Joel stepped forward with confidence as Lucy tried to regain her composure after Canary walked away. He gestured toward the elderly gentleman beside him and the young woman standing neatly at his side.
"Lucy, allow me to introduce Mr. Williams and his daughter, Daphne," Joel said smoothly.
Lucy forced a polite smile and shook their hands one by one. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. Welcome."
Mr. Williams nodded warmly. "The honor is ours. Your garden is beautiful. Such an impressive event."
Daphne smiled softly. "Happy birthday, Mr. Canary… I hope he enjoys the celebration."
Lucy gave a light laugh. "I'm sure he will… eventually."
Joel quickly took advantage of the moment. "Actually, Mr. Williams, my nephew Canary is single. And I believe Daphne is around his age. I thought it would be nice for them to meet properly."
Daphne slightly lowered her gaze, a small polite smile on her face. "Oh… I see."
Mr. Williams chuckled. "Young people should always expand their connections."
Lucy smiled as well, trying to keep the atmosphere light. "Well, that is good. We always want what is best for Canary."
Joel nodded in agreement, but his expression carried something more calculated. "Exactly. This event is not just a celebration… it is also about building meaningful relationships."
Meanwhile, across the garden, Canary was walking alone, still visibly upset. He stopped when he saw Ketra approaching him from the side path.
"Canary," Ketra said softly. "What's wrong?"
Canary exhaled sharply, his frustration still fresh. "How could you turn my day into a launch… and not even tell me?"
Ketra looked at him calmly, as if she had expected the question. "Dear, they did it for your good and for the business."
He shook his head immediately. "Should everything be about business and money?"
Ketra stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Dear, your mom just wanted you to get to know more important people. People who can help you grow… people who can open doors for your future."
Canary looked away, his jaw tightening as he tried to control his emotions. "So my birthday is just… an opportunity for connections?"
Ketra hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly. "That is how the world works, my dear. Sometimes love and business walk together."
Canary's frustration finally snapped.
In anger, he said, "You know… I am not fuckin doing this shit." He turned sharply and walked away again, his footsteps heavy against the garden path.
At that exact moment, Lucy arrived back at Ketra, her face tense. "Have you seen Canary?"
Ketra nodded calmly. "He just walked away."
Lucy's expression changed immediately. "Which way?"
Before Ketra could answer properly, Lucy already saw him heading toward the parking area in the distance. Without wasting time, she followed him quickly.
Canary reached the parking area, still visibly upset. He was about to open his car door when he saw Lisa and stopped.
" Lisa.."
" She smiled and walked towards him"
"Happy birthday," Lisa said softly, standing there with a small smile and a neatly wrapped gift box in her hands.
Canary paused the moment he saw her. His expression softened for a second before the tension returned.
"Thank you," he replied quietly. Then he looked at her properly. "Did you also know about the launch?"
Lisa hesitated. "Not really… I just got the message this morning that we were all supposed to be here."
Canary let out a deep sigh, running a hand over his face. "I can't be here."
He reached for her hand gently. "Come with me."
Before Lisa could respond, a sharp voice cut through the moment.
"What do you think you are doing?"
Both Lisa and Canary turned around at the sound of Lucy's voice. Lisa quickly pulled her hand away from Canary's as if she had been caught doing something wrong, instinctively stepping a little aside.
Lucy stood a few steps away, slightly out of breath from walking fast, her eyes moving between the two of them.
"Greetings, Mrs. Anderson," Lisa said politely, trying to steady her voice and compose herself.
Lucy nodded faintly, but her attention was fixed on Canary. "Canary… where are you going? Everyone is looking for you."
Canary exhaled slowly, still clearly irritated. "I'm leaving, Mom."
Lucy's expression tightened with concern. "Leaving? On your birthday? With all these people here?"
Canary gestured loosely toward the garden behind them. "You mean the business meeting you turned into my birthday?"
Lucy looked taken aback. "It's not like that—"
"Yes, it is," he interrupted, his voice firm but controlled. "I didn't ask for any of this."
Lisa stood quietly between them, holding her gift box tighter, unsure whether to speak or stay silent.
Lucy softened her tone, stepping closer. "Canary, please don't do this now. We can talk after the event. Just stay a little longer."
Canary shook his head. "I've heard enough already."
He turned slightly toward Lisa, his expression softening for a moment. "I'm going home."
Lisa looked up at him, conflicted. "Canary…"
Canary looked at Lisa quietly, waiting for her response.
Lisa adjusted the gift box in her hands before speaking softly. "Mrs. Anderson is right. You cannot leave everyone here. They came for you."
Canary gave a small bitter laugh.
"That's what it looks like."
"Canary..." Lisa insisted gently as she reached for his hand. "Please."
He looked down at their hands for a moment before taking a deep breath. Most of his anger was still there, but somehow Lisa's presence calmed him.
"Fine," he finally said quietly.
Lucy immediately looked relieved, though a small part of her remained unhappy seeing Canary walk back toward the party beside Lisa instead of beside her.
The two slowly returned to the gardens together.
As soon as they reached the guests again, several people surrounded Canary with smiles and greetings.
"Mr. Canary!"
"Happy birthday again!"
"We've been looking for you!"
Lisa smiled at him reassuringly.
"You handle them," she whispered.
Canary gave a small nod while Lisa quietly moved away with her gift box and found an empty seat near Gladys.
"You disappeared," Gladys whispered playfully.
Lisa laughed softly. "Long story."
A few minutes later, the atmosphere finally stabilized again. Music lowered slightly as the MC stepped onto the stage with excitement.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for joining us today. We are gathered not only to celebrate a special birthday but also to witness an important milestone for Andersons Group!"
Applause filled the gardens.
"With great honor, we officially begin today's launch!"
More applause followed.
Canary was guided toward the high table where Lucy, Joel, and Ketra were already seated. He took his seat quietly between them, forcing a professional smile as cameras flashed and guests watched.
From where she sat, Lisa looked toward him.
Even from a distance, she could tell he still wasn't fully happy.