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
William and Brigitte enter the living room. “So, my dear daughter-in-law, what have you been up to?” “Not much.” Brigitte sits on the couch. “I came to talk to Josias about the will he wants me to handle.” William notices a triumphant smile on Brigitte’s face. “You seem to be quite happy about this.” “Yes, I am!” Brigitte exclaims ecstatically. “It was something I was looking for. Taking care of something related to the Rocha family means I will grow in importance at the agency.” “Miguel Damascene will trust you deeply, huh?” William smiles in solidarity. “Don’t mess things up because he’ll be watching.” “And how wouldn’t I know? I know my boss.” Josias opens the door and finds his future lawyer. “Hello, Brigitte! Can we talk in my office? Will, your parents are coming.” “Okay, I’ll wait here.” William nodded. Brigitte stood up and left with Josias. Shortly after, with the door still open, Simeon and Dora entered. “Son, tell us what it is,” Simeon commands, sitting on the c
The Reis family enters Café Montanha, in a celebratory mood. Neil greets them. “What will it be today, family?” “We want grilled cheese with hot chocolate!” Maycon exclaims excitedly. Everyone laughs as Beto chooses a table. “My son, keep in mind that you won’t be able to eat this every day. We’re making an exception today because we’re celebrating.” “But if we celebrate every day...?” Maycon tries to be clever. Teresa kisses her son’s forehead. “Don’t push your luck.” Pedro approaches the counter to place the order. “Where’s Rod, Neil? Are you alone?” “Not exactly. There’s someone from the orphanage in the kitchen helping me,” Neilton explains as he grabs the order pad. “Mr. Mountain has retired, so to speak, and Rod is helping his wife at the Lafayette Supermarket.” “Oh, how interesting!” Pedro smiles. “Well, we’re celebrating that I don’t have heart problems for now.” “Excellent news. But it’s good not to overdo it on the grease and fried foods. Your younger brother’s ord