At Rocha Hotel, guests gradually returned to eating in the restaurant. Some guests were still wary and ordered room service.Benjamin was calm preparing lobster with caper sauce. Jane enters the busy kitchen talking to Octavio.“There is our sous chef, dear, working as if nothing had happened.”“But it happened, and I came to talk to you about it.” Octavio states seriously, “I haven’t told you yet, but William and I are following a lead.”“How interesting.” Jane smiles at her hubby.“We strongly suspect that Daryl has messed up yet again.” Octavio completes the news.Jane is perplexed, “Huh? Honey, the police ruled out—”“That’s the big problem: the police don’t want to see the obvious.”“Maybe the police don’t want to make Daryl think he’s being watched so he can continue to act and make a mistake in the future.” Jane tries to be optimistic.“That makes sense, but I can’t sit still, no matter how much Josias wants to.” Octavio sighs, “And there’s more: Diane is also suspecting that h
At Crystal Blue, Diane was serving customers who were getting off work to relax. The waiters who would work the night shift were arriving.Felipe and Daryl, tired from the morning’s journey, approach the counter, simulating yawns.“Jeez!” Diane laughs as she mixes martinis, “Was the drudgery so horrible today?”“Not so much, but the fact that we’ll have to live with Shirley when we return home hurts my soul,” Felipe grumbles.“She’s your grandmother, son.” Daryl drinks the drink.“Calm down people. With strength and resignation, we’ll overcome this.”Ulysses appears and smiles when he sees the family together, “Here you are. I needed to make an announcement! Diane, can you serve me the same thing?”Diane serves the drink silently and somberly, still upset about knowing that Ulysses was the mastermind behind the explosion at the Rocha Hotel.Ulysses notices Diane’s detachment, but decides to accept the drink and deliver the news, “I found an apartment for your mother, Daryl. She can mo
The next day, the news had already spread throughout the media.Amoreira took advantage of the great distraction to continue working on the case of the Rocha Hotel explosion in secret. Vernon and João Paulo were too busy trying to cover Shirley’s suicide.However, the Mountain family was in a dilemma...Maggie was in her bathrobe in her apartment, in the living room, listening to the song “Sere Nere”, by Tiziano Ferro. A cup of steaming coffee was in her hands. Maggie was thinking about the events.Anyone who expected her to shed false tears of grief was wrong.Bernardo approaches her, already wearing a suit and black tie, “Hello, dear. Did you sleep well?”“Would it be cruel if I told you that I have never slept so well since the first day my mother accused me of being a whore?”Bernardo sits next to her, “People will be surprised if you don’t shed at least a few tears, dear.”Maggie sighs, “Anyone who knows me will find it strange otherwise. I’ll even be accused of hypocrisy, of act
At Isabel’s house, Flávia prepared a cornmeal cake quickly and simply. Isabel brewed the coffee.“Sounds like a nightmare, girl.” Isabel comments, “Tragedy always follows the Mountain family, especially on Daryl’s side.”“Meanwhile, you are increasingly happy with Francisco.” Flávia smiles at her.“That is true.” Isabel continues to smile.“I think the cake is ready.” Flávia checks the oven and turns it off.“I’m going to take the thermos. It seems like I’m hearing voices...” Isabel strains her ears, but doesn’t recognize the voice of the man who arrived.She takes the thermos to the living room. The radio is playing “Photograph” by Nickelback.Kelvin is the person talking to Francisco and Reuben.“My nephew, thank you for coming.” Francisco hugs Kelvin, “I’m so sorry.”“Thanks, Uncle Frank. Hello, Reuben. Wow, you look big!” Kelvin greets Reuben while still hugging his uncle.“It’s the gym at Rocha Mansion,” Reuben responds without realizing he quoted Josias.The hug is broken.“Kelv
At Café Montanha, Thierry leaves the men’s bathroom and comes across Neilton.“Mr. Lafayette? Can I have a word with you?”“Yes, you can, young man. What’s your name?” Thierry is curious.“My name is Neilton, but everyone calls me Neil. I wanted to show you something that can’t be done in public. It’s a very embarrassing picture, but it has to do with the late Mrs. Mountain.”Thierry looks back, “Look, it’s going to be weird two males in the bathroom, but if you want...”“There’s no better place, unfortunately.” Neilton also thought about how strange it would be, but the moment was urgent.Then the two men enter and close the door.Inside, Neilton takes the photo he carries with him from his jeans pocket.Thierry unfolds the photo and gets horrified, “Hey, is this...?”“It’s Shirley Mountain, the woman who racially abused me, thinking I was an ex-felon working on parole just because of my skin,” Neilton answers spitefully, “There she is, screaming in pain and pleasure, while another g
Josias is in his office at Rocha Mansion watching the news online. Shirley’s death has been the biggest sensation.“What a waste of life.” He shakes his head, “This woman came here to cause trouble and decided to end her life in a horrifying way.”Melissa enters the office, “Honey, Maggie informed me that Kelvin came. I sent the twins to see their father.”Josias smiles at her, “That’s good, sweetheart. They need to see their father.”“It’s a shame that they see their father in such a horrendous situation.” Melissa sighs.“Honey, since Shirley was your mother-in-law, you might want to show up at the funeral,” Josias speaks kindly.Melissa, however, refuses, “No, honey. I don’t want to cause discomfort. Daryl could cause a scandal.”“Why would Daryl make a fuss? Maybe he’ll accuse you of something if you DON’T show up.”“I don’t know yet. I’d rather stay here.” Melissa is insecure.Josias stands up and hugs her, “Calm down, my dear. You’re the Lady of Lagoon City, remember that.”Melis
Ulysses narrows his gaze as if he’s trying to read Melissa’s mind. But if he did, he wouldn’t read much. Melissa is just worried about the kids and the occasion.Melissa smiles when she sees her children and bends down to hug them, “Children, keep your voices down, we’re at a wake.”“Mom, did you also come to say goodbye to grandma?” Ignacio asks, “She never gave us gifts, right?”“Don’t worry, kids. Mom will buy some toys for you both when we go home.” Melissa straightens up, “Let’s sit over there.”“Daddy is coming.” Mary waves at him.Melissa turns to her ex-husband and is surprised to see him smiling. What?“Melissa, how have you been? Thanks for stopping by.”“I didn’t know if I would come.” Melissa admits, “Josias and my children convey their condolences.”“Thank you. How is Caroline? Is she really involved with Reuben Freire?” Kelvin asks, forgetting that he is no longer married to Melissa.“She’s fine. Strangely, I haven’t heard any requests for a date from Reuben, but they be
Melissa still didn’t know about the existence of another one of Kelvin’s uncles, “Are you one of Daryl’s relatives who lives in Linhares, on Shirley’s side?”“I am her brother-in-law. Her younger sister is my wife.” Ulysses responds charismatically.“And how is she?” Melissa asks worriedly, “I heard that she was present at the time of the accident and is hospitalized.”“Accident?” Ulysses chuckles, “Nothing like that happened, Mrs. Rocha. Shirley was depressed because everyone despised her and she committed suicide. No one can handle so much contempt in this life.”Melissa is startled. Is it serious that this old man is going to pull this theory out of his sleeve? “Mr. Cardozo, I hope I’m not rude, but Shirley Mountain wasn’t exactly the easiest person to get along with. Are you okay with her spending decades calling her daughter a whore?”Ulysses swallows hard, “OK, you have a point. But Maggie could have tried to resolve the situation, instead of growing further apart. When she retu