"You're freaking nuts," Dr. Melinda Evans snapped, rising to her feet. She did have the same habit as her brother when it comes to shouting. "You're proposing a disciplinary action against him?" Her eyes flash with fury.

Gray swallowed the outrage that burned into her throat. She didn't plan to report about Dr. Evans, at least not so soon but news already reached her father before she could manage it herself. The text message she received from her father clearly ordered her to assemble in the conference room along with all the people who were there on the scene which includes Matt, Dr. Perez, Dr. Melinda Evans, Zach, Alex, Xavier, Dr. Samantha Reese and herself.

Henry Maxwell sat at the head of the table. To his right side sat Dr. Mark Maxwell, Dr. Margaret Evans, Dr. Zach Maxwell, Dr. Xavier Maxwell, Dr. Gray Maxwell and Dr. Samantha Reese. The left side started with Benjamin Maxwell, Dr. Perez, Dr. Foster, Dr. Alexander Maxwell, Dr. Melinda Evans and Mr. Ethan Hills, the new legal advisor.

"Dr. Melinda, yo-" Uncle Mark started but Melinda doesn't let him complete.

"The medical director was provoking him. He badmouthed about our father. You can't blame Matt for his behavior. It was an emotional and difficult situation for him. Frankly speaking, I would have done the same," Melinda finished as she settled back in her seat. It was clear Melinda was lying, at least to Gray it was clear. It was not about their father and even if it was, violence is not the solution.

"I disagree. He could have reported, there was no need to bring violence into the table," Gray replied, fixing her gaze on Melinda.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Melinda snapped, banging both her hands on the huge table. "You got a job even though you aren't qualified but that doesn't mean you're the boss of us."

Her last sentence only served to add punch to a temper that was already fuming to peak. Gray had to take a calming breath. She did know that Melinda wasn't fond of her presence in this hospital but that doesn't excuse her behavior.

"Melinda, stop it. Have you lost your sense?" Zach's voice held anger and warning which froze Melinda for a second. Gray frowned at Melinda's expression.

"I won't," Melinda blustered and everyone stared at her as if she'd lost her mind. "You fucked those doctors and got inside this hospital but don't even think that you can hurt my brother. I won't let you do it." I grimace, completely disgusted with the thought. Woah! She really has lost her temper.

"Melinda, calm down. Do you even know what you are talking?" Dr.Foster asked, staring at Melinda in his calm tone. 

"I know exactly what I'm talking, Dr. Foster," Dr. Melinda continued as she turned towards Henry. "Did you sleep with her? Is that why you appointment her without proper procedure?"

Gasps filled in the room. Gray held her hands together, felt the anger and insult vibrating through her.

"Melinda," Dr. Margaret Evans shrieked, her eyes totally wide and her cheeks red from embarrassment.

Zach stood up. "Melinda, stop it."

Melinda glared at Zach with bloodshot eyes. "Why? Did you fuck her too?" Gray cringed and her words caused her blood pressure to boil with turbulence.

"Melinda Victoria Evans," Dr. Margaret Evans shouted, now rising to her feet. "Stop it right now."

"Why mom? I hate her." Melinda grabbed the pen placed on the table and threw it at Gray. She immediately avoided the pen before it could hit her on the face but Melinda didn't stop there, she threw her iPad at Gray which she tried to dodge but unfortunately it hit her forehead before landing on the floor with a loud thud.

"Dammit," Gray cursed when she felt the sudden pain. She felt chairs move but her gaze was completely on the floor.

"You're a fucking bit-"

"Mel." Melinda froze when she heard her brother's voice. Gray lifted her head slightly to see Matt staring at his sister in shock. She sighed in relief when Melinda rushed towards her brother, wrapping her arms around him.

Matt's eyes meets hers but instead of holding the gaze as she always did, she looked away unable to hold the gaze.

"She's bleeding."

"Does she have a concussion?"

"Gray, can you tell me how many fingers I'm holding?"

God, give me the strength not to bitch-slap these morons.

She opened her mouth to shout them down, considered kicking their asses, when Henry shut everyone down.

"Step back, everyone!" His voice rang with command, and had Gray sighing in relief. "Dr. Reese, check on Dr. Gray and call Dr. Brannon." He turned towards Melinda and Matt. "Dr. Melinda, you have five minutes to control your temper and explain yourself."

"Excuse us," Matt muttered, walking out of the room along with Melinda in his arms.

"I'm so sorry, Henry," Dr. Margaret muttered, facing Henry. "I don't know what's gotten into them." Margaret looked embarrassed and Gray felt sorry for the woman.

