Part 70: If Canary Wins, You will Pay

She cleared her throat to say something.

" Sorry Ms Regina, I don't think that you and I have something in common to talk about." Lisa said looking straight into Regina's eyes.

Regina's eyes sparkled with amusement and she took a step closer to Lisa.

"You think you know Canary, Lisa? You think you can handle him?" Regina's voice was laced with skepticism.

"I know him better than you think," Lisa replied, her chin held high.

Regina laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Oh, really? Well, let me tell you something, Lisa. I dated Canary for three years. Three years, Lisa. I know him inside and out. I know his strengths and weaknesses, his likes and dislikes. And I can tell you, he's not changed one bit."

Lisa's eyes flashed with defiance. "You don't know him anymore, Regina. He's changed. He's grown, and he's not the same person he was when you two were together."

Regina raised an eyebrow, her expression incredulous. "Oh, really? Well, I find that hard to believe. Canary's a player, Lisa. He always has been, and he always will be. He's not capable of changing. He's just really good at pretending to be something he's not."

Lisa's face burned with anger, but she kept her cool. "You don't know what you're talking about, Regina. You're just bitter because he moved on from you."

Regina's smile was icy. "Oh, I'm not bitter, Lisa. I'm just concerned. Concerned that you're going to get hurt, just like I did."

After those words Regina walked out of the washroom leaving Lisa there.

Lisa sighed quietly. She couldn't just be manipulated by Regina.

—-

Lisa spent the weekend at the orphanage with the kids and Stella, trying to take her mind off Canary's issues.

She trusted Canary and was confident that he would still be voted as President on Monday, despite his uncle Joel having the highest shares in Andersons Group.

Meanwhile, Canary was patiently waiting for the day of the vote, likely feeling anxious about the outcome.

Monday morning arrived, and Canary woke up early, feeling determined and confident.

He believed that his mother, Lucy, was on his side, which bolstered his spirits.

Meanwhile, Joel was preparing for the day with the support of Williams and Mrs. Daniel's, who were all convinced that Joel would emerge victorious.

The stage was set for a showdown, and it seemed like the odds were stacked against Canary.

The atmosphere at Andersons Group was thick with tension as employees wondered who would emerge as the CEO and President.

Canary's fate hung in the balance, with Joel poised to potentially retain his position.

Regina had aligned herself with Joel, while Camilla remained neutral, focusing on her work.

Meanwhile, Lisa and Gladys were optimistic about Canary's chances, whereas Jenny and Richie were eagerly anticipating his potential downfall, hoping to mock Lisa.

As Joel sat in his office, Lucy walked in, her expression concerned.

He smiled and got up to greet her.

" Good morning my beautiful sister. You are here ?"

Lucy looked miserable watching Joel's fake smile spread on his lips.

" Joel, do you really have to do this?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of desperation.

Joel's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched.

" We talked about this already." he said, his voice cold and detached.

" I have to see you hurt, Lucy. I have to make Canary, your precious son, a failure."

Lucy's face contorted in anguish as she pleaded with Joel to reconsider.

"Joel, can't you just let this go?" she asked, her eyes pleading as she grasped for any shred of empathy from her brother.

Joel's expression remained unyielding, his jaw clenched in determination.

"I can't, Lucy. You know that. This is about justice, about making sure that Canary pays for your role in Belinder's death and the loss of our child."

Lucy's face contorted in anguish as she took a step closer to Joel.

"But why? Why must you continue to punish Canary? He's suffered enough, Joel. He's lost everything that truly mattered to him. He's lost his father, and…."

Joel's voice dripped with venom.

"He's not even your biological son, Lucy. Why do you fight so hard for him? Why do you continue to defend him ?"

Lucy's eyes flashed with determination.

"Because I love him as my own," she declared, her voice firm.

"I've raised him, cared for him, and supported him through thick and thin. He's my son, Joel, and I won't abandon him, no matter what."

Joel sneered, his lips curling in disdain.

"You may love him, Lucy, but at the end of the day, you're still a Rivers, not an Anderson. Don't forget that. You're still a part of this family, and you'll do what's best for us, not for some illegitimate son."

His eyes narrowed and he moved closer to Lucy, the threat implicit in his words.

"Vote carefully today, Lucy. The outcome will determine whether I reconsider forgiving you for what you did to me, to Belinder, and to our child. If Canary wins, I'll make sure you pay for your betrayal."

The air was thick with tension as Lucy's face paled, the weight of Joel's words hanging precariously in the balance.

She knew that Joel was a man of his word, and that he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Just as the tension between Joel and Lucy was reaching a boiling point, the door to Joel's office opened and Mr. Wilson walked in, his expression neutral.

"Mr. Rivers, Mrs. Andersons, it's time for the meeting," he announced, his voice firm but polite. "The board members are waiting, and we need to get started."

Joel's gaze lingered on Lucy for a moment, the threat in his eyes still evident. Then, he turned to Mr. Wilson and nodded curtly.

Lucy, on the other hand, looked like she had been punched in the gut. Her face was pale, and her eyes were wide with fear.

She knew that the next few hours would determine the fate of Andersons Group, and the future of her beloved son, Canary.

Lucy dried off the tear that almost escaped from her eyes and then walked away.