From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10 - A Birthday Party

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. _{freeweɓnovel.cøm}

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."

"Well, I should've guessed," Max muttered. "Someone acting like that would definitely be hanging around him."

Wait, what?

"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.