Sheila entered Matthew's suite and found him sitting on the couch, working on his tablet with various documents next to him.His expression indicated that something didn't go as he expected."Good morning, son. Where is Patty? I didn't see her at the breakfast table." Sheila risked asking, fearing to distract her son.Matthew looked up at his mother, responding normally, "Mom, all good things must come to an end. Patty packed her bags and left.""WHAT?" Sheila reacted horrified, closing the door."That's right. Now I need to work. I have an online education app to manage and a commercial empire to inherit," Matthew replied coldly.Sheila, however, sat in his gaming chair. "Son, let's talk normally. I feel like you aren't okay."Matthew smiled wryly, "Why do mothers do this? They always want to pull out what's in our hearts.""And you're complaining about it?" Sheila asked feeling offended, "If I don't do this, I wouldn't be your mother. In fact, I feel like I have been neglecting you
Matthew entered Abner's office at Sterling University.Meirelles rushed to greet him. "Good morning, Young Matthew! Your grandfather is here today.""Yes, I know. I didn't find him at home." Matthew smiled slightly."You can go in, he'll see you. And how's the graduation speech coming along? I'm looking forward to your oratory, huh?" Meirelles patted Matthew's left shoulder before leaving.Matthew didn't respond, choosing to go straight to his grandfather's desk.Abner was working on the computer, checking some information about the university."Good morning, grandpa.""Good morning, my grandson. I'm checking the scores of those who took the entrance exam for the next period. We had some geniuses who got almost all the questions right and wrote great essays."Matthew noticed Abner staring at the monitor as if avoiding eye contact.He remembered Patricia complaining about the same thing: everyone avoiding the inevitable truth."You don't need to worry about me anymore, grandpa. I talke
"Sheila, screaming and making threats won't help our company situation," Abner comments patiently, "And don't come with that 'the company doesn't matter' talk. It's thanks to the Sterling Empire that you have a life of luxury, after marrying my son.""I don't want the company to go bankrupt," Sheila explains, "Having my son as the heir is a dream of mine. He deserves it and will lead the conglomerate to success, following in his father's footsteps. But... Did he have to sacrifice his love life for that?""No one predicted that a mess like the one that occurred at the charity auction would change everything," Abner simply answers."Is that all you have to tell me? How could you do this to your grandson, Abner?" Sheila is outraged."I didn't put that fake painting there for Patty to choose it!" Abner becomes impatient."No, but everyone is condemning Patty as if she did it on purpose to ruin our reputation!" Sheila asserts, "She didn't do it out of malice. She's inexperienced and learni
Abner is temporarily moved by Nathan's declaration that he is ready to lead the Sterling Empire.Relaxed comfortably in his chair, he comments, "Nate, you are my grandson, and I appreciate the years of dedication you have shown in the conglomerate, especially at the Golden Letters.""Thank you, Grandpa." Nathan begins to feel hopeful."But it was precisely your hope of being the heir that ruined everything." Abner continued, "You became arrogant, tyrannical, irresponsible, letting tasks pile up, among other things. I don't forget that cultural festival where Matthew resolved all the issues while you slept until noon because you stayed up all night partying and degrading girls.""That Nate is who learned the lesson, Grandpa." Nathan doesn't sell himself short, "I've changed. That irresponsible Nate would never help his father advance his career. I helped him from the beginning, creating the account, recording the Lives, managing the comments...""I imagine, it must have been a lot of w
At Sterling University, Meirelles was about to enter Abner's office when he heard his and Nathan's voices."They're still talking? I thought Abner was going to lunch. That's strange..."Meirelles was about to open the door, but Nathan's next sentence stopped him."Did Matthew actually break up with Patricia Borges? Wow! That's..."Inside, Abner nodded, "I know, it seems incredible. But your cousin made a difficult decision. In the business world, we sometimes face these dilemmas. We have to adjust our priorities.""I have adjusted mine, Grandpa." Nathan makes the scout's gesture with the correct hand.Abner smiles slightly. "No girls, no promiscuity, no drugs or rock 'n' roll?""Nope. My hobbies now are jogging on the beach sand and skinny-dipping when no one is around. Although there have been a few times when someone accidentally saw me—""OK, Nate, you don't need to give me a report of your activities." Abner stands up, "I haven't read any gossip about you in the tabloids. As they
Matthew didn't want to give Ronaldo the pleasure of mocking him.So what if Patricia came looking for Ronaldo?She came to him as a friend, not to rekindle that fake relationship!Smiling confidently, Matthew replied, "No, Ron. You can relax, I won't be jealous. I set Patricia free, so she can be with whoever she pleases.""Remember, you're the one saying that!" Ronaldo raised his index finger."Do you really intend to get back together with her?" Matthew was surprised, trying not to laugh."Get back together with what? If Patty wants to be my woman, we'll have a legitimate relationship!" Ronaldo asserted. "What we had after your party was something fraudulent, something planned by her just to get you to stop being foolish and pay attention to her."Matthew's smile faded. "I'll ignore the part about 'stop being foolish.' I loved Cindy Cardoso.""And you'd be married to her today if it weren't for Patty plotting all of that!" Ronaldo smirked, "Anyway, Matt, if you didn't come to talk a
Nathan returns to the beach house, vibrant with the conversation he had with Abner.Andreia was waiting for him in the living room. "Son, we need to talk.""Mom, you must set up my office and desk!" Nathan exclaims, hugging his mother tightly."Are you crazy, kid? What are you talking about?""I'm talking about the job you're going to give me at Urbano magazine!" Nathan lets go of the hug, with a bright smile.Andreia, however, remains serious."Mom, you're not going to be happy about my accomplishment?""What accomplishment?" Andreia asks disdainfully, "You achieved a suspicious feat, using emotional blackmail. You saw that Matt was at a disadvantage and took advantage to paint yourself as a good guy to your grandfather! Am I right or am I right?"Nathan loses some of his joy. "OK, I see we won't have champagne and caviar for dinner. Where's Dad?""He's swimming in the sea," Andreia responds curtly, sitting on the couch.Beside her, Cindy's resume was with some pages outside.Andreia
The next day, the news of Matthew and Patricia's breakup was published in Marilza Peres' column.Blue Cove was in extreme shock with the dissolution of the power couple.What's happening in this world? Can't anyone have a lasting relationship anymore?Patricia was sitting on her bed reading the article written by Marilza in a neutral and sensible way on her phone.Vanda entered, concerned. "Good morning, dear. Oh, you're reading...""Yes, Mom, I'm reading." Patricia puts her phone on her lap, "How has your day been?""My day has been great." Vanda smiles cautiously, "Actually, it's been so great that I'm almost afraid of being too happy and offending you."Patricia smiles comfortingly. "No, I don't want the people around me to be miserable. Actually, some good news would do me good right now."Vanda sits next to her daughter, "Well then: I'll have a new book signing session! My book is doing positively well!""Mom, aren't people buying the online version?" Patricia is surprised."Yes,