Max barely remembered how they got to the car. One sed, she was standing in her soon-to-be bakery, still tasting Alex's lips on hers, still feeling the touch of his hands on her skin, still reeling from what the hell just happened...

  And then, boom.

  Reality spped her in the face.

  Earl. Heart attack. Hospital. Fuck.

  And fuck, she didn't know how to deal with that.

  Max swallowed hard, gripping the seatbelt across her chest. "If we die on the way there, I'm gonna haunt your fancy-ass car forever."

  Alex smirked, barely sparing her a gnce. "If we die, at least you'll be in good pany."

  Max rolled her eyes, but the tension in her chest eased. Just a little.

  But her heart would not stop pounding. This was Earl. The guy who gave her life advice between cigarette breaks. The guy who always called her "kid" even though she was a grown-ass woman. The guy who had somehow bee family. He was like a father figure to her.

  And now?

  Now he was fighting for his life, and she was stu a sports car with the most frustratingly attractive billionaire alive, still trying to process the fact that she had literally moaned into his mouth a few minutes ago.

  Yep. Her life was a goddamn rollercoaster.

  She g Alex...

  He didn't ask questions. He didn't hesitate. He was already rag onto the highway, breaking every speed limit ience.

  Max turo him, swallowing her nerves. "Thank you," she muttered, voice softer than usual.

  Alex didn't take his eyes off the road, but his hand briefly left the gear shift, just for a sed, to squeeze hers. A silent reassurance.

  ...

  [Hospital]

  The sed they reached the hospital, Max practically jumped out of the car before it had even fully stopped, sprinting toward the entrance.

  Alex followed after parking the car.

  The moment Max rushed through the emergen doors, she saw Caroline walkihe waiting area. Han, Sophie, and Oleg were there too. They looked worried.

  Caroline looked up and saw Max as she rushed to her. "Max! Thank God you're here."

  "How is he?" Max demanded, breathless.

  Caroline sighed, grabbing Max's arms. "The doctors took him in a few minutes ago. They said it was a mild heart attack, but he's stable now. They are still seeing him... Running some tests."

  Max let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Shit. Okay. Okay, that's... that's goht?"

  Caroline gave her a tight nod.

  Then, after a beat, she hesitated. "Listen, Max... I'm really sorry about ruining your business meeting. I know how important it was and..."

  Max blinked. "Are you seriht now? Screw the business meeting, Caroli's Earl."

  Caroline exhaled, giving her a small, guilty smile. "Yeah, I know. But still... I just wao say it."

  Max rolled her eyes, but she pulled Carolio a quick, tight hug. "You're an idiot. But thanks."

  Caroline smiled against her shoulder. "I know."

  And then, Caroline froze.

  Her arms tightened around Max as her eyes went over her shoulder, log onto something or someone.

  Max pulled back slightly, frowning. "What?"

  Caroline didn't answer. Because standing behind Max was Alex Wilson. Her eyes widened. Han's jaw dropped. Oleg let out a low whistle.

  Sophie? Sophie grinned like the cat that swallowed the ary.

  Max turned, realizing what they were all staring at, and... oh, fuck.

  Alex was right there.

  Tall, posed, and pletely unbothered, like this was just another Wednesday night.

  He gave Caroline a single, polite nod.

  "Miss ing."

  Caroline's brain visibly short-circuited.

  "Um. Hi?"

  Max sighed. "Don't question it. Long story."

  Caroline shot her a look that screamed "Oh, we WILL be talking about this ter."

  Then, he walked past her, straight to the reception desk.

  "Uh…?" Caroline's voice was stuewhere between shod fusion. "Why the hell is Alex here? Wait! He gave you a lift, right? Nothing else is going ht?"

  Han adjusted his gsses. "He is either dating Max, secretly her wealthy patron, or a very handsome stalker."

  Oleg grinned. "I support all three options."

  Sophie cpped her hands together. "Ohhh, Max, honey… you have to spill ter."

  Max groaned, running a hand down her face. "You're all the worst. Shut up."

  ...

  Alex walked straight up to the reception desk.

  The receptionist, a tired-looking guy in his mid-40s with salt-and-pepper hair, barely gnced up from his s. He was used to te-night chaos, used to stressed-out families demanding information, used to people panig over loved ones.

  What he wasn't used to?

  A ridiculously good-looking man in an obviously expefit showing up with the kind of presehat made people straighten up without realizing why.

  "Earl Washington," Alex said, his tone leaving no room fument. "He was admitted about half an ho for a mild heart attack. I need him moved to a private room. As soon as possible."

  The receptionist blinked, finally looking up. He gave Alex a once-over, lips pressing into a ft line.

  "Sir, I'm sorry, but that's not something I do without the family's..."

  Alex pulled out his wallet, flipped it open, and slid a bck titanium card across the ter.

  "Bill it to me."

  The receptionist's brain stuttered.

  Because—holy shit—that was a turion Card.

  A.K.A. The Ameri Express Bck Card.

