Rebirth Into My Second Chance

Max answered, "Right. Real-world experience trumps everything."

I stopped listening. My previous mentor was the vice dean of our school, a man of considerable influence, but even he spoke with a hint of flattery before Max and had come to the hospital to communicate with him.

Max's mystique only deepened. And he was the reason my plans hadn't gone smoothly. He claimed he was testing me, dangling an opportunity before me only to snatch it away at his whim. And to think I was about to thank him. That afternoon, I totally ignored Max whenever I could. Even at lunch in the cafeteria, when he tried to join my colleagues and me, I dragged them to another table.

My colleagues were puzzled. "You and Dr. Hilton were all good this morning. We thought you guys were celebrating something. Did you fight?"

I said indifferently, "No fight. I can't stand Dr. Hilton."

Max hadn't done anything wrong. He was trying to gauge my true abilities, which was fair since he didn't know me well at first. But being toyed with like this just felt wrong. There I was, reborn, yet still not in control of my destiny.

It wasn't until I was leaving work and heading to the parking garage for the car Richard had arranged for me that I saw Max's car across the aisle.

Was he still at work? Thinking it over, maybe I was being too harsh. After all, he had every right to choose his students.

clear the air with him, considering I'd still be his student and would need his guidance, I hadn't even started the car when I saw a Rolls-Royce from the Hilton family pull up, stopping

descended from

them when they drove off. Max's ties to the Hilton family piqued my interest, but then he got off at the police station

expected. And was Max's visit to

and went in,

in surprise, "Ms. Floyd, what brings you here? Since you're here, you can assist

hit me hard,

in concentrated sulfuric acid,

didn't ask

I thought

want." Max was always serious at work, his

comfort me, "I told Dr. Hilton

didn't