Eventually, Max made his way out to the birthday event taking place in the massive garden. Dozens of tables had been set up, each loaded with dishes of food, snacks, treats, and desserts. Waiters moved gracefully through the crowd, offering appetizers on silver trays.
But no one was actually sitting down. Everyone was too busy talking, mingling, and networking.
Standing near one of the tables, Max helped himself to some surprisingly delicious blueberry cupcakes, casually taking in the scene. Aron, as usual, remained close by his side.
"I've seen so many business cards get exchanged, I'm starting to wonder if this is even a birthday party or just a full-on business convention," Max muttered.
"There are plenty of people here hoping to get on the Stern family's good side," Aron replied. "Some of the top companies in the world are attending this event. When your grandfather said it was a good place to make connections, he wasn't joking."
Max glanced around and recognized a few faces from TV—well-known CEOs who popped up in the news now and then. The industries represented here ranged from baby products to alcoholic beverages.
It really drove the point home: It's not about what you know… it's about who you know.
If you managed to get on the good side of any of these people, it was basically a head start in life.
Speaking of head starts… I still don't get what the original Max was thinking, he thought. At his age, he had a billion dollars—and didn't spend a single cent? Did he just have no clue what to do with it? Or was it his way of stepping out of the race… like he never wanted to be one of the heirs at all?
Since Max himself wasn't all that interested in competing for heir status, he didn't feel the need to talk to any of these high-profile guests. He didn't even know where to start. Negotiating with businessmen? That wasn't his style. His way of dealing with people was probably very different from how these corporate types made deals.
Still, he figured there was one thing he could enjoy—food.
He started moving from table to table. No matter how much money he had—past life or present—Max could never say no to free food. And these desserts? They were made by some of the best pastry chefs in the world.
But just as he was making his way toward another table, he felt someone approaching fast from the side. Instinctively, Max shifted to avoid them—narrowly dodging a shoulder bump.
Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to stop the splash.
He felt the cold liquid hit his chest. Looking down, Max saw his shirt now stained with deep red wine.
"Oh, sorry. I must've tripped on some grass," a condescending voice said, followed by a slight chuckle.
Max didn't even need to look. He recognized the voice instantly.
The guy wearing an open shirt, a bright white suit, and sunglasses—despite the fact it wasn't even that sunny—was none other than his cousin, Chad.
Did he seriously change outfits just for this? Max thought. And great… my clothes are probably ruined now.
"Red's our lucky color, so let's just call this a blessing, yeah?" Chad said, grinning as he placed a hand on Max's shoulder.
Max saw it coming and had to use every ounce of restraint not to grab Chad's wrist and twist it. Instead, he forced a smile and watched as Chad walked off, laughing like he'd just made the best joke in the world.
"Good thing this place has solid food," Max muttered to himself. "I need a drink after that."
Did he say… drink? Aron thought, slightly surprised. The young master's never touched alcohol before.
But before Max could reach the dessert table, someone else stepped into his path.
This time, though, Max didn't mind.
She was stunning.
A woman with a figure that would make runway models jealous, wearing a tight-fitting blue dress that hugged every curve.
Her blonde hair fell straight down on either side of her face, framing it perfectly. There was an undeniable aura of elegance around her. The first thing she did was give Max a small, graceful bow.
"It's been a while," she said. "I thought you weren't going to show up."
But Max had no clue who she was. Not even a vague memory. And she definitely wasn't in any of the files Aron had given him.
"Seriously?" she said, frowning and folding her arms. "You're not even going to ask how I've been?"
She waited, but Max stayed silent, still trying to place her.
"Nothing? You've got nothing to say to me?" she scoffed. "Ugh, forget it. I should've known. You're just as pathetic as ever. You'll never be anything—no ambition, no drive. No wonder your life's always been such a joke."
She looked him up and down in disgust.
"I thought maybe you'd changed, but I guess the only thing that's different about you is your hair."
With that, she turned and stormed off.
Max stood there, completely stunned. He hadn't even said a single word, and yet she'd gone off like he'd just ruined her day.
When he turned to see where she'd gone, he spotted her chatting with Chad—of course.
The two of them were giggling together, and she was even pouring Chad a fresh drink like they were the best of friends.
"Well, I should've guessed," Max muttered. "Someone acting like that would definitely be hanging around him."
"That woman is Sheri Curts," Aron explained, stepping in smoothly. "Apologies—I didn't expect her to be here today. Her family owns a chain of milk tea shops, though they've been struggling lately due to heavy competition."
"It seems several of their locations across different cities have shut down. But what's more relevant to you… is that you and Sheri were actually in an arranged marriage."
Max nearly choked on the strawberry muffin he'd just bitten into.
Wait, what?
Wasn't the body he was in supposed to be around seventeen? And he'd already been in an arranged marriage?
Coughing hard, he smacked his chest a couple of times before finally washing the muffin down.
"She's my wife? Don't you think that's something you should've mentioned earlier?" Max said, still catching his breath. "And if she's my wife, why is she all over sunglasses over there?"
"Sunglasses?" Aron followed his gaze and immediately understood. "Ah. Well, like I said—it was an arranged marriage. But a few months ago, her family called it off.
"She's been staying quite close to Chad ever since."
"I think I get the picture," Max replied. "She's a gold-digging opportunist, someone for the streets as we would say, is that what you're trying to say? You could've just cut to the chase. She's cozying up to Chad, hoping to get some cash to save her family's business. And since everyone assumes I'm not getting any of the Stern family fortune, I guess I'm no use to her, right?"
"Correct," Aron said with a nod. "The truth is, sir, you already have the funds to save her family if you wanted to. But the current competition for the Stern inheritance is kept strictly within the family. No one outside knows the amount of money you now have access to. That's why, honestly… I agree with your assessment."
Max paused, chewing on the thought.
So why didn't the original Max help her?
He'd had the money for a year now. If what Aron said was true, even a few million could've made a huge difference for her failing business.
It left Max with more questions than answers. Maybe the old Max saw Sheri's true colors long before she came begging for help. Maybe he'd known exactly what kind of person she was.
Just as I thought… this rich family life really isn't for me, Max sighed.
Feeling a little sick of all the sugar, he decided it was time for something savory.
His eyes scanned the area like a hawk—until he spotted his next target on the food table.
Just as Max was about to march over to the food table, he caught a bit of conversation as he passed by.
"Has there been any problems?" a voice asked.
"Everything's been going perfectly fine, you don't have to worry," another replied.
Instantly, Max froze mid-step.
His eyes widened. His heart began pounding in his chest.
That voice… I recognize that voice.
It's from my old life. Someone from the White Tiger.
Someone from the group I created, but why are they here?