At the Lafayette Mansion, the family ate breakfast in burial silence. The Christmas tree was set up and decorated, but that didn't cheer up the family members.
“I don't know how I'm going to get through the holidays without my son.” Ingrid is sorry.
“Maybe he isn’t even thinking about us anymore, guys.” Nadia grumbles, “I had to hire Claudio to replace him.”
“Claudio?” Jacques is surprised, “Are we that close yet?”
Nadia blushes shyly, “No, Dad. We are just co-workers.”
“What about Rodrigo Mountain?” Ingrid seems not to have heard her daughter, “I liked him.”
“Why the past tense, Mom?” Nadia despairs, “I like him too, and I haven't discarded him as a friend.”
“We’re not speaking as a friend.” Ingrid smiles as she drinks her coffee with milk and mint, “We are talking about the man who wil

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Building My Life Chapter 2201 Forty Years!
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Building My Life Chapter 2202 Charity
Beto is surprised by Patrick’s decision. The tall, strong, and resolute boy no longer looked like that teenager in love with his ‘daughter’.“Pat, do you want to explain to me what’s going on?”“Mr. Reis, my father is being transferred to the Serra team.” Patrick informs him, “And with that, he will move there.”“Dr. Antenor went there too.” Beto mentions, “But what about you?”“I’ll turn 18. According to the contract you printed, I am entitled to own an apartment or studio apartment, correct?”“Very correct.” Beto blinks.“Therefore, I’ll continue to live here and work. I graduated from high school, remember that.”“Yes, I remember, congratulations.” Beto holds out his hand and Patrick shakes it awkwardly, “But won’t you be alone a lot in a two-bedroom apartment?”&ld
Building My Life Chapter 2203 Dangerous Trigger
After the meeting ended, Mayor Tobias approaches Josias.“Hey, hey, hey, buddy! Come here, there is something I want to discuss with you.”“I’m listening,” Josias replies between chuckles.“First, congratulations on forty years.” Tobias gently states, “Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as I thought.”“Thanks.” Josias laughs.“Secondly, speaking of homeless street children, I have another project that needs to be put into practice. We require another orphanage in the city. I was thinking of honoring it with... how about your best friend, the funny one?”Josias feels a lump in his throat, “Uélton Freire Orphanage?”“Yes, excellent!” Tobias nods, “This shelter would specialize in boys. According to research carried out by my advisors and the Housing Department, the majority of street children are boys.”
Building My Life Chapter 2204 Patrick Has Matured
Jacques and Ingrid are passing through the interior of the supermarket, talking about the meeting they had with the mayor.“My love, let’s help the homeless children of the city.” Jacques announces, “One of the orphanages needs food donations.”“And we have plenty of food and drink to donate, right?” Ingrid gestures to the crowded gondolas.“Yes, that way we feel good about being able to help others.” Jacques nods satisfied.“Let’s talk to Thierry then. He said he wants to take care of advertising and publicity, right?”“It’s his chance to sign a beauty from the modeling agency.” Jacques laughs, thinking of Nadia getting mad at the commercial.Thus, the father and mother move to the back of the supermarket. The loudspeaker plays the song “Hands Clean” by Alanis Morissette, encouraging shoppers to buy.But when Jacques and Ingrid pass
Building My Life Chapter 2205 Secret Agents in Josias’s Service
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Building My Life Chapter 2206 Confrontation in the Lobby
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Building My Life Chapter 2207 Peter also grew up
In the lobby of the Teodoro Building, Thierry realized that fourteen-year-old Pedro Chaves Reis is mature enough to have a heart-to-heart talk with him.“Pedro, I know you are nervous, but allow me to explain.”“No, I’m not nervous.” Pedro explains, “I’m disgusted, indignant, revolted, but nervous, not so much. Nervousness would mean punching you, but I don’t have enough muscle mass for that yet.”“Why do you think everything would be solved by punching me?” Thierry leans against the news bulletin board, “Punching me won’t bring Rosemary back.”“And you’re dying to get her back, correct?” Pedro pounces.“She never needed to leave here in the first place.” Thierry shakes his head, “How come the family didn’t convince her to stay? You guys talk so much about the mother who is in Victoria...”“She’d rat
Building My Life Chapter 2208 The Inspector
