Ronaldo worked diligently in his office at the Silva Oil Company, the day passing outside and the noise of port activity echoing through the open windows.He could even smell the crude oil being transported.While he typed on the computer, Ernesto appeared, respectful yet determined.He knocked lightly on the open door. Ronaldo looked away from the monitor to the team leader.“Mr. Silva?” Ernesto broke the silence.“Mr. Alvares. Do you need to speak with me?” Ronaldo straightened up.“If it’s not too much trouble.” Ernesto took two steps forward.“No, you may come in.” Ronaldo gestured, his expression serious.Ernesto took a deep breath and approached the desk. His boots left faint footprints on the immaculate floor.“How can I help you, Mr. Alvares?” Ronaldo asked.Ernesto smiled ironically. “Don’t you think you’ve done enough, Mr. Silva?”Ronaldo was startled. “I don’t understand the reason for your—”“Mr. Silva, with all due respect.” Ernesto raised his right hand, his tone firm. “

Ronaldo entered Leonardo’s office, finding his grandfather concentrated on some spreadsheets.He felt his grandson’s presence and lifted his head. “What is it, my boy?”“Grandpa, I want to tell you something. Maybe we need to make a decision afterwards,” Ronaldo announced solemnly.Leonardo felt that the matter was serious and straightened up. “Wow, my boy is acting like a CEO.”“More like COO; I don’t want to overstep my father’s authority,” Ronaldo replied humbly. “As for what has been happening with the Alvares family, it remains for us to decide if it is still worth keeping Ernesto Alvares on as our employee.”Leonardo’s eyes widened at this information.“My grandson...” Leonardo scratched his temple. “Ernesto Alvares is a valuable employee to us.”“Is he? Is it worth keeping an employee after so much controversy involving his son?” Ronaldo leaned against the desk.“I don’t think it’s fair for us to cast doubt on the man’s character because of his son.” Leonardo shook his head.“H

Jacqueline chatted with Zachary in his suite, which was now hers as well. His walk-in closet had been expanded and sectioned off to accommodate Jacqueline’s clothes and accessories.It was in this very spot that she was venting to her husband.“I can’t agree with this, honey. Never!” Jacqueline exclaimed.“Who would have thought, huh?” Zachary replied.“My parents, caving to pressure that probably hasn’t even happened yet, choosing to believe Linda will harm my brother! No, I have to stand on the side of love and justice!”As she spoke, Jacqueline was hanging up very expensive dresses with palpable anger, shoving the hangers onto the rack. Zachary raised an eyebrow.“Aren’t those dresses expensive?” he asked doubtfully.“Yes, they are,” Jacqueline replied, distracted by her fury. “So, honey, what do I do?”Zachary chuckled. “I think you’ve already done enough: telling your father you bounced on me all week in the Maldives.”Remembering that detail, Jacqueline went “PFFFT” and burst ou

Charles intercepted Leonardo just as the elderly patriarch was preparing to leave his office.“Mr. Silva? Calling it a day already?”Leonardo paused, his hand hovering over his briefcase. He looked weary. “Mr. Andrade, you know I’m an old man. I need to go home. My grandson is in the building; surely he can assist you.”“Actually,” Charles said, stepping fully into the room and blocking the exit path, “according to Ronaldo himself, only you can help me.”Leonardo raised his eyebrows, his desire to rest battling with his politeness. “What can I do for you?”“Fire Ernesto Alvares. Immediately!”Leonardo blinked, taken aback. “Mr. Andrade, have you lost your mind?”“I can’t believe you would accept drug trafficking in your own port!” Charles retorted with malice.Leonardo wagged his index finger, his expression hardening. “None of that. We don’t tolerate criminality here. That is precisely why Gustavo Alvares is in prison.”“But can you guarantee that such things have stopped? His father

Tuesday morning dawned over the Alvares house, but it brought no warmth to the breakfast table. The atmosphere was heavy, thick with a silence that felt more like a wake than a meal.Ernesto sat at the head of the table, his Silva Oil Company uniform conspicuously absent, replaced by plain civilian clothes.“Dad, aren’t you going to work today?” Bella asked, breaking the oppressive quiet.Ernesto didn’t even look up from his black coffee. “What for? If they’re already drafting my pink slip, why bother?”“I thought Old Mr. Silva was against it,” Linda said, her brow furrowed. “Isn’t he the owner?”“He is,” Ernesto replied, his voice flat. “But his grandson also holds the pen. He could fire me this morning and ‘remember’ to inform his grandfather next week.”Bella’s jaw tightened, her teeth grinding audibly. “That bastard... If only we knew some little secret of theirs to leverage...”“Can’t we fight injustice without plotting or stooping to the enemy’s level?” Linda asked with disappoi