Outside Sweet Aroma, Mark stood with his phone in hand, scanning the street as he waited for Mr. Fagundes. Passersby glanced curiously at him, wondering if he intended to enter or merely loiter at the entrance.“Good morning, Linda,” he said into the phone.Inside the operations center, Linda was already at her station, surrounded by subordinates hunched over their desks and cubicles.“Good morning, Lord Ferro,” she replied smoothly. “Any orders?”“How are things at Chrisostomos Construtores?”A light laugh escaped her. “They’re all pressing Fagundes, eager for him to deliver the perfect design for your baby’s room.”“As one of my companies, I expect only the best,” Mark said firmly. “And I know Fagundes won’t disappoint me.”“On behalf of all of us, allow me to extend our congratulations and best wishes to Lady Ferro.”“We accept them,” he answered coolly. “Now, some guidance.”“I’m listening.”“If anyone from Rocha Constructions calls about Katrina’s request for a design, they may s

Moments later, the two men were on their way to Briana’s office.Yet in the corridors of Glamour they encountered Mary Ellen, sweeping what looked like a DUNE of confetti and shredded paper into a growing pile.From behind the editorial department came the scrape of chairs and the dragging of desks, signs of order being restored after chaos.“Very well, everyone, the party’s over!” Efraim’s voice carried out.Mark stopped short. “Mary Ellen, what on earth happened here?”Still flushed with excitement, she beamed. “Good morning, Mark! We had a little celebration for the cleansing of Glamour.”Mark rolled his eyes, putting two and two together: Celia’s dismissal.“For God’s sake, how you people hate that woman,” he muttered. “I know her departure was a relief, but this is excessive.”Mary Ellen’s smile faded. “Would you believe s

Celia walked briskly through the corridors of Vasconcelos Company, a folder of documents in her hands, though her true purpose was far less professional.The papers were merely a prop, a pretense that allowed her to move freely while her sharp eyes scanned every attractive man in sight, committing each specimen to memory for later indulgence in some secluded corner of the building.Her pace slowed as she approached a cluster of janitors — robust, virile men whose sheer physicality seemed designed to tempt her.They could move heavy bins with effortless strength, their muscles straining beneath the fabric of their uniforms.Celia’s gaze lingered like a predator assessing its prey.One of them caught her staring and winked boldly. His aviator-style jumpsuit hung loose, the zipper tugged halfway down to reveal a hairy chest and the wide, taut expanse of his torso.It took every ounce of her willpower to keep walking, her thoughts sp

It was a quiet Sunday morning at the Ferro House.Briana sat on the balcony’s chaise lounge, the glow of her tablet reflecting in her eyes as she skimmed through the morning’s headlines.To her surprise, the Sterling University graduation had managed to secure prominent coverage.Not that commencement ceremonies were usually front-page news, but this one had earned attention because of Christopher’s presence.On the screen, a photograph captured him mid-gesture, waving toward his family. The journalists, oblivious, had misinterpreted the moment, writing as though the wave had been directed at their cameras.Further down the article, however, the tone turned sharper: paragraphs dissected Katrina’s scandalous display, describing in detail how she had leapt to her feet, clapping so loudly and so long that she had obstructed the view of those behind her.Briana’s lips curled into a wicked smile. She was hardly surpr

In the vast vestibule of the Vasconcelos Mansion, the family assembled with expectation. Sandro, now properly dressed, descended the staircase beside Nadir, only to find that the rest of the family had already gathered, their impatience barely hidden as they awaited Christopher’s return.Claudia, ever keen on her little performances, cast a mocking smile at Nadir and slipped her arm possessively around Gilson’s waist.He, delighted, responded in kind, pulling his wife close.Nadir merely shook her head, unimpressed, wondering why Claudia insisted on flaunting such gestures as though they might provoke jealousy.‘As if that could unsettle me,’ she thought, scoffing inwardly. ‘I have my husband and a lover, when time allows. Poor fool, she doesn’t even realize it!’Althea, matriarchal and serene, remained detached from the silent duel between her daughters-in-law. Her eyes stayed fixed on the entrance, as though her anticipation for her grandson’s return eclipsed all else.“Another gran