  A.K.A. The 'I have more mohan God' card.

  The receptionist's eyes widened slightly, but he recovered quickly. Clearing his throat, he shook his head. "Sir, we 't just..."

  Alex leaned in slightly, dropping his voice to a quiet, lethal murmur.

  "Move him."

  The receptionist swallowed.

  Because something about this guy…

  He didn't sound impatient. He didn't sound aggressive. But he also didn't sound like someone you ignored.

  Like, at all.

  Still, the receptionist hesitated. "And you are…?"

  Alex smirked slightly. "A ed friend."

  The receptionist squinted.

  And here's the thing—he worked in a hospital in Brooklyn. He had seen celebrities before. But Alex Wilson? He looked… familiar.

  Like one of those Hollywood guys.

  But also… maybe just a random rich dude who looked like one of those billionaire Hollywood guys.

  The receptionist hesitated, trying to put the pieces together.

  Alex let him.

  His inito skill was already w.

  It wasn't mind trol. It was just a subtle manipution of perception. Just enough to blur reition. Enough to make people doubt their own memory.

  And, like clockwork, the receptionist's brain did exactly what Alex wa to do.

  He stared at him for another sed, then shook his head slightly. "Huh. You look like someone famous."

  Alex smiled. He was charming, easy, pletely unbothered.

  "I get that a lot."

  And just like that?

  The guy's suspi vanished.

  The receptionist exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Alright, Mr.…?"

  Alex smoothly flipped the bck card bato his wallet. "Just make the arras."

  A pause.

  Then, with a resigned sigh, the receptionist started typing.

  "Fine. I'll let the head nurse know."

  Alex smirked. "Appreciate it."

  [Waiting Area]

  Max was trying very, very hard not to freak out.

  Because while she was dealing with her idiot friends and their nonstop interrogation attempts…

  Alex was casually over there PULLING SOME RICH-PEOPLE POWER MOVES.

  She turned just in time to see him finishing up with the receptionist. A few moments ter, a nurse walked past them, whispering something to aaff member.

  And then?

  A private nurse walked in.

  A fug private nurse.

  Max's stomach flipped.

  Caroliiced too.

  "What the hell did he just do?" she muttered, crossing her arms.

  Han adjusted his gsses. "I believe he just made a phone call to The Illuminati."

  Oleg grinned. "No, no. He is Sugar Daddy. Sugar Daddy fixes everything."

  Sophie practically purred. "Mmm. A man who pays medical bills? Max, honey, if you don't ride him like a stolen car, I will."

  Max choked. "SOPHIE."

  "I am still here," Oleg said with a little jealousy in his voice.

  Sophie winked. "What? You think rich men like that grow on trees?"

  Max groaned, dragging her hands down her face. "You guys are insane."

  Caroline squinted. "Okay, but seriously, why is he even here? Why is he paying for Earl's care? Why is Hollywood's golden boy involved in your life at all?"

  Max opened her mouth. Then closed it.

  Because how the fuck was she supposed to expin this?

  "We're... friends?" she tried.

  Caroline gave her the most skeptical look ience. "Max. I know when you're full of shit. Try again."

  Max groaned. "It's plicated, okay?"

  "Uh-huh," Caroline deadpanned. "So plicated that he's over there casually flexing his billionaire muscles on our local hospital staff?"

  Max did not have an answer for that.

  Because, yeah.

  That was exactly what he was doing.

  ...

  [Earl's Private Room]

  Max walked into the private room, trying to steady her he beeping of monitors filled the air, the st of aigering in the air-ditioned room. Earl was lying in bed, looking… well, shogly fine for someone who just had a heart attack.

  He was hooked up to an IV, wearing one of those ugly-ass hospital gowns that made everyone look like they were oh's doorstep, but his face? Smug as hell.

  The sed he saw Max, his eyes lit up. "Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to visit ol' Earl before I kick the bucket."

  Max exhaled sharply, moving to his bedside. "Oh, shut up. You're not kig anything except your nie habit, you fossil."

  Earl grinned. "Kid, I've survived four heart attacks, two divorces, and a near-death experienvolving a bad oyster. I'm invincible."

  Max smirked, shaking her head. Same old Earl. Even with a damn hospital bracelet on his wrist, he was crag jokes like nothing had happened.

  Earl gestured around the room. "Nice upgrade from my usual shoebox room. How the hell did you pull this off?"

  Max opened her mouth, theated.

  Shit.

  She could lie. Say she pulled some strings. Say the hospital had ara room lying around. But Earl wasn't an idiot, and the moment she hesitated, he narrowed his eyes.

  "Maxine."

  Oh, not the full name.

  Max groaned, rubbiemples. "Fi wasn't me, okay? Someone else took care of it."

  Earl's eyes twinkled with way too much amusement. "Ohhh. Someone else, huh?"

  Max huffed. "Don't start."

  Earl ignored her. "Wait a damn minute… Is this a man situation? Did some poor sap finally fall for your crazy ass?"

