2014.Josias felt the sting of another accurate prediction from Everaldo about his family’s future.J.J. had pushed ahead and opened his own store — cell phones, laptops, small appliances — right near Ibraim Square, the famous and priciest spots in Lagoon City.The Rocha family never sweated over prime real estate prices. What mattered was growing the empire, and J.J. threw himself into it with genuine enthusiasm.Inside the shop, customers pressed shoulder to shoulder, eyes wide at the gleaming shelves lined with the latest phone models, electronic planners, sleek laptops, and full desktop setups.The massive checkout counter boasted six registers, every clerk scanning items as fast as their fingers could move, yet the line still snaked halfway across the floor.J.J. spotted Michelle near the displays, clutching a box containing his most expensive laptop model. He moved toward her, his face lit with a triumphant glow.“Michelle, thank you for the support,” J.J. said, his voice brimmi

In the living room of Rocha Mansion, Daryl lost some of his scheming composure in front of Simeon, unwilling to show disrespect to the elder.“Simeon, you’d better have a seat.” Daryl motioned to the armchair.“Thank you very much.” Simeon expressed his gratitude, accepting the courtesy without question.Daryl took the opportunity to sneak a glance through the windows, trying to see if he could spot the lycra tunnel with Andrew inside out on the lawn. Nothing.“So, what did you want to talk to Josias about?” Simeon pulled him out of his thoughts.Daryl turned back to him, shaking his head. “Actually, it’s quite simple. I wanted to clarify something about the article Carol wrote that was published last year. You know, the one about Vaztrans.”“We’re trying to forget that unpleasant matter.” Simeon grimaced.“Unpleasant? Reading that the bus company posted strong profits in its third consecutive year?” Daryl sat down on the couch, smiling slyly.“I’m not referring to the article itself.

Romulo pressed his lips together when he heard Michelle bring up Jake Cogo — again.“Sis, what kind of obsession are you developing over him?” he asked, sounding like the concerned older brother.Michelle giggled. “There’s no obsession. I’m in love and I want to have his babies.”Romulo would have spit out a mouthful of water if he’d been drinking any, but his wide-eyed stare said it all.“WHAT? First you say, ‘I want to date him,’ right?”“You know what I mean.” Michelle wasn’t acting prudish or scandalized at all. “In order to have his babies, I’d have to marry him.”“But why are you jumping straight to the final stage?” Romulo raised an eyebrow.“Oh, come on, Romulo!” Michelle finally blushed. How could she explain something like that to a man? “You know what... I’d better talk to Mom.”“Try me,” Romulo said coldly, bracing for the worst.“You just need to notice how Jake Cogo is SCREAMING: I’m virile and ready for ten children. Just looking at him makes me feel my ovaries working,

The door to Alan and Sofia’s suite creaked open, and Engrácia’s head poked through the gap with a comically cautious expression.“Mr. Rocha?” she whispered.Alan was still a decorative heap in the center of the bed, buried under a fortress of duvets. Despite the covers, Engrácia caught a glimpse of his athletic frame, the very physique that had inspired Sofia to spend nearly twelve hours shredding his stamina to ribbons.“Yes...?” Alan’s voice was a dry rasp, barely more than a breath.“Mr. Silva is here to see you. I told him you were resting, but...”“Send him in. I’m far too alone in this cave,” Alan said. He tried to gesture her inside, but his arm felt like it had been replaced by a lead pipe.Even the thought of moving made his muscles scream.Engrácia stepped aside, and Romulo marched in, a triumphant smirk on his face. “I told you he’d see me.”Once the door clicked shut, Romulo approached the wreckage of his friend. “Man, what happened to you? You look like you went ten round

January moved forward with a deceptive calm. To the outside world, Lagoon City followed its usual rhythm, but beneath the surface, the hearts and minds of its power players were shifting like tectonic plates.In the study of the Mountain Penthouse, Daryl sat paralyzed by a rare lack of focus. Before him, the digital ledgers for the Crystal Blue branch, the one managed by Felipe, flickered on the screen, but the numbers refused to make sense.He stood abruptly and headed for the roof.Outside, Kelvin was cutting through the pool with vigorous, powerful strokes. Though years had passed, Kelvin still swam with the same youthful intensity he’d had back when he first stepped in to raise Melissa’s children.“You look exactly like the man who married Melissa and took her children as his own,” Daryl remarked, his voice sharp. The mention of Caroline was a deliberate trigger.Kelvin stopped mid-stroke. He gripped the edge of the pool and pulled off his goggles. “What’s wrong with Carol and Ala