It was getting dark. Shift-change time at Silva Oil Company. The employees who were clocking out lined up to punch their time cards. Women standing close together chatted excitedly about getting home in time for the next episode of their soap opera.Linda walked behind them until her phone rang. She leaned against the corridor wall and answered, smiling when she saw it was Walter.“Hello, sweetheart!”“Babe, you’re not gonna believe this!” Walter shouted from the other end. “I did it! We’re moving back to Andrade Mansion!”Linda scratched her ear, not quite understanding. Or at least she thought she hadn’t heard right.“Can you repeat that?”“We’re going back to the mansion!”“WE?!” Linda emphasized the word so loudly that a few people turned to look at her.“Ha, ha, yeah, I get it!” Walter laughed and laughed. “My parents are willing to give you another chance. Of course, for that to happen, we’ll have to move back home, especially now with this shooting! Honey, we couldn’t be any sa

The next day, the police were once again at the beach house.The area was already cordoned off, but Matthew ordered them to put up another layer of tape.Carvalho stood beside him, trying to offer some clarification. “Mr. Sterling, I’m very sorry for what has been happening on your property.”“I’m sorry too,” Matthew replied with controlled irritation. “This little house was bought as a place for peace, rest, and relaxation. But it seems someone wants to turn it into a cemetery.”“Do you have any idea what might be going on?” This was the question Carvalho was most eager to hear answered.“No, and I hope the police figure it out before I do.” Matthew gave the sergeant a cold look. “I hope the sergeant understands and doesn’t bother my grandfather when I decide to handle the matter with my own hands.”Carvalho swallowed hard, not daring to argue back. If Matthew wanted to settle the matter himself, Blue Cove could disappear with the snap of a finger!Some officers from the forensic tea

Matthew entered Abner’s study only to make sure his father would NOT commit the absurdity of complaining to his grandparents about Linda’s situation.But, as Karl was prone to disappointing his son, he was already there, the conversation halfway through.The expressions on Abner and Alice’s faces, however, made it clear that it wasn’t the time for more intrigue and prejudice.“Son, I understand that you’re worried about Matt,” Alice was saying. “But Matt is also worried about his best friend. We’re talking about Walter Andrade, not just anyone.”“If he were really worried, he should advise his best friend to dump that favela girl!” Karl shouted, his eyes red with anger.“He would never do that— MATT!” Abner raised his eyebrows when he saw his grandson standing in the open doorway.Anyone would have expected Karl to choke and cough nervously, embarrassed at being caught red-handed.But that didn’t happen. As Matthew approached, Karl kept his arrogant scowl. He firmly believed the Sterl

“Mr. Sterling, I hope you can understand what I’m about to tell you.” Carvalho looked straight at Karl. He didn’t see much point in giving answers to someone who wasn’t truly interested in listening. “Gustavo Alvares simply refused to reveal who his boss was. However, he agreed to disclose everything else. We made this agreement in writing, everything properly signed, stamped, and formalized with both the Public Defender’s Office and the Prosecutor’s Office. Unless the prisoner has a crisis of conscience, we aren’t allowed to pressure him.”“What the hell?!” Karl made a face, unwilling to understand how the system worked. “Sounds like he’s the one calling the shots.”“Dad, you need to see the whole picture,” Matthew said, as usual understanding and making things easier for the authorities. “I bet Sergeant Carvalho was only able to create this map thanks to Gustavo’s testimony. That’s why I committed to hiding him. If he were still around, his family’s house in Green Coral would defini

Noemi didn’t waste any time following her father’s advice and showed up at Sterling Empire headquarters to comfort Matthew.The heir smiled at his friend’s presence and gestured for her to come closer to his desk.Noemi could still sense that Matthew’s smile carried exhaustion or stress. “What happened this time, Matthew?”“A lot of stress regarding this war, my dear friend.” Matthew sighed. “Did you hear about my beach house?”“Shot up for the second time. Is someone who doesn’t like the beach?” Noemi tried to lighten the mood.“It’s someone who doesn’t like Linda Alvares, deciding that she has to pay for something she didn’t do, dragging her into a situation she knows nothing about.” Matthew gave a yellow smile. “But the joke was funny.”“I didn’t just want to make a joke. I’m really worried about you, Matthew.” Noemi took a chance and ran her fingers through his hair.“Thank you. And how about Jackson? How is he?”Noemi felt tense for a few seconds. Why did Matthew want her to talk