Panic had a way of stripping Emmanuelle of her reason. Ignoring the cold logic that usually governed her social maneuvers, she pushed open the door to Maurício’s consultation room, her breath hitching in her throat.She didn’t need a medical degree to diagnose the scene. Her eyes, sharpened by years of navigating her own indiscretions, immediately locked onto the disarray: the paper covering the exam table was crumpled and lopsided, a solitary pearlescent button lay abandoned on the linoleum, and Maurício’s jeans sat low on his hips, the fabric clinging in a way that confirmed he hadn’t bothered with underwear. His shirt hung open, exposing a tuft of chest hair that, despite the danger of the moment, sent a familiar spark of heat through her.“You did it again,” she hissed, her voice a mix of envy and irritation. “Another ‘patient’?”Maurício didn’t even have the grace to look ashamed. He leaned against his desk with a cynical smirk. “Are you asking for a report, or just stating the o

Matthew’s thumb brushed the silver casing of his wristwatch for the tenth time in as many minutes. His brow furrowed as he scanned the bookstore's elegant crowd, searching for a face that wasn’t there. Walter was late.Nearby, the Alvares women brought a burst of unrefined energy to the polished queue. Bella leaned over her copy of 'Tropical Romance', pointing at the cover with a wicked grin.“They say Mrs. Borges has a... vivid imagination when it comes to the steamier chapters,” Bella whispered, loud enough for those nearby to blush.Linda’s eyes danced with mischief as she looked at the shirtless model on the jacket. “With a hunk like that on the cover, I’m guessing the heroine spends at least fifty pages unable to walk straight.”“Girls!” Paulina hissed, though a betraying smile tugged at her lips. “Behave yourselves. Save the reviews for when you’re actually behind closed doors.”“Oh, come on, Mom,” Bella teased. “You know you’re dying to devour this and then demand Dad play the

“I’m perfectly content at Silva Oil, working alongside my fiancé,” Patricia stated, her voice as cool and level as a frozen lake.Ilda leaned in, her eyes scanning Patricia’s face with a predatory kind of appreciation. “I’m sure you are, dear. But don’t you think a petroleum company is a bit... small for someone like you? You have the kind of natural radiance that TV and film producers are starving for.”“I wasn’t aware you and Benny moved in those circles,” Patricia replied, her eyebrows arching slightly.Ilda faltered for a fraction of a second — her Rolodex didn’t actually contain a single studio head — but she smoothed her dress and forced a breezy smile. “Ehr... well, we’re always bumping into interesting people at the right parties.”“Is that so?” Patricia took a slow, deliberate sip of her drink. “In that case, let me know when you ‘bump into’ the Rocha family. I’ve been dying to have a word with them.”Without waiting for a response, Patricia turned and glided away, leaving Il

Linda showed up at the Andrade clinic, noticing the lower traffic due to the late hour. She stepped into the hallway, her eyes scanning the sterile corridor until they landed on a familiar figure.“Linda, over here!” Jacqueline called out, her voice a hushed echo against the tiled walls.Linda hurried toward her, her hands knotting together. “Jacque, how are you holding up?” she asked, closing the distance for a tight embrace. “I am so, so sorry.”Jacqueline pulled back slightly, searching Linda’s face. “Why are you sorry?” she asked softly. “If anything, I should be the one apologizing.”“But my father... he left yours in such a state,” Linda murmured, her gaze dropping.“The police were already here. Sergeant Carvalho,” Jacqueline noted, her expression grim. “The same one who went after your brother.”Linda’s mouth twisted into a bitter line. “He took my brother, and he would’ve taken my father tonight too, if he’d had the chance.”Jacqueline sighed, leaning against the cool wall. “

At the Borges House, the rhythmic slosh of the dishwasher filled the kitchen as Hélio reached for the ringing phone with a wet hand.“Hello, Matt,” Hélio said, pinning the receiver to his shoulder.On the other end, Matthew stood in the sprawling, silent living room of the Sterling Mansion. “Hello, Hélio. I tried calling Vanda, but she didn’t pick up.”“She’s... still resting after last night,” Hélio replied, a playful, mysterious edge to his voice.A sour look crossed Matthew’s face. He could practically hear the unspoken details.It seemed every couple he knew was spending their nights in a blur of passion while he remained the city’s most eligible, and lonely, bachelor!“Ehr... okay. Let her sleep, then.”“Is this about Jackson’s contract?” Hélio asked.“Exactly. You can pick it up from me at the office later. Everything looks fine. No traps, no predatory clauses.”Hélio’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? So we were worrying over nothing?”“I wouldn’t say that,” Matthew countered, his to