At the police station, Ivan is fatigued and exhausted. He is unable to gather overwhelming evidence to fulfill his greatest dream: to arrest Josias Rocha.He is sure that Josias ordered the loan shark's murder... but how can he prove it? The idiot got away with erasing all tracks!Amoreira enters the sergeant's office and finds him on the verge of having a nervous breakdown, “IVAN! What is it, my comrade, why are you like that?”Ivan, who is hunched over the computer, immediately straightens up and grimaces, “I'm perfectly fine.”“You're sweaty, disheveled, with dark circles under your eyes, and you look like you've lost weight.” Amoreira gives an accurate analysis of the sergeant and his appearance, “If I didn't know you better, I'd say you had AIDS.”“Get out!” Ivan is offended.Amoreira closes the door, “Don't tell me you're still on the crusade against Josias.”“I am, and I won't rest until I can prove he ordered that murder!” Ivan punches the desk.“Fine, but before that, you get
Josias is horrified to see that Caio self-deprecates in this way, “Leech, you? No, Caio, I never thought of that!”“But that's what I think.” Caio gets up and walks away, “Uncle Josias, if you weren't rich, we'd all be in the favela today. No one has the same talent for business as you. My father would be the salvation, but he ruined his football career. My aunt Melissa would have married a guy from the favela and would still be poor today.”Josias gets up and tries to ease Caio's conscience, “My nephew, I never accused you of taking advantage of my wealth. On the contrary, I was always happy to help. Do you remember when we all lived close together in the little house in Green Park? I just couldn't leave your family behind.”Caio smiles bitterly at Josias, “Yes, and at that time my father was your great friend. How convenient. Now that my father no longer needs your money, he hates you.”Josias scratches the back of his head, “Your father’s question is more complicated.”“So, Uncle J
Caio goes to his grandparents' house. Dora is sweeping the living room to the tune of “Angel” by Robbie Williams, the new British singer who is stealing the hearts of Brazilian women.“Beautiful music, huh, grandma?” Caio asks playfully.“And the singer also is...” Dora answers without thinking.“What did I just hear?” Simeon suddenly appears from the kitchen, shirtless, freeballing in wet shorts and plumber's gloves.Caio bursts out laughing as Dora tries to fix herself, “Ehr... What is it, hubby, you know I love you. Even more so when you appear to me like this, all sexy, shirtless, and sensually wet...”Simeon pretends he's not getting carried away by the mood, “Don't make it up, woman. That water is what was stagnant in the kitchen pipe.”Dora was going to snuggle up against her husband's hairy chest, but when she feels the stench of dirty water from the sink mixed with detergent and grease, she wrinkles her nose and pulls away.Caio is happier to see his grandparents acting like
Katherine is ushered into the police station as if she were a suspect in murder or money laundering. Some photographers who were covering other news noticed her and photographed her. An LCN reporter got excited and ran to the van where the rest of the team was.“Someone please call Vernon Queiroz! It's urgent, Mrs. Rocha has just been arrested!”Amoreira watched Katherine walk serenely through the corridors behind a mute Ivan.“Moraes, what is going on here? Why didn't you ask these photographers not to take pictures of Mrs. Rocha?”“I can't stop the press from speaking out,” Ivan responds ironically.“Yes, you may, unless Mrs. Rocha has been formally charged with a crime!” Amoreira defends her.“Don’t interfere with my investigation, Amoreira!” Instead of pushing the photographers, Ivan pushes the detective, “This way, Mrs. Rocha.”Katherine decides to keep quiet. After all, anything she says now could be used against her in court.When they are closed in the sergeant's office, Ivan
At Rocha Hotel, Vernon is red and almost having a heart attack when talking to his co-workers. Vernon was one of the few Lagoon City citizens to use a cell phone, “Listen here, you morons: Don't do bad press with my son's wife! I know he is not my legitimate son, but believe me when I say that you are not ready to face the wrath of Josias Rocha! If you want to report something, talk about how Mrs. Rocha was shamefully and unfairly misled, without the prerogatives of the legal process, do you hear me?”He ends the call by nearly dunking the button on his Motorola device. Elsa is worried.“Careful, dear. This cell phone cost a lot of money.”“But I could afford it, and I suggest you buy one for yourself.” Vernon smiles slightly, “They're all buying.”“OK, but with this news I heard on the radio, I'm not even in the mood to buy a pair of shoes.” Elza crosses her fingers, “Why did they take our darling daughter-in-law? I'm so busy with the hotel that I don't have time for anything else.”
