The night air was thick with anticipation as Elaine and Nathan stepped out near the entrance of the Happy Snack Bar. Nathan's curiosity was almost suffocating, hooked by the topic Elaine had just introduced.“Here is fine,” he pressed, unable to contain his eagerness. “Come on, just say it already.”Elaine hesitated. “Nate, first of all, I want to warn you that I’m not making any of this up.”Nathan crossed his arms, his impatience growing. “I’ll be the judge of that.”“It’s not like that!” Elaine insisted. “I’m telling you the truth—something Matt is hiding from you.”Nathan scoffed. “Why would Matt hide something so horrible from me, according to your expression?”Elaine turned slightly green, recalling the cruel truth with evident disgust.She shook her head. “It’s just... it’s really something disgusting. It’s about that girl you dated for a few months, Bella Alvares.”Nathan stiffened, leaning forward. There was no doubt in his mind now — Elaine wasn’t making this up.“You... you

Liz stood in the living room of the Silva Penthouse, eyeing Fernando suspiciously as he lingered behind the couch.“What are you doing back there?” she demanded.“Nothing!” Fernando replied, a little too quickly.Liz narrowed her eyes. “Can’t you even hear Patricia the Slut’s name without feeling that hard thing down there?”Her shrill, unpleasant voice cut through Fernando’s arousal like a knife. He sighed, straightening himself and stepping out from his hiding spot, now more composed.“You’re the one with a dirty mind,” he said cynically.“Oh really? And you’re going to let our innocent son meet Patricia the Slut behind the chestnut trees at the beach?”“They’re not going to the chestnut trees! They’re going to the Happy Snack Bar!” Fernando shot back.Liz scoffed. “Which is near the chestnut trees—” she stopped mid-sentence, her face contorting in frustration. “ARGH! You’re probably going with them to have a threesome!”Fernando’s temper flared, and he raised his hand as if to stri

The sun rose over Blue Cove City, casting a golden glow over the skyline. The peaceful morning was soon disrupted by the shrill ringing of a cellphone alarm inside Matthew’s suite at the Sterling Mansion.Elaine stirred in bed, groaning in frustration. She had wanted to sleep in but had forgotten to turn off the alarm. As she stretched her arm to reach for the phone, an excruciating pain shot through her body, making her wince.“Argh... Matt, did you have to be so brutal and fierce last night?” she muttered, her voice laced with exhaustion.The cellphone continued its relentless ringing.Gritting her teeth, Elaine forced herself to move, letting out soft whimpers of pain. Every inch of her body ached, as if she had been run over by a convoy of trucks. Finally, she grabbed the phone and silenced it before turning to the side.Matthew lay beside her, sleeping soundly like a baby with a satisfied smile on his lips. He looked peaceful, oblivious to her agony.Elaine found herself staring

Germano stopped at the edge of Jackson’s hospital bed, near his feet, maintaining a noticeable distance. Jackson frowned slightly, feeling the gap between them.“Don’t you want to come closer?” he asked.“I don’t want to contaminate the sick with my germs,” Germano replied. “I’ve been down with the flu.”Jackson nodded. “Okay... So what did you want to tell me, Mr. Cardoso?”Germano took a deep breath. “I made peace with Cindy yesterday and told her that you’ll be a good husband.”Jackson’s eyes widened in disbelief. Was this really happening?“Are you serious, Mr. Cardoso?”“Yes. I... thought it over. My wife helped me see reason too. Your accident made us realize that life is short, and we need to stick together.”Jackson studied him carefully before nodding. “I understand.”Germano exhaled, his voice tightening with emotion. “I also came to the conclusion that there are worse things... and worse people out there. So, I won’t interfere with your relationship anymore. After all...” H

The Sterling Cultural Hall was full of activity as staff members hurried about, ensuring everything ran smoothly. In the midst of it all, Edmund and Karl stood engaged in an animated conversation. Just outside the entrance, Bryce approached but abruptly halted upon spotting Karl. Quickly, he ducked behind a column, straining to catch their words.Mr. Vieira here again? Bryce thought to himself. They must be good friends...Karl leaned in slightly. “So, Ed, how are things?”Edmund tilted his head. “I’m the one who should be asking. How are you holding up after the kidnapping?”Karl smirked playfully. “Case closed. Sergeant Carvalho got a letter from the Bento family saying the kidnappers are history.”Edmund shuddered involuntarily. A chill crept down his spine. Lowering his voice, he muttered, “You went to the ‘boys’ in the Bento family—”“Shh!” Karl interrupted sharply. “Remember, no one knows yet—”Before he could finish, his eyes caught sight of Bryce strolling into the hall with a