General Hospital, Matthew Hogan’s office. Matthew has just spilled the truth that will set him free and imprison the Vasquez family in a spiral of intrigue and problems. “What... what does that mean?” William asks after a few seconds in shock. “That’s exactly what you heard, William.” Matthew nods seriously. “Mr. Vasquez came here with some pain in his ribs because you kicked him or something like that. He wanted me to create a false test result stating that he was in critical condition and that a broken rib nearly pierced his lungs or other vital organs.” William remembers the story and starts to turn red with indignation. “Oh, that old filthy swindler!” “Calm down, William. I’m telling you this so you can understand once and for all.” Matthew gestures. “I understand, doctor.” William glares at Matthew. “I just don’t understand how the Vasquez family managed to catch you so easily to ask for something like this.” “How did they ‘catch’ me?” Matthew raises his eyebrows. “Surel
At Pizzeria Campos, Caio meets his father. William is sweeping unusually hard, wearing a scowl. “Dad, you called me, and I got worried.” Caio closes the gate. “It’s for us to worry indeed, son!” William replies, stopping his sweeping. “Sit down, you’re going to need to.” Caio sits at the indicated table. William does the same. “Prepare yourself: my leg, for now, cannot be fixed.” Caio smiles sympathetically. “Is that why? Did the doctor promise anything?” “No, I was the one deceived by the diagnosis and ‘cure’ of another ‘patient’,” William responds bitterly. Caio notices the emphasis on the keywords. “Any reason for me not to believe the patient and his cure?” “We’re talking about Erasmo Vasquez,” William huffs. “Uh-oh... I’m not liking this...” Caio raises his eyebrows. William leans forward. “Yes, son. Dr. Hogan was unwillingly ensnared in a web of lies. Erasmo Vasquez was not on the brink of death from the kick I gave him. At most, he had some dislocation and muscle pain
William and Caio carefully discuss what to do to help Matthew. “Dad, what are you thinking of doing with this latest bombshell?” William smirks wickedly. “I’ve always caused discord among the people here. Do I still have the practice and skill?” “Maybe you do. But I worry about possible blowbacks, especially if Uncle Josias doesn’t approve. Is it true that the lawsuit between Uncle João Paulo and Luís Vasquez won’t go ahead?” William shakes his head. “No. It was Luís Vasquez’s lawyer who approached Josias, explaining that such a lawsuit would be burdensome and costly to the public coffers, something like that.” “I thought Damascene Lawyers was a private agency. Uncle Josias pays a fortune to be their client,” Caio chuckles, “And my dear wife works hard handling marriages, divorces, and wills.” William smiles faintly. “It would be interesting if Josias’s will fell into her hands.” Caio shakes his head. “No, Dad. Brigitte has been talking to Alan about many things, and Alan remai
Josias and Beto are taking a stroll in the banquet hall of Rocha Events Hall.“Here it is, my friend.” Josias gestures around. “What do you think of what you see?”“I think everything is very beautiful, Josias.” Beto is emotional. “The hall is quite spacious, just what we’ll need.”Josias looks at his friend. “Beto, how have you been? I heard the news that your children are undergoing heart exams.”Beto bites his lower lip. “You shouldn’t stress about that, my friend.”“What do you mean?” Josias furrows his brow. “I need to know; I want to help.”“How can you help me?” Beto raises his eyebrows.“By sending the best cardiologist in Brazil,” Josias replies seriously. “Just as I’m offering you the best event hall for your son to get married.”Beto smiles again. “This will serve us well.”Teresa and Rosemary approach, coming from the kitchen.“Dear, you can sign the contract. This place is perfect!” Teresa is smiling, but she notices the gentlemen weren’t talking about the wedding. “What’
As they leave for the parking lot of Rocha Events Hall, Teresa pokes Rosemary’s back.She understands the message and approaches Josias. “Uncle Josias.”“Yes?” Josias turns to her with a patient smile.“I’m sorry if I overreacted. I didn’t mean to be rude.”“I don’t consider you rude at all, Rose.” Josias hugs her.“I can’t even think about the idea of Pete dying so young,” Rosemary laments. “It’s already hard to think about my father. He’s approaching sixty and needs to retire from the building’s management as soon as possible.”“Hasn’t he delegated tasks to Pete and Daniela?” Josias raises his eyebrows.Rosemary smiles by the left corner of her mouth. “Yes, but one day I showed up at the building and found him glued to Daniela, talking about the accounting as if he needed to teach her. Daniela is a professional accountant. She was very polite in not shooing my father out of the office.”Josias bursts out laughing.Not too far away, Teresa comments to Beto.“Come on, dear. I’m curiou
In the Teodoro building, Daniela is assisting with collecting rental payments from tenants. “Miss Lombardi, how are the wedding preparations going?” the curious tenant asked. Daniela smiled. “Everything is going wonderfully. My boyfriend’s family is checking out that new event hall, Rocha Events Hall.” The tenant raised his eyebrows, astonished by the luxury. Beto, Teresa, and Rosemary entered next. “Daniela, hasn’t your boyfriend returned from the hospital yet?” Beto asked. “He called to say he was grabbing a bite at Café Montanha,” Daniela informed him. “Maycon was hungry.” “Well, they had to fast due to the exams,” Teresa laughed. “Is everything alright here? I can take over at the front desk.” “I really wanted to get back to the office computer,” Daniela and Teresa exchanged places. Daniela went to the office, and Rosemary followed behind. “So, Rose? Was the venue approved?” Daniela asked dreamily. “Yes, Daniela. You, as the bride, will love it,” Rosemary took a deep br
Josias and Melissa met at the Rocha Mansion, in her office. “How is Isabel, dear?” “Izzy is well. She’s just a bit worried about Francisco,” Melissa replied while flipping through printed scripts. Josias sat down on the couch. “That’s concerning. Francisco is over seventy. He appears strong, was fit when I met him, but age comes for all of us.” Melissa joked, “Please don’t remind me that we’re approaching fifty.” Josias laughed heartily. “You hardly look it, dear. You still look gorgeous and attractive.” Melissa blushed like the teenager from Happiness Slum she used to be. “Anyway, Isabel is also over seventy. It’s great that she passed the direction of the telenovela to you. The ratings are promising,” Josias continued, confident as always. “Beto chose Rocha Events Hall.” Melissa looked up at him. “Oh, how nice! So we’ll have another wedding this year.” “Yes, and I hope Beto is alive to witness at least his eldest son’s wedding,” Josias became melancholic. Melissa nodded, k
Rocha Mansion, sunny day. William visits his older sister and finds everyone still at the breakfast table. “What’s going on, guys? You’re waking up late, huh?” Simeon replies with his mouth full, “It’s you who’s waking up earlier than a farmer!” Everyone laughs. J.J. comments, “By the way, I should wake up early like Uncle Will.” William ruffles J.J.’s hair. “I still can’t get used to you being in the land of the living, man!” “One day reality will sink in,” J.J. joked. “I’m going to wait in the living room. I need to talk to my parents, Josias.” “Suit yourself.” Josias responded after swallowing his bread with scrambled eggs. William leaves, getting Dora and Simeon curious. “What does that boy want to talk to us about?” Dora wonders excitedly. “Does he want to talk about the leg?” Melissa suggests, “He’s been talking to Dr. Hogan, Dr. Silvana’s son.” “Let’s hope so.” Simeon sighs, “If even someone like Erasmo Vasquez is entitled to a divine miracle, what about my son, who