Ernesto answered the call with a heavy knot of trepidation tightening in his chest.“Hello... dear son-in-law?”“Ernie, I’m standing right outside your front door,” Walter’s voice came through, cool and detached. “Are you finished making love to your wife?”Outside, dressed in a sharp black suit and dark sunglasses, Walter looked like a villain plucked straight from a gritty 90s TV thriller.Inside, Ernesto felt his heart skip a beat at the blunt, awkward question. He thought back to the previous night: there certainly hadn’t been any “ardent love” to speak of.“Ehr, I’m actually already at the breakfast table. Come on in!” Ernesto forced a strained smile, gesturing frantically to his wife.Paulina, who had just been sitting down, sprang back up. She caught her husband’s signal and hurried to the door.She swung it open, her face shifting into a wide, welcoming mask as she found Walter on the porch.“Walt! Please, come in, come in!”“Thank you, Dona Paulina. I won’t stay long. Is Lind

Inside the Sterling Empire executive suite, Karl leaned back in his leather throne, his lips curling into a jagged, mocking grin as he gestured toward two plush velvet chairs.“Vanda, Hélio. Please, make yourselves comfortable,” he said, the invitation sounding more like a summons.“We won’t be taking up much of your time, Karl,” Vanda replied, her spine as straight as a spear as she sat. “I have several appointments today regarding the book.”“Ah, yes. Selling like hotcakes, I hear. My sincerest congratulations.” Karl tapped his fingers on the desk, his tone sounding a condescension that only Sheila seemed to feel like a physical weight in the room.Hélio didn’t waste time clearing his throat. He looked Karl dead in the eye, his voice steady. “Karl, let’s get to it. We are deeply hurt by everything that has happened with our children. I know you’re fond of Patty, and I know you think she’s the perfect match for your son—”Karl didn’t notice Sheila’s hand slipping slowly, quietly into

Inside the headquarters of Silva Oil, the conversation remained anchored to a single, bitter topic: the total dissolution of the ties between the Borges and Sterling families.“Well, if that’s the way that moron wants to play it, so be it!” Ronaldo’s voice cut through the heavy silence.“I thought he was your uncle, Ron,” Hélio countered, his brow furrowed.“My uncle? The man who orchestrated that nightmare in Praia Grande?” Ronaldo’s lip curled into a snarl. “The man who didn’t give a damn what happened to me in the crossfire? I should send him my psychiatrist’s bill.”Vanda offered a weak, weary smile. “It’s ironic, isn’t it? The Blumbergs showing up at the exact moment the Sterlings exit. Ilda even asked if I planned on continuing such a... ‘turbulent’ friendship.”“Sheila couldn’t have agreed with him,” Hélio noted, his eyes narrowing as he recalled the scene. “She stayed silent almost the entire time.”“The poor woman,” Patricia added, her voice softening. “She must feel like she

Ernesto and Linda were having lunch at the Silva Oil Company restaurant, surrounded by a crowd of workers using their meal vouchers. The wall of voices and the constant clatter of plates and silverware didn’t bother the father and daughter as they talked.“So you’re telling me the Sterling family decided to start acting like the villains in those soap operas your mother watches?”“Not exactly ‘the Sterlings’ as a whole, Dad,” Linda corrected, cutting into her breaded chicken cutlet. “I believe Matthew and his mother are against the discrimination.”“Good grief! What is wrong with these rich people?” Ernesto took a sip of grape juice. “I’m afraid the same thing might happen here with the Silva family. We already have the Andrade family rejecting us.”“I don’t think the Silvas will go down that road.” Linda winked. “They’re rivals of the Sterling family. If anything, they’ll probably welcome us even more.”“From your lips to God’s ears, honey,” Ernesto sighed. “And it’s good that we sep

Cindy was currently at the Silva Oil Company docks, directing Ronaldo and Patricia for a romantic photo shoot amidst stacks of crates and oil barrels.“That’s it, hold hands. Now smile. Follow the photographer’s lead.” Cindy stepped back to give the photographer room to work his magic.The photographer captured some of the most beautiful and perfect shots imaginable, leaving Cindy with the difficult task of deciding which ones to feature in her article.“Perfect. I think we’re wrapped here,” the photographer said, straightening up.“That’s a wrap, everyone! Thank you so much!” Cindy congratulated the production team.Ronaldo helped Patricia down from one of the crates. “Are you alright, sweetheart?”“A little weary, but I’m okay.” Patricia nodded toward Cindy. “She looks like she’s worried about something.”“I noticed too. Let’s go ask her,” Ronaldo whispered.The couple approached Cindy, who was checking something on her phone.“Cindy, did something happen?” Patricia asked.Cindy loo