"There's nothing for you to be sorry about, Margaret. We'll sort this out. We're a family, do not forget that."

Matt pulled his sister to an empty corridor who's wiping her cheeks with tissues. He rushed to the conference room to sort out things immediately after Darius got the call. He was able to hear Melinda's voice when he was walking towards the conference room so he ran to stop her before she could get into more trouble than she already was but he wasn't fast enough. The damage was already done.

Accusing Henry Maxwell of sleeping with a doctor in exchange for a job is more than enough to kick her out of this hospital but she topped it by attacking Dr. Gray.

Jesus! He can't wipe the image of Gray wincing in pain and blood rushing down her forehead.

What was Melinda thinking?

"I'm sorry, Matt," Mel muttered, tears filled up in her blue eyes. "I was angry at her for reporting you and then Zach supported her. He likes her. He kissed her forehead at the parking lot, he looked at her as if he..he loves her. It hurts a lot. I was always here for him but it was she who got him. She just walks in one day and takes him away from me. I lost my cool. Jesus! What was I thinking? I insulted Henry and Zach."

"And Dr. Gray," Margaret pointed out, walking towards them with angry eyes. Jesus!

"Mom, I'm so-"

"Don't Melinda. Don't even think this is going to end in an apology. What did that girl do to you? You like Zach and you think he likes her, is that the problem?" Matt and Melinda stared at their mom in shock. How did she even know that? "Oh c'mon, it's so obvious," Margaret answered, reading their expressions.

"Mom, I was angry at her for insulting Ma-"

"Have you really lost your sense?" Mom snapped, shocking them. Margaret Evans rarely shouted, they always knew their mom as a calm and composed woman. "She did what she had to do and I would have done the same thing. What your brother did was not right but you made sure to win that by trying to assault a colleague."

He looked down not wanting to see the disappointment in his mother's eyes while Melinda cried.

"That woman is not the problem here. It's your temper and your goddamn obsession with Zach. Do you think you're going to win bonus points by accusing his uncle of... I don't even want to say it. Dr. Gray is a wonderful woman, perfectly fit for the job whether you both like it or not. Did you see her hand work? Did you see her do a surgery? Accusing her of sleeping with the head doctors and the chairman, hitting her with a goddamn iPad is equal to asking for a career suicide."

Melinda cried. "I'm sorry, mom."

He expects his mom's eyes to soften as always but it doesn't. She's pissed and he gets it. "The whole Maxwell family is going to eat you alive when they hear about what has happened. The whole hospital respects Henry a lot. He's family to me and why do you think your brother is still working here after all that happened, it's only because of Dr. Henry Maxwell's power and kindness. By any chance, are you drunk?"

Melinda's eyes widened. "No!"

"Then why in the world did you behave like a crazy woman? You clearly sound crazy. Zach is no one to you, get that into your head. It's high time to live in the real world instead of fantasy and with Zach. Lord! You better come back to the room and apologize to everyone."

"Yes ma'am."

They move towards the conference room and Matt finds Darius already there and dressing Gray's wound while Samantha kept asking some questions to Gray.

Matt looked at Melinda who's now glaring at Gray. "Mel, don't do anything stupid," he whispered, pulling his sister closer to him.

Darius turned towards Henry with a frown. "She has a mild concussion. I don't think there's any other problem. Anyway, I want her to get a CT scan, just as a precaution."

Concussion? Fucking hell!

He studied Gray who was leaning back on the chair with her gaze fixed on the ceiling. Her right side cheek was colored, her right eye was slightly swollen. The worst part was her forehead which was bandaged but it looked swollen. Who knew an iPad had such dramatic effect?

She winced slightly when she closed her eyes and that small movement brought a pang in his chest.

"I'm sorry for everything that happened, Sir," Matt said, turning his gaze back to Henry Maxwell.

"Let us clear what has happened here in the past few minutes. Care to explain, Dr. Melinda?" Mark asked as he turned his gaze towards Melinda.

Melinda nodded her head and Matt tensed when he saw the daggers his sister was directing at Gray. "I apologize for accusing you of..I'm sorry about it. I didn't mean it. I was angry at Dr. Gray for reporting against Matt and I lost my temper."

Benjamin Maxwell narrowed his head at Melinda. "We're not happy with what has happened either, Dr. Melinda. You'd inculpated chairman and attacked Dr. Gray. You need to apologize to her before we move to further steps."

Melinda muttered, "I'm sorry."

That was the most insincere apology he has ever heard from her. Matt could feel temper fighting to get out of his belly and into his throat but said nothing. Dammit! Mel is still angry with Gray about Zach which is an utter nonsense. He didn't realize that her crush had gone deeper than he anticipated. Matt opens his eyes only to find the whole Maxwell family except the elders glaring at Melinda.

