182 The FMC Fundraiser 8

Chairman Lee realized that Max wants him to apologize to Liz. It seems that chivalry is not dead.

Chairman Lee wondered, who is this arrogant young man? Elizabeth introduced him as someone from the Alpha group. Chairman Lee spoke with Nathaniel Anderson so...

In the next instant, chairman Lee was sweating bullets.

Based on the names and appearances, chairman Lee concluded that Max is Nathan's son. Or a nephew maybe. But definitely a relative.

Chairman Lee felt like crying. First, he showed to the CEO Anderson an ugly side when they spoke with Dr. Snow, and now he made a big blunder himself. Chairman Lee wanted to leave. But how can he leave?

Chairman Lee did his best to defuse the situation. "I hope that you are enjoying the event."

"I was until recently.", Max responded icily. "Since you are here, allow me to ask you: is it possible to ensure that the donation from the Alpha group will go to a specific department in the hospital?"

Chairman Lee cleared his throat. Max is not the first person to ask him such a question and considering that Elizabeth is by his side, he does not need much to know what Max wants to do.

"That is not a usual practice, Mr. Anderson. Most of the donations are for the hospital and as much as you are welcome to specify what motivated you to donate money, in the end, our team of experts will decide the priority of where the money will be spent." Chairman Lee saw that Max frowned and quickly added: "We are considering creating separate budgets for different departments."

Max's frown eased, showing that he is pleased. "When can I expect that to be in place?"

Chairman Lee's eyes darted nervously while panicking internally. Does he really need to create separate budgets? Didn't Max hear the 'we are considering' part? Chairman Lee used those words to give himself a way out, to emphasize it as something that might NOT happen. But Max is looking at him and expecting an answer... "Uhm… in a week?"

"My secretary will contact you in one week.", Max said flatly and sat back on the sofa, indicating that he is not interested in talking further.

Chairman Lee was stupefied. Coming into this event, he was mentally prepared to please the donors and flatter them as needed. He was not expecting that the evening will be speckled with random embarrassments and apologies, and even have this follow-up task to work with the financing department to restructure the placements of donations.

Chairman Lee realized that Max is not paying attention to him, and he saw this as an opportunity to make his exit. He bowed slightly toward Max and gestured to Liz to sit back on the sofa. He moved backward while saying: "Please, continue your conversation. We just stopped to greet you and now we are going on our way."

Liz watched chairman Lee walking away in a hurry with his tail between his legs and she was not sure if she should laugh or cry.

Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Sawyer left as well and based on the way they exchanged glances, it was obvious that soon the word will spread how chairman Lee got scolded.

Liz sat next to Max and observed his smug smile. "You look proud of yourself."

"No one gets to bully my girlfriend. Not even her boss.", Max said flatly. "Don't tell me that you disapprove."

"After seeing what all my boyfriend is capable of, how can I disapprove? My only option is to thank you."

Liz has to acknowledge that seeing Max stand up for her like that felt good. Being in a relationship, part of the team, feels good.

"Good that you know. I am capable of many things. For you."

Liz was not sure how to respond. Max has a gift to turn any situation into a sweet-talking one.

Liz checked the time. "The event is almost over. Do you mind if we dance?"

Max stood up and extended his hand toward Liz, palm up. "I apologize for my faux pas of not asking you for a dance earlier. I am at your service, Dr. Williams."

On the dancefloor…

The event was nearing its end, so the music was slow.

Liz realized her mistake because those few inches between them were a few inches too much, and she really wanted to stick to Max and kiss him senseless.

She did her best to avoid eye contact, because his deep blue eyes can cast a spell on her where the whole world fades and she can't allow that to happen at this event.

Liz glanced around. "Is everyone looking at us, or am I imagining it?"

Max twirled her once and pulled her back toward him.

"Everyone is looking at you. You are beautiful.", he murmured close to her ear and she felt that he is pulling her closer.

Liz exhaled in relief when the song ended. It was never so difficult to stay away from Max and she needs a breather to compose herself. "I'm going to the ladies' room."

Max went with Liz and in the hallway, he told her: "If I'm not here when you return, I am there."

Liz saw that Max pointed towards the men's room.

…

Back in the event hall, Dr. Snow was eagerly waiting for this event to end.

He saw that most of the donors were excited to talk to Elizabeth, everyone saw that.

