306 Isaacs birthday weekend 4 (1/2)

Most of the people are from the top layer of New York (in terms of wealth), and they know each other from before. Smaller groups were formed, and people chatted in a seemingly good mood.

However, just like any other event with such participants, there are always some who are waiting for a scandal, or at least something worth gossiping about. After all, this is their first time at the Williams villa, the place is majestic, and the people present are the ones who care about appearances. Everything needs to be perfect: outfit, hair, makeup, posture, the way pinky finger stands straight while a person holds a glass… and if anything is not as expected, it will be noted and exaggerated.

”This is more people than expected…” Max voiced his thoughts.

Liz had to agree with this. She estimated to see up to two hundred people present, but this is way more than that. She can see the staff adding more tables and chairs at the end of the event hall. Luckily, the event planner had this as a possibility (more people attending than planned).

”It seems that people were eager to come here.” Liz responded to Max.

”Elizabeth…” Patrick approached Liz and Max with a big smile on her face.

Liz nodded slightly in greeting. ”Patrick… This is Max, my boyfriend.”

Patrick shook hands with Max briefly, without trying to be pleasant. He focused on Liz. ”I'm glad that you are here. How is Seattle?”

Liz was not pleased that Patrick practically ignored Max and she didn't want to talk to Patrick. It's time to move on. ”Seattle is fine. Did you see my dad?”

Patrick realized that Liz is cutting their conversation short and he didn't like Max's presence. He decided not to pursue Liz at this time, and to resume this when Max is away from her because they can't be together the whole evening, right? He will watch Liz from the distance, and find his opportunity to approach her.

”I saw Isaac there…” Patrick gestured.

”Thanks.” Liz said curtly and walked that way.

”My competition?” Max asked Liz. He didn't miss the obvious signs that Patrick is interested in Liz.

Liz paused. ”Does he count as a competition if I never saw him as a man?”

Max was amused by this response. ”How did you see him?”

”Background noise.”

Liz's response made Max chuckle. She is funny. And brutally honest.

The two of them moved slowly through the people, stopping on every few steps for Liz to greet people who called her name, and to introduce Max.

'Calm down, Max… Calm down…' He chanted internally. Max does not remember if he was ever this nervous. He felt as if he is walking through the minefield.

Not so far away from Max and Liz…

”The princess joined the party…” Mona said to Helen condescendingly.

Mona and Helen are friends from the upper circle of New York's society, and they dislike that Liz barely acknowledges their presence. Who does Liz think she is? Just because she is rich and a medical prodigy, she thinks that she is better than them? Mona and Helen tried befriending Liz on many occasions, but Liz either ignored them or rejected them outright. But no matter how much Liz embarrassed them in the past, Mona and Helen are not women who would miss a high-end party. The two of them came here with their parents. Of course, they brought dates.

Helen glanced toward the direction Mona pointed at, and her sight slid over Liz and focused on Max.

”Isn't that guy familiar?” Helen asked.

Mona noticed that their dates are frowning. She tugged Helen to the side with an explanation that they have a girl-topic to discuss.

”What guy?” Mona asked Helen when they were out of the earshot of their two male companions.

”The one with Liz.” Helen explained. ”In the dark blue suit.”

Mona observed Max for a second before responding: ”Oh… he reminds me of…” She paused and her lips stretched into a smile. ”No. He IS Max Anderson.”

Helen was impressed. ”You know his name?”

Mona bit her lower lip and gave Helen a knowing smile. ”I know more than his name. Last June, Caleb's party in the presidential suite of the Millennium Hotel. Shortly after midnight, we went to a different room. He is smoking!”

Helen recollected that party. It was epic! ”I remember that you disappeared. You were with him?”

Mona hummed in confirmation. ”How much I know, Max does not come to New York often. What luck to meet him here! For Caleb's party, he came with Greg. I remember pestering Greg to hook me up with Max again, but Max was not available.”

Helen glanced to the side. ”Greg? He is here. Do you think that he brought Max here tonight?”

Mona's face lit up. ”There is one way to find out. Let's see if he can introduce us.”

Helen pouted and followed after Mona. ”Introduce you to Max? Didn't you sleep with him? And anyway… you had your fill, didn't you? Now is my turn.”

Mona smirked. ”Girl, you can never have enough of a man like Max. It's a fair game. If he picks me again, I have no intention of passing on it.”