Alan showed up at Vaztrans, but Sofia was nowhere to be found in the building. He headed straight to William’s office instead.“Uncle Will, you got a minute?”“Alan! Come in, nephew. I was just thinking about you a few hours ago,” William said, energized by the coincidence.“I have a feeling I know exactly what’s on your mind,” Alan said, closing the door and stepping closer.“So, are you aware that your lovely wife has pulled another stunt? This time with Andressa Farina?” William stood up.“Look, I have no idea why my ‘lovely wife’ decided to pick a fight with my own cousin’s girlfriend of all people.” Alan rubbed his forehead. “They had a falling out at the official Vasconcelos Fabrics store. Some customers took note of it and passed the gossip along to Carol!”“And is Carol going to publish it in the next issue of Maggiezine?”Alan narrowed his eyes, unsure if William was asking out of concern or because he wanted the whole thing to go public.“I sincerely hope none of this gets o

The news that Sofia had slapped Henrique spread like wildfire through the entire Mountain family. Even Veronica in São Paulo was outraged, demanding that Daryl do something about it.Daryl, already frustrated by the snub from Ismael Lancaster’s campaign manager, now felt like he was on the hot seat, burning with rage. He slammed the coffee cup he was holding onto the kitchen floor of the Mountain Penthouse.“Who does that b*tch think she is, slapping my nephew?” he bellowed.Diane gestured with her hands, trying to calm him down. “Honey, that’s just how things are right now, unfortunately. Don’t work yourself up.”“How can I not work myself up?” Daryl took a deep breath, staring at the porcelain shards on the floor. “I’m sorry, I made a mess.”“The servants will clean that up later. I’m more worried about your mental health.” Diane wrapped her arm around her husband and led him toward the hallway.“I’m fine.” Daryl exhaled again, trying to steady himself. “So, Maggie already handled i

William and Melissa stood in the study.“What is this, sis? No, I had nothing to do with it.” William gestured nervously, admitting with a chuckle, “Not for lack of trying...”“Everyone wants to take Sofia down, except for my firstborn.” Melissa rolled her eyes. “What do we do, Will?”“There’s nothing left to do. Since our Alan flatly refuses to divorce that lunatic, all we can do is constantly support him and clean up your daughter-in-law’s messes.” William offered a practical take on the situation.“Even if those messes ruin my husband’s reputation as a businessman and head of the family?” Melissa raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced this was a good idea.“Well, we can hope Alan is the one to take the first step toward divorce,” William smiled consolingly. “Remember, sis: you raised an incredible, smart son.”Melissa smiled, feeling reassured by that fact.******At Rocha Constructions, Alfred faced the difficult dilemma of opening his friend Alan’s eyes.“Alfred, I want you to

The next day, Josias ended up reading about what had happened with Sofia in a furious e-mail typed by Daryl.On his computer screen, in the study of the Rocha Mansion, the email literally screamed: “Josias, you bastard! I know I don’t have the strength to defeat you (though I still hope to one day), but that doesn’t mean you have the right to send members of your family to torment mine! Sending Sofia to cause a scandal at Marçal Publishing, resulting in Henrique being slapped, was the height of absurdity! You tried to hush it up, but an insignificant magazine had the courage to tell the truth that sets us free! Ismael Lancaster may have discarded me, but certainly neither he nor Tobias Ibrahim will seek you out for support, you damn man!”Josias placed his elbows on the desk and rested his chin on his hands, thinking heavily, trying to decipher this torrent of accusations.Not only did he have no idea about this, but Daryl sounded in the furious e-mail as if Josias had been the great

Rosemary and Thierry were discussing what had happened in the manager's office of the Lafayette Supermarket."Jeez, Sofia is at it again," Rosemary said, shaking her head. "Uncle Josias is going to have to take action.""Divorce? Sofia being banished from our lives?" Thierry rubbed his hands together, anxious."Maybe." Rosemary smiled wickedly. "Can you imagine what a blessed relief that would be?""I can. Anything is possible if you just believe," Thierry repeated the cliché everyone recites."Well then, darling, I need to head to my grandfather’s building now." Rosemary glanced at the wall clock. "Daniela is waiting for me—"Suddenly, the door flew open and Augusto appeared. Behind him, the noise of employees working and moving grocery shipments spilled into the room."Good morning, everyone!" Augusto entered and closed the door, smiling like a spider. "Is Mrs. Mountain in?""Which one?" Rosemary asked mockingly, remembering exactly who Augusto was."Mrs. NADIA Mountain, formerly Mi