At the Mountain Penthouse, Daryl is nervous and embarrassed in front of the inspector who has come to ask some questions. She is in her forties, wears glasses, has her hair pulled back stiffly in an old-fashioned bun, and is dressed in sober clothes. A clipboard and red pen rested in her arms.She glanced at the living room clock and sighed. Avril Lavigne’s song “Complicated” didn’t cheer her up.“Mr. Mountain, we definitely got off on the wrong foot.” She mutters, “If Mrs. Mountain doesn’t have the proper commitment to receive me—”“Calm down, Mrs. Brito.” Daryl was buttoning a dress shirt as he was at the pool.Mrs. Brito pretended not to, but she checked Daryl’s physique as he wore his shirt and smiled out of the corner of her mouth.The bell rings and Daryl goes to answer it, tucking the bottom of his shirt into his dress pants.Opening the door, Diane gasps, &
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Chapter 3248 Go Date the Spanish Stallion
At the quiet, tree-lined Ibrahim Square, Sarah sat alone on a bench, her gaze resting on an issue of the Maggiezine. She flipped through the pages, but her mind was elsewhere — clearly disconnected from whatever her eyes were scanning.Lost in thought, she barely noticed Reynaldo approaching until his voice startled her back to the present.“Sarah, thank goodness you’re safe, sound... and still a virgin!”She nearly jumped off the bench, utterly horrified by his sudden arrival — and even more so by his tactless choice of words.“What is going on with this town?” she snapped. “Is there something in the water?”“I drink charcoal-filtered water,” Reynaldo replied matter-of-factly, as if that settled the issue.“Well, good for you.” Sarah crossed her arms. “Reynaldo, can you explain to me if you have something against J.J.?”He sat down beside her, his demeanor defensive yet trying to remain calm.“I have nothing against him,” he insisted. “I met J.J. recently — when he came back ‘from th
Chapter 3247 Understanding What's Going On
At the Vasconcelos Fabrics headquarters, J.J. remained seated at his desk, a faintly amused smirk displaying on his lips. Across from him stood Dylan, still in his police uniform, exuding the solemn demeanor of a man trying to sort through a delicate situation.“You’ve been reported for assault, J.J.,” Dylan announced, his tone neutral but firm.J.J. didn’t flinch. “So the wuss decided to file a complaint instead of retaliating like a real man,” he replied coolly, barely looking up from his desk.Dylan’s brow furrowed. “As an officer of the law, I’m not in the business of revenge or retaliation.” His mouth curved slightly, but there was no warmth in the smile. “But I do try to understand what’s going on. According to Reynaldo, you snapped when you saw him near Sarah Paes.”At that, J.J. finally lifted his gaze, his demeanor shifting from flippant to serious. “Since you’re following in your father’s footsteps, I assume you know who Sarah is.” He paused for effect, then added gravely, “
Chapter 3246 Courted by Every Man in Lagoon City
Brigitte and Theodore were chatting animatedly in the bustling corridors of Damascene Lawyers, sidestepping lawyers and clients moving briskly through the hall.“How are your studies going, Theodore?” Brigitte asked with a warm smile.“Excellent,” he replied. “Every now and then my dad hands me a case to look over.”“Must be nice, being the boss’s son,” she teased.Theodore chuckled heartily, clearly enjoying the perks of nepotism. But as they approached Brigitte’s office, their conversation came to an abrupt halt.“I’ve been waiting for you, you little fox!” came a sharp voice from down the hall.Brigitte froze, startled by the sight of Suzy standing at her office door, arms crossed and a glare cold enough to freeze hell over.******In the elegant living room of the Mountain Penthouse, Diane sat beside Felipe on the plush sofa, her demeanor gentle and maternal, despite the fact her son was a grown man. She looked at him with quiet concern.“Are you really sure about ending the relat
Chapter 3245 The Kiss of the One We Love
That afternoon, the living room of the Mountain Penthouse was tense and electric. Diane stepped in, only to find her son Felipe in the middle of a heated argument with Jake Cogo. Her expression immediately twisted into one of displeasure.“Hey, what’s going on here?” she asked sharply. “Mr. Cogo, my son needs to rest.”Jake didn’t flinch. “I can see that, Mrs. Mountain. But this is urgent.”Placing her purse on the sideboard, Diane raised an eyebrow. “And what’s so important that it needs to be discussed right now?”Jake turned to her. “Felipe says he wants to break up with my sister. I have to be involved in this.”A sly, almost mischievous smile tugged at Diane’s lips. “And where is Suzy, by the way?”Jake flinched, suddenly sheepish. “Er... she went to look for investors at—”“I don’t give a damn!” Diane exploded. “Mr. Cogo—”“Jake,” he corrected quickly.“‘Jake,’ I’m deeply disappointed in the way Suzy handled this whole situation. I was supporting her as my future daughter-in-law
Chapter 3244 Taken by the CEO’s Son
