Josias smiles faintly at the right corner of his mouth. Here he was, shirtless, just in sweatpants and slippers, with less than five bucks in his pocket, without papers. (He had just got them after insisting a lot on his late father).
His life, as he knew it, was over.
Here, in the Happiness Slum, a new Josias was about to be born. He would build his life using Everaldo's words.
However, there was an excerpt from Everaldo's sentence that deserved attention: "you will have the willpower". It wasn't just a matter of waiting for God's blessings to fall from Heaven.
Josias needed to have the willpower to make it happen, needed to move and use his hands. He needed courage and confidence.
Gathering himself with both feelings, he takes a deep breath and heads for the building.
Upon entering, Josias noticed that the owner of the building took care of the entrance. It looked similar to the lobby of a hotel or a high-class apartment building.
The rectangular space, painted in light blue, had a counter on one side. The rectangular space, painted in light blue, featured a counter on one side, where a man in his sixties with a mustache and a round belly was working.
On the opposite side, there was a mail rack for residents, divided into several compartments, each designated for a different room.
Two sofas, a clock nailed to the wall, plant vases, and a rug that said "Welcome" completed the decoration of the place. Josias smiles widely. The owner of the building tried to do a great job.
Josias approaches the counter. The man was listening to a football match on the radio. When he noticed Josias, he turned to the young man.
"Good evening, boy." The old man speaks in a friendly tone, "How can I help you?"
"Sir, I need a vacant room," Josias speaks without being afraid.
The owner of the building scans Josias from top to bottom before proceeding, not believing what he heard. "Really, boy? How do you expect me to let you stay here?"
Josias takes a deep breath. He expected that. However, Everaldo's words didn't leave his head. "You'll get out of this and you will be successful."
He needed to try.
"Sir, here's the matter: I just ran away from home because they murdered my father while I was in my bedroom." It was the first time Josias spoke about what happened to someone. "They wanted money from my father; they were bill collectors for a loan shark."
"I didn't hear of anyone murdered around here." The man replies with a frown. Josias could very well made up this story.
Josias, however, tries to explain, "No, it wasn't here. I ran away from Rainbow Garden. I just took a shower and had time to put on my underwear and sweatpants when I heard the invasion, the argument between them... and then the shots."
The landlord looked at him with suspicion.
If he was a resident of Happiness Slum, it would be understandable if Josias didn't go to the police, for the reason they killed his father. But, being a resident of Rainbow Garden... "Why didn't you go to the police? Why did you just come here, to a rougher neighborhood?"
Josias shrugs. "I'm not sure... I just wanted to hide, and I wasn't gonna hide in Europe Garden." Europe Garden is an upper-class neighborhood in Lagoon City.
The word "hide" is what makes the building owner uneasy. "Look here, boy, how am I supposed to know if it's not YOU who killed, or did something else wrong, and now you're trying to hide in my building? If the police show up, don't expect me to lie to protect you. I don't want any trouble, and the 'scoundrels' living here know that. They keep to themselves, and I don't meddle with them."
Upon hearing that the old man wasn't one to get into trouble, Josias felt even more inwardly that this was the perfect place for him to stay.
The loan shark collectors, if they go looking for him, won't show up in the building where he is.
Josias leans over to the counter. He dips his hands into the plastic surface, and speaks with urgency and a pleading tone, "I know it sounds strange, sir, but everything I told you is true. See, I didn't even have a minute to mourn my father's death. I don't even know if the neighbors heard the shot; if anyone has found him or if the police are there. I only had time to put this on and take only a few bucks I had seen on my dresser. I took the bus without knowing where to go."
"And stopped right there!" The man can't help laughing. However, he analyzes the story told by Josias. It was too elaborate, with too much detail, to be a made-up lie at the last minute.
"Let me see how much you have." The man crosses his arms and makes this request, already aware that Josias is not going to put five thousand dollars on the counter.

Latest Chapter
Chapter 3332 Do We Know the Driver Who Fled?
