Together, they decided not to let the unwanted company ruin their moment, focusing instead on each other — unaware that their happiness had just added fuel to a much larger fire.
***
The morning at Andersons Group was already alive with quiet movement—staff walking briskly through the long polished hallways, low conversations fading in and out as people settled into their routines.
Lisa walked toward her office, a file held neatly against her side. Her steps were steady, her expression calm, but her eyes were alert—she always noticed more than she let on.
From the opposite end of the hallway, Joel approached, walking at a measured pace. Beside him was his left-hand man, a tall, stern-looking figure who kept slightly behind him, speaking in a low voice about something work-related.
"…the documents have already been moved, sir," the man was saying quietly.
Joel nodded once, his attention half on the conversation—until his eyes landed on Lisa.
He slowed.
The man beside him immediately fell silent.
As they drew closer, Lisa recognized him and composed herself instantly.
"Good morning, Mr Rivers."
Joel let out a soft laugh, glancing briefly at his companion before returning his gaze to her.
" What a pleasure meeting you… the dominant Lisa."
Lisa's brows pulled together slightly, though her tone remained respectful.
"What do you mean, sir?"
They had now stopped in the middle of the hallway. A few employees passed by, subtly slowing their steps, sensing the tension.
Joel took a step closer, his presence deliberate.
"I just think you deserve recognition," he said smoothly. "Since you are dating my darling nephew… I could be your father-in-law sooner or later."
His left-hand man shifted slightly, clearly surprised by the boldness of the statement, but said nothing.
Lisa let out a small, sarcastic laugh, adjusting her hold on the file.
"That's a pleasure, Mr Rivers," she replied, her voice controlled, "but I do not think that conversation is suitable at the moment."
Joel chuckled, clearly entertained. He began walking again—and this time, Lisa found herself moving alongside him, with his left-hand man just behind.
"Ah… very careful," Joel said. "You choose your words like someone who knows the game."
" I choose my words like someone who respects her position," Lisa answered calmly.
Joel glanced at her sideways, studying her more closely now.
"So tell me… is it loyalty? Or is it love?"
Lisa didn't look at him immediately. Her eyes remained forward as they walked.
"Those two things are not enemies, sir."
That caught his attention.
He smirked. "Interesting answer."
They turned a corner in the hallway, the space quieter now, more private.
Joel slowed his steps again.
"And if things were to become difficult here," he continued, his voice dropping slightly, "would you still stand so confidently?"
Lisa finally turned her head, meeting his gaze directly.
"Yes."
There was no hesitation.
Joel held her gaze for a moment longer than necessary, as if searching for doubt—but found none.
His left-hand man watched the exchange silently, now clearly aware that this was more than a casual conversation.
" With what exactly would you stand?" Joel pressed.
Lisa's expression remained steady.
"With what is right."
A brief silence followed.
Then Joel laughed softly, shaking his head.
"You're not afraid of me, are you?"
Lisa gave a small, polite smile.
"Should I be?"
Joel didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stopped walking altogether.
Lisa slowed too, turning slightly to face him.
For a moment, the air between them felt heavy.
Then Joel stepped back, adjusting his jacket.
"No," he said lightly. "Not yet."
His lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
"I see why Canary chose you."
Lisa said nothing.
Joel gestured forward slightly.
"You may go."
Lisa gave a small nod and continued walking toward her office without looking back.
Her steps remained steady—but her grip on the file tightened just slightly.
Behind her, Joel watched her disappear down the hallway.
His expression slowly hardened, the amusement fading into calculation.
"She's not ordinary," his left-hand man muttered quietly.
Joel's eyes remained fixed ahead.
"No," he replied calmly. "She's not."
A faint smile returned to his lips—but this time, it carried something sharper.
"And that makes her dangerous."
——-
The designers' office at Andersons Group was already in motion when Lisa stepped in that morning.
