Mark and Briana sat side-by-side on the plush sofa of the master suite, the picture of resilience. Briana had traded her hospital gown for a sharp, tailored pantsuit, looking every inch the formidable executive despite the recent childbirth. Cradled securely in her arms, Miguel Ângelo slept deeply, a bundle of innocence oblivious to the political storm brewing outside.Standing opposite them, Regis held his smartphone steady, framing the shot.“Whenever you’re ready,” the butler murmured.Mark stared directly into the lens, his expression grave. “Hello, citizens of Braspolis. I want to take this moment to share my thoughts on the events shaking our beloved city. First and foremost, I feel a heavy burden for the panic this has caused you all. As you have heard, two of my vehicles were targeted by bombings. The police are investigating and doing their utmost to unmask these terrorists.”Briana leaned forward slightly, her voice softening but her eyes steel. “That is right — terrorists.

Mark stepped into the main floor of Glamour, immediately noting the eerie quiet that hung over the usually bustling office. Empty cubicles gaped like missing teeth; the chaos of the city's public transport system had evidently kept many at home. It was understandable fear, not laziness.He walked straight to Gene’s office.“Gene,” Mark said, foregoing pleasantries as he leaned against the doorframe. “Do not dock the pay of any employee who couldn't — or wouldn't — come in today. Make sure they know their jobs are safe.”“Yes, Lord Ferro,” Gene replied instinctively.Mark let out a dry chuckle, glancing over his shoulder. “Careful. Someone could have opened that door and heard you.”Gene cleared his throat, his expression hardening back into professionalism. “Lord Ferro, do you intend to take action? Linda Mattes has briefed us on everything.”“Have you checked your email yet?”Gene swiveled his chair toward his computer, clicking open his inbox. His eyes scanned the screen, widening a

“Hey, don't laugh!” Celia protested, though the corners of her mouth twitched, betraying her desire to join in.“I’m sorry, Celia,” Mark chuckled, wiping a tear from his eye. “But I can’t help picturing the look on Katrina’s face when you told her. It must have been priceless.”Celia shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Well, she didn't enjoy it. But honestly? I don't feel that guilty. Patricio was using me long before they started dating. And afterwards... when she was pregnant... he used me as a stress ball to vent his work frustrations.”Mark’s laughter died instantly. The amusement vanished from his eyes, replaced by a cold, sharp anger.Patricio forcing himself on women — especially while his girlfriend was carrying his child?“Where is that bastard?” Mark growled, his hands balling into fists on the desk. “I need to introduce him to a knife.”Celia took a step back, genuine fear crossing her face. “Leave it, Mark! Don't get involved. If you do, Briana might misinterpret things betwe

Luana blinked, the sudden halt in the conversation catching her off guard. She searched her friend's face, tears welling in her eyes."Friend, are you okay?""Like I said," Briana replied, her voice firm, "I need to know if you are serious this time.""What do you mean?"Briana leaned forward on her chaise lounge, closing the distance between them. "Luana, haven't you realized yet that you've been wrong about Celia?"Luana scoffed, the tears momentarily forgotten in her indignation. "On the contrary! I always knew that slut was eyeing my man!""But you've blamed her since the incident with the poisoned coffee," Briana countered. "Don't you see the injustice in that?"Luana got more excited. "Brie, we now have proof she drank that coffee on purpose! She never wanted to save you."Briana shook her head slowly. "And how would Celia drink my coffee on purpose? Did she have a crystal ball to know who Viviana was, or what Lawrence's plan was beforehand?""Yes, she knew!" Luana yelled even w

At the Ferro House pool, the atmosphere on the deck was far from tranquil. Luana paced back and forth, unable to process Briana’s refusal to enlist in the ongoing war against Celia."Friend, what is happening here?" Luana asked, stopping mid-stride to stare at Briana."Sanity has finally arrived, my friend," Briana replied, her voice heavy with exhaustion. She leaned back on her chaise lounge, adjusting her sunglasses."So, waging war against our enemy is a lack of sanity?" Luana scoffed, indignation radiating from her."I don't think you realize how useless it has been," Briana said patiently. "You were so terrified of Celia seducing Karl that you made it happen. It’s like you cast a curse on yourself.""I was betrayed, and I am the one to blame?""Let's just say that if you hadn't blamed Celia for drinking that coffee in my place, none of this would have happened. It was a chain reaction of errors that led to your situation now."For a split second, the thought flickered behind Luan