At Crystal Blue, Daryl is presenting Diane with a cell phone. There were two boxes on top of the bar counter.Diane is delighted with the gift, “Oh, my love! Everyone is buying this stuff to communicate remotely.”“Everybody who has money, you mean.” Daryl jokingly states, “That device cost me a kidney, imagine buying two.”“Well, what's the use of just one of us having a mobile phone?” Diane shrugs and picks up the instruction manual to see how to handle it without breaking it on the first day.“You're right.” Daryl gives a light kiss on the cheek and also takes the manual for his device.Maggie nervously enters the restaurant, “Hello everyone! Can you tell me if Kate has left the police station safe and sound? Many commented that they saw Miguel Damascene’s car going at full speed to the police station.”Daryl and Diane stare at Maggie, “I don't understand. What happened to Kate?” Daryl asked.“She was taken by Sergeant Moraes to the police station to discuss the loan shark’s death.
Vera returns from the psychiatrist with renewed spirits. Teresa is listening to the radio.“And the information we have is that Mrs. Katherine Rocha left the police station flanked by Josias Rocha. The two refused to speak to the press. Ironically, Mrs. Rocha is responsible for Public Relations at Rocha Constructions, so we couldn't get any explanation. The Lagoon City Police Station also didn’t respond and asked reporters to leave. Now continue with our normal schedule.”The radio started playing “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” but Teresa and Vera weren't thrilled with the Backstreet Boys.“How absurd is all this, sister-in-law!” Vera slams her purse on the counter, “Will Josias Rocha ever find peace?”"I'm glad it's Katherine and not Melissa." Teresa opines, “Can you imagine a lady who gave birth to twins facing such a challenge?”Vera opens her purse and searches for a piece of paper, “I got the number of a male psychiatrist to help my Wally.”“Hope it all works out, my frien
The following week, the cover of Maggiezine was on another subject, but there was a lead for an inside article about Katherine's questioning at the police station. Readers went to the indicated page and revolted about the situation.As a result, countless citizens flooded police stations with letters of protest. At City Hall, the secretaries had their ears swollen from receiving so many curses and swear words.Tobias is in front of the Chief of the Police Station, a white-haired gentleman with a face expressing more than thirty years dedicated to the profession of serving and protecting.“Mayor...”“Chief Kleberg, you need to control that sergeant of yours, Ivan Moraes.” Tobias extends the Maggiezine open to the article page. A huge photo of Katherine being led away made the Chief blush, “This can't be repeated. An investigation has become a media circus and my constituents are blaming me.”“It's definitely not your fault, mayor.” Chief Kleberg clears his throat nervously.“Good thing
Josias visits the Rocha Hotel since he didn’t have a day off for the staff. In the management room, Eugenio gathered David, Benjamin, and Sybil. “Why is that mere cook present at this meeting?” David asked disparagingly. “Because that’s how our boss ordered it,” Eugenio replied dryly. “I didn’t say anything and didn’t call this meeting, so if you’ll excuse me...” Benjamin and Sybil were horrified to see David leaving the meeting just like that. However, when he opened the door, David came face to face with his father. “David, where do you think you’re going?” “DAD!” David exclaimed, extremely surprised. “I didn’t know you were coming!” “Didn’t Eugenio tell you I was coming?” Josias asked with a scowl. David understood who the ‘boss’ was. Benjamin and Sybil felt vindicated. Josias sat down at the desk, taking Eugenio’s seat, while the manager remained humbly standing. “Very well,” Josias began the meeting in a formal tone, “I’m here just to make things crystal clear. First