At General Hospital, William stood by the windowpane of his father’s room, watching Simeon lying peacefully on the bed, his frail body resting after the long surgery.The rhythmic hum of medical machines filled the air, an unsettling reminder that his father’s life was hanging by a thread.Beside him, Dr. Matthew Hogan looked uneasy, his expression revealing what his words had yet to convey.“You’re going to pull through, old man,” William whispered, his voice catching slightly. Then, turning to the doctor, he asked, “What are his chances, Dr. Hogan?”Matthew hesitated. Though years of practice had hardened him to the sight of suffering, he still found moments like this unbearable. “Mr. Campos... I’m not quite sure how to tell you this.”“Tell me,” William pressed. “I’d rather hear the brutal truth.”The doctor took a slow breath. “Your father should’ve woken up by now. There’s no longer any sign of internal bleeding or damage to vital organs.”William’s eyes darkened. “Then why isn’t
Chapter 3331 João Paulo on the Scene
Dylan stood on the busy street where the hit-and-run had taken place. Cars continued to rush past, horns blaring, as if nothing had happened.He frowned deeply, surveying the area. No police tape. No cones. No sense of order.“Argh... no one even bothered to block off the area,” he muttered under his breath.“Ah, Inspector Amoreira,” came a familiar voice from behind him. João Paulo approached with his usual half-smile. “I came to gather some details for tomorrow’s column.”“Good evening, Mr. Queiroz,” Dylan greeted him with a weary nod. “Unfortunately, as you can see, the street wasn’t isolated.”João Paulo took out his phone, ready to type notes. “What do we know so far?”Dylan looked around, his eyes scanning the pavement where faint traces of blood had already been washed away by passing rain. “Mrs. Campos, according to her grandson Caio Campos, said the driver fled the scene. Witnesses mentioned a black car.”João Paulo’s brow arched with mischief. “A black car, huh? Those never
Chapter 3330 Not Just a Hit-And-Run
At Campos Pizzeria, the smell of melted cheese and oregano filled the air as Dylan wove through waiters carrying steaming trays of pizza to hungry customers. He spotted his pregnant sister sitting at a corner table, devouring a massive calabrese pizza topped with ham, mozzarella, black olives, and an indulgent sprinkle of grated parmesan.Dylan chuckled as he approached. “So this is the emergency you called me for?”Brigitte fought against a stubborn strand of mozzarella that refused to break as she chewed. “Mmm... delicious...” she mumbled, finally swallowing before glancing up with mock surprise. “Oh, Dylan! You came!”He slid into the seat across from her, his tone teasing but firm. “A cop’s life is hectic, sis. So if you could get straight to the point...”“Come on,” she said playfully. “You’re busy, sure, but never too busy for your favorite sister. We need your help.”At that, Caio joined them at the table, his expression serious as he sat beside his wife.Dylan immediately noti
Chapter 3329 Josias Is Located
Josias entered the Rocha Mansion, already removing his jacket as he spotted Hector waiting, always attentive, in the vestibule. The butler immediately stepped forward to collect it.“Good evening, sir. How was the inspection in Guarapari?” Hector asked, his tone polite yet uncertain.“Exhausting,” Josias replied, loosening his tie. “Everything in order around here?”Hector hesitated. “Well... not exactly.”Before Josias could ask more, Ignacio and Mary came rushing into the hall, both visibly agitated.“Uncle Josias, thank goodness you’re back!” Ignacio exclaimed.“Mom’s been trying to reach you all evening!” Mary added, breathless.Josias frowned, pulling his phone from his pocket. Indeed, it was still on silent from earlier in the day.The screen showed a long list of missed calls from Melissa and others.He sighed, bracing himself. “All right, you can tell me what happened.”“Grandpa Simeon was hit by a car,” Mary said tearfully. “He’s in the hospital.”“The driver ran away,” Ignac
Chapter 3328 We Have a Volunteer
At the Mountain family’s penthouse, the atmosphere around the long mahogany dining table was one of strategy disguised as supper. Crystal glasses shimmered under the warm chandelier as Daryl raised his wine in a toast.Diane gazed through the wide windows, where the moon cast silver light over the city. “Do you really think this plan will work?”“Have faith, my dear,” Daryl said smoothly, lifting his glass higher. “Never doubt it. To the plan.”Everyone echoed the toast in unison.Tony, in mid-bite of ravioli, mumbled through a mouthful, “Do we have candidates?”Karen leaned back in her chair. “If Claudio Guzman were available, he’d be perfect. I modeled with him back in the day.”Diane smirked. “You mean the guy who’s always naked and seducing some unsuspecting girl? Yes, he’d be ideal for Suzy the Slut— but alas.”Kelvin tapped his fork thoughtfully. “We’ve got Neilton, an ebony guy: women lose their minds over him. J.J. seems serious about Sarah, so we can’t involve him. Dr. Matthe
Chapter 3327 Two Pieces of News: One Good, One Bad
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