Crashing into an Old Flame
Chapter 174: Kneel!

Chapter 174: Kneel!

Unbeknownst to her, Maxim had never liked such things. He preferred neater pages above those colorful add-ons. And he did not need those cute notes to remember things. He had intended to tell her that but looking at her bright eyes, he could not bring himself to hamper her mood. And even before he realized it, he got accustomed to her cute notes, looking forward to more of them.

Alex was about to snap at the man again but looking at his expressions, his face turned weird, ’’Hey, you... I am talking to you, what are you smiling for?"

Maxim’s smile died down gradually. He flipped through the pages of the ’bland’ looking document in his hand, ’’If you have something to say, say it.’’

"You have no idea why I am here? Quit pretending,’’ Alex narrowed his eyes. This pretentious man. He looked more hateful every second he looked at him.

Maxim glanced at him, ’’I am merely entertaining you for your grandfather’s sake.’’

"You dare to mention my grandfather?" Alex slammed a fist on the table, ’’It has been years since we know each other. And every time we crossed paths, I have only reminded you about one thing. Keep your distance from my grandfather.’’

The man shoved all the contents on the table down to the floor.

’Crash’

The photo frame on his desk landed on the floor, the glass shattering to pieces.

Maxim pushed himself to his feet and walked around the table, only to be blocked by Alex again.

’’Don’t pretend to be deaf now and don’t even try to deny it. When you called him yesterday, I was sharing my research with him. As soon as you called, he rushed to his study to answer it,’’ Alex spoke through gritted teeth, "I have warned you again and again, Maxim. Don’t blame me if I lose my patience with you.’’

Maxim stepped to the side and made his way towards the broken photo frame. He squatted down and picked it up, carefully removing the broken shards stuck to the frame.

Alex frowned, ’’I am talking to you.’’

Maxim pushed himself to his feet, ’’Anything else that you want to say?"

Alex glanced at the photo frame Maxim was holding carefully in his hand. The surface looked white, probably with no picture on it. Was he insulting him by paying attention to something so unnecessary over his words?

’’Don’t forget where you came from. Your previous hospital took credit for your achievements, made money out of you, and never left a chance to try to coerce you to do illegal things for them. When my grandfather saw you being cornered, he must have taken pity on you. Now that you are here at my family’s hospital, don’t let it get to your head. Just because my grandfather treats you well, don’t act like you own this place. The further you stay from him, the better it will be for you,’’ Alex threw the cigarette to the floor.

Just as he turned around to leave, Maxim spoke up, ’’Wait.’’

Alex grinned, ’’Do you want to apologize now? Good for you—"

’’The next time you come here for such nonsense, take a detour.’’

Alex turned to look at him, his eyes darkening, ’’Nonsense?"

Maxim nodded, ’’Your grandfather is my superior. We are surviving on mutual benefits. The family hospital you mentioned, I am beneficial and essential to it.’’

’’You...’’

’’From the position of a director, will your grandfather choose a doctor like me? Or a doctor like you, who acts on whims and throws tantrums every once in a while?"

"How dare you!"

Maxim’s lips tugged up slightly, ’’Offended?’’ The smile on his lips died down, ’’The next time you are here for such things, I might not be this hospitable. See yourself out.’’

Alex laughed, ’’Look at how cocky you are today. Usually, you won’t respond to me no matter what I say to you.’’

Maxim glanced at the broken photo frame in his hands, his brows tugging together.

’’But now you are finally showing your true colors, aren’t you? Both you and your fucking mother must have gotten used to leeching off my grandfather to milk benefits—Argh!"

One moment, Alex was still speaking and the next moment, he was shoved back to the wall as a punch landed on his face.

His lips cracked, and blood trickled down his chin.

’’You...’’ His eyes widened in disbelief, ’’You could have hit anywhere. Why must you hit my face? You must be jealous of my handsome face. You... You... You...’’ he grabbed Maxim’s collar.

...

In the Director’s office.

"Hmm, a nice day...’’ Director Qin twirled on the swivel chair, his body slowly swinging left to right as he listened to the guqin music playing in his office. The fragrance of the lotus tea lingered around his nose, making him grin widely, ’’And nice tea...’’

