304 Isaacs birthday weekend 2 (1/2)

”Here you are…” Isaac said cheerfully when Liz and Max entered his office. He stood up and walked toward Liz with his arms spread wide, indicating that he wants a hug. ”I thought you got lost.”

Liz returned her father's hug. ”We took the long way here so that I can show your empire to Max.”

Isaac wanted to say that one day it will be hers, but he knows that Liz does not like to talk about it, so he kept that comment to himself.

”What do you think?” Isaac asked Max while shaking hands with him.

”Impressive.” Max said while nodding approvingly.

Isaac liked Max's response. Max praised him, but not to the point of fawning over him. ”How was your trip here? I'm sorry that I could not be home to welcome you when you arrived, I had some things to take care of here. Did they receive you in the house well?”

”Everything is fine. I have no objections. You have a wonderful house, Mr. Williams.”

”Please, call me Isaac.”

Max smiled and nodded, but he knows that he can't call Liz's father on a first name basis.

Isaac glanced at Liz and saw that she walked toward his desk.

”Thank you for coming.” Isaac said to Max in a low voice, so that Liz does not hear. He knows that if Max didn't come, Liz would not be here either.

”Thank you for having us.” Max responded.

This exchange of pleasantries between Max and Isaac was interrupted by Liz's, ”Oho!”

Isaac looked at Liz and saw that she is going through the papers on his desk.

”Is this the new approach to micro-surgery which you want to patent?” Liz asked.

Isaac smiled smugly. ”I decided to publish it. In that way I get the credits, people know that I'm behind it, and others use it for free.”

Liz blinked. ”If you patent it, it will earn you a lot of money which you are losing by publishing it.”

Isaac gave Liz a knowing look. ”True… and not. It takes time for a patent to kick in. Years sometimes. And during that time, this technique can save lives. Also… don't I have enough money already?”

Liz made a face, indicating that she does not approve. ”Money you earn can be donated to the people in need. And when you give this for free, you are giving it to the surgeons who are already loaded. Do you think that they will lower the price of their services because you shared this for free?”

Isaac chuckled. ”Who said it will be for free? I'm only publishing the theory part and disclosing the results and benefits without going into too many details. If they want to know how it really works, they need to attend my classes.”

Liz clicked her tongue. ”I see… So, you will charge them to learn from you. Not bad. But that will not stop them from teaching others.”

Isaac shrugged. ”Let them. By then, I will come up with a more advanced technique.”

Max understood that this is some father-daughter thing he is not part of. But he is glad that Liz is happy. Max can see that she is close to Isaac. It's no wonder that Isaac is missing Liz and is eagerly waiting for her to return to New York. However, if that happens, where does that leave Max?

”Why are you still working with papers? You should use a computer…” Liz reminded Isaac.

”Leave me alone.” Isaac grumbled. ”I'm a surgeon and not a computer person. And I'm used to papers. When I'm done, I give it to my secretary to type it in…”

Liz stifled a laugh. She likes to make fun of her father who can use robots and the latest technology in order to perform surgeries, but he hates typing on the keyboard.

She was curious about the article he is preparing. ”How much will you disclose in the publication?”

”Let me show you…” Isaac started and paused when he saw that Liz lifted her hand.

Liz glanced at Max nervously. ”Uhm… sorry. I tend to get carried away.” She turned to Isaac. ”Let's talk about it later. If we get into this, Max will be bored.”

Max was touched that Liz thought of him. He knows how much she loves her work and how easily she gets lost in medical topics. He came up with something… ”Don't worry about me. I feel thirsty and I remember that we passed by the kitchen.”

”I will call my secretary to bring drinks. What do you want?” Isaac was eager to order refreshments.

Max rejected Isaac's offer. ”I'm not sure so I will go myself and find something I like. In the meantime, the two of you can chat.”

Liz was troubled. She knows that Max is doing this only so that she can talk to Isaac without feeling guilty for neglecting him. ”Are you sure?”