267 Dinner for Sabrina and her date ends

Sabrina scrutinized Hunter who is standing stiffly in front of her and Ashton.

Ashton wanted to sit up, but Sabrina stopped him without removing her gaze from Hunter.

"Hunter, did mom or dad make you come here?" Sabrina's guess was spot on. "There is no need to apologize. Go back and tell them you did it. You are here because of them only, and we don't need your insincere apology."

Hunter gritted his teeth. "Rina… I was upset that Ashton went after you without telling me."

Sabrina rolled her eyes. "Really? Since when anyone needs your permission to approach me?"

"Ashton is not anyone. He is one of my best friends." Hunter explained.

"If this is how you treat your best friends, I don't want to know how you treat your enemies."

Ashton didn't want Sabrina and Hunter to bicker because of him. "Rina, it's OK. Let him…"

Sabrina narrowed her eyes at Ashton. "What?"

Ashton shrunk. "Nothing."

Hunter exhaled in frustration. "OK. I see your point. I am sorry, how can I make it up to you?"

Sabrina eyed Hunter for some time before she got an idea. "I want you to prove to me that you will get along well with Ashton going forward. No fighting, no bickering."

Hunter was afraid to ask, but he had to… "How do I prove that?"

"Come to my studio and help him move things around. You will need to listen to what Ashton says."

Hunter closed his eyes and cursed internally before asking: "For how long?"

"Until I am satisfied."

"I have a job." He reminded her.

Sabrina didn't see that as an obstacle. "I'm sure you can take two hours off. Tell Max that you will prepare things in advance, so that your work does not suffer in your absence and he will agree…"

…

After some time, everyone came into the living room.

"Is there a need for him to lay down?" Hunter asked through his teeth while glaring at Ashton.

"He is hurt. He needs to rest." Sabrina responded curtly.

Ashton found himself in the middle of this against his will. He can sit. His injuries are not grave, and the painkillers are working. But Sabrina obviously wants to make a point, and if he objects he will end up on her bad side. And Ashton has no intention of fighting with Sabrina over this, but he can't stand to be stuck in this position either. Her parents are watching!

Ashton got an idea. He spoke softly to Sabrina: "How about we head home? Dinner is over, everyone knows that you broke up with Jackson and the backstory. And you told them that we are dating as well." Ashton grimaced for a dramatic effect. "The sofa is not the most comfortable, I will rest better in the bed."

Sabrina agreed. There is no need to linger.

She helped Ashton to sit up before announcing that they are leaving.

"What about the cake?" Madeline asked.

Saliva pooled into Sabrina's mouth while thinking of creamy layers flavored with crushed hazelnuts and chocolate... and she hesitated.

Madeline saw that Sabrina is craving for the cake, and her gaze moved over Ashton's exposed bruises on his arms and she came up with an idea.

"I will not stop you from going because Ashton needs to rest. I know that the hazelnut cake is your favorite, so I will ask the staff to pack it for you. Take it home and enjoy it. It freezes well, so you can cut into several portions and eat whenever you feel like it…" Madeline spoke and instructed the butler to handle the packing.

"We have other desserts. The hazelnut cake was made with Rina in mind…" Madeline explained to everyone that there are other desserts available.

Sabrina had no problem accepting the whole cake. The sour expression on Hunter's face only confirmed that Sabrina should take the cake. There is no bigger punishment for Hunter than to deny him access to food. He was always a glutton.

…

Later that evening…

Liz and Max returned to Liz's apartment. By now, most of Max's things moved to Liz's apartment and his apartment is more like storage for things he is not using frequently.

Liz plopped on the sofa and watched Max who was bringing a bottle of perfectly chilled wine and two glasses from the kitchen.

Liz smiled. "You know me well."

"I know what my lady needs." Max said smugly. "Let's drink and I will give you a massage before we go to bed."

Liz accepted the wine and smiled while thinking about Max's massage. His hands must have some magic in them, because his every touch is amazing.