"Why exactly are you sorry?" Henry asked, folding his hands against his chest.

Melinda stared at Gray with fury. "I.. I don't know."

"Melinda," Margaret shrieked while Matt was tired of everything that was going on. Matt prayed for this discussion to end here. He was really tensed about Melinda, she seemed to have lost her tongue controller. 

"I don't like her and I'm not sorry at all. I just want to punch her."

Gasps filled the room and Matt's eyes widened in shock. Matt looks at Melinda who looks like she didn't mean to say it out loud.

"Melinda," Margaret whispered in horror.

He glanced at Gray, pursed his lips as he eyeballed her face. She had her gaze on fixed on Melinda, her color is back and she looks better than before.

"Are you kidding me?" Alexander Maxwell bursts out, his whole body shaking in anger. Matt sighed, Alex never raises his voice and Melinda managed to do that too.

"Dad, this is not acceptable. She shouldn't stay in the hospital."

"How dare she?" Zach snapped, glaring at Melinda.

"Is she insane?"

"She's crazy." 

"No sane person would act like she did in a hospital."

Matt closed his eyes not knowing what to do while the Maxwell brothers attacked his sister who has started crying now. While all this was happening, Dr. Perez smirked victoriously. 

"Quiet!"

Everyone stopped talking when Gray's voice dominated the room. Slowly she stood up, hands moved to help her but stopped when she raised her hand in denial. She closed her eyes for few seconds as if she was trying to control her pain. When she opened her eyes, she looked more at ease. She took support of the chairs as she trudged towards Henry. He immediately stood up, wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close to him.

She gave him a tiny smile before taking his place and facing everyone. She gripped the table with both of her hands. "Let's clear some things here before this meeting gets worse. Dr. Matthew Evans will be undergoing a disciplinary action."

"Bu-" Melinda started but stopped when Gray banged her hands on the table, hard enough to stop Melinda. Matt could see the pain flash her face but the determination and anger didn't took higher place.

"What Dr. Matthew Evans did was wrong whether you all accept it or not. He will have the right to defend himself to the committee and you can shout all you want when you get the opportunity to speak. He is not suspended and he can continue his work here until the committee decides otherwise." Gray turned towards Henry Maxwell and he nodded. "Dr. Perez?" Dr. Gray called.

Dr. Perez looked up at Gray. "Yes?"

"You're fired," Gray replied.

"What?" Dr. Perez snapped, rising to his feet. 

Matt froze and all the shouting from Dr. Perez were unheard by him because he was stuck on the word 'fired'. He is getting fired? For what?

"Chairman, this is not right. This woman cannot fire me, she has no right and I'm the victim here. Evans assaulted me, there were multiple witnesses."

Henry Maxwell sighed. "You're right but your firing has nothing to do with it."

"Sir, I don't what this is about but don't believe this woman," Dr. Perez sputtered, pointing his finger at Gray. "She has no righ to-"

That's it! Gray temper exploded.

"This is my fucking hospital and I, Dr. Gray Maxwell, have every goddamn right in this world to dismiss you. I'm a board member of this hospital, I own shares in this hospital and I'm the daughter of the chairman. All this gives me right to fire you for embezzling money from the hospital but more importantly, this is not my decision. It was decided by the chairman himself," Gray declared, glaring at Dr. Perez. Fire in her eyes. 

Matt froze along with Melinda and the residents. She's a Maxwell?

Gray turned her gaze towards Ethan Hill who nodded his head before approaching Dr. Perez. "Dr. Perez, the investigating team found that you were embezzling money from the hospital along with other things. If you insist on pressing charges against Dr. Evans then the hospital will be forced to do the same against you. So I hope you will accept the termination and leave peacefully. You have three hours to clear your office otherwise the security will be forced to throw... I mean escort you out," Ethan concluded, smiling wide.

Dr. Perez snarled as he rushed out of the meeting hall without another word. 

"I wanted him in jail," Dr. Mark Maxwell stated, glaring at the door through which Dr.Perez exited.

"It's better not to complicate it. If we approach the court, it would bring unnecessary delay and complication. The publicity will do more harm than good. I would suggest to keep suing as the last resort."

The Chairman and his brothers nodded their head. Dr. Gray turned to face Melinda who looks pale now. 

"Dr. Melinda Evans, you're suspended immediate effectively until the disciplinary committee decides otherwise," Dr. Gray announced. Matt closed his eyes, he knew this was coming but he was still in shock to consider anything. 