Sketches were scattered across tables, fabric samples pinned to boards, and laptops were open with half-finished designs glowing on the screens. The usual creative chaos filled the room—but something about today felt unsettled.
Lisa slowed her steps as she noticed movement near the back of the room.
Workers were shifting items… rearranging desks… even clearing out a section that wasn't usually touched.
Her brows tightened slightly.
Before she could ask anything, Gladys looked up from a stack of designs she was holding.
"Lisa…" she said carefully, hesitating. "There's… some changes happening."
Lisa placed her folder down on the nearest table.
"What kind of changes?"
Gladys exhaled softly, glancing toward the back where the activity continued.
"Mr Canary instructed that part of the office be reorganized. They are preparing a private office space upstairs for him."
Lisa paused for a moment, absorbing the information.
Then—
The atmosphere shifted.
The door at the far end opened.
Canary walked in.
The room immediately quieted.
Even the sound of paper being moved softened.
He scanned the office once, calm but authoritative, then spoke clearly so everyone could hear.
"I will be getting a private office," he said, voice steady, "but this does not change how I work with you. My seat here remains. I will be coming in whenever I want to oversee things."
A few workers nodded quickly. Others exchanged murmurs as he turned and walked out again, leaving behind a charged silence.
The moment the door closed, the room exhaled.
Lisa let out a small breath and finally took her seat near Gladys.
But the calm didn't last long.
The door opened again—sharper this time.
Jenny and Richie entered with a group behind them.
Jenny's eyes immediately landed on Canary's empty seat.
A slow, satisfied smile formed on her face.
"Someone's bodyguard is gone," she said loudly, walking straight to the desk and placing her hand on it like she owned it. "I have power here again."
A ripple of laughter spread through the group.
Richie smirked. "Finally… we can breathe in peace again."
Danny leaned back in his chair with a bored expression. "Honestly, I was tired of watching live Romeo and Juliet while trying to work."
"Exactly," Richie added. "Talk about distraction."
Gladys frowned immediately. "You guys are being childish. You should actually be happy Mr Canary got a better office. He deserves it."
Lisa spoke calmly but firmly. "Gladys… don't escalate it."
But Simon, sitting across the table, shook his head. "No, she's right. These people are just bitter."
Jenny laughed, still leaning comfortably on Canary's desk.
"Bitter?" she repeated. "Please. As long as he is not the CEO, he can sit anywhere—even a cleaner's corner."
The group burst into laughter again, louder this time, feeding off each other's arrogance.
Gladys folded her arms. "Have you all forgotten Mr Canary is still a son of the Anderson family? And the rightful heir?"
Danny scoffed. "No, no, no. You're all still confused. The real power sits with the Rivers family."
That statement shifted the room slightly.
He continued, more confidently now.
"Everyone knows it. His mother gave everything to her husband. Joel Rivers and his side of the family are the ones with real control here."
Richie nodded eagerly. "Exactly. Honestly, they should rename this place Rivers Group. It fits better."
A few chuckles followed.
Jenny smiled. "At least that name actually sounds powerful."
More laughter spread across the room—mocking, dismissive, almost celebratory.
"They've always been the real backbone of this company," someone added.
"People just don't want to admit it," another voice said.
Gladys tried to respond, but the noise was louder now, drowning her out.
Simon frowned. "You people are talking like ownership is a joke."
But no one really listened.
And Lisa… said nothing.
She remained seated, still, her expression unreadable.
At first, she had been observing the insults toward Canary.
Then the shift came.
Rivers.
Joel.
Control.
Ownership.
Her mind slowly replayed everything she had heard—every casual statement, every confident assumption.
And for the first time, something didn't feel like gossip anymore.
It felt like information.
Her gaze lowered slightly to the table, her fingers resting still against the edge of her folder.
Because underneath all the laughter and arrogance…
Lisa was beginning to understand something far more serious.
The Rivers influence in Andersons Group was not just talk.
It might have been real power.
And that realization quietly changed the air around her.