Night fell in Vila Pau-Brasil. Julian was preparing dinner while glancing at the inviting pool. He remembered the pool from Mark's original mansion, but here at Ferro House, he was part of the staff. The butler, Regis De Marco, a man in his fifties but still fit like a thirty-year-old hunk, approached him, noticing the daze. "Feeling like a swim, huh?" "I'm going to ask L— MR. Ferro if we can swim after hours," Julian replied, smiling as he checked the roasted chicken with potatoes. The butler walked away, laughing heartily, to check on the wine. Julian sighed in relief. He noticed that no one around referred to Mark as 'Lord' Ferro, so he preferred to do the same to avoid suspicion. Julian knew that his master's identity could attract unwanted attention. Mark had made many enemies over his lifetime. For this reason, all the male employees, including Julian and his father, underwent training to defend themselves. Julian and his father took shooting lessons, karate and other
Meanwhile, the Vasconcelos family was having a lost trip to the restaurant at Rocha Hotel. "How can it be that Luana Barros is not here?" Christopher asked, his eyes bloodshot. The hotel receptionist sincerely considered calling the police. "That's exactly what you heard. And please don't intimidate us, or I will call security." Althea was outraged. "Miss, do you know who you're talking to? We're not low-income families that give you the right to call security. We demand respect!" Katrina, feeling disheartened, replied, "Guys, I've lost my appetite. We should have called ahead." "Sister, I tried to call!" Christopher asserted with some desperation. "The phone just went to voicemail!" James teased his brother-in-law, "She was probably too busy, grinding her teeth while that guy keeps ravishing her rear—" "SHUT UP!" Gilson exploded in outrage. "We're not going to argue in front of the staff. Are we eating or leaving?" "Let's leave, our mission has failed!" Katrina responded, giv
The Vasconcelos family had an ordinary dinner, hastily prepared by the cooks, as they thought the bosses would dine out.Now, they were in the living room, discussing the day's events. Katrina, as always, took the lead, whining, "And just when I was about to rightfully slap Briana, a man in gray appeared out of nowhere, pulling me back and making me fall to the ground!" Sandra and Nadir held back their laughter. Hidden behind the others, they went unnoticed. Gilson and Claudia were too shocked to notice. "What does this mean? Who is this man?" Gilson bellowed. "I don't know, Dad!" Katrina dramatized. "He didn't identify himself and went straight to Vice President Linz's office as if he had a scheduled meeting." "And what did Briana say?" Claudia asked with disdain, glancing at Nadir. "She asked if she hadn't met the man in gray before, to which the man denied it." Christopher frowned. "And why on earth would she ask something like that?" Katrina smirked slightly. "It has some
Saturday. Mark and Briana woke up after cuddling, with the sun's rays streaming through the French window. They hadn't dared to get intimate because of Karl and Luana, though they had imagined they might take the opportunity to have some fun behind closed doors. "Good morning, darling. Shall we see if Luana survived?" Mark asked, jokingly. Briana lightly nudged him. "Don't be silly..." She got up and opened the curtains, bathing in the morning sunlight. Now this is life! When or how would she have moments like this in the Vasconcelos Mansion, married to one of Althea the Retrograde's candidates? Briana headed to the bathroom while Mark stretched. Afterward, he decided to grab his phone and check for any updates. An assistant of Luana's had sent an audio file. Mark grew serious, thinking that an audio file sent on a Saturday must be important. He leaned back against the headboard, putting on his headphones. The maid entered the master suite and saw her boss leaning against
When Mark came downstairs, he wasn't surprised at all to find only Karl at the table, being served by Julian. As if reading the cook's mind, Mark announced, "Julian, if you'd like, you can swim in the pool when you're off duty."On weekends, we usually don't need such an elaborate lunch. If we have guests, we'll let you know." "Th-thank you, Mr. Ferro!" Julian exclaimed, surprised. "Wow, I'd love to be your employee!" Karl joked. Mark sat down, wearing a casual shirt with two buttons undone and khaki shorts. "In a way, you are, my friend," Mark replied with a slight smile. "Luana and I discussed some projects up in the room. Thanks for the hospitality," Karl said as he served himself pancakes. Mark smiled from the corner of his mouth. "And I don't even need to ask why Luana hasn't come down yet, huh?" Karl gave the most lewd, depraved grin imaginable. "Hope I didn't scandalize anyone." "The walls are soundproof," Mark responded nonchalantly. Karl felt relieved to hear that.
Sandro furrows his brow when he hears Briana's unusual request. "Daughter, why do you want confidentiality for a request like this?" "I don't want anyone misinterpreting what I'm asking you," Briana promptly replies. "And why do you want James's cell number?" Sandro continues to be suspicious, looking around to check if Nadir is listening. "I need to talk to him. It's about the LCN projects." Briana avoids directly mentioning James's infidelity. Sandro sighs. "Daughter, if Katrina finds out about this, and nothing guarantees me that James WON'T tell her that you called, there will be another mess." Briana sits on the bed, smirking mischievously. "What's that supposed to mean? Does that mean family life at the mansion hasn't been easy and harmonious?"Oh, I thought Grandma Althea wanted me to return to the peace and happiness of the Vasconcelos family!" "Daughter..." "How nice is to know that this mansion hasn't stopped being a den of treacherous snakes!" Briana retorts sharply
Mark stands up abruptly, boiling with uncontained rage. "What does this mean?" Mark explodes in indignation. "Why is my wife calling that worm? Did he call her?" "No, she called him." Regis scratches his neck, uncomfortable, having to pass this information. He was attending to his duties when an assistant from Linda passed this information to his phone. Mark, consumed with jealousy, couldn't think of a reason why his dear wife would call the rival. Without delay, he rushed upstairs to the master suite. Briana was still engrossed in the conversation. "What do you mean? You found out about that too?" "I'm worried about you, friend," James confessed. "Don't worry about me; worry about your wife's project," Briana replied sternly. Mark entered the master suite, expecting to find a friendly and flirty conversation. But the severe and angry tone of Briana made him pause and listen more closely. Briana continued, "And for Christ's sake, stop cheating on Katrina; otherwise, she's g
James frowned, not understanding anything. "Why does someone want to talk to my wife? Who is he?""Adrian Curtis, but I've never seen someone looking so fat and with messed up teeth." The butler shook his head, utterly disgusted."I'm going to see what this crazy guy wants. I don't know where my wife is." James approached the door.Adrian, who was expecting to speak with Katrina, came face-to-face with a muscular guy wearing only swim trunks.The disappointment was evident!James asked fiercely, "Were you expecting to find my wife in a bikini, dude? Who are you?""Adrian Curtis, I work at Glamour and I have a proposal for you and your wife. May I come in?" Adrian tried to maintain his composure."What are you talking about? Proposal? I don't want anything to do with that company; we're already satisfied with the LCN Group," James responded fiercely, moving his hand to close the door in Adrian's face.Adrian, sensing this, quickly asked, "Aren't you interested in defeating Mark Ferro?