Karl and Luana sat at the kitchen table, enjoying their breakfast with evident enthusiasm. They were eager for Mark’s return, which was expected a few hours later.“They’re on their way, darling,” Luana said, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. “That means we’ll have some news.”Karl, still chewing, raised an eyebrow. “What kind of news could we expect that we don’t already know?”“I have no idea,” Luana admitted, tilting her head thoughtfully. “But with Ray Dixon traveling with him, that can only mean one thing.”Karl swallowed, his expression turning skeptical. “You want to bounce on his lap under the influence of that drug?”Luana rolled her eyes and let out an exaggerated gasp. “No! I want to bounce on your lap—” She suddenly feigned a choking fit. “Ahem! I mean, I want Ray Dixon working on the show Times of Glory! Isn’t that what we should be rooting for?”Karl’s response was indifferent. “Maybe… but don’t forget, that show was made for men.”Luana smirked. “I wouldn’t dream

At the Ferro house, the morning sun streamed through the grand vestibule as Briana and Mark embraced tightly, savoring the moment after their time apart. Regis and another maid discreetly carried Mark’s luggage inside.“Welcome back, sir,” Regis greeted.“Thanks, Regis,” Mark replied before turning his attention back to Briana. “So, did you miss this handsome devil?”Briana pouted playfully. “Of course. Now I need to cleanse you of all the female germs you picked up while you were away.”Mark pulled back slightly, feigning offense. “Sweetheart, there were no women bouncing on my lap in Lagoon City.”“Mmm-hmm. They probably just didn’t dare.”“I only have eyes for you. Besides, the trip was strictly business, remember?”Briana sighed. “Give me a general summary so I can pass the message along to Glamour.”“Why?” Mark asked, raising an eyebrow.She hesitated. “You’re not thinking about going to Glamour right now, are you?”“Duty calls.”“But you need to rest, darling. Let me handle work

A short while later, Karl and Luana stormed out of Briana’s office, making a beeline for Mark’s office, their frustration evident. Meanwhile, Celia and Mary Ellen walked in the opposite direction down the hall.“What was that all about?” Mary Ellen asked, curiosity piqued.Celia chuckled. “That, my dear, was war.”Mary Ellen frowned. “Did you really want to provoke the beast just because she’ll be working in a studio outside of Glamour?”“Exactly.” Celia smirked. “She was in there, all flustered, practically screaming that I’d go after her boyfriend now that she’s going to be far away.”Mary Ellen crossed her arms. “But… isn’t that exactly what you want?”Celia halted in her tracks and shot Mary Ellen a wicked grin. “You should be a psychic.”Mary Ellen sighed. “Girl, I have a bad feeling this is going to end in disaster, not a solution.”Celia waved off her concern. “Trust me, dear friend.”But Mary Ellen wasn’t convinced. “And you’re doing all of this without actually being in love

Back at Glamour, just as Luana had feared, Celia was carefully crafting an image of herself as a sweet and trustworthy employee rather than taking a lunch break. Briana, however, was growing increasingly distracted, glancing at her wristwatch while her stomach grumbled.“...So, Briana, if it’s not too much, I’d like to work with Karl on the Times of Glory team,” Celia said, her voice soft and persuasive.Briana snapped out of her hunger-induced haze. “Huh? Oh, right. I didn’t know that was an issue.”Celia feigned concern. “Mark assigned me there, but some people have pointed out that he doesn’t actually run the company.”Briana sighed. “Sometimes, I wish he did. The real owner of Glamour has never even reached out to me.”“You’ve never been curious?” Celia asked, tilting her head.“Not really,” Briana admitted. “He always communicates through Gene.” She stretched and stood up. “Anyway, let’s go to lunch?”Celia’s expression darkened slightly. “Do you understand my situation?”Briana

Sandro and Gilson faced off once again in Sandro’s office at Vasconcelos Company. The tension between them had reached its peak.“I’m sick and tired of your tantrums, Gilson! I’ve had enough!” Sandro snapped.“You never stop giving me reasons to have them!” Gilson retorted, his voice rising.“Why do you have to be so unreasonable?” Sandro demanded.Gilson gestured wildly. “Unreasonable? You’re encouraging our lead actress to go to the competition! Why can’t she be part of our next project?”“Our contract only covered Hope Alive,” Sandro reminded him firmly.Gilson practically screamed, “Then sign a new contract with her for our next project!”Suddenly, Nadir burst in, holding a stack of printed papers in Arial font. “Excuse me, but there won’t be any new projects anytime soon.”Gilson choked on his words, whirling around to glare at his sister-in-law.Alanna furrowed her brow, trying to grasp the situation.Nadir stepped beside her husband and slammed the papers onto the desk.“What d