Melissa and Mary visit the Mountain Café.“A guava juice for me, Mr. Mountain!” Mary requested, smiling sweetly.“Of course, my princess!” Rodrigo replied, thinking Mary was very adorable. “Neil will make a delicious cup for you.”“Thank you. But the princess is Carol,” Mary responded, striking a serious pose.Melissa and Rodrigo laughed heartily. Mary is something else...“Rod, how has it been managing the café in your father’s absence?” Melissa asked seriously.Rodrigo served a baked chicken pastry with ketchup to Mary. “I'm getting by, Melissa. Josias was here earlier, more concerned about my loss than his own, as always. Isn’t he supposed to be resting?”Melissa nodded. “My husband is like that: he only relaxes when all of us are relaxed.”“An impossible mission because of certain people.”Neilton approached with the glass. “Who ordered a guava juice?”“I DID!” Mary grabbed the glass and went to a table.Melissa leaned forward, “Neil, Rod, how are Daryl and Diane? Behaving?”“Cont
At João Paulo’s house, he and Josias were about to have a significant conversation.“Walter, do you want to go with your mom to the kitchen?” João Paulo asked, looking at Helen. “I think she made some walnut cake.”“It was carrot cake,” Sandra replied, already getting up from the couch.“You got it.” Helen appeared and picked up Walter in her arms. “Let’s let Dad and Uncle Josias talk.”“Bye, Uncle!” Walter waved goodbye to Josias.“Bye-bye, I want a piece later!” Josias chuckled.Once alone with João Paulo, Josias became serious. “Don’t let anything or anyone ruin this family scenario, little brother.”“I’m fine. No one wants to ruin anything,” João Paulo replied casually.“Well, I hope David hasn’t caused you any trouble.”“He probably doesn’t even know I exist, man.” João Paulo shrugged.“But I stopped by Café Montanha and found out that the Vasquez family has replaced the Mountain family as the ‘annoying people.’”João Paulo sighed in disappointment. “Yeah. They—”The doorbell ran
Josias visits Café Montanha for a coffee and finds Rodrigo there. “Rod, how have you been?” Rodrigo is taken aback. “How am I? You’re the one who suffered a horrific loss recently!” “But you also lost your father. We’re in the same situation,” Josias explained as he sat down on a stool. “I’m okay, Josias. Life has a way of cheering me up. For example, I’m back at the diner after Thierry decided to take his place at the supermarket.” Rodrigo smiled. “What about the photography studio?” Josias smiled back. “It’s still going to operate, and Thierry will make periodic visits. But he’s going to appoint one of the staff to manage the studio.” Rodrigo served a pizza pastry to Josias. “Thank you. Well, I hope everything is alright between you two. I need to visit Rosemary and meet Jean Luc — is that the name of the baby?” “Yes, the name of the supermarket heir. Meanwhile, Frank will be here or somewhere else.” Josias interjected, “If Frank wants to work at Rocha Constructions, count
At the Rocha Mansion, Josias receives a visit from Benjamin. “How have you been, Ben? Any news about your parents?” The two embrace. “Actually, that’s what I want to talk about.” Benjamin scratches the back of his neck. The embrace breaks. “Let’s go to my office.” The two gentlemen enter Josias’s imposing office. “Any problems with Adolfo?” Josias asks, becoming serious. “Not yet, but I hope not to have any,” Benjamin replies with some sadness. “You know, Josias, what happened with your father made me think about my family, about how important it is for all of us to be together in the final moments.” “That’s true. João Paulo can tell you that better than I can.” “I think you can say it too. Vernon was the father you never had.” Benjamin clears his throat. “So, I’ve been looking into some hotels and realized there’s a demand at the Rocha Hotel in Victoria.” Josias looks at Benjamin, understanding where he’s going with this. “You want to go to Victoria to be close to your pare
