The dockworkers tipped their helmets and scattered back to their cranes and forklifts.Matthew slid an arm around Patricia’s waist and steered her toward the office building.“Well?” he asked quietly. “What do you think?”She sighed. “It’s heartbreaking. Even if Ernesto’s clean, his name is finished. One whiff of this and the mud sticks forever.”Matthew’s mouth curved. “I talked to Walter. He and Linda are staying together.”Patricia’s face lit up. “Now that is good news.”They were two steps from the entrance when a voice rang out behind them.“Mr. Sterling! Miss Borges!”They turned. Bella came hurrying across the asphalt, approaching them.******Sterling Empire headquarters, Karl’s office.Karl lounged in his leather chair like a king who had just secured the future of his empire through his heir. Sheila sat beside him, radiant. Cindy faced them, smile bright, questions sharper than they looked.Cindy leaned forward. “Mr. Sterling, saying you’re ‘happy’ feels like the understatem

Edmund’s voice was gentle. “I understand. You’re thinking about your brother, the Dr. de Paula who lost his mind...”Tiffany finished bitterly, “...over the lobby receptionist.”Edmund pulled a chair for her. She sat, no longer crying.Edmund nodded. “I heard the news.”Tiffany let out a humorless laugh. “Her brother is in jail for drug dealing. Trafficking inside Matthew Sterling’s snack bar! Does that guy have a death wish or what?”Edmund sighed. “Some people really have no sense.”Tiffany’s eyes flashed. “And let’s not forget this girl has a younger sister, the one who spent months partying and getting into trouble with Nathan Gouveia, only to find out later they were half-siblings.”Edmund raised an eyebrow. “Your family’s pretty upset, huh?”“João Pedro just went to the Andrade clinic to confront them,” Tiffany said, voice rising. “This whole story stinks, darling!”Edmund placed a calming hand on her shoulder. “I know. Count on my full support, sweetheart. Maybe... maybe this i

The others stared at Walter, puzzled by his question, as if the heir had suddenly lost his mind.“Ah, you don’t understand,” Walter said with a mocking smile. “Bryce Hudson came here questioning the endless medical leaves Maurício de Paula keeps issuing for his sister. I believe it’s—”Edmund cut him off sharply, stopping him before he could reveal the crude reason behind Tiffany’s absences: Tiffany misses work after being brutally wrecked by him all night and losing the ability to walk.“Hey,” Edmund said protectively, “we’re not discussing my employee’s private life here.”Charles spoke up next. “You’re Mr. Hudson from the Sterling Cultural Hall.”“That’s right,” Edmund replied. “And my secretary is in a delicate situation.”Tiffany, indignant, crossed her arms. “I know my brother didn’t act correctly with Miss Alvares, but none of you ever gave him a moment of relief either!”“Your brother tried to violate my future daughter-in-law, Miss de Paula,” Emmanuelle retorted.“That’s what

Carvalho slid a paper napkin across the desk, his expression softening as Linda wiped her tears. She murmured a thank-you, her voice frayed at the edges.“The truth is harsh,” he said quietly.“I just can’t understand how Gus hid something like this for so long,” she sobbed. “He had a stable job with my father. His salary at the Happy Snack Bar was good. He was the manager, for God’s sake!”“All those jobs served as a cover for what he really wanted to do,” Carvalho explained. “Even those night classes he claimed he needed. Tell me: did he always carry a backpack with him?”“Yes, always—” Her voice stopped. Realization dawned slowly, painfully, washing over her face as she stared at the floor. “Oh... don’t tell me...”Carvalho only nodded, pity softening the stern lines of his face. She looked like a sister betrayed, still trying to make sense of a world that had shifted beneath her feet.******In Ronaldo’s old office, Patricia stood by the window, watching the commotion at the port.

Carvalho blinked, genuinely impressed. “Thank you, Mr. Sterling. But... why insist so strongly on this?”Matthew grew thoughtful. “Because I doubt Gustavo Alvares is the head of the operation. Did he give any names?”“None,” Carvalho muttered, dissatisfied. “The idiot wants to take the fall alone.”“He didn’t name anyone,” Matthew continued. “But he also didn’t claim he acted alone. Which tells me there’s someone above him pulling the strings.”“And if we don’t find out who it is,” Carvalho warned, “Gustavo will be replaced in no time, and the drug sales will continue.”“Not in my snack bar,” Matthew said firmly.“All right, Mr. Sterling. We’ll get the authorization. It’s good to know you’re willing to cooperate.”“No one will ever say I condone drug trafficking just because I came from the slums,” Matthew replied.Carvalho nodded. He had always known Matthew wasn’t like the others who crawled out of poverty only to cause more chaos.******At the Andrade Clinic, João Pedro’s plastic