"Gray, Henr-" Dr. Margaret Evans started but couldn't complete as Gray cut her off.

"If I get an oral and written apology by tomorrow morning, then I will consider not pressing charges. If I don't get a proper apology, then get ready to loose your medical license and to stay in prison," Gray concluded and strolled out of the room without another word. Matt didn't wait for a second as he rushed behind her. He found her walking through the corridor and he ran behind her and held her wrist to stop her. She looked over shoulder, her silver eyes surprised to see Matt.

"What's wrong?" she asked, turning around to face him.

He drew a deep breathe. "Are you okay?"

She blinked at him twice before muttering, "I'm okay."

"Sorry about morning and Melinda. I didn't expect her to react like that. She kind of.. dislikes you a bit for reasons I'm not sure of." Lie. He does know why Melinda is angry at Gray but he didn't want to say it out louder.

Gray chuckled lightly but winced soon when she felt a pounding in the base of her head. "She's hates me because she thought that Zach and I were involved in a romantic relationship." Matt's eyes widened. "You know, it wouldn't take much time to figure out about your sister's crush on my cousin. I can understand things though I don't appreciate her letting it out on me. I don't want to press charges but I will if she doesn't apologize. She's a resident and if her mother wasn't someone dear to our family, she would have been dismissed long before. I have a damn concussion and I hate it."

"I get it," he muttered. "This won't happen again. Anyway, you could have fired Melinda if you wanted to."

"You already had one hell of a day, Dr. Matt. I didn't want to make it any more difficult and I don't think dismissal is the right choice. I go by the book and the right thing was to make her sit in a disciplinary committee. Right now, everyone has their blood boiled up so the decision that comes out may not be a right one. By tomorrow morning, everyone will calm down a bit and then we will decide about the disciplinary action."

Her soft voice brought warmth in him.

"Thank you," he whispered. "I..I didn't realize you were Henry's daughter."

"I know."

"I didn't.. kiss you because you were the boss' daughter. I didn't know about it."

"Why, may I ask?"

"I wanted to."

She stared at him as she leaned against the wall. "Do you trust me, Matt?" His name from her mouth felt more personal and he liked it.

He steps towards her, pinning her against the wall. "I do, Gray."

"Then do not get into a fight like you did today. No matter how bad the situation," she whispered, her voice serious as she placed her hands on his chest.

"I won't," he whispered back, his hand on her waist. It was a promise and he planned to keep it.

"I don't get angry easily but you bring the worst out of me and it has been just four days." She frowned and he found it cute as before.

"Is that so?"

Gray nodded her head and suddenly her expression turned even more serious. "Do you think I'm not a good doctor?"

Matt's eyes widened when he saw the pain that flashed across her face. Melinda's words did touch some of her old wounds which he guessed hasn't healed yet. "No! You're amazing, sweetheart. Never ever believe anything else. Okay?"

Gray nodded her head as her eyes turns misty. Without wasting another second, he pulled her into his arms and she didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around him. With her warm and soft in his arms, he took advantage of the opportunity to run his hand over her back in small circles. Her closeness, her warmth, her breasts pressed against his chest, her breath sweet against his neck... The combination was both bliss and torture. How was it possible that she already meant something to him? He disliked her before three days and he has his arms around her today, comforting her.

He'd never felt these things before. Not even when he'd been all wrapped up with Carolina, his ex girlfriend with whom he broke it off before six months. What was it about Gray that had him feeling this way? For one thing, he'd admired her fortitude after the rejection she faced from the residents and him at the beginning. Despite that she'd pressed forward with her ways without an ounce of vanity. He'd appreciated her the second he realized that he wasn't just a pretty girl but a woman who knows what she's doing.

Underneath her sophisticated look, he'd seen her pain for the first time today. Moreover she was a woman who loved her family and that means a lot to him. His mother likes her which tells him that she's a special one since his mom never liked the women he dated. She has great friends, people she loved and enjoyed being with, but she's hurt and that might be the reason why the Maxwell family is so careful about her and her feelings. Can't blame them for their reaction because he would have done the same if someone insulted his sister.

He ran his hand over her long hair, letting it spill through his fingers, soft, silky, curly and fragrant. Slowly she withdrew from him, her face flaming with color.
He can't help but grin when he sees red stain her cheeks.

"I have to go," she muttered.

"When can I see you again?" he asked honestly.

She blinked at him. "I'll be back tomorrow morning."

"Mmm."

"Take a hot shower. Your shoulders look tense and try not to cause more trouble while I'm gone." She gives him a small smile before continuing her walk down the corridor.

Damn it! He already missed her.

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