The design floor at Andersons Group was unusually busy that afternoon. Rolls of fabric lay across long tables, sketches pinned neatly on boards, and mannequins displayed half-finished outfits under bright studio lights.
Canary had just settled into his office when a worker knocked urgently and stepped in.
"Sir, the outfit design is ready. You are needed in the design room to review it."
Canary glanced up briefly, already sensing the importance in her tone.
"Alright," he said calmly. "Let's go."
They walked through the corridor together, the worker slightly ahead, guiding him toward the design studio.
When they entered, the atmosphere shifted immediately.
Inside the room stood Joel and Regina Vexar, already examining the displayed designs.
Regina turned first.
A slow, confident smile formed on her lips.
"Well… I thought the designer might actually be late to see his own work, despite all my advice."
Her tone carried a subtle edge of superiority.
Canary didn't respond immediately. He walked straight past her remarks and approached the designs.
His fingers gently touched the fabric, feeling the texture, the stitching, the precision.
Then he nodded slightly.
"I like this," he said calmly. "The execution is clean. The structure is exactly what I wanted."
He turned slightly toward the lead designer.
"You did well."
The designer visibly relaxed.
Canary then shifted his gaze to Joel.
"I'm sure you're impressed, uncle."
Joel gave a slow nod, studying the outfit.
"Hmm," he replied. "At least something here makes me proud."
Regina's smile faded slightly. She stepped forward, clearly trying to reinsert herself into the moment.
"I think it's great work," she said quickly. "Actually… this deserves a proper launch event. A big one."
She glanced at Canary deliberately.
"And since it's close to your birthday, it would be perfect timing."
Joel raised his brows, turning toward her with sudden interest.
"Oh?" he said with a faint smile. "You two are that close, Regina? That she still remembers your nephew's birthday?"
The room went quiet for a second.
Canary's expression didn't change. He simply said, flatly:
"She remembers things that are none of her business."
Regina's face tightened slightly at the remark.
Joel exhaled lightly, stepping back with a calm, calculating tone.
"I don't mind getting involved," he said slowly. "In fact, if we combine efficiency and cost, we could hold the product launch on the same day as the birthday celebration. Save resources."
Canary finally turned to him fully.
"No," he said firmly. "We separate business from personal events."
His tone was final.
He turned back to the designers.
"Focus on the outfit adjustments. I want the neckline slightly refined, the stitching reinforced here, and the color tone adjusted by half a shade darker."
The designers quickly moved closer, taking notes.
"Yes, sir."
"Understood."
Canary gave one last glance at the outfit, then at the room filled with silent tension.
Without another word, he turned and walked out.
The door closed behind him with a soft but decisive click.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Regina broke the silence first, her voice quieter now, less certain.
"He really doesn't like distractions, does he…"
Joel said nothing immediately.
His eyes remained on the design—but his thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
Joel remained still for a moment after Canary had left the room. His eyes stayed on the outfit design, but his attention had clearly shifted elsewhere.
A slow, controlled smirk formed on his lips.
He finally spoke, his voice calm but edged with something darker underneath.
"So… he still thinks he's above everything," Joel said quietly. "Even above the system, above influence… above us."
He turned slightly toward Regina Vexar, his expression sharpening.
"That confidence of his is becoming a problem."
Regina watched him closely, a faint smile returning to her face as she stepped closer.
Joel continued, his tone more deliberate now.
"But we won't argue with him directly." A pause. "We'll let him walk into it himself."
Regina tilted her head slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Joel's smirk deepened.
"He said business and personal life should be separated."
He gave a short, almost amused breath.
"Then we make sure he has no choice."
Regina's smile widened as she began to understand his direction.
Joel's voice lowered further, calculated and firm.
"We don't cancel the idea of the launch. We don't delay anything." He tapped lightly on the table beside the design. "We make it bigger. More public. More unavoidable."
He finally looked at her directly.
"And we tie it to his birthday."
Regina's eyes lit with approval.
"That would force him to appear," she said slowly. "No escape."
Joel nodded once.
"And not just appear," he added. "Celebrate it in front of everyone. Staff, shareholders, media if needed."
A faint, satisfied silence followed.
Regina stepped closer, her confidence growing.
"So he thinks he controls his personal boundaries…" she murmured. "We show him that boundaries don't matter in a company like this."
Joel gave a quiet, approving smirk.
"Exactly."
Regina let out a soft laugh, clearly pleased now.
"He won't be able to refuse it without looking unreasonable."
Joel's eyes narrowed slightly, more strategic now.
"And that's the point," he said. "We don't attack him. We position him."
Regina nodded firmly.
"He'll have to attend."
Joel leaned back slightly, his voice calm but final.
"And when he does… he'll realize that even his personal life is not entirely his anymore."
Regina smiled at him now, fully aligned with the idea.
"That's actually brilliant," she said softly.
Joel didn't respond immediately. His gaze drifted back to the design room, thoughtful and calculating.
Outside, the office continued as normal.
But inside that room, a decision had just been made—
Not about a launch.
But about control.