“Bella, I think that question is out of line,” Linda replied, breaking the awkward silence.Bella, however, wanted the gossip. “Please, guys, tell me! After all, we need to join forces to face this situation, especially now that the ‘De Paula’ issue has been resolved.”“But you still have one more pending issue,” Nathan reminded her. “How is Gustavo’s situation?”“Dad got a lawyer,” Linda replied as if it were no big deal.However, Nathan noticed Bella lowering her head as if she were ashamed.He concluded that the lawyer arranged by his stepfather is one of those who can find loopholes in the Law to release criminals like Gustavo.“If Ernie manages to get Gus off,” Nathan spoke more to Bella than to Linda, “he’d better leave town until the dust settles.”“It will be a shame, but you’re right, Nate,” Linda nodded. “That way, no one will fill the Andrade family’s head with nonsense and my wedding will continue as planned.”Elaine smiled slightly. “And how are the preparations going?”“

Alessandra was quite excited about the prospect of a job that could yield her more exposure and publicity.Logically, she couldn’t confess the whole truth, but she would do her best to make Matthew satisfied.Moments later, the drinks arrived. Alessandra received her glass of caipivodka.“Good thing I’m not driving,” she joked. “Well then, Mr. Sterling, do you want to know how I met Ronaldo Silva?”“It would be a start,” Matthew replied dryly.“Well, he was with Miss Borges and her brother, Jackson. A hunk, by the way.” Alessandra winked mischievously. “My friends and I had the greatest pleasure working with him. Jackson was always professional.”“Did Ronaldo explain to you why he was in Praia Grande?” Matthew didn’t even touch his caipivodka.“No. He explained almost nothing to me.” Alessandra took a sip of hers.Matthew raised his eyebrows. “Didn’t you manage to talk deeply before heading off for ‘fun’?”Alessandra laughed maliciously, drinking more.“No, Mr. Sterling. I know this m

On the other end, Patricia gave up trying to talk and ended the call.Her hands were trembling.Cindy quickly grabbed the cell phone before Patricia let it drop. “So, what happened?”“I don’t know. Matt simply started screaming and I heard the noise of things being knocked to the floor.” Patricia had a knot in her throat. “He is really outraged.”Jackson shook his head. “I’m telling you. You guys are freaking out over nothing. I don’t want to be naive, but probably, Ronaldo doesn’t have the slightest intention of hitting on you or trying for a reconciliation, Patty.”Patricia shook her head. “I am sure he will try. And worse: he will accuse me of choosing not to forgive him instead of quickly accepting Matt back.”Cindy echoed Patricia’s fear, “Jackson, what if Ronaldo teams up with Elaine? Two broken-hearted people united in a common goal: ruining the lives of the people who disappointed them.”“It was RONALDO who disappointed me!” Patricia screamed at the top of her lungs. “I won’t

Nathan watched the chosen movie, delighting in the popcorn. It was a shootout scene, but Nathan laughed as if it were a cartoon.His cell phone rang at the exact moment the villain’s car exploded with him inside.“Serves him right!” Nathan cheered, grabbing the phone. “Oh, Ernie, careful not to meet the same fate! The good guys always win in the end.”He answered, “Hello, Ernie?”On the other end, Ernesto sat seriously in the living room. “Nathan, I’m calling to tell you that my lawyer has already taken action to get Gustavo released into custody.”“Really? On what grounds?” Nathan asked with mockery and irony.“He will be under protection due to threats,” Ernesto replied vaguely.But Nathan was smart and caught the real answer, “Those threats will be forged by your subordinates, huh?”Ernesto didn’t answer, and Nathan only confirmed his answer with that silence.“You know that Matthew Sterling will want your son out of town, right?” Nathan asked further.“Yes, I’m sending him to your

In the hospital corridor, Kirk and Nayla were irritated by the visit from the Alvares sisters.“Seriously, is this for real?” Nayla complained. “Those witches showed up and completely ruined the vibe!”“And on top of that, one of them insists I wrongly accused their drug-dealing brother,” Kirk growled, staring at the door to Elaine’s room.“Weren’t they all against Elaine when she was married to Matthew Sterling?” Nayla sneered, her face full of contempt. “Now that Elaine has been chosen by the brother who’s been supporting them and gave them that huge, fancy, American-style house, suddenly they accept his girlfriend without question, right?”“And what about Young Master Andrade?” Kirk joined in the mockery. “He’s Mr. Sterling’s best friend. Does he know about this betrayal?”“Most likely not,” Nayla laughed mockingly. “Anyway, let’s just wait for those annoying people to leave so we can go back in.”“That is, if one of them doesn’t drop the baby first,” Kirk sneered.After that, he s