309 Isaac's birthday weekend 7

"You could have asked beforehand or give us a warning." Liz responded. She knew that Isaac wants to introduce Max, but she thought that it will be a more one-on-one approach and not this total-blast from the stage.

Isaac shrugged. "Sometimes is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission."

Liz wanted to argue, but Max put his hand over Liz's. "It's OK. I don't mind."

Isaac grinned. "See? He does not mind." Isaac's smile fell and he looked at Max with concern. "I apologize for Patrick's behavior earlier. He was totally out of line. Do you need help handling him?"

Max rejected. "I have it under control."

Isaac nodded in approval. "Thank you for not lowering yourself to his level to engage in an argument. If I was in your place, I would not be able to control myself from punching him."

Max burst into a laugh. "Was I that obvious?"

"To me… yes." Isaac responded smugly.

Liz enjoyed watching her two favorite men getting along well.

After the soup, Isaac involved Benjamin and James into the conversation. They were sitting at the same table from the beginning, but Isaac was totally focused on Max.

Benjamin snorted. "You remembered that we exist?"

Isaac lifted his hands defensively. "I apologize. It's my fault. When I talk to Max I forget that others exist."

James looked at Isaac in disbelief. "Are you dating him or is he Elizabeth's boyfriend?"

"That is not what I meant!" Isaac hissed.

"What did you mean?" James asked teasingly.

Isaac waved his hand dismissively, indicating that he does not want to talk about it. He decided to push the topic toward business. That is why he arranged for Benjamin and James to sit at the same table with him and Max.

Isaac cleared his throat before speaking in an official tone: "Max is about to become the CEO of the Alpha Group. He is already working in that role, and they are waiting for the company's annual meeting in November to make it official."

Benjamin and James looked at Max with admiration. They are both businessmen and they are familiar with the Alpha group.

Isaac was pleased with the obvious changes in Benjamin's and James' attitudes. If Max can prove himself in the eyes of these two seasoned businessmen, they will help Max make additional connections. It all boils down to knowing the right people. And Isaac knows everyone who is someone in New York. As a famous surgeon, he operated on many of these people, or on their loved ones and even though Isaac never asked anything other than regular fees, these people feel indebted to him.

In no time, the conversation at the table shifted to business topics.

Dinner passed relatively quickly, and the tables were cleared up by skillful staff.

Guests got up and resumed their mingling while some danced.

Max noticed a familiar figure walking toward the exit sneakily.

"Come with me…" Max told Liz and led the way.

"Dr. Schmuck!" Max called.

Dr. Schmitz froze and turned in slow motion. Only one man is calling him like that and it's exactly the man Dr. Schmitz does not want to see.

Liz was hiding her laughter behind a cough. Max called him schmuck, again. And this time he did it so that Dr. Schmitz can hear it! Shameless.

Of course, Liz has no idea that Max called Dr. Schmitz a schmuck into his face on the previous day, in the hospital.

"How can I help you?" Dr. Schmitz forced a smile. He didn't bother correcting Max that he is not 'schmuck'. By now, Dr. Schmitz realized that Max is doing it on purpose.

"Are you leaving? Already?" Max asked innocently while ignoring Dr. Schmitz's hostility. "I was just telling Liz over dinner how much you admire her work and accomplishments, and she does not believe me. Do you mind telling her yourself?"

Dr. Schmitz blinked. "What?"

Max narrowed his eyes. "Yesterday at the hospital, I overheard you praising Liz. She has her doubts that you are appreciating her ardently behind her back. Please… share what you think about her accomplishments so that I don't end up being a liar."

Dr. Schmitz swallowed hard. "Of course…" He turned to Liz. "I heard about your achievements in medical school even before you started working at the Williams Medical Corp. And when you joined, I knew that the stories are not exaggerated. Your unique approach…"

Liz listened to Dr. Schmitz with a blank expression on her face while wondering, what is going on? Dr. Schmitz praising her? Isn't he one of the ringleaders who would talk smack behind her back? She analyzed Max's words from when he stopped Dr. Schmitz and the only thing that makes sense is that Max caught Dr. Schmitz in one of his gossip sessions and that Max is punishing him now by forcing him to talk to Liz directly. Of course, Dr. Schmitz will not talk smack because when facing a person, he can say only the best things. His expression was like he is suffering some internal agony. It was comical.