  Max groaned. "Earl..."

  "And more importantly," Earl tinued, grinning, "is he rich? Because I gotta say, this feels like some sugar daddy-level shit."

  Max choked on air. "Oh my GOD, WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP SAYING THAT?!"

  Earl cackled, clearly enjoying himself. "So let me take a guess. It's that 1000 cupcake guy, huh? Damn, kid, didn't know you had it in you. But girl, I am gd to know that you didn't end up with a junkie biker from the northern streets."

  Max gred. "IT'S NOT LIKE THAT."

  Earl hummed. "Mm-hmm."

  Max huffed. "Listen, just shut up and focus on not dying, okay?"

  Earl's amusement faltered slightly. "I got some savings. I pay you back ter."

  Max's chest tightened. Damn it. Earl wasn't some helpless old man. He roud. Indepe. The kind of guy who never wao owe anyone anything.

  She softened slightly, perg on the edge of his bed. "Earl, you know I wouldn't let you do that. And besides…" She shrugged, pying it off. "It's not my money anyway."

  Earl raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So, he even paid for everything, huh? Iing."

  Before Max could ahe door opened.

  And in walked Mariah.

  Earl's entire face lit up like a damn Christmas tree.

  "Mariah, my angel! My favorite nurse in the whole damn world!"

  Mariah rolled her eyes but was clearly holding back a smile. "Earl, we have got to stop meeting like this."

  Max blinked. "Wait, hold up. Every time you nd in the hospital, you get assighe same nurse?"

  Mariah nodded, cheg his chart. "By some miracle, yeah."

  Earl smirked. "Fate works in mysterious ways, Max. You wouldn't uand."

  Max turo Mariah. "Are you sure it's not a setup? Because I feel like he's been purposely eating ba-ed everything just to see you."

  Mariah shot Earl a knowing look. "I wouldn't put it past him."

  Earl held up a hand. "Hey, if I gotta almost die to see a beautiful woman, then so be it."

  Max snorted. "Jesus Christ, Earl, you're literally in a hospital bed, and you're still flirting?"

  Earl shrugged. "I got one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. Might as well shoot my shot."

  Mariah sighed, scribbling something in his chart. "You're impossible."

  Earl winked. "A, here I am. Still alive. Just for you."

  Max rolled her eyes. "Okay, I'm leaving before I throw up. You old maer take some rest."

  Earl grihen turned baariah. "So… what's the verdict, doc? Am I gonna make it?"

  Mariah smirked. "You'll live. Much to everyone's surprise."

  Max let out a breath of relief.

  Earl was gonna be okay.

  ...

  [Outside]

  Max left Earl's room feeling… relieved. Exhausted, emotionally drained, but relieved. Earl was okay. He was still a sarcastic pain in the ass, flirting with nurses like he hadn't just been knog oh's door.

  As she stepped into the hallway, she saw her dysfunal family waiting outside. And, of course, they were being their usual chaotic selves.

  Oleg was in a er flirting aggressively with a young nurse, who looked somewhere between mildly intrigued and pletely horrified.

  "…and that is why Eastern European men make the best lovers," Oleg decred, waggling his eyebrows. "Strong hands, no shame, and I cook breakfast afterward."

  The nurse blinked. "Sir, I just asked if you needed a visitor pass."

  Sophie cackled. "Oleg, honey, you already have a girlfriend. Why are you harassing this poor woman?"

  Oleg turo her, offended. "Excuse you! You were just hitting on Wilson two minutes ago!"

  Sophie flipped her hair dramatically. "Sweetheart, I was testing the waters! What if Max doesn't want him? Someone has to take care of all that wealth, and I am willing to sacrifibsp;myself."

  Max groaned, dragging her hands down her face. "Sophie. What the actual hell."

  Sophie ignored her, smoothly sidling up to Alex with a purr.

  "So, tell me, handsome…" She ran a finger down his perfectly tailored sleeve. "Are you more of a silk sheets kind of man or a 'let's rui ter' kind of man?"

  Caroline facepalmed.

  Han also chimed in. "I'd like to know the ao that too." (No idea why he would like to know that.)

  Alex, pletely unfazed, smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

  Sophie gasped, clutg her chest. "Ohhh, I love a mysterious man."

  Max stepped between them. "Sophie. No. St to sleep with my business ior."

  Sophie huffed. "Oh, fine. But you are wasting him."

  Max groaned. "I AM NOT—!"

  Han interrupted, adjusting his gsses. "Statistically speaking, Max, if you do not secure your man, someone else will."

  Oleg nodded sagely. "Exactly! Sophie has the right idea."

  Sophie smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "See? Even Han agrees."

  Max turo Caroline, pleading with her eyes. " you trol them?"

  Caroline sighed, massagiemples. "I wish I could."

  Alex's eye twitched... Slightly... Even he was reag his limits.

  ----[POWERSTONES AND REVIEWS PLS]----

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  [8 advance chs] [All chs avaible for all tiers]

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