After the cake cutting, Lisa quietly walked back toward her seat with the gift box still in her hands. Even before she reached Gladys, whispers followed her.
"I heard she is his girlfriend."
"How could he choose a low-class girl like her?"
"She doesn't even fit into this crowd."
Lisa pretended not to hear them, though every word landed heavily. She forced a small smile and sat beside Gladys.
"You okay?" Gladys asked quietly.
Lisa nodded. "I'm fine."
Soon, gifts were served around while waiters moved between tables collecting plates and offering drinks. The atmosphere became lighter again.
A few minutes later, the MC returned to the stage with excitement.
"Ladies and gentlemen! It is now time for dance!"
Applause followed immediately.
"And to officially open the dance floor, may I invite our birthday celebrant and his lovely mother!"
Everyone clapped as Canary stood up.
Lucy smiled warmly and stretched out her hand.
"Come."
Canary took it and led her to the dance floor. Soft music started playing as mother and son slowly danced together.
Soon, couples started joining them.
Business partners danced with their wives.
Friends paired up.
Laughter slowly filled the gardens.
Lisa remained seated.
Gladys looked at her for a second before suddenly smiling.
"Don't disappear," she teased.
Lisa looked confused.
Before she could ask why, Simon appeared beside Gladys.
"May I?" he asked with a smile.
Gladys immediately stood up.
"You see? I have been stolen," she joked to Lisa before following Simon to the dance floor.
Across the crowd, Regina was already dancing with one of the wealthy guests, though her attention occasionally drifted toward Canary.
Lisa stayed where she was, now alone.
That was until a shadow stopped in front of her.
She looked up.
Joel stood there with his hand stretched toward her.
"My future daughter-in-law," he said playfully. "Would you mind having a dance with your uncle?"
Lisa immediately laughed awkwardly.
"I think you are taking things too fast, Mr. Joel."
Joel chuckled.
"People are watching," he whispered while keeping his hand stretched out.
Lisa hesitated.
Refusing might attract attention.
Accepting felt strange.
After a few seconds, she finally placed her hand in his.
Joel smiled.
"That's better."
Together, they walked toward the dance floor where nearly everyone was already dancing under the garden lights.
For a moment, Lisa couldn't help noticing Canary from across the crowd.
And she wondered if he had noticed too.
As soft music continued playing across the gardens, Joel guided Lisa slowly across the dance floor. Around them, couples laughed, talked, and danced under the lights.
For a while, neither said anything.
Then Joel smiled.
"Tell me, what kind of person is Canary when he is not working? Does he talk about family matters? Business stress?"
Lisa kept her expression calm.
"Mr. Canary separates work and personal matters well."
Joel looked at her briefly.
"So protective already?"
Lisa smiled politely again.
"I just respect privacy."
Joel laughed quietly.
"I can see why Canary loves you."
Lisa looked at him but stayed quiet.
Joel's smile slowly faded.
"But unfortunately… Lucy will never accept it."
Lisa frowned.
"Why?"
Joel sighed dramatically.
"Lucy is my sister. I know her better than anyone."
He looked toward where Lucy was talking to guests.
"The only thing she ever cared about was Alexander. Now that he is gone from active life, she has nothing left to lose."
Lisa stayed silent.
Joel continued lowering his voice.
"She will do anything to make sure Canary marries from a rich family. Legacy means everything to her."
Lisa looked unconvinced.
Joel kept going.
"She is selfish sometimes. Wicked too. Most people just don't know it."
Lisa finally looked directly at him.
"Why would you talk like that about your own sister?"
Joel smiled sadly.
"For some reason, I felt you deserved the truth. I don't want you hoping to be with Canary forever if it ends badly."
Lisa immediately stepped back, pulling away from the dance.
"If you want to discourage me, you won't succeed."
Joel's smile disappeared.
Lisa continued firmly.
"Madam Lucy is a good person. Don't spread your hate."
Joel chuckled softly as if her response amused him.
Lisa turned to leave.
But before she could fully walk away, Joel's eyes suddenly landed on something near her neck.
A necklace.
Partly hidden.
His expression changed instantly.
