary to this rascal."

Max exhaled dramatically. "No respect for the boss."

"Boss in the office. This is an after-workhours event.", Foxy reminded Max. "The fact that I am here proves my point that I am more than a secretary."

"True. I would be lost without you.", Max responded half-mockingly.

"Good that you know!" Foxy said with her chin held high and turned to Liz. "I'm glad to finally meet you. Max talks about you often, 'Liz this – Liz that'. And he is bombarding me with questions like: 'What kind of flowers should I get?', 'Where is a good spot for a private lunch?', 'Is it too much if I text her again?'..."

Liz's lifted her eyebrows in a surprise. "Does he?"

She wanted to know what Max talks about her when she is not present and all the other little details, and Foxy looks willing to talk.

Foxy sounds like she is dissing Max, but in reality she is scoring points for him. And Foxy knows it.

Liz liked Foxy from the moment they shook hands. Foxy gave Liz the same friendly-motherly feel Rhonda does.

Thinking about Rhonda, Liz wondered where did she go? Probably in the back, making sure that everything is on schedule related to the event. Liz was confident that Rhonda and Foxy would get along well.

"Why are you ignoring me?", Nathan grumbled from the side.

Max glanced at Nathan before turning to Liz and speaking in official tone: "Dr. Williams, allow me to introduce my father, Nathaniel Anderson. He is the current CEO of…"

"That's enough.", Nathan snapped at Max and turned to Liz with a smile. "You look lovely, Liz."

Liz laughed. "Thank you."

The moment this trio arrived, Liz's mood improved several folds.

Even Nathan appears to be in a good mood and approachable. Liz found their bickering entertaining. It shows that their relationship extends beyond work and that they get along well.

Foxy was looking around. "This is my first time at the fundraiser for the Franciscan Medical Center. It is beautifully decorated, and it seems well organized. I see that every table has a number, where are you seated?"

Liz realized that Foxy is asking her. "Table number three."

"Nate! You are late!", Liz turned to the man who approached them and saw that it's Daniel Wardle, CEO of Wardle Inc., who spoke to Liz earlier and acted as he knows her.

"Excuse me…", Nathan said and went to meet Mr. Wardle halfway. "I'm not late, Dany. You are early…"

Liz watched Nathan and Mr. Wardle walk to the group people who chatted lively, and Liz concluded based on how they addressed each other that they are close. In that group where Nathan and Mr. Wardle joined, Liz spotted two other men who acted similarly to Mr. Wardle when they introduced themselves earlier. Suddenly, Liz realized… "Max, do you have something to do with so many people showing up and expressing their interest in neurosurgery?"

Max shook his head. "I didn't send them invitations."

"Oh, Max is humble. That is new.", Foxy said teasingly and explained: "Most of the companies do the same as the Alpha group. We usually send a few people from the financing or marketing department to attend these kinds of events, unless we have some personal relationship with the organizers. Max didn't send the invitations, but he made sure that instead of proxies, people in charge of the companies are attending. And Nathan mentioned something about neurosurgery."

Max narrowed his eyes at Foxy. "You have a task to accomplish, don't you?"

Foxy placed her hand over her lips and stifled a laugh, like she is sorry that she said too much. But her playful expression didn't match her action at all.

"I will see you later, Liz.", Foxy said and walked away.

Liz looked at Max and her expression reflected that she can't find the right words. "I don't know what to say. Thank you is not enough."

"I will accept your sincere gratitude after the event.", Max winked at Liz.

Liz leaned closer and spoke only for Max to hear: "You are shameless."

"And you are beautiful.", he responded in a whisper.

"Max, nice to see you here…", an older gentleman smiled as they approached them. "You don't mind if I greet the lovely lady?"

"Not at all Mr. Ramos, if you don't mind me standing here while you greet her."

Mr. Ramos laughed and introduced himself and his business to Liz.

Just as Liz expected, Mr. Ramos is one more CEO who expressed his interest in Liz and neurosurgery before walking to the group where Nathan is.

When it was back to the two of them, Liz looked at Max and she wanted to thank him (again), but he interrupted her.

"Don't worry about it. Their companies are considering donating money to get tax benefits and the only variable is where the money will go. They are treating this as a rare get together on a Saturday evening, and they will chat and have a good time with food and drinks paid. There is no guarantee that they will write a check for the Franciscan Medical Center, and don't thank me even if they do. If you had a chance to make my life easier with just a few words, wouldn't you do it?"

Liz nodded in agreement and gave up on the idea to thank him. Of course, she knows how these fundraisers work. And she also knows that if people have any connection to the cause, it is highly likely that they will donate money. And in this case, Max (and Nathan) created the connection.

Liz knows that the money will not go to her, and chairman Lee might not even give her any credits for this, but it will be an undeniable fact that the neurosurgery got attention from the donors while Liz was working as a neurosurgeon at the Franciscan Medical Center. And it's all thanks to Max who takes care of her, as usually.

"I see that you are monopolizing the most beautiful lady at the event. Some things never change.", a charming voice of a young woman made Max frown.

Liz was surprised by this comment which was laced with hostility.

Max greeted the woman stiffly with a small nod. "Andrea…"

Andrea smiled, obviously pleased with her entrance, and turned to Liz. She read Liz's nametag without a change in her expression: "Elizabeth Williams. The neurosurgeon."

Liz observed Andrea and guessed that under elaborate makeup is a face of a woman who is about thirty years old (give or take a year). Andrea's hourglass figure is covered but not hidden in a dark red Armani suit, and her legs look like they go forever with her black stiletto heels. Her shiny long blonde hair and perfect skin show that the woman is taking care of herself. Nothing wrong with that.

Liz saw that Andrea is shamelessly eyeing her and wondered if Andrea's confidence laced with haughtiness matches her status.

Andrea's green eyes moved up to meet Liz's dark ones. "I am Andrea Halek, CFO at Novabank."

Liz nodded in understanding. The woman in front of her is a Chief Financial Officer (aka CFO) at Novabank, one of the top three companies (based on their profits) invited to this fundraiser.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Halek.", Liz responded with her professional smile on. "You look young for a CFO."

Andrea's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't expect Liz to say this. "I get that a lot. And I hope you don't mind me saying that you look young for a neurosurgeon."

Liz shook her head indicating that she does not mind. "Would you believe me if I tell you that I get that a lot as well?"

Max knows that Andrea is full of herself and likes to provoke people, but he never saw Liz like this... icy and hostile.

Max watched Liz and Andrea interact and he could see between them sparks of aggression mixed with admiration, and he knew that he should stay out of it, or he will be caught in the crossfire.

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