Mark’s smile gradually faded as he listened to Karl’s response. “Uh... what exactly did you say?” Karl kept his triumphant smile. “I finally cut all ties with Celia Soares. That bitch will never be a nuisance between me and Luana again!” Mark wasn’t liking this at all. Celia was his ex-wife, but that didn’t mean people could mistreat her at will... “Karl, I hope you said those things to end the trouble and not to rekindle it.” “Believe me, Mark: if anything happens, it won’t be on our initiative.” Karl gestured. Mark grew more serious, recalling what Luana had recently done. “Are you including your girlfriend in that statement?” “Exactly!” “You shouldn’t.” Mark pinched the bridge of his nose. “Phew... How am I going to tell you? Luana attacked again, this time, Mary Ellen.” Karl’s joy and confidence slowly faded with this news. “What happened?” “Your girlfriend mocked Mary Ellen for not being able to deliver an article on time. An article about Lord Ferro,” Mark replied cau

Sandro was surprised to see Mark so shocked over a gossip about Katrina. However, Mark was not happy about it at all. He furrowed his brow in a displeased scowl, already thinking about the side effects of such bitter news. “Mark, what’s the problem with Katrina being pregnant?” “Do you consider such a situation a blessing for your family?” Mark asked somewhat sharply. “No. Even Gilson didn’t agree with it. For the first time in many years, he reprimanded his restless daughter.” Sandro smiled as he remembered what Gilson had told him. Mark continued grimly. “Well, then imagine what this could mean for Briana. The two cousins who hate each other are pregnant at the same time. This is obviously yet another case of your niece competing against your daughter.” Sandro stopped smiling and narrowed his eyes. “Do you really think Katrina did this on purpose?” “I don’t think she predicted the exact day Briana would find out she was pregnant, but tell me, Sandro: why would Katrina continu

Mark and Briana didn’t want to be so anxious and hopeful about Katrina’s probable dismissal, even though it was urgently needed.“Dad, you shouldn’t get your hopes up too high,” Briana warned him. “There’s still Grandma to consider.”“What’s the problem with your grandma?” Sandro raised an eyebrow.“I wouldn’t say it’s a problem, but a natural reaction. Grandma Althea isn’t going to let Katrina leave that easily,” Briana reasoned.“Your grandma hasn’t been happy with Katrina these past few weeks,” Sandro reminded her. “And she still doesn’t know about the pregnancy. It’s not like she’d approve of it! Not when the other granddaughter is having a child according to the rules of a decent society.”“Well, then I have no choice but to regret it,” Briana sighed, looking out the window. “Katrina never makes her life easier, makes the worst decisions, and still finds time to blame me.”Mark had an idea, narrowing his eyes. “Could it be that, when we told her about our baby on the way and Katr

Celia laughed heartily, apologizing afterward. “Sorry, Mary Ellen. I’m trying to ease the tension between us. I’m also thoughtful about all this. Did he answer?”Mary Ellen took her phone out of her pocket, checking. “No, he hasn’t read the message yet.”“He received it, but still hasn’t read it?” Celia frowned. “Then have no doubt, friend. He heard Luana talking to us there at the café.”“Luana was speaking very loudly, almost shouting. We need to do something!” Celia shrieked.“What do you need to do? Are you in more trouble?”Celia was startled by the male voice interrupting their conversation. Especially since the owner of the voice was Karl.Karl approached Celia and Mary Ellen with his face lit up by a smile. He was holding a small package in his right hand.Celia pursed her lips, not expecting Karl in the ‘Colorful Kisses’ studios.“Karl, what do you think you’re doing here?” Celia asked ironically. “Weren’t you the one who said I should stay away from you two forever?”“That’s

“Mary Ellen, you’re confusing me.” Celia pulled away, trying to escape the compromising conversation. “Are you seriously telling me that Karl has feelings for me?”“That’s what it seems like.” Mary Ellen gave a mischievous smile.“So, does that mean I should return his feelings?” Celia baited her.But Mary Ellen didn’t take the bait. “No. I’m saying you need to extinguish and erase any lust he might be feeling for you from his mind.”Celia made a face of disbelief.She thought her friend was finally going to understand!“How am I supposed to do that? And why?”Mary Ellen replied more forcefully, “If you don’t shut this nonsense down, everything Luana’s always accused you two of will come true! Can you imagine the war that would start? Briana will lose her patience and fire everyone – and that might even splash back on me and my career.”Celia gave a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, Mary Ellen. You’ll be exempt from any blame. I’m the incorrigible troublemaker here.”“I didn’t say you’re d