Francis Reed

Francis Reid was the Vice President of Canary Properties under John Canary and one of the last executives within the company to operate by principle rather than opportunism.

Alongside Canary, Francis helped build the company during a period when commercial development still carried a sense of responsibility—to investors, to employees, and to the communities being shaped by it. While both men were undeniably wealthy, their leadership was guided by a belief that business could be profitable without being predatory.

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Francis believes in structure, accountability, and professional conduct, but not at the expense of humanity. He understands that large projects require compromise, yet he resists the ruthless tactics that later come to define Diamond Group’s rise. This puts him in quiet opposition to figures like Henry Manning, whose ambition is rooted in hierarchy rather than stewardship. Francis sees value in people who work close to the ground, and he recognizes Floyd’s grit and commitment as legitimate, even when Floyd’s passion lacks polish.

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Francis’s refusal to abandon this moral framework ultimately makes him incompatible with the new corporate order. When offered immortality, he refuses—not out of fear, but because it violates the code he has lived by. His death removes the final ethical anchor within Canary Properties, clearing the path for corruption to consolidate power. Thematically, Francis represents a version of capitalism with limits—a system flawed but still guided by conscience—extinguished to make room for something colder, faster, and far more dangerous.