Matthew realizes Erasmo had already devised a plan of blackmail and intrigue."Tell me, Mr. Vasquez," He asks with a sour expression, "did you and your wife plan this scheme, sacrificing her as an adulteress just to have something against me?""Of course not!" Erasmo lies shamelessly, deserving the Best Actor Oscar, "You took advantage of my dear wife, and now I want to capitalize on that. Or would you prefer to be fired?""I don't see how I would be fired. The indiscretion didn't happen at the hospital." Matthew tries to defend himself."When I make a scene - and believe me, I WILL - the hospital management will have no choice but to fire you. They'll take advantage of your mother's retirement and get rid of all the Hogan family members from this immaculate and respected hospital," Erasmo declares diabolically."Leave my mother out of this, you sly fox!" Matthew growls."So, do we have a deal? Instead of me stirring up Josias Rocha's anger by mentioning your indiscretion and strange
Alan appears at Rocha Constructions. Josias hears noises from his office and discerns that his eldest son is in the adjacent room.As he moves towards Alan's office, Josias sees his eldest son sitting on the edge of the desk, looking strangely at the picture frame of himself and Sofia smiling on their wedding day."Don't tell me you're reconsidering this wonderful union, son." Josias closes the door and approaches Alan cautiously."Is that what you expect, Dad?" Alan lifts his head and meets his father's gaze.Alan's teary eyes are like daggers in Josias's heart. He is moved by his son's suffering."Alan, listen to me." Josias begins to comfort him, "I know you feel betrayed and deceived. Have you talked to your wife?""She was shocked, outraged, and swore she knew nothing," Alan replies with a trembling voice."Perhaps she truly doesn't know." Josias tries to see the bright side, "Maybe she's as surprised as you are.""I want to believe that, Dad." Alan sighs heavily."I know Carol's
Later that day, Erasmo was in his office, still pondering over what his daughter lamented in his kitchen. Sofia's voice echoed as a haunting memory in his mind..."What do I do then, Dad?" Sofia's voice trembles, "Alan stormed out of here like a bull. Daniela Lombardi was here telling me Caroline is badmouthing people who have nothing to do with our affairs. We're at war!""Yes, daughter, we are at war. And we'll win." Erasmo grits his teeth in indignation.If Josias doesn't discipline his daughter, then he will!Erasmo picks up his phone and dials Matthew's number, saved in his contacts list.Back at the hospital, Matthew answers the call at his desk while immersed in reviewing other patients' exams.Matthew smiles ironically and answers, "My, my, are we in a hurry, huh?""Shut up!" Erasmo bellows, "I want to confirm our deal. Patients interrupted our talk.""I should have taken advantage when Will Campos was around to tell the whole truth." Matthew hints.Erasmo is shocked. "He was
Josias takes Alan for tea at Café Montanha. Francisco happened to be there and led the gentlemen and friends to the kitchen.There, Alan's nerves relaxed as he sipped passion fruit tea.They could hear Ne-Yo's song "Mad" echoing from the cafeteria."So, Alan, how's the tea?" Francisco asked with concern."It's good, Francisco. Thank you very much." Alan smiled weakly."My boy is almost having a nervous breakdown because of dishonest people, Francisco." Josias frowned, wanting to take justice into his own hands.Francisco shook his head. "Your brother wrote an article about the bus with the flat tire. According to what I read, if the driver hadn't been skilled, the bus could have overturned on the highway, killing the passengers!"Josias grew darker. "If that happened, Vaztrans wouldn't have the money to compensate the families!""We need to resolve this dilemma." Alan started to feel encouraged.Francisco looked at the younger man, feeling sorry for him. "What happened to the part whe
Erasmo showed up again at Matthew's office. No one found it strange; after all, he was a patient consulting a doctor.Only Matthew felt completely awkward and kept a sour expression as he handed Erasmo the fraudulent results of his back."Wow! Looks like I'll be paralyzed!" Erasmo mocked, pushing his luck, "No one would understand with that doctor jargon.""I made it as specific as possible so that no one would understand in case someone wanted to read it," Matthew informed him, feeling uncomfortable, "Now, let's go over to that examination table. Sit down so I can prepare a bandage. People need to see you immobilized in some way.""OK, you've thought of everything, huh?" Erasmo didn't let up on the mockery."I'm thinking about my mother's peace," Matthew replied dryly."No need to be angry. We're both doing each other favors." Erasmo winked, thoroughly enjoying himself.With this, Matthew had no more doubts that Erasmo had sent Olivia on purpose to seduce him.******Rocha Hotel, sup
At LCN, João Paulo received a visit from Maggie to discuss the arrangement with Caroline.The aunt was somewhat shocked to see how João Paulo and Helen were fuming with anger after the confrontation with Sofia."What? The woman who just gave birth is wandering around the city, causing scandals and threatening journalists? Where's the free press in this country?" Maggie exclaimed in disbelief.Helen sat on her husband's lap. "No one shouts at my husband like that. I came wanting to visit him, and I found her screaming like a possessed woman.""Easy, dear. These matters should be handled by me." João Paulo responded lovingly, trying to calm her down, "You have to deal with matters at Cardozo Perfumes.""Yes, I do need to. But I wanted to see you." Helen caressed her husband's face.Maggie smiled to see that everything was fine. "Anyway, I asked Caroline to remain neutral in Maggiezine's articles. You're already attacking that crazy family enough. Although...""Tell us, Maggie!" João Pau
A few days passed. Sofia avidly read the LCN newspaper at the breakfast table while the others ate.Olivia looked at her daughter with concern. "Sofia, please eat quickly before you need to breastfeed A.J. on an empty stomach.""I need to know, Mom... NO!" Sofia slammed the newspaper on her lap, furious.Erasmo and Alan turned to look at her."What is all this about?""I ordered João Paulo to write a retraction about the accident, but he refused! No apology, not even retracting calling Luís 'the Spanish Stallion'!" Sofia was on the verge of tears.Luís, who had hoped to go unnoticed, was also startled by this. "Huh? Cousin, you didn't need to worry about me.""I worry because you're family too," Sofia replied as Alan placed a hand on her shoulder."Darling, don't stress. Why didn't you tell me you called Uncle João Paulo?" Alan kindly smiled, "Let me handle this."Erasmo shook his head. "Obviously, I'll have to say something about the accident. The driver will be duly compensated for
Caroline is being led by Engrácia to the living room.Caroline feels like her sight will melt. The modern decoration and the prevalence of gray and petrol blue on the walls and furniture made her feel depressed just being there for five seconds.No wonder everyone is crazy in this mansion! This furniture messes with the psychological state of the inhabitants!"I'll call someone," Engrácia withdraws helpfully.Caroline decides to stand, scanning everything she sees to write a very biting article.Luís appears, summoned by the maid, and remembers Sofia's request. He smiles mischievously."Good morning, dear Carol.""Good morning, Luís!" Caroline smiles sweetly, "How are things around here?"Luís approaches Caroline, perhaps a bit too closely. "They're great. Are you here to see your nephew? Unfortunately, he's sleeping. Sofia is resting a bit too.""Let me guess: my naughty nephew cried all night," Caroline asks knowingly."That's right. It seems we did that to our parents too," Luís co
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