Someone rings the doorbell at João Paulo’s house. The homeowner goes to answer after taking a shower and putting on clean clothes. But when he opened the door, João Paulo felt like slamming it in the visitor’s face. “Don’t be rude!” Erasmo exclaimed. “What do you want, you old bore?” João Paulo shot back. Erasmo barged into João Paulo’s foyer. “The mourning is over. Let’s pick up where we left off.” “Are you crazy? Who decides how long mourning lasts? We just got back from the trip!” “Not exactly, it’s been a day. Life goes on, my friend!” Erasmo replied mockingly. João Paulo remained serious. “But I don’t want to continue living this way, where fights and intrigues are the order of the day. Mr. Vasquez, you have a business to run, and I have a family to raise.” “But you found time to slap my son-in-law when he was here defending his family, didn’t you?” “Alan was extremely rude, but that was some time ago.” João Paulo frowned. “I don’t feel the same anger as before.” “So a
At the Vasquez Mansion, Alan could hardly believe that the people were thinking about more intrigues and disputes. “Guys, don’t you understand that I even forgot the reason I slapped Uncle João Paulo?” “Ridiculous!” Erasmo gestured. “You just maintained respect because it was a difficult occasion. But now, the mourning is OVER!” “Do you think João Paulo will rest, dear?” Sofia asked, sitting next to him. Alan shook his head. “If Uncle João Paulo doesn’t want to rest, then he is truly despicable. But my dad is back in town. He wouldn’t dare to do that.” The news should have been uplifting, but the members of the Vasquez family merely exchanged silent glances. With Josias present, it’s quite likely that he will put a stop to their fighting. Alan turned to Olivia. “In the meantime, we should celebrate the recovery of my dear mother-in-law!” Olivia and Sofia smiled awkwardly because of the secret they were keeping. “That’s right, let’s celebrate life!” Erasmo wrapped his arm arou
Josias Rocha and his family returned to Lagoon City. Those who were waiting for them stayed in the mansion and greeted them cheerfully in the foyer. “WELCOME BACK!” Melissa, crying, embraced her parents, William, and the twins fervently. Josias greeted them with a light smile. “Where’s João Paulo?” William asked. “He went straight to his house. His kids needed to rest from the trip.” Melissa wiped her tears with her fingers. “Alan went straight to his mansion. Especially now that his mother-in-law has woken up from the coma.” “That was a scare; I thought we’d have two funerals,” Simeon commented. Everyone headed to the living room. “Is Paris very beautiful, Mom?” Mary asked. “Yes, sweetheart, it’s stunning. We’ll go shopping together another time, okay?” “Do you have pictures?” Ignacio asked anxiously. “Yes, son, we took some pictures.” Melissa sat on the couch, pulling out a package from her bag. Josias sat in the armchair, taking a deep breath. William approached him.
At Café Montanha, Daryl walks in for a coffee and finds Rodrigo at the counter while Neilton serves the others. “Hey, are we back to the old tradition?” “Don’t be a clown, man.” Rodrigo laughs. “Yes, Thierry is at the supermarket, as we agreed.” “Hi, Neil. Can you make me a cappuccino while I enjoy a natural sandwich?” Daryl places his order. “Sure thing, Mr. Mountain.” Neilton heads to the back. Daryl sits on the stool. “So, how do you feel after getting back to your element?” “I don’t regret at all helping my dear wife at the supermarket, Daryl,” Rodrigo admitted while preparing the natural sandwich. “I’m not talking about regrets.” Daryl joked. “But it’s undeniable that after Uncle Francisco’s passing, you prefer to stay here, carrying on the legacy he left.” “Just like Crystal Blue.” Rodrigo smiled. “Hey, I’m aware that you’re looking to open another restaurant in Sunset Village. Do you think you can manage it? How’s the prospecting going?” Daryl picks up the sandwich but