Hélio and Leonardo were locked in a game of chess in a lounge at the golf club. Scattered across the indoor area, several other tables were occupied by retirees playing checkers, backgammon, and cards.Hélio slid his bishop across the board. “So, what did you want to talk to me about, Leo?”“It’s funny,” Leonardo mused, leaning back. “Not long ago, we were enemies, and I was mocking you on your first day of golf. Now, you’re calling me ‘Leo.’”“Like I said, that’s water under the bridge. We have much bigger problems now,” Hélio replied wisely, his eyes never leaving the board.Leonardo moved a pawn. “Fair enough. Well, my son visited the Sterling Empire headquarters and confronted Karl. He ended up knocking his brother-in-law out and kicking him in the ribs for good measure.”“Wow, why so much violence? All because of what we discussed?” Hélio moved one of his knights.Leonardo stopped focusing on the game; the news was too explosive to keep casual. “Karl told him he’ll do everything

Sheila met Marta at the Gibraltar Club to “grab a drink” following the explosive argument she’d had with Karl. The two women sat at a secluded corner table, tucked away from the large glass windows to ensure their conversation remained private.“So, Mom? What do you think about all this?” Sheila asked, leaning over her drink.“I think it’s absurd,” Marta replied, her voice tight. “Your husband is losing his grip on reality.”“The worst part is, if I try to reason with your arch-nemesis, she’ll just defend her son,” Sheila sighed.Marta’s expression grew angrier. “But why would Alice do something like that?”“I don’t know, Mom. Who could ever understand that untamed shrew?”Marta let out a dry chuckle. “Not even Abner could. I imagine she’s the one who always calls the shots in that mansion, including in the bedroom.”Sheila made a face of pure disgust. “Ew, let’s change the subject; this is getting gross. Anyway, I need advice.”“You need to stand firm in your convictions, daughter,”

Patricia felt a wave of nausea wash over her because of Karl’s plan — the twisted notion that he would somehow ensure she conceived Matthew’s child.“Can someone please explain to me how Karl intends to do this without kidnapping me and forcing me to be with Matthew?” she asked, her voice full of pure disgust.“A repeat of what happened in Praia Grande, or perhaps drugging Matthew,” Fernando suggested, his tone grim.Sheila gasped, her face pale with horror. “No, he would never do something like that to his own son!”“Sister, open your eyes,” Fernando countered sharply. “Your husband is revealing that he’s capable of many things we never imagined.”“I didn’t marry a kidnapper!” Sheila cried out, desperate to defend the man she thought she knew.“Didn’t you?” Fernando mused. “Sometimes I wonder if we’re finally seeing the real Karl Sterling, the man who would have been this all along if Vicente hadn’t snatched him away for over twenty years.”Sheila shook her head vehemently. “Nobody c

Inside the Sterling Mansion, the living room was bathed in the flickering orange glow of the fireplace. Matthew sat alone, his eyes fixed on the dancing flames as they consumed the logs. The light put sinister, shifting shadows across his face, deepening his already heavy scowl.Sheila approached him, her heart heavy with concern for her son’s isolation. “Son, why are you sitting here all by yourself?”“I’m not in the mood to socialize right now, Mom,” Matthew replied, his voice low and somber.Sheila stepped closer, eyeing the proximity of his chair to the hearth. “Isn’t it dangerous for you to be so close to the fire, inhaling all that smoke?”“It’s part of it,” he muttered, dismissing her worry.Sheila paused beside him, hoping to bridge the distance between them. “Can we talk?”“I just wanted to know what is happening to our family,” Matthew said, finally looking up.“Many things,” Sheila sighed. “Your father is convinced that he’s helping you.”“Even after I’ve told him repeatedl

Inside the Siren Restaurant, Jackson and Cindy clinked their glasses of dry red wine together, the deep red liquid catching the light as they enjoyed a decadent Coq au Vin.“To another achievement in our lives,” Jackson toasted, his eyes locked on hers.“Amen,” Cindy replied, taking a slow sip. “You know what I’ve been thinking about, honey?”“Here comes the catch,” Jackson teased with a grin.Cindy laughed. “Heh, heh... you clown. I was thinking that if the worst happens to my career, I can always continue online, exactly like my father.”“That won’t be an easy task, sweetheart,” Jackson noted. “Your father is a retiree who managed to grow his channel quickly because he was already quite famous. Anyone who worked with the late Vernon Queiroz has certain privileges.”“Fine, but I’m not exactly a total unknown,” Cindy countered.“True, but I think I know where you’re going with this.” Jackson smiled, taking a sip.“Yes,” Cindy admitted. “I’m thinking about the possibility of the Blumbe