Accident Prone

Max and Liz held onto each other and danced while ignoring everyone else. No one dared to approach them, not after Max's speech which sent a clear message that he will not tolerate people who don't take him seriously. But everyone was surprised by Max's move and instead of talking about his fickle past, people were talking about how Max is someone who is facing challenges like an upstanding man.

At the same time, there was another rumor going around how Mona confronted Liz in the restroom area and that Mona tried to get in-between Max and Liz by telling Liz how she slept with Max. This put a twist on the previous gossip about how Max had numerous partners, and gossipers wondered if the rumors are an exaggeration which started when Max refused to have more than a one night stand with Mona. Didn't Max say that he regrets some things from his past? Is his fling with Mona one of his regrets? What if Mona is behind the initial rumors which were spread as revenge?

One person dared to interrupt the couple because he needed answers. Isaac cleared his throat to get the attention of Max and Liz. "Can we talk?"

Max wanted to say 'yes', but Liz was faster. "About?"

Isaac could see that Liz is defensive, but he needs clarification. This whole thing would be much easier to brush off if he didn't hear a similar story about Max from Dr. Snow.

"About what happened." Isaac responded. "Can we talk in the study?"

"There is no need for privacy." Liz said sternly. "You know what happened, dad. There are no secrets. Max was not a saint or a monk before we met. I never told you that he was and neither did he. It does not matter what Max was because the only thing that counts is the present and his intentions for the future, and you saw it… Max stood by my side, took all the blame, and protected me. That is what he does. Max takes care of me, he makes me feel safe, and I am confident that he will bear with people throwing dirt at him so that I can stay clean."

Isaac took a deep breath. "You are not bothered by the rumors?"

"What rumors? That he is a party-hungry playboy who slept with countless women? What makes a man a playboy? His lifestyle? Or the number of women in his past? How many are necessary before a man is branded as a playboy? Five? Ten? Fifty? Or will we believe in a magnificent number of several thousand? I heard a story that women throw their panties at him." Liz paused and glanced at Max while controlling the laughter which bubbled inside her. The mental image of women throwing their underwear at Max as he walks down the street is still hilarious.

Liz felt that Max's hold on her intensified and she smiled because she knew that he was moved by her words. But she was not done. "Since we are together, Max didn't go to any wild party, and on a few occasions when he went out on a weekend, he was with me. We spend our evenings mostly reading, working, or watching television. Sometimes we play cards or sit on the terrace and talk over a glass of wine. We are together every day. Max always has time for me, and when he needs to work overtime, we do it side-by-side. He supports me as my boyfriend, as a partner, as my equal. We are a team. I chose to believe what I see with my own eyes, compared to some fantastic rumors. Dad, you are one of the smartest men I know, and I will not tell you what to believe in because I am confident that you can come up with your own unbiased conclusions. We are leaving now."

Isaac's eyes widened. He didn't expect this last part. "You are leaving?"

Liz confirmed. "For the first time in my life, I don't feel comfortable here. A handful of these people are your friends, and others are not important. However, I can't relax and enjoy if I'm always watching my back, knowing that they are all hungry to gossip about me or about two people present who are dear to me. Max and I will spend the night in my apartment, and we will return tomorrow. Good night and… happy birthday, daddy."

Max shook hands with Isaac and wished him a happy birthday.

Isaac had a troubled expression. "Get my driver to drop you off. Both of you were drinking."

"Thanks, dad." Liz gave Isaac a big hug and took Max's hand in hers. "Let's grab a change of clothes. I want to show you my place… I hope you will like it…"

Max walked next to Liz with a dreamy smile on his face. In his mind, Liz's words echoed from when she defended him with the zeal he didn't anticipate. He guessed that Liz will take care of Isaac, but this was beyond his expectations. Liz is amazing. 

Liz and Max were long gone from Isaac's sight, but he was still looking that way. He didn't want them to leave. After all, he wanted to celebrate his birthday with Liz and Max and all the other people are extras. But he didn't think this through, and he ended up spending the evening with extras, people who don't matter. Somehow, Isaac's initial idea of spending the weekend on a tropical island, just the three of them sounded good. Maybe next year.

Isaac thought about the story of Max as a playboy and compared that with what Liz said. He has to admit that Liz is right. No matter how Max behaved, facts are proof that Max has a good background, great academic achievements, and a stellar potential future ahead of him. Isaac saw with his own eyes that Max respects Liz and that the two of them are getting along great. Tonight, Max stood up for them as a couple in front of everyone, and Liz did the same in front of Isaac. Isaac approves that they treat each other as equals, and he admires how they avoided a certain scandal that headed their way tonight.

Isaac smiled. Liz found a good man; someone she can depend on. Now the only thing missing is if they could come to Ney Work more often because Isaac is missing his daughter.

"Isaac…" Ronald called. "Do you really approve of such a man to be close to Elizabeth?"

Isaac exhaled. Ronald was never one of Isaac's favorite people, and the more he knows Ronald, the less he likes him. How can he attack Max so bluntly? Isaac disapproves that Ronald is kicking Max when he is vulnerable. But if Ronald thought that Isaac will bend under pressure, he has a surprise coming his way...

"I see Max as a man who will admit his wrongdoings. I approve of a man who will lower his head and swallow his pride in order to protect Elizabeth."

Ronald frowned. He could not believe that Isaac defended Max. Isn't he wary of the possibility that Max will take advantage of Liz? And what about the Williams' family fortune? Isaac is known to be super-protective of his only daughter. Ronald was confident that Isaac only needs a reminder… "I admire your capability to see the good points in people, but I was talking about Max as a womanizer. Aren't you worried that he will ruin Elizabeth and…?"

"Careful, Rob…" Isaac interrupted Ronald and gestured up toward the camera on the wall which is pointing their way. "If Max sues you for slander, there is nothing I can do."

Ronald snorted. "You are defending him?"

Isaac was getting irritated. "Can you provide proof for your allegations?"

"That he is a womanizer?" Ronald only heard the rumors, but if Max slept with a thousand women, getting evidence on at least a few should not be a problem, right?

Isaac didn't like that Ronald is latching on Max's rumored past as a womanizer. If Elizabeth is convinced that Max is honest in their relationship and that he will not sleep around, then Isaac chooses to believe the same because Elizabeth is one of the smartest women he ever knew, and she will not be easily deceived.

"No, Ronald. I don't care about the number of women with whom Max fooled around before he met my Liz. Show me the proof that he is not serious about Elizabeth. Proof that he wants to take advantage of her. Proof that he is with my Liz because he wants her money, or her status, or whatever other benefits you can think of. But before you try going that way, do your research on the Anderson family from Seattle and you will see how that boy has plenty of everything on his own and that when he says that he will sue you, he means it."

Ronald's mouth opened and closed, and he could not come up with anything useful to say.

Isaac smiled smugly and walked away.

Ronald could not believe that this is the same Isaac he knew. How can Isaac allow an unknown man with a sketchy past to be close to Elizabeth? Anderson family from Seattle? Ronald will check them out. Right away. And didn't Max mention some Alpha group when he was on the stage?

Ronald pulled his phone and did a search. Top results were about the Alpha group and two clicks later, Ronald looked at the page of top executives that contained Nathan's, Max's, and Hunter's photos. There was also a short professional biography that listed their education and accomplishments. Ronald didn't miss that Anderson is the surname of the current CEO. Didn't Max say that he is working in the place of his father and he will take over soon? As the CEO? Ronald felt that his head is spinning.

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