He sipped the tea slowly, relishing in its taste.

Only if Hazel, that cheeky girl was here to play chess with him. The last time, she had tricked him into being defeated by her.

Hmph! He had yet to take revenge for it but that silly girl had no time from her shopping schedules and blind dates.

Old Master Qin stroked his chin. He wondered if he should update Hazel about the latest progress between Maxim and Diana where her son tried to play the hero to save the beauty quietly, without letting the beauty know about it.

He pulled out his phone to call her, knowing that she will be thrilled about it but then he eyed the phone with narrowed eyes, ’’That girl... better not to inform it as a punishment for skipping our pending chess matches. Hmph!"

He sipped his lotus tea as the music changed from a serene note to something akin to a battlefield hymn.

His eyelids twitched slightly.

’’Hmm, is someone cursing me?" Old Master Qin rubbed his eye.

’Knock Knock Knock Knock’

’’Who?"

’’Director, it’s me,’’ Mary’s urgent voice sounded from outside.

’’Come in.’’

’’Dr. Warner and Dr. Qin got into a fight. Initially, they were arguing so I did not report to you but now they have started beating each other and there is a crowd outside the office...’’ Mary’s words had yet to finish when the old man passed by her like a gust of wind.

She patted her chest.

Doctor Warner already did not seem to be in a great mood today, why did Doctor Qin have to go to provoke him?

She quickly followed the Director.

...

"Kneel!" Old Master Qin hollered as he glanced at the two grown-up men holding each other by the collar. Maxim’s neck was swollen while Alex had his face discolored in shades of black and blue and their wildly untamed hair made them look like gangsters instead of doctors.

Alex quietly slid down the wall, dropping to his knees. He placed both his hands on his knees and quietly lowered his head.

Old Master Qin massaged his forehead as he looked at his grandson who resembled a guilty kid who was caught stealing candy.

His gaze landed on Maxim who was still standing straight, without a hint of remorse on his face.

’’Go bring me a pen and paper,’’ the old man waved his hand at Mary who just entered the office room.

Mary was befuddled, ’’What kind of paper would you prefer, sir?"

’’A fine quality paper would do. I need to write an application to Dr. Warner to urge him to kneel since he has hearing issues.’’

’’Pfft...’’ Alex pursed his lips when his grandfather narrowed his eyes at him.

Mary fell speechless as she stood there with an awkward look on her face. She missed Diana so much. Why did she have to take a day off on such a chaotic day?

Old Master Qin glared at Maxim.

’’I am not your grandson,’’ Maxim said calmly as he smoothened his collar.

In other words, he was simply saying that ’Discipline your grandson, don’t come at me’.

Old Master Qin had auto-translation mode installed in his head for Maxim’s brief jabs. He restrained the urge to kick the man, ’’How about I call your mother over? I am pretty sure she won’t take it well if her schedules are canceled because of her son’s antics.’’

Maxim quirked a brow, ’’Sure.’’

’’You...’’ Old Master Qin released a heavy breath as he paced in the office room. He had yet to hit a century yet these brats did not give him peace for a single day. Did they want him to die young? They would not even let him have his lotus tea properly. Humph!

His eyes brightened suddenly when an idea flashed in his mind, ’’Call over the other brat here,’’ he looked at Mary.

...

A/N: Thank you for all your love and support all this while. There are days when I don’t want to write anything and I don’t feel confident about what I write but I still push through when I think of y’all who look forward to the updates and always support me no matter what. It means a lot to me <3 Hope you all have been doing well.

MINI DRAMA:

Angel: Mommy, author told me secret!

Daisy: *quirks a brow* What is it?

Angel: *looks around sneakily* Don’t tell anyone.

Daisy: *uninterested* Okay.

Angel: There will be a mass release of 5 Chapters when we hit 1k powerstones~ *raises her little fists excitedly*

Daisy: *still uninterested* Oh.

Angel: Mommy, you are boring! Mama danced with papa when I told her about it *sobs*

Daisy: "_" *glares at Diana*