At Vaztrans, Erasmo stood before the employees with a wireless microphone, announcing his retirement. It was an epic moment, with the courtyard packed to the brim with dozens of workers. It looked more like a campaign rally.“Dear workers, my beloved collaborators! It is with a mix of sadness and joy that I announce my retirement. I have been working since I was twenty years old, building this wonderful company from scratch. Now, it’s time to leave the legacy to the future generation. My dear daughter, along with my nephew and Will Campos, will continue to lead Vaztrans toward success. As for me, I’ll enjoy my retirement playing with my grandkids! It has been an honor!”Everyone applauded and wished him well. Olivia was the only one who didn’t clap, annoyed that Erasmo hadn’t mentioned “making love to my wife until the next morning.”“He only thinks about his grandkids!” Olivia growled under her breath.“What’s wrong, Mother?” Sofia nudged her.“Your father only thinks about playing w

The following day, Bernardo and Maggie reacted with absolute horror inside the former’s office when that very same Augusto tried to sell them the dossier. Augusto was already in a state of desperation.“For the love of God, what happened to the impartial press?” the secretary whinnied.Bernardo didn’t even waste his time sitting down. “Mr. Thorne, what you’re proposing is preposterous. We have our limits here.”“There is no way we’re going to publish something to harm a person who has never done any wrong to anyone.” Maggie crossed her arms in dignity.“She and her husband did wrong to my boss!” Augusto bellowed, his eyes bloodshot.“She defended herself. You guys wanted to blackmail the entire family just to buy their support.” Bernardo made a ‘tsk’ sound with his tongue. “This only proves that Lancaster would be just another corrupt politician among the many that exist in this country. We managed to keep at least one of them out!”“You...” Augusto gnashed his teeth like a rabid dog.

Helen and Luís were speaking inside the manager’s office at the Cardozo Shop, ensuring no unwanted ears would overhear their controversial conversation.“Luís, were you the one who received the stolen cologne?” Helen asked.“STOLEN?!” Luís’s eyes went wide. “Did she... did my aunt steal the cologne?”“Yes, she took that cologne where Rod posed... let’s be frank, we all noticed Rod was swimming au naturel, even if the water covered his private parts.”“Even so, Aunt Olivia has a talent for stripping men down with her eyes,” Luís replied with embarrassment.Helen reacted with concern, immediately grasping the full picture. “She lusted after you too.”It wasn’t a question; it was a statement of fact. A heavy lump formed in Luís’s throat.“OK, you don’t have to answer me.” Helen gestured with understanding and empathy.“I left their mansion and I’m living in an apartment with Andressa,” Luís explained, his face turning bright red. “She sent the cologne as a gift through the mail. Andressa

Moments later, Leonardo appeared before Josias in his finest suit. The lawyer looked tense, well aware that he was standing before the premier client of the Damascene Lawyers agency."Mr. Rocha, to what do I owe the pleasure of serving you?" Leonardo practically bowed."Hello, Attorney Borges." Josias leaned back into the leather headrest of his chair. "I need some consulting. I intend to fold Lancaster into my conglomerate."Leonardo swallowed hard, knowing full well what the ruthless Josias wanted."Gulp... er... that isn't going to be easy, Mr. Rocha.""Why not?" Josias made a face as if this were a mere inconvenience."Because, as far as I know, the company isn't for sale." Leonardo scratched the back of his neck."When school supply sales plummet because of the scandal the Lafayette family exposed, they're going to want to save the company. And I want to be the lifeguard."Leonardo raised an eyebrow. "Something tells me you aren't purely concerned with the well-being of the compa

"The Mountain family is going to project this on the giant screens of Fifth Avenue, Will," Luís replied after recovering from the shock."Let them!" William laughed, throwing his arms wide. "We need the whole world to know Olivia Vasquez for the filthy b*tch she is!""Mind your language, please," João Paulo turned up his nose. "I can't write that in my column.""And you can't air the video either. People already complain about you too much." William scratched the back of his neck. "That's why you should leave the recording with the Mountain family. They're already used to taking hits.""Alright. Maybe I'll send it anonymously," Luís finally smiled, relieved to protect his own skin.Nobody must know that he turned in his own aunt!‘Forgive me, Sofia,’ Luís thought to himself. ‘But I'm exonerating you. You're going to stay with Alan and take care of your children.’Erasmo threw open the door and found the group gathered. "Oh, damn it! What is this gossip-mongering journalist doing here