Zilda serves Germano’s breakfast with a crash, banging the platters of pancakes and butter, nearly breaking the bottom of the thermos on the table. Germano jumps. “HEY, you’re going to break the thermos!” “Maybe it would be better for you to drink coffee with glass as a lesson!” Zilda exclaims indignantly. “Why are you doing this? What happened now?” Germano crosses his arms. “Did the realization that Cindy needs to change her life finally dawn on you?” Zilda drags the chair noisily to sit at the other end of the table, always far from her husband. “I can’t believe you had the audacity to answer on behalf of your daughter to Mrs. Gouveia!” Zilda huffed while serving herself. “I needed to say something, right?” Germano shrugs. “After all, she is our daughter’s boss. Cindy could lose her job for abandonment. By the way, we should have gone after her, not Mrs. Gouveia coming here so early.” “Oh dear, sometimes you say the most ridiculous things...” Zilda shakes her head, refusing

At the Borges house, Jackson is furious at the prospect of Germano ending his relationship with Cindy for revealing the truth about the agreement they made. He exclaims, “Zilda, this can’t happen! If Cindy finds out that what happened to her was covered up, she’s going to blow it up for everyone! Your husband might even want to talk about it on his channel! Matt ordered secrecy and silence. He won’t tolerate this!” Zilda responds anxiously, “I know, Jackson, I KNOW! I’ve been telling that man constantly! But he doesn’t listen! He just wants revenge on you because he still sees Cindy as his pure, virtuous princess!” Vanda looks at Hélio pleadingly, understanding the implications of this mess. “I... When Cindy is feeling better, let me know!” Jackson asks. “OK, in the meantime I’ll keep trying.” Zilda ends the call. Vanda finally speaks up, “Hélio, are you listening? I saw you smile when Zilda said Germano tried to tell the truth.” Patricia echoes the outcry, “Dad, if everyone fi

The building of Golden Letters was packed with people coming in, as it was time for it. A line was forming for employees to clock in. Ronaldo entered, dressed formally, heading straight for the information desk where Nayla was already working. “Excuse me, miss. Has Lawrence Vieira arrived yet?” Nayla slyly smiles, drooling over the visitor. “Ron Silva? Patty Borges is a lucky girl. How does she get the hottest guys in town?” Ronaldo feels embarrassed. “Uh… I don’t know how to respond to that. Mr. Vieira…?” Nayla remembers she is just the receptionist and starts typing on the computer. “He’s already gone upstairs. Mrs. Sterling also arrived early.” Trying to understand why the hell Nayla mentioned Elaine, Ronaldo heads to Karl’s office, using the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. Upon arrival, he opens the door and finds Karl adjusting the air conditioning. “Mr. Silva! You arrived early today, huh?” Karl grins widely. “Mr. Vieira,” Ronaldo slams the door shut, “Befor

Patricia closes the door of Karl’s office and approaches the two gentlemen. “Can someone please explain to me what’s going on?” “Patty, calm down.” Ronaldo pleads. “My love, we talked about this.” Patricia frowns. “You said it didn’t matter, that I wasn’t to blame for anything.” “You’re not to blame for anything.” Ronaldo insists, pointing at the PR. “I just want to understand his version. What did he gain from convincing you to go to Matt and Elaine’s wedding in beige?” Karl clears his throat. “Guys, I just wanted to help Patricia boost her spirits.” Ronaldo turns to him skeptically. “Is that so? You’re new in town, probably didn’t know that Patty and Matthew had a... let’s say a turbulent relationship, not that it was entirely bad.” Karl nodded, but inside he was in a dilemma. How could he tell Ronaldo that he did this on purpose because he wants Matthew marrying Patricia? He tries to speak without committing, “Mr. Silva, you said I’m new in town, but I’m not clueless about

Bryce asked Jackson if dating Cindy is really worth it.“Man, what are you even talking about?” Jackson responds passionately. “Without Cindy, I’m nothing!”Bryce presses on. “Why doesn’t your future father-in-law want you as a son-in-law anymore?”Jackson coughs awkwardly before admitting, “Alright, fine. Cindy and I have a pretty fiery, almost insatiable romantic relationship.”Bryce covers his mouth with both hands, stifling a laugh, which only annoys Jackson more. “You seriously overdid it with Cindy doing... ‘That’?” Bryce teases.“That’s up for debate,” Jackson says defensively.Bryce shakes his head. “Dude, no one can hang out on the playground all the time.”Jackson, undeterred, explains, “When I’m with Cindy, I lose track of time. And why is Germano acting like she’s some damsel in distress? We’re talking about Cindy, the same girl who used to juggle two boyfriends at once — one official, the other on standby. With me, she didn’t need a backup.”Bryce laughs, “Has she finally