307 Isaac's birthday weekend 5

Max also noticed that Liz is avoiding their generation. It seems that she is on purpose greeting only the elderly guests. Max knew beforehand that Liz does not have any friends close to her age at this party, because she told him many times that only Mia and Bri are her true friends, but he didn't know it would be to this extent of ignoring their presence. He wondered, what is the story behind it?

No matter what Liz's reasons are, it works for Max because in this way he has fewer chances of bumping into some old acquaintances.

Max spotted Dr. Schmitz (aka Dr. Schmuck) and he got an idea to mess with the man.

"Can you not tell people that I am your boyfriend?" Max asked Liz only for her to hear.

Liz blinked at Max. Why would he want to conceal that fact when Isaac will introduce him as her boyfriend anyway? But then she saw mischief in Max's eyes, and she knew that he is up to something.

"OK."

Max smiled in response and nudged Liz to move in his desired direction (toward Dr. Scmuck).

"Dr. Williams…" A woman next to Dr. Schmitz greeted Liz when they came closer.

"Dr. Ilings… Dr. Schmitz…" Liz greeted back and gestured toward Max. "Allow me to introduce Maximilian Anderson. He is our guest for the weekend."

Dr. Schmitz's smile fell when he recognized Max as the man from the kitchen. He is the one who overheard him talk smack about Elizabeth! And he is with Elizabeth, which means that they are close! What is their relationship?

Dr. Ilings was also curious about Max and she could not contain her curiosity. "Is he your date for tonight?" 

Liz glanced at Max and smiled. "He is visiting from Seattle and he agreed to accompany me for this event."

"From Seattle? Is he your coworker there?" Dr. Ilings continued probing.

"No. He is not in the medical field. Max was invited here by my father..."

After a short chat, Max and Liz moved away.

"Who are they?" Max asked Liz.

"They work in the hospital my dad owns. Long-term employees. Why?" Liz was curious. Out of everyone they met, these two are the first ones Max asked about.

Max shrugged coolly. He didn't want to spoil the surprise for Liz which should come later. "Just asking. That Dr. Schmuck was looking at me strangely."

Liz burst into giggles. She knows it's inappropriate, but it's funny. "It's Dr. Schmitz! Why did you call him a schmuck?"

Liz remembered that Max called Dr. Snow as Dr. Snobby. That was funny as well.

Eventually, Max and Liz made their way to Isaac who was talking with three men.

"Here you are!" Isaac exclaimed enthusiastically.

"We would reach you earlier if there are fewer people to greet on the way here…" Liz made a point that there are too many guests.

"Hehehe…" Isaac laughed awkwardly. "Maybe I got a bit carried away with inviting people, and then people decided to come with dates and family. But don't worry. One or three hundred, it does not make much of a difference. We have space and food for everyone."

Liz nodded in agreement. What else can she do? And it's true that even if it's only a third of these people, it would be the same. Liz does not care about any of the people present, other than Isaac and Max, but some of them are Isaac's friends and partners and Liz will be respectful.

Isaac gestured toward the three men who were chatting with him before Liz and Max came. "Gentlemen, you know my daughter Elizabeth, and the young man by her side is Maximilian Anderson, Elizabeth's boyfriend." Isaac said proudly and introduced three men: "Max, these are Benjamin Saxe, James Clement, and Ronald Sandall…"

Max shook hands with all three men, and Isaac gave more information about the men. Benjamin and James own their companies, and Ronald is a director of Internal Medicine at the Williams Medical Corp.

A minute later, Patrick joined the group. His father (aka Ronald) is there and he will not miss this chance to get close to Liz.

"Max, what do you do?" Patrick asked when he heard that they are talking about occupations.

"I manage my family's business." Max responded. He does not want to talk about the Alpha group and get too much attention at himself, and this is a safe answer.

Patrick understood the 'family's business' as something small because if it's anything important, Max would mention the name, and definitely talk more about it. Who does not want to promote his business for free? "Is that something your father handed to you?"

Max was not sure where Patrick is going with this questioning, but he didn't like his condescending tone. "Not yet. I am performing in his role, but he is still mentoring me."

Patrick snorted. "At your age, you still didn't prove yourself?"

Max narrowed his eyes. "I guess I didn't."

Patrick glanced at Liz. "And THIS is your boyfriend? At his age, he still needs to prove himself to his own father?"

"It is a big responsibility. Don't be too rash to judge people." Liz responded while giving Patrick a subtle warning to stop the taunting.

Part of Liz hoped that Max will not blow up and cause a scene, and part of her hoped that she will be able to control herself and not punch Patrick in the face.

Liz is aware that Patrick pursued her earlier, and this behavior proves that he still didn't give up. But, does he really think that he can bully Max? At Isaac's party? And even if he can, there is no way that will score him any points with her.

Patrick didn't get Liz's message to stop. Or maybe he did and he decided to ignore it.

Patrick blinked dramatically. "Big responsibility? That company might have one or fifty employees, it's the same. Look at me. I have more than one hundred employees and my e-commerce company is growing steadily." He turned to Max. "You are depending on your girlfriend to speak up for you? No wonder your father does not trust you with a company. You don't have what it takes."

"Patrick…" Isaac called with a warning in his voice.

Ronald patted Isaac's shoulder. "Why are you interjecting? This is the younger generation having a small confrontation. Let them handle it."

Isaac glanced at Ronald, Patrick, and then at Max. "Max, son… you heard Patrick's father. This is a confrontation between you and Patrick, and you should handle it without us old people. Don't worry about offending us and stand for yourself."

Max smirked. "Thanks."

Patrick's insides churned. Did Isaac call Max 'son'? And why is Max ignoring an obvious provocation? Max must be scared, right? Ha! Liz can finally see that her boyfriend is a coward.

Liz looked at Max and she could see that he is up to something.

"I need to make a phone call." Max told Liz.

"I will show you to the study."

Patrick frowned while looking at Liz and Max walking away. How dare Max just walk away? Patrick snorted and lifted his chin proudly. "Mr. Williams, Elizabeth's boyfriend does not have what it takes. You saw him… spineless."

Isaac shook his head in disapproval. "The only thing I saw was that Max didn't respond to your provocation in order to not disturb my party. I recommend that you stay away from him and Elizabeth, but it appears that my warning came too late." Isaac looked at Ronald. "If Patrick stirs any trouble, my security will escort you out."

Ronald was offended. "You would escort US!?"

Isaac confirmed. "Ben and Jim witnessed Patrick taunting Max. What would happen if Max responded in the same way? At best, we would have an argument, and at worst… my party would be ruined. Please, behave or bear the consequences." Isaac said sternly and turned to Benjamin and James to continue their conversation, this time without Ronald.

Ronald and Patrick stood there for a few seconds before Ronald tugged his son to the side.

"I did good, right?" Patrick asked Ronald.

"You did amazing." Ronald praised him. "I have no idea what Isaac sees in that boy..."

Patrick snorted. "I am more curious about what Elizabeth sees in him. He is obviously a coward. He was unable to respond when I questioned his capability. If he can't defend himself and his business, how will he defend his woman?"

"I think the same. Let's continue watching. There will be more opportunities to expose the boy. Someone like him must have more flaws."

"What about Isaac's warning not to cause trouble?"

Ronald shrugged. "Then... don't cause trouble. As long as you don't start a fight, it will be fine. And once we open Isaac's eyes to the truth, he will be grateful to us."

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