Back to Mark’s study. Regis stood still, startled by his employer’s sudden declaration of intent to reach out to the Aurelia Parliament.Mark chuckled at the look on his assistant's face.“Hey, what’s with that expression, Regis?" he asked with playful amusement.Regis hesitated. “Lord Ferro... what you're proposing is a major step.”Mark leaned back in his chair, still smiling. “Yes. A major step toward Briana discovering the truth.”Regis moved around the desk, standing directly in front of the man he served with such unwavering loyalty. “So, she’s going to find out that you’re next in line for the throne...”“And that everything I’ve done regarding Lawrence Sodré’s nightclubs was part of my contribution,” Mark said calmly, “a glimpse of what Aurelia will look like under my rule. No room for organized crime.”Regis bowed instinctively, forgetting for a moment that Mark had not yet ascended to power. “We await that day with great anticipation, sir.”Mark gave a quick nod and smirked.

The atmosphere inside Glamour magazine’s editorial office was chaotic, buzzing like a hornet’s nest disturbed by the latest headlines. The indictment — and the looming trial — of Lawrence Sodré had thrown the newsroom into a frenzy. Efraim, the editor-in-chief, stood in the middle of the open-plan floor like a storm in human form, barking orders and striking fear into the hearts of junior reporters.“We need to be faster than our competitors!” he bellowed, his voice slicing through the chatter. “Someone needs to get to the Temporary Detention Center now! Who's on the Sodré case?”Mary Ellen and Celia huddled together in the corner cubicle, trying to stay out of Efraim’s direct line of fire.“Weren’t you looking into the Sodré story?” Celia whispered, glancing nervously toward their boss.“I was,” Mary Ellen replied, her voice low but resolute. “But I don’t want to cover the trial. I want to find proof — real proof.”“Proof of what?” Celia asked, puzzled.“You heard what Luana said. So

At Vasconcelos Company, Claudia sat confidently in the CEO’s chair in Gilson’s office, legs crossed with the poise of someone who believed she belonged there.Across from her, Nadir leaned against the edge of the desk, a bemused smirk playing on her lips.“Comfortable?” Nadir asked.Claudia’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Yes, as comfortable as sitting on my hot, virile husband's lap at three in the morning. You don't know what that's like, do you?”Like Briana, Nadir bit back a sharp retort — she wanted to mention that she’s used to ‘ride’ Sandro until five in the morning, often with him handcuffed to the bed. But she held her tongue.Like mother, like daughter.Nadir straightened up, her tone shifting into professional mode. “Let’s stick to business.”Claudia’s mood soured. “What business? Our dear mother-in-law wants to undo the one good thing we’ve got going — our last lifeline.”“Don’t be dramatic. Can’t we scout for another series with the same continuity potential as You Can’t

The door creaked open, and Nadir entered, catching wind of the conversation almost instantly.“Oh — am I interrupting something?”“Hello...” Roberto rose politely. “Mrs. Vasconcelos?”Sandro, still focused on the contract, gestured without looking up. “Darling, this is Roberto. He represents the anonymous donor.”Nadir smiled and shook the young man’s hand. “How are you, young man?”“Very well, thank you. I was just telling your husband what a pity it is that he isn’t the company’s CEO.”Nadir chuckled, a warm sound, careful not to distract Sandro from reading. “Things are changing, Roberto.”“Glad to hear it.”Sandro, satisfied, placed the papers back on the desk. “Alright, Roberto. I agree with everything. I’ll sign... quite literally.”“Fantastic. It’s been a pleasure doing business with you.”As he reached for a pen, Sandro glanced at the cover sheet. “I must confess, I’ve never heard of this company — Nosso Lar?”Roberto smiled, enigmatic. “As I mentioned, it’s new.”Though Nadir

Still hesitant, Briana accepted it. She peered into the mug.Her point of view: the coffee was hot, dark, and strong — exactly the way she liked it.She took a small sip, then another. Just the familiar, bitter taste.No strange sensations. No warning signs.“Yeah,” she said, letting out a long sigh. “This morning’s been rough.”“Want to talk about it?” Luana asked gently.Briana exhaled again and nodded. “I visited Katrina. The lunatic blames me for getting caught in bed with Lawrence.”Luana raised an eyebrow. “Oh, right. Because you sent her there to give him her a—”“I shut that down immediately. I refused to entertain the conversation. Her logic doesn’t work in any world but her own.”“Crazy. Just crazy...”Relieved that she felt fine, that her drink was safe, and that the nightmare might finally be behind her, Briana settled into her chair and got to work, typing quickly and with new determination.******Althea strolled through the Vasconcelos Mansion gardens with a spring in h