181 The FMC Fundraiser 7

The event progressed smoothly, and chairman Lee was approaching people and striking small conversations. He can't stay long with anyone because there are too many guests and too little time. Part of him regrets inviting so many people because he will not get a chance to talk to everyone! Luckily, he has Rhonda and few other senior people from the hospital who are committed to making their guests enjoy and feel welcome.

"Are you having a good time?", chairman Lee asked a group of four which included Mrs. Wilson (Tyler's mom) and Mr. Lisowski (CEO of Scuderia, who was sitting at the table with Liz and Max).

The four people nodded.

"I was telling them how Dr. Williams took great care of my son when he was admitted to your hospital. She is the whole package, smart, friendly and capable.", Mrs. Wilson beamed.

"Dr. Williams also left a good impression during dinner.", Mr. Lisowski added. "She gave me some tips on how to manage my neck stiffness which I will try. If it does not work out, I will schedule an appointment with her."

Chairman Lee's smile widened. "I am happy that you have a good opinion of Dr. Williams."

Mr. Lisowski nodded. "It is more than a good opinion. Before dinner ended, I decided to put my donation to the Franciscan Medical Center, and I hope that the funds will be directed toward neurosurgery."

"Same here.", Mrs. Wilson smiled.

"I am thankful. Very thankful.", chairman Lee did his best to hide his glee mixed with surprise.

These shrewd business people usually only smile and say that they will think about it, and in the next week or so he gets confirmations of who will be donating money, and usually less than half of the people who make verbal promises (in private) follow upon it by writing a cheque. But now he has two companies assuring him in front of witnesses of their donations. How lucky is that?

"Don't thank us.", Mrs. Wilson waved her hand at chairman Lee. "Dr. Williams is an exceptional young lady and it's only natural for us to support the growth of the next generation in any way we can."

"When I hear you talking about her so highly, I have a desire to meet her.", Mr. Sawyer said.

"Me too.", Mrs. Nelson agreed.

"You didn't meet her?", Mr. Lisowski was surprised. "I thought that everyone knows about Dr. Williams."

Mrs. Nelson shook her head. "Of course, I've heard about her, and I saw her as well. But when I wanted to approach her, it was crowded, and I waited for people to disperse. Seeing that it's only half an hour until the event ends, I am concerned that I will not get my turn."

Chairman Lee is not the man to miss pleasing two potential donors. "Allow me to see where she is, and I will personally introduce you…"

Chairman Lee made a call to the security, asking them to check on the cameras where Elizabeth is. He hoped that she didn't leave. In less than a minute, he got his answer.

He returned to the four people. "If you want to meet Dr. Williams, she is in the lounge where the model of the hospital is…"

…

Chairman Lee walked in the lounge with Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Sawyer in tow. His steps halted for a moment when he saw Liz and Max chatting and laughing. No matter how he thinks about this, the scene in front of him is too friendly. Is Liz flirting with the donor? Is that why she is in this lounge and others can't find her? How unprofessional.

Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Sawyer saw that Liz is with Max (aka the future CEO of the Alpha group) and that the mood is good and the duo shared knowing looks: they should not stay long. Max is enjoying with Dr. Williams, and they are not the ones who would dare to spoil the atmosphere and risk the consequences. Alpha group is a company that can easily ruin smaller ones (like theirs) and sometimes a spoiled mood in the lounge during a fundraiser is enough to trigger such events.

"Dr. Williams…", chairman Lee called. "These two esteemed guests wanted to meet you."

Liz lifted her gaze and put her professional smile on. "Sure, not a problem…"

Liz stood up and they shook hands while exchanging few pleasantries.

"Would you like to join us?", Liz offered while gesturing to the sofa. It's a large circular sofa where at least six people can sit, so there is space for everyone.

Mrs. Nelson's gaze darted toward Max who is leisurely sitting and observing them without a word. He is smiling, but she felt the chills down her spine, and she understood that she overstayed her welcome.

Mrs. Nelson forced a smile. "I will take my leave now because I hope to have at least one more macaroon before the event ends. I apologize for intruding, but I heard many good things about you, and I was curious to meet the person behind those stories."

"I don't know what you heard, but if it's good, it's true.", Liz responded half-jokingly.

Mr. Sawyer confirmed Mrs. Nelson's words and added: "We will not take much of your time. We can see that you are busy."

Chairman Lee can tell that Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Sawyer are about to leave and he does not understand from where their change of attitude came. Weren't these two super-excited to meet Dr. Williams? What happened? They didn't ask anything about the hospital or Liz's work or about the possibilities where their donation might go. Is it because Liz is with this young man (aka Max)? Are these two donors put off because Liz and Max are flirting? And what is with Max's smug expression?

If chairman Lee was aware of Max's identity, he would tone down his assumptions.

Chairman Lee knows who the CEO of the Alpha group is (aka Nathan), but he was not familiar with Max. With so many new faces attending, he didn't even remember who all the CEOs are. But Max is young and chairman Lee assumed that he can't be a big shot. He is probably a proxy of a smaller company.

"Please stay.", chairman Lee told Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Sawyer. "Dr. Williams is an employee of the hospital and at this event, she is available to answer your questions. That is why she is here."

Max's eyebrow arched and he smirked. "Yes. Dr. Williams is available to talk to potential donors, and that is what she is doing. She offered them to join, and they refused. Why are you forcing them?"

Chairman Lee's expression cracked for a moment, betraying his displeasure with Max. "Pardon my ignorance, but who are you, and which company are you representing?"

Max slowly stood up, and at the same time, Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Sawyer took a step back, leaving chairman Lee to face the storm he just invoked.

What chairman Lee sees as an arrogant youth, two people behind him see as a mountain. And the mountain moved.

Max was not polite. "Chairman Lee, Dr. Williams told me that this event was personally organized by you. How is it possible that you don't know the people you invited?"

Max's question made chairman Lee's frown deepen.

"Do you think that I can remember the names of everyone present?"

Max's lips lifted slightly in a condescending smirk. "I would expect that you know who is invited to your event. Or are you one of those people who remembers only the most important ones? In that case, I would wonder, what is your criteria in determining the importance of your guests? Age? Gender? The amount of money people can bring?"

Based on Max's tone of voice, Liz knew that Max is losing his temper. And she knows that Max's hostility is due to how chairman Lee is treating Liz (mostly the flower incident). She would gladly let Max teach chairman Lee a lesson, but that is her boss and she is right there. Considering her track record with chairman Lee, there is a chance that he will vent his anger on her later (first thing Monday morning, probably).

Liz cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. "Chairman Lee, allow me to introduce you to Maximilian Anderson. He is our guest from the Alpha group."

Liz's words hit Chairman Lee like a wrecking ball and he was not sure if he was breathing. He knows that Nathaniel Anderson checked in with +2, and did Liz introduce this man at Maximilian Anderson? Anderson?

Chairman Lee saw white spots in front of his eyes. He needs to fix this quickly. This is beyond just offending someone from the Alpha group! Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Sawyer are right there, watching and listening and if the word spreads that he offended a representative from the Alpha group, no one would dare to donate money to the Franciscan Medical Center out of fear of offending the Alpha group.

"This was a misunderstanding.", chairman Lee said while cold sweat dripped on his back.

"I hope that I misunderstood you.", Max said icily. "Because it sounded to me that you are insinuating how Dr. Williams is not talking to a donor when the two of us were in the middle of discussing future plans for the neurosurgery wing."

Chairman Lee laughed awkwardly. "I see. As I said. A misunderstanding. I apologize."

Max narrowed his eyes. "I am not the one you should apologize to."

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