In the executive office of Rocha Constructions, Josias and Alan reacted with annoyance at João Paulo, who was always preoccupied with rumors and gossip.“Brother, I thought we were past this,” Josias lamented, shaking his head.“Past what? I’m still a renowned journalist, always on the lookout for the most explosive news.” João Paulo closed the door and approached the gentlemen.Alan shot back with disdain, his brow furrowed. “Then why don’t you go cover the war on drug trafficking in Rio de Janeiro?”“Our LCN branch over there in Carioca lands is already taking care of that,” João Paulo dodged cleverly, his silver tongue perfect as always.Josias stood up. “Well then, brace your little heart: Sofia has called her parents for reinforcements.”João Paulo had merely been joking, but his wide eyes and scandalously open mouth indicated he hadn’t expected that. After a few seconds of silence (and some chuckles from Alan), João Paulo spoke up.“WHAT? Why is that pair from hell coming back?”

The next day, all of Brazil joined Alan in turning their backs on the World Cup after the national team’s humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany.At the Rocha Mansion, Hector and the other servants were removing the national flags pinned to the windows. The mood was funereal, especially among the men.“What a humiliating defeat!” J.J. grumbled, scowling and unsatisfied. “I never imagined I’d witness something like that! I’d rather still be presumed dead!”“Don’t say something so foolish, J.J.,” Melissa admonished him. “It’s just a soccer match. We’ll try again in 2018.”Simeon chuckled. “But that was my last chance, daughter. I’d have to push past eighty to be alive in 2018.”“And who says you won’t make it, Dad?” Melissa kissed Simeon’s left cheek as if she were still a little girl. “I want you to reach 100.”“Me too,” Dora purred, snuggling up beside her husband.“OK, I’m glad everyone feels that way,” J.J. smiled. “The only thing to do is move on with our lives and get over the loss.”“In

Melissa, unlike Olivia, didn’t see red. She saw everything clearly and promptly defended herself in combat. With the dexterity of an action movie heroine, she caught Olivia's hand with her right hand while slapping the mistress of the mansion with her left.It all happened in quick, precise movements, catching even Josias by surprise. As if that wasn't enough, Melissa applied more force and twisted Olivia’s arm, forcing her to turn her back to her. Olivia let out a startled scream and closed her eyes in pain, feeling like her time had come."AAAARRGHH! Let go of me, you lunatic! How dare you — you are in my house! POLICE!"Erasmo quickly reached for his phone... and felt the device FLY from his fingers. It was Josias, who had snatched the phone and hurled it against the living room wall, smashing it to pieces.Luís had already slipped out of the room, preferring to pack his bags and flee that den of madmen immediately!In the suite that would no longer be his, he hurriedly called Andr

Sofia was in Alan’s suite, emotionally holding Carla in her arms while sitting on the sofa.“My dear daughter, no one is going to separate us. I’m going to raise you to be a fine young lady. You’ll be the next Princess of Lagoon City, you can bet on it!”“Don’t bet on it, because you’ll lose.” Caroline’s voice rang through the suite.Sofia rolled her eyes and lifted her head, finding her sister-in-law approaching her.“You couldn’t even hold out for one day, huh? I’ve barely unpacked my bags,” Sofia commented in a neutral tone.“Ah, the servants didn’t want to help you, did they?” Caroline smiled mockingly. “Good. They know who calls the shots around here.”“Who calls the shots? You?” Sofia raised an eyebrow. “Listen here, Carol: I came here to fix my marriage. You’ll understand once you have problems of your own.”“But I will NEVER understand, because I don’t plan on being a problematic, trashy wife!” Caroline crossed her arms in disdain. “I would never trade Reuben for a cousin.”“Y

João Paulo made a point of heading to William’s house to relay exactly what he had heard from Erasmo’s own mouth.Campos Pizzeria was in full swing, and William was managing the cash flow. He slammed the register shut with a loud bang after discovering he was about to be fired.“HE DID WHAT? That old imbecile is going to let me go after everything I did to get that company out of the red?”“I guess he doesn’t want you confirming that his wife diverts the revenue to pay for handbags and shoes,” Brigitte joked.Caio approached from the kitchen, shaking his head. “Guys, we could hear you from inside. João Paulo, how did you find this out?”“In the craziest way possible: they called me in, wanting me to put a piece of news in my column that I suspect is a total lie.” João Paulo smiled with disdain.“Which one?” William wanted to know anyway.“They wanted me to accuse Melissa of beating the hell out of Mrs. Vasquez in their living room.”William, Caio, and Brigitte exchanged suspicious loo