362 The conference in Portland 4

The space was not big. It had a long bar on the left and several sitting arrangements that consisted of sofas and chairs that were facing each other without any division of space. Most of the people gathered along the bar counter and chatted enthusiastically.

Max got himself whiskey and Liz had wine.

Two minutes later, Max voiced his thoughts: "I don't belong here and with the two of us sitting close like a couple, I have a feeling no one else will want to talk to you. I will go up to the room and you can join me whenever you feel like." He saw a number of people watching them curiously but after a second they moved on with their conversation.

Liz didn't like the idea of Max feeling out of place. His place is by her side. She already knew that mingling with these people will be useless and now Max wants to leave as well? She will not allow it to happen! But how can she fix this? Going up to her room means admitting a defeat and if Max leaves on his own, it's even worse.

"Don't you dare to move from here, Max. You said that we should come and socialize, and you are not allowed to abandon me. We are a team and… I've got this…"

Liz moved to sit on the sofa chair opposite from Max, with a small coffee table in-between them that broke the intimate atmosphere.

'This should work.'

Now they looked like two people who are chatting casually, instead of two who are whispering among themselves.

Max liked that Liz said they are a team, even though he had no idea what is on her mind. A minute later, he got his answer when two women approached them.

"Excuse us… we saw you and thought of introducing ourselves. Are you here for the conference of surgeons?", one woman said.

"I am…", Liz responded. "I'm Dr. Williams, a neurosurgeon from the Franciscan Medical Center in Seattle. And this is Maximilian Anderson, he is the CEO of the Alpha group from Seattle.", Liz was in charge of introductions.

Two women shook hands with them. The one who spoke first is Dr. McCarthy, a general surgeon from Idaho, and the second one is Dr. Anstead, a vascular surgeon from Montana.

"Did you come here together?", Dr. Anstead asked.

"No. Us meeting here was unplanned. At least from my side…", Liz said while giving a side-look to Max. "Mr. Anderson's company is designing custom equipment that can be used by neurologists for diagnosing nerve damage in the brachial plexus, and we were discussing that…"

"Oh…", Dr. Anstead's eyes sparkled, and she focused on Max while taking a seat on the chair next to him. "Custom equipment. Companies usually won't invest in such projects because it's a lot of research and not much return."

Max gestured toward Liz. "Dr. Williams is doing most of the research, together with a few of my engineers. It might not be a profitable investment as some of our commercial products, but it's more than if I just donate the money."

Liz waved to get everyone's attention. "Mr. Anderson is modest. I'm working with him for six months, and I can tell you that the neurosurgery wing at my hospital is flourishing thanks to the resources and efforts Mr. Anderson is pouring into it."

"You are making it sound like you have a preferential treatment."

Liz shrugged at Max's words. "I can't speak for other departments. Only for the neurosurgery…"

Dr. McCarthy and Dr. Anstead were eager to find out about the 'flourishing' that Liz mentioned, and they started chatting up Max to see if the Alpha group could collaborate with them as well.

Several more people joined, and the atmosphere in that area of the lounge became lively with Max at its center. The news that a potential investor is present spread quickly and people did their best to leave a good impression on Max.

'So much for feeling like an outsider…', Max sighed internally but he was glad to see that Liz is chatting with people who were grateful that thanks to Liz they got an unexpected chance to get close to a potential investor. It all worked out well. Liz is amazing.

Dr. Kaviraj stopped by to greet them and she confirmed Liz's words that Max's company is one of the major donors for their hospital.

"You said that you will let me know when you wake up…", Dr. Snow's voice came from Liz's right.

Somehow, Liz forgot about him.

"Sorry… things happened, and it slipped my mind."

Well, Max happened, but Liz will not admit that.

Dr. Snow glanced on the other side of the coffee table and saw that Max was engaged in a friendly conversation with several people. Dr. Snow gritted his teeth as the memory of Max's punch resurfaced.

Liz stood up and looked at Dr. Snow with concern. "I hope that you will not cause trouble."

Dr. Snow snapped out of his thoughts. "Why would I cause trouble?"

Liz exhaled. "Good. Do you want to join us?"

"I would like to, but all the spots are occupied." Dr. Snow facepalmed internally. Why did he say this? He sounds like a child that is sulking.

"You can get a chair from there…", Liz pointed at the free chair.

"Are you sure it's OK if I join?", Dr. Snow asked Liz and looked at Max.

"Yes. Max is fine with your presence and I hope that you are OK with his. Both of you are grownup smart people and I wish that you can get along." Liz realized that she is too optimistic, so she corrected herself: "Or at least, don't fight."

Dr. Snow nodded in agreement and got a chair for himself. Of course, he sat next to Liz.

"What is he selling?", Dr. Snow asked Liz grumpily while gesturing toward Max.

Liz didn't understand. "Selling?"

"He looks like a salesman who has all-curing miraculous snake oil."

Liz stifled a laugh. "They know that he is the CEO of the Alpha group, and I guess everyone hopes to score a donation."

"Do they know about your relationship?"

"Does it matter?"

"I guess it doesn't." Dr. Snow exhaled and reminded himself not to think about Max. Last time he made a mistake by letting Max get into his head. He decided to focus on Liz. "Are you ready for your presentation tomorrow?"

Liz bobbed her head. "I am as ready as I will ever be. I don't know why I am so nervous. I did this so many times and if my dad could see me, he would give me a lesson on how I need to work harder and believe in myself."

Dr. Snow cringed internally at the mentioning of Isaac. Their last meeting was a disaster. He tried telling Isaac that Max is a playboy and a bad influence on Elizabeth, and it ended horribly. Dr. Snow knows what he saw, but everything is gone and the only explanation that makes sense is that Max cleaned up the internet somehow, but without evidence it's just slandering and there is no point in bringing that up again anyway.

Dr. Snow did his best to push Isaac and Max out of his thoughts and to focus on Liz. "Did you practice for tomorrow?"

"A lot. Max spent hours listening and giving me feedback…" Liz noticed that Dr. Snow frowned. "Chris, I am aware that your history with Max is not the best, but I hope you know that Max treats me well. He is there for me when I need him, and he does not restrict me in any way. Even now, he is watching us talk, but unless there is a problem or I call him over, he will stay on the side. Max is a good man."

"You trust him."

Liz confirmed. "And he trusts me."

Dr. Snow could see the sincerity in Liz's gaze, and he nodded faintly while doing his best to hide his disappointment. He is happy for Elizabeth, but he would be lying if he says that he does not want to be in Max's place. He would support Liz and be someone who is watching over her, but it seems that he lost his chance. For now, at least.

"I hope that you can trust me one day.", Dr. Snow said. "Whatever you need, if I can help you, I will. Anytime. Feel free to test me."

"Thank you, Chris.", Liz responded with a smile.

Even with her low EQ, Liz could see that Dr. Snow is heartbroken and she wanted to give him a hug and to tell him that it will be OK and that one day he will find his partner, but she knew that her comforting would only give him hopes and cause a misunderstanding and she decided to switch the topic.

"Your presentation today was exceptional. I'm fascinated with your approach to cutting the soft tissue…"

Dr. Snow's eyes lit up when he heard Liz talk about his presentation. She remembered every detail and was able to discuss it as his equal. Ah, how he wished that they are more than fellow-surgeons. Maybe… one day.

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