Without realizing it, Cláudio is spreading his problems to everyone involved with Josias and Katherine. Diane is at her apartment talking about this with Daryl while serving breakfast.“Yesterday some poor fellow came in claiming to have been fired from a family of snobs in Sunset Village. He downed eight shots of Negroni and staggered out of the Crystal Blue.”Daryl shakes his head dismissively, “Instead of the guy looking for another job, he wastes time getting drunk. That's why he can't get a job! But it’s always the boss’s fault.”Diane pushes the plate of toast towards him, “Eat well, my love. I have noticed that you’re not eating right. The frantic activity of the restaurant shouldn’t distract you from your health.”“It's not Crystal Blue's frenzied activity that has taken away my appetite, dear.” Daryl takes a deep breath to admit, “It's that subject that's still eating away at me. At that point, Octavio Motta told everyone at Rocha Constructions that I was a soap opera villain
Diane visits Marçal Publishing to have a conversation with her sister-in-law Maggie.The two enter the office of the editor-in-chief of Maggiezine, “Diane, I can see you down. Is Daryl giving you a hard time?”Diane sighs, “Oh, oh... we have tough ones, but they aren't caused by your brother.”“Sit down. In this busy life of ours, we haven't had time to sit back, relax and talk.” Maggie does the same.Diane sits down and starts venting, “Daryl still hasn't forgotten what happened before Veronica's wedding.”Maggie reacts by having a mental snap, “Hmm... I wanted to know that too. Is it true that I was almost barred from the wedding without knowing it? Even though I was a prearranged bridesmaid?”Diane gestures, “You weren't technically barred. It was Mr. Motta who decided to disinvite Daryl because he appeared at Rocha Constructions to talk about Josias's son. The rumor that turned out to be false.”“Fortunately. Alan Campos Rocha is the most prepared son to take over the company when
Josias and Katherine talk in her office. Katherine is tense, thinking she will be unmasked.But Josias reassures her, “Kate, I told Alfred I would never blame you if you were the victim of sexual harassment. By the way, that's why you fired Cláudio Guzman, right?”Katherine's eyes widen, lost in thought, “Darling... Do you know that I fired Claudio?”Josias's eyes widen, “You don't need to pronounce the scoundrel's first name, dear. It sounds like you're defending him. Shouldn't we take the opportunity to call the police?”“NO!” Katherine steps forward and places both hands on the phone to prevent Josias from touching the device, “No need, dear. I... I don't want—”“You don't want a harasser to pay for what he did?” Josias angrily asks, “Remember that the same instructor was misguiding young girls on the beach at Sunset Village, taking them to secluded corners to pervert them. Can you imagine them screaming and crying as he banged them mercilessly?”Katherine imagined HERSELF under Cl
1999Citizens of Lagoon City were clustered along the highway that connects Sunset Village to the rest of the city. Mayor Tobias had a microphone speaking to the listeners.“Therefore, dear citizens, it is with great pride that I present to you our highway renamed Carlos Campos Highway!”Everyone applauds effusively. Fireworks are set off to increase the joy and scare children and animals.Amid the euphoric crowd, the Campos family is grateful for the tribute.Tobias decided to do this favor to his friend Josias, “What's up, buddy?”“Thank you very much, Tobias. And I believe the Campos family members are equally grateful.”Melissa approaches them with tears in her eyes, “Mayor Tobias, thank you for honoring my grandfather.”“You're welcome, Mrs. Mountain. You deserve to be recorded in Lagoon City history.”Simeon steps forward, “Does that mean when it's my turn, I get my name on one of the streets in Sunset Village?”Melissa pats her father's arm, “Don't play with something like that
In the Mountain Penthouse, the family was having fun in the outdoor area on the second floor. Caroline is showing everyone how her swimming skill has improved thanks to the instructor. A portable radio is playing “Every Morning” by Sugar Ray.Kelvin appears shirtless and in swimming trunks, a platter of grilled meats in hand, “The food is here, everyone!”Maggie stands up, “Hmm... I'm hungry and that sausage looks appetizing.”“Careful, little sis, don’t ruin your Miss body.” Kelvin jokes.“Oh, I’m thirty and I’m already a mother.” Maggie giggles as she chooses what to eat with a small plastic plate, “I can eat more than just lettuce.”Bernardo nods while lying on a deckchair, “Supported, darling!”Daryl, wearing sunglasses, keeps looking up the stairs, “What happened to Melissa?”“She said she got a call from Josias and is talking in the office,” Kelvin responds calmly, placing the platter on a white table.Daryl walks over to help himself, “Little brother, that picture taken by Vern
Francisco has finished swimming and has now brought Isabel a small plastic plate of food.“Thank you, my darling. Want to eat some? After all, you must have expended a lot of energy on that swim.” Isabel comments casually, or not.Francisco takes a deep breath, “If I'm still in one piece, it's because of this. We should take advantage of that we still have some vigor left before things like arthritis finish us off.”Isabel nods, “Absolutely. I, as a writer, must guard against RSI.” She gently waves one hand before stabbing her fork into the piece of chicken.When chewing the piece, she chooses another and points to Francisco. Francisco smiles when he gets the piece in his mouth and eats it, smiling affectionately at his girlfriend.Caroline is happy for the couple and whispers to Reuben, “I hope we'll be like this when we're old. Nothing and no one will separate us.”“For sure.” Reuben blinks.Melissa goes up to the outside area with a broken face. She is even more distressed when she
Hours passed, and Daryl took matters into his own hands as the patriarch of the Mountain family.The adults are gathered in Melissa's office. Daryl wore a T-shirt, and the women wore Bermuda shorts over their bikinis, but Kelvin is still shirtless in his trunks.Daryl determines, “After all the information Josias has given Melissa, we need to look for another swim instructor. Caroline has been voted 'the Princess of Lagoon City' by our fans, and if anything happens to her, the public will blame US instead of the rapist.”“How is that possible, dear?” Diane asks wide-eyed.“People will ask why we didn't realize this sooner.” Daryl responds in a serious tone, “They expect us to protect the kids from everything.”Melissa keeps pensive, without giving an opinion.Diane adds, “Maybe that's why he didn't want to name names when he met me.”Someone knocks on the door. Francisco sees who it is, it's Rodrigo.“Father, I’m here. What happened?” Rodrigo is amazed to see the family together.“Com
The next day, Tiago met Melissa at Café Montanha. They sat at a table in the far corner, afraid someone would see them.“Melissa, it’s a pleasure to serve my master's ex-wife.” Tiago greets her, “Rest assured that your request will be granted.”“Remember: I want to know everything about Cláudio Guzman, but the truth!” Melissa holds up her index finger, “Dismiss the gossip and rumors. Someone is about to be accused of being a rapist, and for that, we need solid arguments.”Tiago listens attentively to Melissa, “Of course, Melissa. A false accusation could ruin the swim instructor's life. Now, I would like to know what you think of this.”Melissa hardens her gaze, “Tiago, you will be shocked by what I say. But I don't think there was any harassment. If there was any sexual interaction, it wasn’t forced.”Tiago gets enraged, “Do you mean that Katherine Bezerra adulterated and betrayed my master?”Melissa gasps and gestures, “I wouldn't go that far, but after I heard Rodrigo's story... He