179 The FMC fundraiser 5

It didn't take long for chairman Lee to find one of his main targets (cough… cough…) one of his main guests for the evening: Nathaniel Anderson, CEO of Alpha group.

Ever since chairman Lee got a confirmation that three people from the Alpha group checked in to the event as 'CEO Nathaniel Anderson +2 people', chairman Lee is all giddy from the excitement to meet with him.

For all the years he is the chairman of the Franciscan Medical Center, he never saw so many high-ranking executives congregated at a fundraiser. His mind is spinning while hopping from one to another while trying to greet as many as possible.

Chairman Lee was looking for a chance to approach Nathan in a more private manner because a CEO like Nathaniel Anderson deserves one-on-one attention, but so far, Nathan was always surrounded by numerous people. And now, Nathan is by himself, sipping a drink, and Chairman Lee seized the opportunity.

"CEO Anderson...", chairman Lee called to Nathan when he approached him. "Thank you for coming to our fundraiser.

Nathan eyed the man. "You must be the chairman of the Franciscan Medical Center."

"Yes. David Lee, I am honored to meet you."

They shook hands and exchanged few pleasantries while Nathan concealed his displeasure behind a professional aloof expression with a hint of a smile. How dares this man cause trouble to Elizabeth?

Nathan glanced around. "Great organization. The food was delicious."

"Thank you. It was a team effort." Chairman Lee responded humbly.

Nathan shoot him a side-glance. "Are you expecting to meet your goal for donations tonight?"

Chairman Lee was surprised that Nathan switched to business talk suddenly. "That… I am not sure. It's still early."

"You are on a good track.", Nathan said while gesturing at the group of people who converged around Elizabeth. "The young doctor was at my table during dinner. She spoke well and sounded knowledgeable. Her enthusiasm is contagious. I must admit that I am interested in finding out more about her and the work she does."

Nathan was not sure if chairman Lee knows that Max and Liz are dating (or that Max is his son), but he does not care. Nathan is aware that at this event, he is the one with the money that chairman Lee needs desperately. Even if chairman Lee has any grievances, he will need to swallow them.

Chairman Lee realized that Nathan is talking about Liz. He cleared his throat. "Yes. Doctor Elizabeth Williams, a neurosurgeon. She is one of the two young doctors we hired recently to strengthen our ranks. She is with us for just over one month, but her results are outstanding."

Nathan nodded in approval. "I am confident that she will get you some outstanding donations as well. Hiring young and capable people is always good for the company. You said that she is one of the two. Who is the second one?"

Chairman Lee glanced through the hall until he spotted Dr. Snow. "There he is, would you like to meet him? He does not seem to be busy at the moment…"

"Absolutely." Nathan's eyes flashed with malice when he saw Dr. Snow who dares to covet Elizabeth.

Chairman Lee was all giddy while introducing Nathan to Dr. Snow. "Dr. Snow, this is Nathaniel Anderson, CEO of Alpha group…" He turned to Nathan. "This is Doctor Christian Snow, an orthopedic surgeon…"

"Dr. Snow, nice to meet you.", Nathan said with a smile that didn't match the iciness of his gaze.

"It is nice to meet you too, CEO Anderson." Dr. Snow's smile didn't reach his eyes. He knows that this is Max's father, and he is not sure why, but he has an uneasy feeling. Why is he looking at him like that?

Dr. Snow told himself to calm down. He is just upset about Max sticking to Liz and he is imagining things.

"Chairman Lee speaks highly of you, Dr. Snow.", Nathan said and paused like he is thinking about something.

"Is everything OK?", chairman Lee asked Nathan cautiously. They were smiling and things went well, why is Nathan serious suddenly?

Nathan observed Dr. Snow keenly. "Dr. Snow, I hope I'm not crossing the line by asking this: do you have a significant other?"

Dr. Snow's eyes darted uncomfortably before he responded: "No, I am single."

"Ah, then it can't be you…", Nathan shook his head and looked at chairman Lee. "Sorry, it must be confusing that I was lost in thoughts without a warning. Allow me to explain… An interesting thing happened about two weeks ago. There is a flower shop with an exquisite selection on 31st street. I wanted to buy flowers for my wife and the florist told me they are sold out of fresh flowers. When I asked her how is that possible, she explained that everything was sent to the Franciscan Medical Center. I was stumped and asked: 'who would buy the whole store?', and the florist told me that the customer's last name is 'Snow'."

Nathan looked at chairman Lee whose brows furrowed and then at Dr. Snow who was frozen.

