On a bright Saturday morning, the grand day had finally arrived: Vicente’s live concert at the Sterling Cultural Hall.The atmosphere was electric, even during the last-minute preparations. Staff bustled across the venue, putting final touches on the stage, while janitors methodically checked every seat for dust or debris. Sound and lighting technicians worked with silent intensity, calibrating the space to perfection.Edmund paced among them, his eyes scanning every detail, ensuring not a single thread was out of place.“Are you all absolutely sure everything’s ready?” he asked, his voice clipped with tension.“Everything’s fine, boss,” one of the workers replied confidently. “That Vicente Gouveia’s one lucky guy, getting to perform here — even with all the trouble he’s had with our top brass.”Edmund swallowed hard at that, not replying at first. “People need to learn gratitude,” he muttered at last. “I just hope things change after this.”With that, he walked away, pulling out his

Elaine raised a brow. “Shouldn’t you be more worried about your father’s concert?”“I’m worried about other things too,” Nathan replied smoothly. “Oh, and good news — I got your old apartment.”“Wonderful! I’m glad you took my advice.” Elaine smiled.“Well,” he hesitated, “now I’m not sure if I’ll live there myself or give it to my parents.”Elaine blinked. “What do you mean?”“If I live in the same building as Lawrence Vieira and Jonah Lopes, there’s a chance they could spot Bella — or you — walking through the halls or in the lobby. I don’t want either of you at risk.”Understanding dawned on her. “Ah… so you’d rather we meet at the beach house. It’s more secluded… and intimate. Perfect for discussing your revenge plan.”“Exactly,” Nathan confirmed.“Smart move. Especially with your mom being pregnant…”He grinned. “That’s the very seed I planted in their minds. And they’re this close to taking the bait.”Elaine’s lips curled into a satisfied smile. “What’s the next step?”“After th

As evening descended upon the Sterling Cultural Hall, the grand façade of the venue became a stage in its own right. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as the crowd grew in size and elegance. Luxury cars and stretch limousines pulled into the circular drive, each vehicle promptly received by uniformed valets who ushered them into the reserved parking area with practiced grace.From the opened doors stepped men dressed in impeccably tailored tuxedos and designer suits, their polished shoes gleaming in the fading light. Beside them, women glided across the entrance like stars on a red carpet — draped in stunning evening gowns, adorned with glistening jewels that caught the twilight and scattered it in a thousand directions. Diamonds shimmered from ears, necks, and wrists, illuminating the crowd with a soft, seductive glow.But when Vicente’s car arrived, the evening shifted. A sudden storm of camera flashes erupted. Fans surged forward in a euphoric wave, shouting his name and reac

Inside Edmund’s office at the Sterling Cultural Hall, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation as Karl and Matthew finally started to talk.“What’s going on, Larry?” Matthew asked, his brows furrowed.Karl’s voice was emotional, trembling. “This will be the last time you call me by that name.”Matthew blinked, surprised. “Why? What’s happening?”Without warning, Karl pulled him into a tight embrace. Matthew stiffened at first, startled, but then returned the hug, instinctively.“I’m so sorry, son,” Karl whispered.“Sorry for what?”“For the lies I told you. I was trying to protect you in the shadows. But it seems like now, I’ll have to do it at the light.”They broke apart, and Matthew stared at him with confusion written all over his face.“Protect me from what?” he asked, cautiously.“From the danger that surrounds us.” Karl drew in a deep breath, clearly grappling with the weight of what he was about to reveal. “I need to tell you something serious. Your mother already knows.”“I

That night at the Sterling Cultural Hall, the haunting melody of Vicente’s piano filled the grand space with a kind of magic that rendered the audience speechless.Vicente, entirely immersed in the piece, closed his eyes and seemed to vanish into the music.Not a single phone was raised. No photos, no videos — just silence and awe.It was as if the entire hall had been transported into the very soul of his performance.The camera of the moment shifted, panning slowly from Vicente’s focused expression to something far less expected — an overhead spotlight. At first glance, it seemed secure, screwed tightly into its rig. But as the shot lingered, time itself seemed to slow.The metal fixture trembled ever so slightly... then gave way.Vicente remained oblivious, still playing, fingers dancing across the keys, when the spotlight detached fully and plummeted.It missed him by mere inches.The crash was explosive, a thunderous impact against the stage floor. Vicente, startled out of his tr