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?"