"Is 'Snow' a common last name? I didn't think about it much, but… you are the first one with that last name that I've met personally. Do you have relatives in the Seattle area? Or was it you?", Nathan asked while scrutinizing Dr. Snow. "You said that you are single, so if that was you and you sent so many flowers, it must be for someone you admire a lot. Or a love interest? Either way, I admire your courage. Not many men would display their affection in such a grand way and risk a rejection which others will notice."

Dr. Snow was not sure how to respond. He wanted to talk to chairman Lee about this on Monday. He would tell him that it was him, and they would laugh about it and it would be done. But now that CEO Anderson brought it up… this is bad. It looks that he got Liz in trouble and then tried to conceal it on purpose! Dr. Snow cursed himself inwardly for not talking to chairman Lee about this earlier. Why did he allow two weeks to pass? He didn't think it's a big deal and now it's blown out of proportion.

Nathan cleared his throat awkwardly. "I understand if you don't want to talk about it. If you excuse me, I will go and get myself another drink." Nathan gestured toward his half-empty glass and walked away.

Dr. Snow looked at Nathan's back and clenched his teeth. Suddenly, he realized that this was on purpose! He knew that Max's father will bring trouble, but he didn't know that it will be this vicious.

"Chairman Lee…", Dr. Snow called weakly to the man who is glaring at him.

"We will talk about this on Monday.", chairman Lee said through his teeth and glanced at Elizabeth. "Look at Dr. Williams talking to donors. You should do the same."

"Yes, chairman Lee.", Dr. Snow said stiffly and walked away.

Chairman Lee closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths to compose himself. He felt like crying. How can he be so unfortunate? CEO Anderson knows about that wretched day when their hospital was disrupted, and because of that even CEO Anderson was unable to buy flowers for his wife. What is the most embarrassing is that the thing was initiated by Dr. Snow, an employee of the Franciscan Medical Center, yet chairman Lee didn't know about this.

Chairman Lee forced those thoughts at the back of his mind. This is a fundraiser and he needs to focus on his guests and he will think about this on Monday.

…

Max observed chairman Lee, Nathan, and Dr. Snobby interact, and based on their expressions, he can tell that his father threw the bomb Max armed him with.

At first, Max didn't want to meddle thinking that the whole flower fiasco was left behind. But when Liz told him that morning how chairman Lee brought that up again, Max could not leave it be. Liz was so uncomfortable that the only thing Max could think of at short notice was that the two of them come to the event separately.

Max used this pre-fundraiser time away from Liz to talk with Nathan and Foxy and to come up with strategies to burry Dr. Snobby in his own mess and to keep him away from Liz.

Max wanted personally to expose Dr. Snobby as the one who ordered all those flowers, but then he concluded that the impact would be much greater if Nathan does it. Max was happy when Nathan agreed. Well, Nathan still believes that Liz is upset at him and Madeline for the whole pregnancy misunderstanding, and he would do anything to get into Liz's good books. And Max has no problems taking advantage of that.

…

"You look pleased about something…", Andrea's sultry voice sounded as she took her seat next to Max. "Your expression reminds me of how my cat looked after she ate my canary. Happy, smug, and not ashamed at all."

The content smile from Max's face faded. "What do you want?"

"Oh, hostile.", Andrea said mockingly. "Did I do something?"

"Stay away from Elizabeth.", Max growled threateningly.

Andrea was surprised that Max brought up Elizabeth and based on his tone, she is someone important to him. "Is it true that you are dating?"

Max snorted. "How is that any of your business?"

Andrea inhaled dramatically. "I will take that as a confirmation! Considering how protective you are, how can you allow her to leave your side?"

Andrea's gaze moved toward the group with Liz at the center. "Look at your girl. Attracting the attention of so many people."

Max was amused by Andrea's weak attempt at provoking him. "Some people shine brighter than others."

"Is that how she got your attention? By shining brightly?", Andrea teased.

Max narrowed his eyes at Andrea. "Stay in your lane, Andrea."

Andrea's eyebrows shoot up. "Are you threatening me?"

Max didn't deny it. "As long as you stick to business, we will play by the rules. If you approach me or my girlfriend in private with your schemes, the gloves are off."

Andrea pursed her lips. "I'm not sure what surprises me more. Your warning or the fact that you called her your girlfriend."

"Andrea, you look bored. Find a hobby. Something to keep you active because you gained a few pounds.", Max stood up and walked away.

Andrea's mouth was half open in disbelief. Did he just call her fat?

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