Josias was now drying off after cooling off in the pool. Hector approached him.“Good morning, Mr. Rocha. Mr. Motta wishes to speak to you.”“Octavio? Has he come in yet?” Josias smiles. “Let him come here, please, Hector. Oh, and as for the slide...”Hector gulped. “I’m sorry for it, Mr. Rocha. But Mr. Campos would be stuck all night if I didn’t take drastic measures.”Josias chuckles, “OK, it’s done. I understand. We weren’t going to let poor Will suffocate in there, right?”Hector calmed down and left to call Octavio.Octavio appeared next, in a mix of happiness and fear.“Good morning, Josias! I have good news and bad news.”“Oh, are you going to be able to ruin my Saturday?” Josias jokes.Octavio tenses, unsure whether or not he should say what he came to say.Josias laughs, “Come on, my friend, s
At the Cardozo’s store, Adelaide had no desire to discuss the lawsuit that Helen wanted to file against Karen.“Helen, it looks like Brigitte hasn’t told you yet. I thought better of the matter, and—”“Take it easy, Mrs. Cardoso.” Helen smiles and tries to explain herself. “I understand what you’re getting at. Yes, Brigitte told me hours ago that she prefers to hold or suspend the lawsuit for now.”Adelaide was relieved. “Phew, good. Helen, it’s not that we don’t want the bad guys to go unpunished. But let’s be honest: couldn’t we somehow defeat Karen? Who is selling in the scorching heat and who is selling in the air conditioning?”Helen smiles evilly. “The idiot had everything to work inside here, and I never cared about selling outdoors.”“So, Helen, consider this your prize.” Adelaide asserts. “We’re opening our st
João Paulo passed through Ibrahim Square and came across Karen sweating profusely but selling perfumes at the stand that belonged to Helen.Passers-by stopped and tried perfumes with interest.“This one is really good, my husband loves these woody types.” A lady commented.“Then take one!” Karen grinned, “R$60.00 and this perfume will be scenting your husband’s neck!”The lady was convinced and took her alligator leather wallet to withdraw R$60.00.While receiving payment, Karen saw João Pedro and part of the smile disappeared.“Thank you very much! When you want more options, we now have our store right after Crystal Blue!” Karen pointed in the direction.After the buyer walked away satisfied, João Paulo approached the stand.Karen’s comforting, engaging, and vibrant voice gave way to a trembling and frightened voice, “Ehr... Mr. Queiroz...
In the afternoon, Adelaide closed the store and popped champagne with her future family. Dylan had changed out of his police uniform and was now wearing something casual for the occasion.“CHEERS, guys!” Adelaide exclaims, “May this be the beginning of a long path of success for our Cardozo’s store!”“VIVA!” Everyone clinks their champagne glasses.Dylan looked around as he sipped. Then he began, “Addie, you’re going to need a store inspector or private security guard. There are many valuable products here, and this can attract undesirable people.”“It’s a shame you can’t help me.” Adelaide joked. “I know this will be necessary.”Amoreira nodded. “The fact that we have Crystal Blue just a few steps away makes it more ‘attractive’ for criminals. Only people with high purchasing power walk along this sidewalk.”Brigitte gestures. “Argh, guys, let’s not talk about that right now. Now is the time to celebrate.”Dylan smiles, “My little sister is right.”Caio wraps his free arm around Brig
2007Josias was walking calmly along the sidewalk of Getúlio Vargas Avenue. Behind them, two men in suits and sunglasses left no doubt to passersby that they were the bodyguards.With that, people just gestured or nodded ‘good morning’ to Josias. No one dared to approach him to ask for an autograph. Although Josias wasn’t the type of celebrity who hated interacting with his fans, sometimes not being bothered was essential.Especially today. Josias was looking for a store to check the information he received...When he stopped at a certain store, ten minutes after Ibrahim Square, he saw with amazement a team of workers renovating an empty place. A hanging sign announced: ‘COMING SOON, ANGEL STORE’.Yes, what was written on the website was true. Angela Souza decided to return to Espírito Santo to expand her company, which has grown absurdly in the last decade.To accompany the expansion, she announced new stores in Victoria, Vila Velha, and Cachoeiro do Itapemirim.But something inside
At Rocha Constructions, Josias was talking to his best friend Octavio about the projects for 2007.Josias leaned over the desk and signed a document. “Okay, here is the authorization for the renovation of Harold Freire Residential. I don’t know how Uélton hasn’t haunted me in the early hours of the morning.”“Maybe he haunted Alfred and he’s afraid to tell us.” Octavio jokes and the two gentlemen burst into laughter.Josias goes to the drinks table. “Speaking of which, we need to celebrate your second son. Has Jane already had tests?”“Yes. The baby is a girl.” Octavio’s eyes are shining. “I’ll have a little princess who will be just like her mother.”“Hopefully. You must start looking for a rifle for when she reaches adolescence.” Josias pours two shots of brandy.“Do you speak from experience?” Octavio cleverly included Caroline in the conversation.“Look, to be honest, I didn’t need a shotgun concerning Carol.” Josias admitted, “She always wanted Reuben, and he never gave me a hard
At Rocha Mansion, Alan is caught off guard by his mother’s question about his in-laws.But he decided that honesty is always the best path, “Mom, my future in-laws were curious about Angela Souza.”“It’s because they didn’t know her like we did.” Simeon shook his head.“How crazy. Don’t allow her to be part of your life, my son.” Melissa closed one of the suitcases. “It will only cause pain and suffering. Especially for you.”“Why, daughter?” Dora asked.“Her dream was always to have David as the heir.” Melissa has a fierce look. “And I feel like she would try anything to get my son out of the way, especially now that J.J. is no longer with us.”Alan hugs Melissa. “Don’t worry, Mom. Everaldo didn’t prophesy any of this.”“No, but he talked about you getting lost and finding your way home.” Melissa broke the hug. “Does this have anything to do with the honeymoon?”“Sofia and I plan to spend a few days on the yacht.”Simeon snaps his fingers. “So, is that it? You’ll get lost on the high
In Ibrahim Square, Helen passed by with Sandra and didn’t find the sales stand where she used to be.“Mommy, where is that ugly girl who sells perfumes?” Sandra asked innocently.Helen, however, giggled at the ‘ugly girl’. “Daughter, don’t talk like that when the girl is around.”“OK.” Sandra nodded. “Shall we go to the store?”Helen continued smiling, thinking that Karen had given up selling perfumes in the square with how hot it had been this summer.Upon entering the Cardozo’s store, she and Sandra are relieved by the cool air conditioning.Adelaide approaches them. “Do you ladies need anything?”“I want to buy lipstick!” Sandra exclaims.“Ha, ha, ha...” Helen strokes her adopted daughter’s hair. “Sandra, you’re still new to these things. And this elegant lady is not the saleswoman, she is the owner of the store.”“Cool!” Sandra smiled like little girls usually do.“Aunt Brigitte is in the back. She has cream biscuits waiting for you.” Adelaide points to the cashier.After Sandra r