Never Judge

"Brother, Alexander." Ayanna greeted more formally. Cedric simply nodded as he noticed there were other people in the room.

"I want the whole building re-done by the end of the month. Veronica made this design for us and I don't want to sit on it for too long." Ayanna said in an intimidating tone. 

"Miss, I don't think one month is possible, especially with everything Miss Veronica has added." A manager informed Ayanna.

Ayanna smirked and stood up. 

"Are you purposely embarrassing me in front of my older brother?" She asked in a cold tone. "I know exactly how long it will take if you don't hire your cousin as the contractor." Ayanna accused making the man sweat with worry.

"Miss, I never…" The manager said as he attempted to defend himself.

"I have nothing against you hiring your cousin if your cousin could do the job we need. This is still a business. If you hire your cousin I will cancel all projects the Reyes Group has awarded his company and I will ban you from the industry." Ayanna threatened.

"Yes ma'am." The man said as he let his head fall in surrender.

"You may go." Ayanna said dismissing them all.

When the door closed Alexi began to clap and laugh. 

"Who knew the little bunny had teeth?" he teased Ayanna as he patted her on the head. All the boys treated her like this, especially when Cedric began his poverty training and she would cry everyday because she missed her older brother.

"You still call her that?" Cedric asked as he laughed. Back when they were children Ayanna loved rabbits so much that she had turned the backyard of the Reyes Mansion into a habitat for rabbits. Their grandfather got so mad that he ordered all the rabbits to either be sold or released into the wild. Ayanna sold the rabbits and that was how she learned to make money.

"Ignore him. Is she here yet?" Ayanna asked.

"Not yet." Cedric said with a laugh.

"Alexi, suspend your judgement." Ayanna scolded.

"Did Cedric rat me out?" Alexi complained.

"No, we all know how you get." Ayanna said, rolling her eyes. "Do you really think she's good? I've been meaning to contact her but I was thinking of Alexi's feelings."

"Haha." Cedric laughed. "She wouldn't be able to snap up all of those designers and brands if she wasn't." Cedric said with a grin.

"I told you I honestly didn't mind if you placed her store in Elisia Malls." Alexi complained.

"Yeah, but deep down you were already mad at me for even considering her." Ayanna said as she rolled her eyes at Alexi. "You're just too afraid of my brother, that's why you need to follow." Ayanna grinned at her victory.

"Who said I was afraid of Cedric Reyes?" Alexi boasted. 

All Cedric had to do was lift an eyebrow at his friend making Alexi smile.

"I just respect Cedric's judgment, that's why I never go against him." Alexi said, raising his chin.

"Mr. Reyes, Miss Ayanna, Mr. Sebastian." Ian said as he knocked on the door. "Miss Selina Ramirez is here."

"Bring her to the boardroom. We'll follow." Ayanna said in a loud voice. 

"Suspend your judgement." Cedric warned Alexi as he fixed himself.

"Her company is actually quite impressive, Alexi." Ayanna said with a shrug as she walked ahead to the boardroom. 

When Cedric walked in he noticed that Selina had brought a small team with her, probably her legal counsel and finance head. She looked confident, a far cry from the nervous woman who was seated across him earlier.

Alexi entered behind Cedric, Selina visibly shifted when she noticed the notorious man but she didn't let anything slip. Cedric grinned under his mask, finally a woman that remained truly unmovable in the face of Alexi Sebastian. He didn't count Nurse Jen since she did give in to his physical advances.

"Miss Selina, I've heard a lot of things about you." Ayanna said as she took a seat to the right of the table. Cedric knew she was leaving the most important seat for him.

"Miss Ayanna, I hope all good." Selina said with a smile.

"Might I introduce you, this is my brother, the Reyes Heir." Ayanna said as she pointed at Cedric who was settling down on his seat. Cedric nodded acknowledging Selina.

"An honor Mr. Reyes." Selina said respectfully.

"And this is my brother's friend, Alexander Sebastian. He just so happened to be visiting and decided to tag along." Ayanna said as she pointed at Alexi who sat to Cedric's left.

"We are, acquainted." Alexi said in a cold tone.

"Yes, we met a long time ago, I was in my senior year in high school when President Sebastian brought Congressman Alexander and Attorney Katerina over for a visit." Selina explained.

"Then you should be comfortable with him being around." Ayanna said with a grin. "You may begin." Ayanna told Selina with a nod.

Selina proceeded to present to them all of the brands and designers she had brought along to the country, she was the exclusive distributor for most of them and although her company had started abroad she wanted to bring all of it home and establish her HQ in the Capital.

Ayanna was very much interested in her presentation and was jotting down notes as Cedric listened attentively. He wasn't too aware of the fashion industry since it was his sister and his wife that were more updated, but on the business end he had a better understanding of things over even Ayanna. Alexi on the other hand was barely paying attention, which had earned him a glare from Ayanna, after that he paid better attention.

At the end of Selina's presentation, Ayanna was clearly impressed, and Cedric was glad that he didn't let Alexi railroad this opportunity. If any of their competitors had gotten a hold of Selina and SR Designs before them they would surely have felt the loss.

"What do you think Alexi?" Ayanna asked as looked at her brother's friend.

"Good." Was all Alexi could say.

"Brother?" Ayanna asked, as if asking Cedric to give the final say on the matter. Cedric had expected her to do this.

"I agree with Alexi." Cedric began to say. "SR Designs will be good for Elisia Malls. Arrange the partnership, I'll leave it up to you on how many malls you will offer her a store to open." Cedric told his sister.

"Great!" Ayanna said with a smile. "Congratulations Miss Selina, The Reyes Group welcomes SR Designs as it's latest partner." Ayanna stood and shook Selina's hand.

Selina was visibly happy with the result and repeatedly thanked Ayanna. 

When Selina and her team finally left, Ayanna placed her hands on her hip and looked at Alexi with a raised eyebrow. "What do you have to say?" She asked.