Matthew is back in his office at Sterling Empire headquarters. But with each passing second, the place felt less and less like his own space.He stared at the door as it swung open, revealing Liz Silva.“Matt, do you have a moment?” she asked, her voice soft but steady.“All the time in the world.” Matthew stood, gesturing toward the leather armchair. “Please, sit. You shouldn’t be overextending yourself.”Liz offered a faint, melodic giggle as she lowered herself into the seat. “The doctors say I’m a miracle of recovery, but I appreciate the chivalry.”Matthew remained standing, leaning against the edge of his desk. “I think I know why you’re here.”Liz let out a long, weary sigh, her eyes dropping to her lap. “The substance I bought from Gustavo Alvares. Yes. I did it to spite Patty. I wanted the world to think she was the reason I collapsed.”“You wanted everyone to see her as the cause of your stroke,” Matthew stated flatly, his voice devoid of judgment but heavy with the truth.“

At the Beach House, Linda pressed her phone to her ear, her breakfast forgotten as Bella’s voice crackled on the other end. Across the table, Walter sat comfortably, his bare chest bronzed by the light, seemingly engrossed in his own thoughts."Are you serious?" Linda’s fork paused mid-air. "Gus is getting out on provisional liberty?""It’s true," Bella confirmed from the quiet of her bedroom. "The plan is to tuck him away at Grandma and Grandpa’s. No cameras, no reporters, just peace and quiet."Linda let out a long, shaky breath. "That’s everything. If he’s out of the spotlight, the scandal can finally starve. People will find something else to gossip about.""True," Bella moved on, her tone turning mischievous. "But speaking of gossip... how is the love nest? Is a certain someone sitting there shirtless — or is he completely buff at the table?"Linda felt a flush creep up her neck. She glanced at Walter. "He’s right here, Bella. Eating breakfast.""Is he in his birthday suit? Wait—

The morning rush at Silva Oil Company was a blur of clicking heels and the rhythmic chime of ID badges hitting scanners. Ernesto and Linda wove through the throng, their pace steady and synchronized.“You heard the news, didn’t you?” Ernesto asked, his voice low enough to stay beneath the noise of the office.Linda’s expression remained a disciplined mask. “I did. I’m just hoping this finally puts a period on the end of the sentence.”“It will, sweetheart,” Ernesto said, leaning in to brush a kiss against her cheek. “Now, let’s get to it. We don’t get paid to stand around.”“What a touching little performance!”The voice, full of venom, cut through the professional bustle. Charles stood a few yards away, his lips curled into a smile that looked more like a snarl.“To anyone else, this might look like a real family,” Charles sneered, closing the distance.Linda didn't flinch. “What are you doing here, Chuck?”Charles’s face darkened, his nostrils flaring. “Ernesto, you might want to te

Charles blinked, his mouth hanging open like a broken hinge. He stared up at Ronaldo, waiting for the reinforcement that never came. He was certain the younger man’s scolding was meant for the "low-lifes" standing over him, not the victim on the floor."Wh-what?" Charles stammered, his hand trembling as he wiped a smear of red from his lip. "What are you... argh... what are you talking about, my boy?"The sound of the scuffle acted like a dinner bell. Doors swung open, and employees from half a dozen departments began to drift into the corridor, their eyes wide as they took in the sight of a Sterling-aligned socialite groveling on the tiles."What are you doing here besides sowing discord?" Ronaldo’s voice was like a bucket of ice water. He didn't offer a hand to Charles. "Didn't my mother make it clear? You and your wife are to leave the Alvares family alone. Period."Charles managed to haul himself up to his knees, his eyes darting toward the crowd of onlookers. He needed to reclaim

“Stand up, Linda.”Patricia’s voice wasn’t sharp; it was a steady anchor in the storm of Linda’s panic.Slowly, Linda rose, her shoulders still hunched and a slight tremor running through her frame. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor, unable to meet Patricia’s eyes.“No one is getting fired today,” Patricia continued, her tone brooking no argument. “If what my fiancé saw is accurate, the only person who overstepped was the visitor.”Ernesto’s expression shifted, a sudden clarity washing over his features. He snapped his fingers. “The news. He must have seen the reports about Gus getting out on parole and decided we were an easy target for his frustration.”“That’s got to be it,” Ronaldo agreed.“Damn him...” Linda hissed under her breath, her knuckles whitening.“Go ahead, Linda. Curse him all you want,” Patricia said, a flash of genuine empathy softening her face. She tried to shift the mood, offering a small, encouraging smile. “Is everything ready for the big celebration tonight?