Liz glanced at Max and smiled. He is awesome, but he can be petty sometimes. No matter what Max's mood is, no one should try to cross him, or go after his loved ones. Liz's heart was full, knowing that she is one of the few people Max would protect no matter what. He is amazing.

…

When Max finished torturing Dr. Schmitz, Liz saw that Isaac is approaching them with a few businessmen.

"I'm going to the restroom." Liz told Max.

Max didn't miss Isaac. "Are you leaving me? Can I go to the restroom?"

Liz smiled. "You will manage. I will join you in a bit."

Max didn't have time to retaliate. Liz was out of sight and Isaac was two steps away.

"Max, I would like to introduce you to someone…"

Max smiled and sighed helplessly. It's not that he does not know how to behave in these situations, but he hoped to spend the evening with Elizabeth, and not with random people talking about business. It's Saturday evening, and that is his dedicated Max-Liz time!

He reminded himself that this is only for tonight, and he should not disappoint Isaac.

…

Liz lingered in the restroom for some time while thinking about what to do next. Knowing how these things work, Max can be stuck with those men for hours. She does not want that to happen, but she can't bail Max out too early either because then Isaac will be upset.

She can't stay in the restroom much longer, and she doesn't want to be at the party without Max because she dislikes most of those fake people, so she decided to step out and observe which of the two exit strategies are more promising. From the restroom, there is a small hallway that leads to the event hall. There is the main entrance to the right which Liz can use to access the rest of the villa, and on the left are French doors that are facing the garden. The weather is nice, and she can take a walk. Liz estimated that if she spends there half an hour, it will be enough.

Liz checked her hair and makeup and stepped out.

"Hello, Elizabeth…"

Liz froze in the small hallway while cursing her luck. She didn't reach the event hall, and someone spotted her. She turned to the voice. "Mona, Helen… Are you enjoying the party?"

Mona nodded. "It's elegant and sophisticated… just as someone would expect from the Williams family."

Liz tilted her head while wondering what is Mona up to. Liz never concealed that she dislikes people like Mona who live for cheap thrills and gossip.

Liz decided to skip the introductory pleasantries. They are fake, anyway. "What do you want? You didn't wait for me in front of the restroom to compliment the party or my house."

Mona's lips twitched. "I see that you have a boyfriend. I wanted to congratulate you."

"I didn't realize that you are concerned with my relationship status."

Mona snorted. "Relationship? You think that Max is with you for a relationship?"

Liz narrowed her eyes. She didn't like Mona's tone. "Get to the point."

"There is no point." Mona said mockingly and glanced at Helen. "I am just surprised that someone of your status would involve yourself with a person like Max, but then… regular guys could not reach you. That explains why you needed someone with Max's experience to win you over." Mona observed Liz's expression and she was surprised that Liz is calm. That means only one thing... "I see that you know about Max's reputation. Does your father know? I wonder, what would Isaac's reaction be when he finds out that the man he proudly introduced as his future son-in-law is nothing more than a fickle playboy?"

Liz gritted her teeth and exhaled while reminding herself to stay present. "I see that you are familiar with Max. But I still don't understand why you are talking to me."

Mona's eyes flashed in malice. She didn't miss that Liz is shaken up. "Oh, I am very familiar with Max… Especially with his stamina. The party was hot, but Max was the one who set me on fire. Over and over again."

Liz looked at Mona's taunting expression and frowned while suppressing the big knot which formed in her chest.

"Mona, I didn't see you in a while, but I must say that I am disappointed that you didn't change. Don't you think that it's time to grow up? Why would a woman brag that she had a one night hookup with a playboy? I remember you enjoyed putting others down, but now you are denigrating yourself?"

Liz shook her head in disapproval and walked into the event hall.

Mona balled her hands into fists. "Bitch!"

Helen wanted to say that Liz has a point, but she decided not to. That would only enrage Mona and Helen needs to defuse the situation. "Don't worry about Liz, she is not important."

Mona turned to Helen and glared at her. "Why were you mute so far?"

Helen was flabbergasted. "You said everything that mattered."

"Obviously not enough."

"Let's go and approach Max. That will show Liz…" Hellen suggested, and Mona followed without a word while taking deep breaths to adjust her mood.

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