Mark leaned comfortably against the headboard of the bed, his phone in hand.A message from Linda appeared on the screen: "Lord Ferro, we managed to contact a suitable actor and actress for Katrina Ross's series. Sandro Vasconcelos will handle the hiring."Mark's lips curled into a smile."What a pleasant way to start the day," he thought.He quickly typed a reply: "Great. Make sure this information leaks to the press, especially online."Beside him, Briana stirred, turning in her sleep to face him.Her eyes fluttered open to the sight of Mark, still engrossed in his phone, his strong fingers dancing across the screen with precision.Her gaze drifted from his hands to his sculpted chest, then lower, noticing how the blanket had slipped just enough to reveal a hint of his nudity.A mischievous smile crept across her face."Don't you have to work today?" Mark asked, breaking the silence.Briana jumped slightly, startled by how he seemed to know she had been undressing him with her eyes.
Luana moved to close the door in Christopher's face, but he was faster, blocking the movement with such force that it caused her to stumble."Ouch! Be careful! Don't break my door!" Luana exclaimed, regaining her balance."I'd rather break the face of that creep who hasn't stopped banging you since the day I tried to visit you at the hotel!" Christopher shot back, his voice full of anger.Luana frowned, confused. "What day?"Christopher's eyes widened in disbelief.Inside the kitchen, Karl, hearing the familiar voice, furrowed his brow.Realizing it was Christopher, he quickly got up and headed to the bedroom to get dressed, knowing things were escalating in the living room."So, he didn't even tell you that?" Christopher continued, his voice filled with bitterness. "Too busy wearing you out, huh?"Unable to contain herself, Luana slapped Christopher across the face. "Damn you, Chris! What else do I need to do to show you that I'm not interested in you? I'm with Karl!"Christopher rub
James couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with Christopher. The normally composed man was excessively aggressive today."You're definitely not yourself today, Christopher. What happened?" James asked with concern in his voice."Don't try to analyze me!" Christopher snapped back."Something happened, and you're taking it out on me. I don't know if I'll allow myself to be your punching bag, buddy!" James retorted.Christopher stepped aside, pacing in circles, clearly agitated. "OK, enough small talk! What did you decide? Should I play the recording for my dad? For Katrina?""I already told you, Katrina is not going to divorce me!" James replied, trying to keep his ground."Then tell me, what did you decide?"There was a long pause as James stared at Christopher, suspicion brewing as he tried to decipher his brother-in-law's thoughts."I... Something happened yesterday," James finally confessed."What?" Christopher stopped pacing, his curiosity piqued."I found out that the
Mark, now dressed in a crisp gray suit, stood by the bed where Briana lay, still curled up under the covers, looking worn out and clearly embarrassed after seeking her husband's attention so directly. She sighed, covering her eyes."What a terrible manager I am…" Briana muttered.Mark leaned over and kissed her on the cheek with a comforting smile. "Don't worry, darling. If it were up to me, you wouldn't even work."Her voice was hoarse due to moaning too much as she replied, "I didn't want to be the spoiled wife who just burns through her husband's money.""You're so much more than that," Mark reassured her gently. "Even if you didn't work." He straightened up, ready to leave. "Now, I need to go. Goodbye."Briana, attempting humor through her exhaustion, mumbled, "Make sure Luana hasn't lost the ability to walk either."Chuckling at her remark, Mark left the suite, knowing that Karl had a mischievous streak similar to his own.As Mark descended the stairs, he pulled out his phone, wa
Mary Ellen was taken aback as she processed Celia's casual mention of Anthony Curtis.She looked at her friend in surprise."Are you saying that Anthony Curtis works at Red Light?" Mary Ellen asked, her voice edged with disbelief.Celia shrugged as if it were no big deal. "Kinda of. Why does that bother you so much?"Mary Ellen leaned in closer, her tone a mix of concern and urgency. "Shouldn't you consider yourself lucky to have avoided a mess? Red Light is infamous. They hire women as waitresses and then fire them if they get pregnant or... catch an STD."Celia shivered, her expression shifting from indifference to alarm. "Do they get pregnant by their husbands or by the customers?"Mary Ellen sighed, shaking her head. "I think you're catching on now, dear friend."Celia stared into her coffee cup, too stunned to take another sip. "Wow! How could Mr. Curtis stoop so low?""Desperation," Mary Ellen replied, her voice heavy with disappointment.Celia scoffed. "Well, he doesn't conside
Sandro slammed the door shut behind him, leaving only Gilson and James in the office with him. His face was twisted in anger, clearly aware of what Gilson had intended with the interruption."Pathetic, both of you," he sneered."Sandro, let's keep this civil," Gilson tried, but his voice lacked conviction."Civil?" Sandro scoffed. "You knew that if I hired top talent for the series, I'd be in the spotlight, and our mother would praise me for it. You're eaten alive by jealousy. It's sad, really."Gilson clenched his jaw, unwilling to admit anything. "Sandro… you have to understand how things work. You're just trying to make a name for yourself, but—""Shut up, idiot!" Sandro cut him off. "You talk so big, yet in front of our mother, you're all respectful and obedient, huh?"James, uncomfortable with the quarrel, attempted to interject, "Mr. Vasconcelos—""No need for such formality, James," Sandro said with a dark smile. "If I remember correctly, you had your eyes on my daughter."Jame
In Briana's office at Glamour, Mark waits impatiently for Luana to leave, but she lingers on purpose, her eyes bright with mischief.His phone rings loudly, filling the awkward silence."Aren't you going to answer that?" she teases.He replies in a cold tone, "I think you understand what that means."Feigning concern, Luana leans in. "Mark, don't tell me you're already cheating on Briana! Less than a year of marriage? She doesn't deserve that."Mark's face hardens. "Why on earth would I cheat on Briana? She's everything I need in a woman.""Oh, sure," she scoffs. "But men like you, so 'virile' and 'insatiable'... you're never satisfied with just one. Especially now that Briana's bedridden. This could be your chance to 'explore your options.'"The phone finally stops ringing, and Mark glares at Luana."Thanks, Luana! If I just missed an important deal for Glamour, that's on you."Luana laughs off his irritation. "Was the call about work?""No," he replies coolly. "It was personal. And
At noon, in the elegant restaurant at Rocha Hotel, Mark sat across from actor Ray Dixon, with a waiter hovering close by, assuming Ray was the one hosting. "Mr. Dixon," the waiter began, handing over menus with a polished smile. "Welcome to our restaurant. May I see your membership card to verify your status?" Ray flashed a polite smile, handing over his card.Though his status wasn't quite diamond-level, he shared a knowing glance with Mark, who only smiled slightly, a detail that went unnoticed by the waiter. "Thank you. We'll be at your service," the waiter said, departing with a professional nod.Ray, now more relaxed, lifted his sunglasses, scanning the menu. "Didn't you inform your friend, the general manager?" Ray asked. Mark nodded. "I did. Go ahead and order whatever you like, Dixon, even if it's only available to diamond members." Ray chuckled, flipping through the options. "I'm starving. People think I keep this physique with just salads. They couldn't be more wrong."