At Vaztrans, Olivia and Sofia are bothered by the latest news regarding Caroline."Dear, you need to teach Carol to mind her own business," Sofia complains, unable to hold back any longer."Calm down, Sofia. Carol is studying for the college entrance exam. She promised to become a journalist to work at Maggiezine." Alan tries to console his wife.However, Sofia becomes more exasperated, "NO! How dangerous it would be for Carol to be a journalist! She would gossip countless barbarities about me, you can count on that!""I don't think Bernie Marçal would dare to create a copy of that journalist who gave them a hard time... what's her name again?""Gabriela Alves, Sandra's legitimate mother," Alan replied, "No, Maggie won't allow Carol to use her magazine for personal vendettas.""Let's hope not. But why does she have a grudge against Miss Lombardi?" Olivia complained about gossip but now wants to know about one."Carol, for some reason, wants Pete to end his relationship with Daniela bec
Erasmo passes by Reuben, panting and with sweat stains under his arms, marking his cotton dress shirt."You're sweating," Reuben said, distracted."Young man, focus!" Erasmo banged on his desk, "Announce me to your boss.""You're going to talk to Uncle Josias all sweaty?" Reuben asked indignantly."ARGH!" Erasmo almost had a fit, "How did you manage to be the secretary and representative of the most powerful man in Lagoon City?""Not sweating like a pig," Reuben replied as he picked up the phone, "Uncle Josias, Erasmo Vasquez wants to speak to you... Oh, you were expecting him. Did you also expect him to come all sweaty under the armpits?"Erasmo restrained himself from punching Reuben."OK, bye now." Reuben ended the call, "You can come in. But don't get too close to Uncle Josias. You're sweaty."Unable to control himself, Erasmo told Reuben to go to hell and hurried into Josias's office."Your secretary urgently needs a refresher on how to greet visitors!" Erasmo slammed the door shu
The next day, Erasmo was fearfully discussing with his family what Josias had decided.Olivia and Sofia had wide eyes."Is he going to kill my grandson if we don't comply with his wishes?" Olivia exclaimed horrified.Sofia instinctively placed her hands on her belly. "That's impossible! Father, you must be exaggerating.""No, daughter!" Erasmo insisted, "Either we put Alan as a partner, dividing some shares, or the loan will be denied!"Sofia clenched her fists. "This means that what Caroline has been braying about for years has been engraved in her father's mind and heart. She succeeded. We are now labeled as untrustworthy, and this is the treatment we receive when we're genuinely in trouble!"Alan approached wearing formal attire, missing his tie and suit."Good morning, family! Is breakfast ready?""Yes, Alan. But we are discussing a very serious matter," Olivia replied.Alan noticed the somber tone in her voice and the palpable oppressive tension in the dining room."What happened?
When Josias entered the mansion, he found Melissa dressed up to go out."Dear, I didn't want to ask you yesterday, but I saw that you were a little upset." Josias approached and kissed her cheek."Oh, you're referring to the mission you entrusted me with?" Melissa huffed and rolled her eyes at the same time, "Unfortunately, I couldn't be as efficient.""What does Kelvin claim?""He denied it the whole time, making me believe exactly what you said," Melissa replied disappointed with her ex-husband, "How am I going to tell the twins?""Don't tell them. They don't need to have their childhood traumatized," Josias advises her."Actually, they're pre-teens." Melissa jokes."How time flies, huh? Little Theo is going to be just as big as his father, and Pete is kicking out problematic tenants by brute force."Melissa laughs. Yes, she's getting old, but to her, it's interesting to watch the next generation grow.They walk towards the hallway."Darling, about you ordering the boys from the Bent
Daniela claps as if she were part of an audience watching Pedro's energetic action."Wow... fantastic. What a manly and strong boyfriend I have!""Am I still your boyfriend?" Pedro jokes, wiping his hands as if trying to clean the dirt off the evicted tenant.Beto laughs and comes out from behind the counter. "I'll pack his things."Beto goes up the stairs to 202."Pete, while I applaud your courage, I wonder if this could backfire on you one day." Daniela expresses her concern."How so?""For example, I always had a suspicion that guy from 202 was up to something shady." Daniela drops her smile, "Could he not try to seek revenge on you?""With the electronic gate and the fact that we're protected by Josias, nothing bad will happen to us, my dear.""But wasn't there a time when Caio suffered retaliation?" Daniela remembers the incident."Indeed, some drug dealers tried to harm Caio. But they paid dearly for it. The one who tried to kill my brother was found with his mouth full of ants
In the cafeteria of the Teodoro building, Teresa talks to Daniela. The two watch the tenants having their meals."Daniela, how did things go with Caroline? Have you made up yet?"Daniela purses her lips. "No. She hasn't been here since, neither her nor Felipe.""I'm really sorry. As a friend of Melissa, I think I should talk to her.""Don't bother." Daniela smiles to reassure her, "I appreciate your dedication, Tess, but Caroline is my business. And honestly, I'm not in the mood to talk about it.""Do you think the anger will pass?" Teresa raises her eyebrows, "Caroline has an issue with Sofia that hasn't completely resolved yet.""Sofia Vasquez, her sister-in-law? Alan seems to be a happy husband. Why can't Caroline be happy for her brother?""Midnight Mysteries." Teresa shakes her head."Maybe I can understand what's going on. Sofia is pregnant, right?" Daniela's eyes sparkle, thinking of some plan of action."Yes, go visit her. She needs it." Teresa encourages her.Daniela starts c
Days passed. The slap that Caroline received from Sofia healed, but the emotional wound continued to feel fresh in her mind and heart.She can't concentrate on her college entrance exam books and turns up the volume on her MP4 player. Shakira's song "Did It Again" seems to make her deaf.Dora entered her room. "My granddaughter, the music is echoing throughout the whole mansion!"Caroline rolls her eyes and lowers the sound. "Why do you like to exaggerate the truth?""Because it makes you realize faster." Dora approaches the desk, "Why are you like this?""Did you know that Sofia Vasquez slapped me?" Caroline vents with wrath in her eyes.Dora is frozen for a few seconds, realizing something else."Why did you call your sister-in-law by her maiden name?""GRANDMA!" Caroline stands abruptly, "You're not taking me seriously!""Don't be unfair, girl. You need to understand that Sofia is pregnant and her hormones are not in harmony. I'm sure she will come here today to apologize to you."
At Rocha Mansion, Melissa doesn't want the living room to turn into a battlefield."Are you here to complain about what's going on?""Yes, Melissa." Sofia asserts confidently and decisively, "I believe it's time to put an end to this talk once and for all, don't you think? Or do you also believe I came here to steal money from you?"Melissa swallows nervously. "I must admit that initially, I had my suspicions too.""Before or after Caroline opened her mouth?"The door opened and Caroline entered with Dora."No need to talk behind my back anymore. I'm here." Caroline announced pompously and arrogantly."Daughter, what's going on here?" Melissa frowned as she stood up.Caroline glanced sideways at Sofia, barely acknowledging her sister-in-law's presence. She addressed her mother."Sofia told you she slapped me in public at Café Montanha?""WHAT?" Melissa exploded, glaring fiercely at Sofia, "The pregnant woman has the strength to hit MY DAUGHTER?""Don't use my pregnancy as an excuse to