The next day, the big news was published online and in the print edition of Urbano. "RONALDO SILVA AND PATRICIA BORGES BROKE OFF THEIR ENGAGEMENT!!" Readers of the magazine and the general public went into an enormous frenzy. Those who weren't subscribers did so just to read the juicy details, as Cindy was clever enough to put the story behind a Premium content paywall. Speaking of Cindy, she and Jackson celebrated the success of the article in their room, clinking two coffee cups that her boyfriend had brought her. Cindy was still wearing a nightgown, while Jackson was shirtless in gray sweatpants. “Cheers to the success, my dear,” Jackson practically sang the words. “Thank you. I won’t even ask how Marilza Peres is feeling right now.” “Do you still miss that witch?” Jackson laughed, taking a sip. “Nah... I hope she's happy with Ricardo, because when it comes to journalism, I’ve surpassed her.” Jackson approached his computer, whose screen displayed his girlfriend’s triumpha

Suddenly, Matthew received a message notification, feeling his phone vibrate in his pants. Matthew looked down, grabbing his phone. But as he did, he noticed his father’s dress pants falling below the waist, revealing the absence of underwear. “Uh... Dad, you need to finish getting dressed. I don’t want to bother you. We’ll meet at the conglomerate’s headquarters.” Matthew waved goodbye and left. Karl looked at the clock on the wall and was surprised by the time. Having commitments to attend to, he hurried to the closet to finish getting dressed, no longer with time to put on the needed underwear. Meanwhile, Matthew returned to his suite, still holding his phone. Elaine was about to leave for Golden Letters, still dissatisfied with what was happening. “Now I understand what’s going on, dear,” she snorted. “Your father allowed me to go back to Golden Letters so I could have a job and an income. That way, he can kick me out of here, preventing me from ending up under a bridge. Su

Sheila felt chills down her spine as the door was ominously closed behind her. She was led to Leonardo’s study, where he and Marta looked anxious — even though Ronaldo was no longer causing trouble. “Mom, Dad, what happened this time?” Sheila crossed her arms. “The news of Ron and Patty’s broken engagement just came out,” Leonardo answered, somber. “Your nephew completely trashed the room we set up for him.” “Fortunately, he’s here,” Marta said. “If he were alone in the penthouse, maybe it wouldn’t be a chair to be thrown out the window.” Sheila’s throat tightened at the thought of Ronaldo jumping from the penthouse... “Dr. de Paula is on his way,” Marta broke the suffocating silence. “Mom, Dad, I think it’s time we take preventive measures. If Ronaldo lifts a finger against Patricia, I would never forgive myself,” Sheila said. Marta stood up from her armchair and placed her hands on her daughter’s arms. “Sheila, none of this is your fault.” “I was the one who introduced Rona

“I told him our mother expects more than just a new house,” Gustavo said, staring at the shaky machine.“What did he say?” Bella grew serious. “Did he promise to give her a chance?”“He said he won’t promise anything but that he’ll try. Maybe when Mom comes out of hiding...”“Exactly. I don’t know if Mom still needs to be in hiding. Vicente Gouveia and Miss Sterling are officially divorced, and nothing about Mom has made the news.” Bella flinched as the washing machine made a sound it shouldn’t have.“Let’s talk to Dad. Maybe when Mom returns, she’ll go straight to Green Coral or Golden Sun!” Gustavo cracked his first smile of the day.“Now you’re talking.” Bella patted her brother’s arm and pointed at the basket. “If this junk holds out for one more round, there you go.”Bella walked off. Gustavo laughed, watching the machine spin.Once alone, he couldn’t help but think of Patricia — now single.His phone rang. Gustavo checked the caller and widened his eyes.Looking around to make s

Matthew didn’t waste time heading to Karl’s office. After all, they were on the same floor. Inside, Karl and Evan were attending to important matters. From time to time, Karl adjusted himself in his dress pants, a result of leaving the house in a hurry without underwear. “Things are getting tense at the university,” Karl said. “The student council is causing trouble instead of guiding each other to study.” Evan shook his head. “They want to philosophize and criticize capitalism, even though they come from the most influential families in Blue Cove. Who understands?” “I don’t have time to understand. We need an urgent meeting with Meirelles—” Karl noticed Matthew’s entrance. “Son! Come here.” Matthew entered, glancing sideways at Evan. The secretary hesitated, unsure if he should stay nearby. “Is there a problem, son?” Karl smiled paternalistically. “Remember, now you can always count on your old man.” “Can I? Will I at least get the truth, just for a change?” Matthew crossed hi