He reached out instinctively and lightly caught the pendant before Lisa quickly pulled back in surprise and pushed it inside her dress.
"Where did you get that from?" Joel asked quickly.
Lisa frowned.
"That has nothing to do with you."
Without waiting for another question, she walked away.
Joel remained standing there.
His mind had stopped following the music, the guests, and the celebration.
Instead, an old memory returned.
A necklace.
Twenty years ago.
Someone he once knew.
His face slowly lost color.
"It can't be…" he whispered.
Without another word, Joel quietly walked away from the gardens.
——
The party was gradually winding down. Guests moved around in small groups, offering final greetings, laughter fading into polite farewells as they began to leave. Canary and Lucy stood among them, receiving goodbyes with composed smiles.
Lisa stood at a distance, quietly watching. She realized she would not get the chance to speak to Canary again. A tight feeling settled in her chest. Without drawing attention, she moved toward Gladys.
"We should be leaving, But I wanted to give Canary this ," she said softly.
Gladys nodded, picking up her things, and together they prepared to go.
Just as they turned to walk out, a voice stopped her.
"Lisa…"
Lisa paused and turned.
It was Lucy
Lucy approached with calm authority in her steps, her expression unreadable.
"May I have a moment with you?" Lucy asked.
Lisa hesitated for a brief second, then nodded respectfully.
——
At that same moment, Joel hurried off in panic. He entered his room and immediately began searching frantically.
"Where could I have kept it?" he muttered to himself, tossing clothes and objects aside.
The room quickly fell into chaos as he continued searching, his breathing growing heavier with frustration.
Meanwhile, Lucy led Lisa slightly aside, away from the remaining guests.
"Lisa," Lucy began, her tone firm but controlled, "I think you haven't forgotten that I was the one who gave you the job. I am the one who brought you close to Canary."
Lisa lowered her gaze slightly.
"Of course I remember that, Madam," she replied quietly.
Lucy's eyes hardened.
"I think you have gone too far with him, and I don't like it."
Lisa looked up, confusion and unease flickering across her face. "What do you mean, ma'am?"
"I shouldn't need to explain myself more," Lucy said coldly. "I want you to break up with Canary."
The words struck Lisa like a blow. Her voice trembled.
"Why? We love each other."
Lucy exhaled sharply, as though the answer was obvious.
"I know that. But you aren't suitable for him. Canary deserves a beautiful woman, from a known and responsible family. Look at you—an orphan. Not even sure if your parents exist, not even who they are. Do you not see how guests looked at you tonight? The way they watched you step forward to cut the cake with them… some were visibly uncomfortable. You don't belong in that space."
Her voice continued, each word heavier than the last.
"You two cannot end up together. I will never allow that. I didn't bring you this close for you to destroy what matters."
She paused, then added more sharply, "I would rather you not be used and discarded like Camilla was. The Andersons company still needs your talent in design. That is where your value is."
Lisa stood frozen, tears forming quietly in her eyes. Slowly, she began to understand what Joel had hinted at earlier. Lucy's intentions were not kindness—they were control. Cold. Calculated. Selfish.
Lisa quickly wiped her tears before they could fall fully, forcing her voice to remain steady.
"I am sorry, Madam Lucy. I didn't know that you see me like that."
Lucy's expression did not soften.
"You should know where you belong."
That final sentence broke through Lisa's restraint. Tears slipped down her face despite her effort to hold them back.
After a moment, she spoke again, her voice softer now.
"I wanted to see him and give him this before I go."
Lucy's gaze shifted slightly.
"I see you had a gift for him," she said. "He is now busy with important guests. Give it to me. I will hand it over."
Lisa hesitated, then slowly nodded. She placed the gift into Lucy's hands.
Without another word, she turned away.
She returned to Gladys, wiping her face quickly as she approached.
"Let's leave here," she said quietly.
Gladys studied her for a moment. "Aren't you going to see Canary first?" she asked gently, sensing the strain in Lisa's voice.
Lisa forced a small shake of her head, hiding her emotions.
"He is a bit busy… but there is still time. I will talk to him another day."
Gladys nodded, though she remained unsure.
Together, they walked away from the estate, leaving the glowing lights and fading laughter behind.