"I just don't understand," Max ran his hand through his hair, pacing compulsively in front of his father's desk. "I've been dropping so many hints for years now- that should make it obvious that it's more than just a crush. Why doesn't she see that I'm in love with her? It's not like she's the kind of ultra-nerd who doesn't even think about relationships either- she literally fangirls over a total stranger every day! Like... I want her to make fun of my stupid, nerdy pick-up lines but secretly love them. I want to take her to a different country every year on our anniversary. I want to build her her own lab so she never has to worry about funding or facilities for her research again. I want to make her smile so often that the whole world sees her cute little dimples. I want to... I just want to make her happy even more than I want to be happy. And meanwhile, she fawns over a man who doesn't even know she exists!" 

E. L. Thornton, celebrated entrepreneur and CEO of Thornton Technologies, looked entirely unimpressed by his son's revelation. He slowly looked up from his computer, adjusting his wiry glasses. "Sounds like love alright. Are you finished?" 

"...Dad, I-" Max cocked to his side, surprised at his father's nonchalance. 

"Good. Then get out of my office. Come back if you have updates on our investments in Project Exceed, or anything else of actual significance to report." 

"So you're not gonna help me out? No helpful advice, man to man?" Max pressed on, still hoping for his father to offer a solution to his dilemma. 

"I asked your mother out when I was a debt-laden college student and part-time waiter at a cheap Chinese restaurant," Thornton said emotionlessly. "The fact that you, the MIT graduate only child of a billionaire, lack the guts to do the same is rather pathetic. Here's my advice: grow some balls and tell her how you feel. Madeline Faye is a lovely, compassionate woman and even if she were to turn you down- which is highly unlikely- I am certain she would do it kindly. You have absolutely no reason to be afraid." 

"Right..." Max nodded, still not entirely convinced. He had been hoping that his father's advice would be more helpful, but instead, he'd simply told him what he already knew. "Thanks, Dad." He was about to leave the office when he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. Pulling it out, he lifted it to his ear. 

"Hello?" 

"Max! It's me." After a short pause, Maddie's voice came through from the other side of the line. Her tone sounded shaky, almost as if she'd been crying. "There's... there's been an accident. Oh my God, I don't even know how to say this. Come down to the Exceed room as soon as you can! Please, Max, you're the only one I can trust... please," her voice faded into a choked sob as Max put down the phone, the color draining from his face. 

"I'll... I'll be right back!" Max gave his father a quick nod before making a run for the stairs, wondering what could've possibly disturbed Maddie so badly.