In the elegant living room of the Mountain Penthouse, Mary gently rocked baby Anthony in her arms. The soft rhythm of her lullaby filled the space — until the sound of the doorbell cut through the quiet.“That’s odd,” Mary murmured, her brow furrowing. “No one called from the front desk...” She approached the door cautiously and asked, “Who is it?”A voice responded from the other side. “Jake Cogo!”Mary raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Hold on a second!”Just then, Felipe emerged slowly, dressed in a white robe, walking with measured steps — the toll of his recent hospital stay still evident in his posture.“Who is it, Mary?” he asked.“Jake Cogo,” she answered, puzzled. “Cousin, weren’t you dating his sister?”Felipe grimaced, visibly annoyed by the mention.“Mary, I’m not dating Jake,” he clarified. “You better take our little cousin to his crib.”Mary gave a small smile. “Oh, Anthony’s already asleep. My lullaby must’ve been either very soothing or incredibly boring.”Felipe chuckle
Chapter 3243 Nobody’s Calling the Cops
At Café Montanha, Rodrigo returned from the supermarket and took a long, satisfied look around his bustling business. Customers chatted over coffee and snacks, while Neilton and the other waiters moved about swiftly and professionally, serving with ease.“Hey, Rod! What’s up?” Neilton called out with a grin.Rodrigo replied, “Neil, sometimes I envy you for not having a mountain of problems.”Laughing, Neilton shot back, “And I envy you for having a big, noisy family.”Rodrigo paused, swallowing hard. “I’m sorry.”“Nah, I’m just joking — well, maybe not. I do wish I had at least a younger brother.”Rodrigo chuckled lightly. “Whenever I need to, I talk to Veronica over video call. Anyway, I meant the problems at the supermarket.”They made their way to the counter.“Still that issue with the truck from Bezerra Farm?” Neilton asked.“That’s resolved. But now we know why it happened.” Rodrigo lowered his voice, glancing around. “Be careful with the Borges brothers. They’re not who we thou
Chapter 3242 Not Such a Cordial Neighbor
At the Vaztrans office, Suzy walked in expecting to find Sofia at her desk. Instead, she was surprised to see Alan there alone.She had no idea she was about to be handled like livestock on its way to the slaughterhouse.“Alan, what a surprise. What are you doing here? Where’s Sofia?” she asked.Alan leaned back with a hint of irony in his tone. “Which of those two questions should I answer?”Suzy paused, confused by the odd remark.“We need to talk, Suzy,” he continued, pushing a check across the desk.Suzy’s breath caught as she picked it up and read the staggering amount.“This check...?” she whispered.“It’s the amount you invested in Vaztrans, plus ten percent in compensation, as outlined in your contract,” Alan explained coolly.“You’re... returning my investment?” she asked, her voice tight.“Exactly. We no longer require your partnership, Miss Cogo.”Suzy’s eyes narrowed. “May I ask what this is about?”“It’s simple,” Alan said, calm but firm. “My wife believes you’re not cont
Chapter 3241 The Mountain Family Has Lost Its Relevance
In the Vaztrans offices, William extended a freshly written check to Sofia. Standing nearby, Alan wore a solemn expression, watching the transaction with quiet attention.“Here you go, my dear partner,” William said with finality. “This is our salvation.”Sofia took the check and her eyes widened with disbelief. “The bank’s never going to cash this much for Suzy,” she muttered.William shrugged indifferently. “Then they’ll figure out another way to get the money back to her.”Alan leaned forward, trying to get a better look at the amount. “My dad’s being pretty generous, huh?”“Thank God,” Sofia said. A relieved smile crept onto her face. “Any doubts I had about being accepted into this family are gone.” She brightened, holding the check delicately. “I’m even going to text Caroline. What do you think, honey?”Alan chuckled and leaned over, placing a gentle kiss on the crown of her head. “She’ll love that.”Still serious, William interjected, “So, who’s going to break the news?”Alan’s
Chapter 3240 You Keep the Cycle of Hate Spinning
At the Lafayette Mansion, in the elegantly furnished living room, Thierry was seething with fury. The revelation that criminals had used his supermarket as a stage for their schemes infuriated him.“How dare those idiots?” he barked. “And what about Leonardo? Isn’t he the top lawyer at Damascene Lawyers?”J.J. answered with a grim tone. “Apparently being a lawyer for the most prestigious firm in Lagoon City has become some sort of cover for him.”Rodrigo, firm and resolute, added, “Well, then we’ll have to tear that cover off. Brigitte and Little Theo can’t have their reputations stained.”“And let’s not forget,” J.J. continued, “my father is a client of that firm. He knows Miguel Damascene personally — he’s the current owner.”Thierry clenched his jaw. “And there’s more. My wife is Little Theo’s sister—”