After the fiasco where CEO Anderson (aka Nathan) revealed the fact that Dr. Snow is the one behind the infamous flower delivery, Dr. Snow did his best to please the donors. He had his pitch ready (a few of them) and few funny stories as well to lighten up the mood. But everyone spoke about Dr. Williams. He does not mind that people are excited about neurosurgery. All the donations will go to the hospital anyway, but the fact that no one was interested in him and his work rubbed him the wrong way.

He thought that maybe the donors are not interested in him because he is not local to this area, but neither is Elizabeth.

Dr. Snow wondered, are donors are so interested in neurosurgery (and Liz) because she is a female, or did Max do something? Can Max really sway the opinion of so many people? Dr. Snow refused to believe how that is possible.

Dr. Snow's mood went from bad to worse at the sight of Liz dancing with Max. The way they looked at each other and smiled and spoke in whispers… told him that the two of them are much closer than they were two weeks ago when he got a chance to observe them during that lunch which ended up miserably. Dr. Snow wondered, was that only two weeks ago? He is not sure. But what he knows is that the event will be officially done in about ten minutes and then he can go back to his apartment and think how he will face chairman Lee on Monday.

…

In the ladies' room…

After washing her hands, Liz wiped them in a small plush towel.

A smile lingered on her face while thinking that outside she will meet with Max and for the rest of the weekend, it will be just the two of them.

Liz thought of texting Olivia so that she does not come tomorrow (Sunday). She and Max can just be lazy in the bed without any disturbances. After all, Max promised not to let her out of his hold until Monday morning, and he didn't break any promise he made (so far).

"Max is protecting you well."

Liz was startled at the sound of Andrea's voice. It took Liz a second to calm her emotions and turn to directly face the woman who is looking at her provocatively through the mirror.

"CFO Halek, what a coincidence to meet you here.", Liz said stiffly.

Andrea smiled. "Please, call me Andrea."

"Don't tell me that you are here to talk to me about a donation."

Andrea shrugged. "Maybe later."

"What do you want?"

Andrea eyed Liz in silence for a few seconds before responding: "I want to tell you that you are not a good match for Max."

Liz was surprised that Andrea is straightforward. If Liz had any doubts about Andrea being Max's ex, they are all gone. And it seems that Andrea is not happy that Liz is Max's girlfriend.

Liz took a deep breath and chanted silently to herself not to show how uncomfortable she is. Max told her that she is the only one in his heart and she believes him. Andrea or any other woman who covets Max will end up empty-handed because Max has eyes only for one woman and that is Liz.

Liz eyed Andrea before asking mockingly: "What makes you think that I am not a good match for Max?"

Andrea tilted her head and smiled almost seductively. "You are a successful young woman, with a brain, spunk. He prefers empty barbie dolls. The two of you will not last."

Liz was not sure if this was supposed to be a compliment or not, but Andrea's statement how Max and she will not last, rubbed Liz the wrong way. "You are confident."

Andrea confirmed. "I am confident that you are not his type."

Liz sneered. "And you ARE his type?"

Andrea burst into giggles and walked toward Liz without breaking the eye contact.

Liz's instinct was to step back, but the sink was right behind her and there was no space to back into, and Andrea's intense green eyes penetrated through Liz's dark ones with something unfathomable.

Liz was frozen while thinking about how this does not feel like she is facing a rival. Why is Andrea looking at her like she is about to eat her up? Does Andrea plan to stop advancing? She is close. Too close!

"You got this all wrong…", Andrea's breath splashed on Liz's face.

Andrea slowly inched closer and took a deep breath, inhaling Elizabeth's perfume while lowering her head.

Andrea's hand squeezed Liz's waist gently and Liz was so shocked with the current development that she forgot to move.

"You are not the woman for Max, but you are my type. He does not deserve you.", Andrea whispered, and she was so close that Liz was not sure if her neck was caressed by Andrea's breath or her lips.

Liz inhaled an unknown sweet scent which made her slightly dizzy for a moment.

She snapped out of it and lifted her hands to push Andrea away, and was surprised that Andrea took a step back and put a card in Liz's hand.

Andrea smiled seductively while biting her lower lip. "When you get bored of him, call me. I. Will. Be. Waiting."

Liz stared at the door of the restroom for some time after Andrea left.

She robotically looked at Andrea's business card in her hand.

This… was… unexpected.

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