Patricia and her family arrived from Mass. Cindy quickly sat down on the sofa in the foyer to check the news.“Wow...” she said, smiling with satisfaction. “I’ve never had so many hits on my column as today.”“With me being the reason for that?” Patricia asked, in good spirits.“I have to congratulate you, Patty,” Cindy admitted. “I can barely believe I’m writing articles about someone who used to work hidden as a waitress at a kiosk.”“‘Hidden’ is the right word. I wanted to hide from the world,” Patricia replied, good-naturedly.Hélio kissed his daughter’s left cheek. “Well, that won’t be necessary anymore. Now, I want my daughter to conquer the world.”Jackson felt his cell phone vibrate. He took the device out of his dress pants pocket and wore an expression of astonishment as he checked the message.Vanda noticed her son’s extreme reaction. “What is it, son?”“I got a message from Ronaldo,” Jackson replied in a tense tone.“I thought, by now, you would have blocked his number!” C

“My dear Patty, tell me what your problem is,” Karl asked in a calm, comforting voice.But his expression was firm, with a purpose.Patricia saw Karl. She thought for a few seconds before saying, “Hello, Karl. Look, no offense, but I really wanted to discuss this with Matt. Jarbas already went to call him.”Alice took the hint. “Let’s leave them alone, Karl.”Karl didn’t move. “Matt will tell me later. It will be the same thing if I find out now.”Patricia thought that made sense. “Alright. Ronaldo sent a text message to Jackson (because I blocked his number) wanting to check the truthfulness of what is being discussed on the Internet.”Karl’s face hardened, his jaw tensing. Alice felt her son didn’t like the news.“That nephew of my wife’s should be focused on his psychiatric treatment,” Karl replied with a voice that sounded like a dog’s growl.Patricia was bothered by that. “Can we stop emphasizing ‘psychiatric’? It’s as if we were mocking or insulting Ron. It’s not his fault.”“It

Bryce grabbed the key hidden in a corner behind the potted plants. With so many tourists and beachgoers around, he couldn’t leave the house unlocked like before.Upon entering, he let Edmund and Tiffany pass. The couple entered, feeling a bit embarrassed.“Make yourselves at home, I’m going to put on some shorts,” Bryce said.“No need, son. You’d have to take a shower first, and we won’t be long.” Edmund gestured.Edmund said this because he didn’t mind seeing his son like that, in just his Speedos.But it was different with Tiffany. She, who was mentally hoping Bryce would put on more clothes, now had to force composure and not stare too much at his body.“Son, we haven’t spoken since the mess between our families exploded. I want to remedy that.” Edmund continued, starting the subject he wanted to say.“Did you come to say you’re going to marry Tiffany and take her out of the cultural hall?” Bryce asked with a slight smile.Tiffany was indignant. “Take me out of the cultural hall? W

“I don’t want to make anyone a fool,” Karl retorted, offended. “I want people to know the truth: Matthew and Patricia have always loved each other, and you were just a remedy for a situation that was resolved long ago!”Elaine reacted furiously. “But how... how can you speak like that, so cruel, so cold?”“Elaine, what else do I have to do for you to understand?!” Karl shouted. “Accept once and for all that you are not and never were a match for Patricia! You were interested in Jackson, and your readiness to run into Nathan’s arms just proves it! Admit that you never loved Matthew! What you loved was the status of Mrs. Sterling!”“And how can you be sure that Patricia won’t be the same?” Elaine shouted back, panting.“I sense that you are stressed. Better to end this here,” Karl replied cautiously.This made Elaine angrier. “NO! Answer me! What is it, can’t you be honest with me regarding the bitch Borges, huh?”“Goodbye, Elaine. Do not bother Miss Fraga, much less my son!” Karl hung

“Easy now, we don’t need to get so angry,” Matthew mocked ironically.He loved it when his enemies lost their composure and did foolish things!Elaine joined the chorus of the discontented. “Matt, for the love of God, you will have your DNA test. But I still think you should accept the truth and spare yourself the embarrassment.”Matthew smiled out of the left corner of his mouth. “Every time you say that, it only makes me more convinced that I am the father of your son. A boy, to boot.”“NO!” Nathan exploded. “Don’t give us that ‘heir’ nonsense! You sound just like my father talking!”Matthew’s smile vanished, glaring ferociously at Nathan with murderous intent.What did he mean, he was talking like Vicente?What an absurd comparison!“Don’t worry, Nathan,” Matthew retorted in kind. “I’m not going to kidnap you and make the whole world believe you died, depriving you of over twenty years of life with your son. Elaine and your son aren’t going to live hidden in Lion’s Den, suffering t