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
Rodrigo and Thierry are talking in the office that used to belong to Jacques at the Lafayette Mansion.“Rod, we need to figure out some details that people keep pestering me about,” Thierry comments.“What’s bothering you?” Rodrigo sits in one of the upholstered armchairs.“They want to know if my son will inherit the photography studio or the supermarket.” Thierry sighs.Rodrigo rests his chin on his hand. “What have you decided?”“Well, I would prefer if my son took over the supermarket,” Thierry replies cautiously. “The photography studio is something personal to me, my hobby. I’m not sure if I intend to keep it in the family when I get really old and pass away.”“Have you talked to your wife about this?” Rodrigo asks.“Not yet, we’re discussing it among ourselves, gentlemen and heads of family,” Thierry chuckles.“Well, maybe you and Rosemary will have more children, and then the second one can take over the studio,” Rodrigo suggests. “It would be a shame for you to get rid of all
Rodrigo visits Daryl at Crystal Blue to discuss their earlier conversation. He finds his cousin in the office that used to belong to Daniela. “Daryl, I need to chat with you. But please, don’t get your hopes up too much.” “What do you mean? I’m a controlled guy!” Daryl replied in a joking tone. Rodrigo hesitated, unsure whether to continue. He knew how emotional Daryl could be. “Okay, but as I said, don’t get your hopes up. Thierry is commenting that his son is going to inherit the supermarket.” Daryl, as expected, couldn’t contain his emotions. “But why doesn’t THIERRY just take over that damn supermarket already, huh?” Rodrigo jumped slightly. “Huh? You promised you would stay calm.” Daryl took a deep breath and counted to five before continuing. “Sorry, cousin. But I’m just stating the truth. Thierry should have taken over the supermarket from the start. It’s his last name. Or does he plan to keep playing photographer until he dies?” “That was basically what he said,” Rodri