Jake strode down the corridor with a thunderous expression, his jaw set as if he were preparing for battle.Karl had remained behind, giving Jake the opportunity to confront Mark alone.Employees who crossed his path quickly lowered their heads, unwilling to engage with the fury etched across his face. Without hesitation, he pushed through the door of Mark Ferro’s office and disappeared inside.Moments later, Briana walked the same corridor, her heart alight with joy at the thought of preparing the baby’s room.She was on her way to share the news with her husband, already imagining how their lunch together would be colored with happy plans.Her hand reached for the brass handle of the office door when a voice — sharp, angry, and almost venomous — rang out from within.“You promised you would help us, Manager Ferro!” Jake’s tone cracked through the air like a whip.Briana froze, startled. Instead of entering, she pressed her back against the doorframe, her pulse quickening. She remain

At the very same time, in the refined restaurant frequented by the elite of Glamour, Briana and Mark sat over lunch, the air between them brittle with unspoken accusations.“And so?” Briana asked coldly. “Are you going to do anything to stop Celia from once again becoming the ‘main attraction’ for the men in suits?”Mark kept his eyes on his plate, his fork moving deliberately. “I cannot force anyone. Celia accepted their offer to return.”The contradiction struck Briana like a slap. Her fork clattered against the porcelain as she leaned back, crossing her arms, her posture radiating indignation. When Mark finally looked up, he saw her like a sulking adolescent, furious at the world.“Are you serious?” she demanded.“Darling, what is happening with you?” he asked, genuinely baffled.Her expression darkened. “That’s not the answer you gave Jake.”His head snapped up, his face paling. “Jake?”“I heard you,” she pressed, her voice trembling with both anger and betrayal. “I heard you talk

At Vasconcelos Company that afternoon, Celia stood tall while Gilson sat at his polished desk. Claudia, fixed at his side like a sentinel guarding her territory, glared daggers at the woman. It was at that precise moment Sandro entered, catching the final words of the CEO’s proclamation.“Miss Soares, congratulations,” Gilson declared. “You’ve been approved. Please proceed to my daughter’s office for further details.”“Oh, Mr. Vasconcelos, thank you so much for the opportunity!” Celia exclaimed with theatrical sweetness. “It will be a pleasure to work here again.”The word “pleasure” was uttered with suggestion as she turned her gaze deliberately toward Claudia, whose fury trembled beneath her composed exterior.Pivoting gracefully, Celia offered Sandro a knowing glance before gliding out of the room with regal poise.“What on earth is going on here?” Sandro demanded.“Katrina brought that harlot back into the company,” Claudia hissed. “Sometimes I wonder if she wasn’t James’s mistres

The garage of Ferro House was unusually tense that afternoon. Vargas and Julian stood waiting when Briana’s car finally pulled in. Regis, seated behind the wheel, was the first to step out. He moved quickly, circling around to open the passenger door, and helped a pale, fragile Briana to her feet.Vargas rushed forward, instincts sharpened by his training as a physician.“What happened to Lady Ferro?” he asked.Briana managed a faint smile, one that spoke more of weariness than humor. “Do I still deserve to be called by that title?”“Of course,” Regis assured her firmly before turning to Vargas. “She felt unwell and called me. Lord Ferro is tied up with other matters.”Julian shifted uneasily nearby. “Shall I prepare something?”“An afternoon snack,” Vargas instructed. He kept his attention fixed on Briana. “Lady Ferro, did you eat anything after lunch?”“No… but I think it was more from irritation. Everyone keeps arguing about ‘Celia versus Luana.’”“Understandable,” Vargas said with

“Darling?”Celia’s mind snapped back to the present. She awoke from her devouring reverie of secret trysts with Patricio, from those scandalous escapades before his interest turned toward Katrina.She saw herself in Jake’s apartment, the quiet air of the room at odds with the storm still echoing inside her.Celia turned to him, forcing a smile, her heart quickening as she caught his expression. Jake’s face was sour, the same expression he had worn the previous night, just before his savage claim on her body.“What is it, darling?” she asked softly.“What are you thinking about?” His question cut straight, suspicious yet with self-importance.Celia’s lips curved into a sly, ironic smile. As if she would ever confess to memories of Patricio Nogueira, another man entirely!!“I was thinking about you,” she answered sweetly.That was all Jake needed. His chest s