Suzy gossips with the maids in the hallway of the Rocha Hotel. David walks by them and finds their behavior strange, as if they were gossiping about something sinful and forbidden. “Ladies, why are you being so secretive?” He approaches them gently, not intending to reprimand them. But that’s how they react. “Oh, Mr. Rocha! We're so sorry, we’ll get back to work right away...” “If you’re on your break, don’t stress because of me.” David gestures. Suzy takes the floor, “OK. We were talking about Mrs. Vasquez’s strange and unusual illness.” David rolls his eyes in insensitivity. “Oh, come on! Are you sure that’s strange and unexpected? What else could happen to that family of hysterics? Olivia Vasquez should make passionfruit tea a regular habit.” Suzy narrows her eyes. “Why do you think they’re seeking that, David?” “Well, a guilty conscience is poison for our bodies.” David insinuates maliciously, “They know they’re hiding dark secrets. It’s painful to keep them for so many yea
Maggie and Bernardo are having coffee together at Café Montanha. They are uneasy about what’s happening, especially with the ‘Noon Mysteries’ blog publication. “Dear, what do we do?” Bernardo asked in a whisper. “William’s blog is becoming popular, but now, the woman is bedridden in the hospital!” “Some might think we’re cowards for attacking Olivia when she’s at her worst.” Maggie nodded, stalling in drinking her cappuccino. “Therefore, it’s best to ask William to pause the publications for now. If Olivia dies...” Maggie shakes her head in exasperation. “OH, Jeez... if she dies, William will have to take down that blog!” “At least the Vasquez family hasn’t found the blog yet.” Bernardo sighs in relief, leaning back in his chair. “Careful, someone is approaching.” Maggie felt her back tense as someone approached from behind, specifically Erasmo. “Hello, good people! I want to thank you in advance for the kindness that the Maggiezine has shown my dear wife.” Maggie and Bernardo
Helen leaned against the corner of the store, checking her phone. Karen chose today of all days to come and ‘inspect’ the store, and upon finding the sales manager on her phone, she made a face. “Look, I’ve read articles about children and teenagers being addicted to their phones, but a grown woman like you, who is a mother and a wife?” Karen crossed her arms, complaining loudly. Helen didn’t pay attention at the moment. She was reading a message from Glenn saying that Sofia was ‘attacking’ João Paulo in his office. “Karen, that little minx Sofia Vasquez is seducing my husband!” Helen shoved her phone into her pocket. “No, no, no!” Karen shook her index finger. “Aren’t you seeing the big crowd at the lipstick stand?” Helen looked in the direction indicated and smiled upon seeing customers buying the lipstick she had advertised. “They want to buy that lipstick to seduce their husbands and have a wild and ferocious night of passion. Why don’t you buy some for yourself too?” Karen
At Crystal Blue, the lunchtime service was in full swing. Jake welcomed the guests who had reserved tables with mastery and professionalism. The waiters were attentive and sharp. The cooks were giving their all in the kitchen, delivering perfect dishes, passing with flying colors under Diane’s scrutiny. Felipe approached his adoptive mother in the kitchen. “How are things, Mom? Any complaints?” “Are you talking about the salmon? Well, the customers are realizing that we won’t be serving grilled salmon today for safety reasons regarding it. We are responsible, you know.” Diane kissed her son’s cheek. “Your father is very proud of how you handled the matter.” “There’s someone else who is proud of me.” Felipe smiled dreamily. “Suzy Cogo.” “I’ve heard about that girl. Isn’t she the maid from Rocha Hotel who was mistakenly confused with a floozy by João Paulo? He had to pay some compensation, right?” “Yes, which shows that no one messes with the sweet maid.” Felipe broadened his smil
Cardozo Store, afternoon. Helen and João Paulo appear as if they are fleeing from something dangerous. Karen, overjoyed after receiving payment from all the customers who took advantage of the lipstick promotion (to seduce their husbands, according to Helen's advertisement), saw the scene and jumped. “What is going on? Helen, you said you were going to rescue your husband, but I didn't know it would be literally!” “Karen, things got complicated, out of control.” Helen replied, panting. “Sofia Vasquez slapped my husband, and I returned the favor twice as hard.” Karen is left speechless, surprised by Helen’s ferocity. “Wow! You really love your husband to defend him like that, huh?” Helen rolls her eyes. Since when did she give Karen any reason to doubt that she loved João Paulo? João Paulo straightens up. “Well, now I’m the one saving Helen because I didn’t want to be near the crazy woman.” “I bet she’s trashing and going through your office, dear.” Helen laments. João Paulo l
After moments of crying, Alan pulled away from Sofia. Her tears had stained his blue suit. “Dear, what is happening here? Can you speak now?” “I just wanted to hide in a hole and never come out!” Sofia whined, head down. Alan gently lifted Sofia’s chin. Upon seeing the bruises from the slaps, Alan’s expression turned gloomy and dangerous. “Who did this?” “Dear, it’s better if I explain first—” “WHO DID THIS?” Alan’s fierce tone made Sofia tremble a bit. “Helen Queiroz.” Her voice came out in a whisper. Alan instantly left his office. Sofia was left behind, wide-eyed, wondering what Alan would do. Tony and Caio noticed Alan rushing past them like a whirlwind. “Alan, wait!” Caio tried to call him, but Alan had already turned down the hallway. Tony felt indignant and turned back into the office where Sofia was still standing. “Are you happy now, you hysteric? God forbid the title ‘Princess of Lagoon City’ ever falls on you! You are not worthy of that title, only Caroline Ro
Alan returns to General Hospital, looking for his family. As he passes through the door of the famous lounge, a nurse approaches him from the front table. “Mr. Rocha, your family is waiting in the lounge. Olivia Vasquez has been taken for further tests.” “Oh, thank you very much.” Alan smiled faintly and stepped inside. Inside, Erasmo was trying to calm a hysterical Sofia. “They just sat there, cursing and humiliating me, unafraid of being fired, those bastards!” “That’s ABSURD!” Erasmo turns to Alan. “Son-in-law, I’m glad you came. Did you hear how Sofia was treated at Rocha Constructions and LCN?” “I still don’t know all the details.” Alan replied coldly. “I went to LCN, but João Paulo wasn’t there. I went to the Rocha Mansion, but my grandparents told me not to call my parents, as they wouldn’t defend Sofia.” Sofia has glassy eyes and trembles with outrage. Erasmo frowned. “Josias and Melissa wouldn’t defend my daughter? Why?” “Well, first, we would have to discuss what So
At Pizzeria Campos, the flow of customers began to increase as the night progressed. Caio and Brigitte arrived at the place after having dinner with chicken parmesan. The incident they witnessed earlier wouldn’t leave their minds. “There’s my dad, at the playground.” “How nice to have this play area for the kids while the adults wait for their pizza,” Brigitte commented with a smile. “Yes, it’s just not cool when an adult decides to crawl into the lycra tunnel. He always ends up getting stuck in there and can’t get out.” Caio smiled as he remembered countless times he and his father discovered a grown man completely stuck in the lycra tunnel the following day. And indeed, when they approached the playground, William was looking uncertainly at the mentioned tunnel, which was shaking violently. You could tell by the outline of the fabric that it wasn’t a child struggling inside. “Again, dad?” “It’s an 18-year-old who swore he could do it. Okay, let’s let him be. I can’t stay here