She took a few sips before sinking into the sofa.

"This evening went rather well…" Liz murmured. "Considering all the news your parents received, I thought it will be worse."

Max's expression shifted slightly, and Liz noticed.

"Problems?"

Max confirmed. "I have a feeling that we are missing something. Like the calm before the storm."

"Talk to me." Liz demanded.

"I don't like that Suzanne hired someone to take your photos and to keep track of Mia. I think that we should deal with her decisively before she causes serious trouble."

"You think that she will not stop at stalking and photographing?"

"I'm not sure." Max admitted. "But I don't want to take the risk. That one photographer whose photos ended in your hands might be still following you. And there might be others."

Liz thought about how it makes sense. "Can you find out her schedule?"

"I can find much more than just schedule." Max responded and guessed: "You want to help?"

"Let's deal with that woman together. So far, we know that she values her reputation. We should find out what else is important to her and punish her accordingly. She already made a move against Mia and me. Regardless if she is planning something in the future or not, she made her stance as a hostile party."

Max agreed. He likes to work with Liz. She is brilliant.

The two of them discussed that Max will gather information related to Suzy, and then they will come up with a plan. Depending on what they come up with, Mia and Hunter might be involved as well.

"What else is on your mind?" Liz probed when they ended their talk about Suzy.

"Sabrina." Max gave a one-word answer before expanding on it: "Jackson and his family are latching onto Rina in order to better their own lives. I have a feeling that the Adams family might hurt Rina or Ashton. If he is hurt, she will suffer as well. Also, someone is sabotaging the reputation of Rina's business. She invested a lot of effort into her business. I can't allow someone to mess with it..." Max told Liz how this is not the first time Sabrina started a business in interior design. The first time, she had a partner, and her partner took advantage of Sabrina's focus on work only.

Liz is always touched by the bond between the Anderson siblings. They might bicker and have their disagreements, but in the end, they have each other's backs.

"Let me know if I can help with those." Liz told Max.

"Rina told me that I should not do anything without her approval. So, we should talk to her. I am sure that she will appreciate your desire to help out." Max said dotingly. "You should focus on your career and your handsome boyfriend, and I am sorry that you are caught up in all these random issues which are because of my family."

"Don't blame yourself." Liz comforted him. "You are a member of a high-profile family who attracts the envy of many. Everyone wants to get to the top, but not many are willing to work for it. People see that you, Hunter, and Rina as successful young people and they assume that you got everything delivered on a silver platter." Liz has experience with people belittling her because they assumed that her success is due to her father. And there is no way to change their opinion. The only thing they can do is stay vigilant and to act when someone is brazen enough to make a move.

Liz noticed that Max mentioned issues that are related to her, Mia (and Hunter) and Sabrina. "No issues from your side?"

Max snorted. "Other than Andrea wanting to steal my girlfriend, there is nothing that I can't handle."

Liz snuggled next to Max. "Don't worry about Andrea. She knows that the info I gave her is legit. Her team is investigating those companies and she is coming up with strategies to approach them."

Max looked at Liz in disbelief. "And you know about all that because…?"

Liz guiltily avoided his accusing gaze. "I know about that because she is informing me of the progress. I provided her with that data, and she wants to make sure that I know she is using it. Nothing else. She said that once she seals these deals, she will treat us to dinner."

Max lifted his eyebrow suspiciously. "Us?"

"Mhm… the two of us. You will come, right?"

Max could not believe this! Based on Liz's choice of words, she is going for that dinner with Andrea with or without him! "How about WE don't go? There is nothing Andrea can treat us with that we can't get ourselves. If she is truly grateful, she can send a thank you card."

Liz rubbed her cheek on his chest and took a deep breath. "Let's talk about it later. It was a stressful weekend and you already have plenty on your plate. But don't worry about Andrea... OK?"

Max didn't respond. How can he not worry about Andrea? He saw that damned woman kiss Liz right in front of him!

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