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."
James sensed that something was off about the way Celia was asking for a job."What's going on, Celia? Is this how you ask for a job?"Celia smiled arrogantly. "That's right. I'm not exactly asking; I'm kind of demanding."James raised his eyebrows. "What kind of demand is that? Why do you feel entitled to—""Before you start hyperventilating, let's get to the facts: I tried to get a job at the Red Light, but for some weird reason, I was kicked out by Mr. Anthony Curtis, someone who worked at Glamour just like I did.""O really?" James smiled mockingly.Celia continued unflinching, "Yes. So, while I was being thrown out, I struggled and caught a glimpse of you and Adrian Curtis."James gradually let the smile fade as he began to understand what was happening."Listen, Celia—""I'm not done yet!" Celia interrupted sharply, "After that, I went to have breakfast with Mary Ellen, my former colleague from Glamour but still my friend, and she explained to me what kind of place the Red Light
Mark found Briana interacting 'too much' with Julian.Jealousy seized him, especially as he recalled how Julian had looked to him that morning."Dear, can I speak with Julian for a moment?""Yes, I'll go change for dinner." Briana, walking like a little girl, kissed her possessive husband on the cheek and went to his room.Mark and Julian faced each other.Julian's heart started racing..."Mr. Ferro, is there a problem?""Did you talk to Regis?" Mark asked in a calm tone.The calm tone of Mark was exactly what made Julian, along with others, tremble like a green twig."Um... Yes, Lord Ferro— Mr. Ferro." Julian nodded like a wind-up toy."So, to complete the message, I strongly suggest you use the pool at night. It's heated, you know." Mark produced a smile that was not one of joy."Yes, Mr. Ferro." Julian lowered his head."During the day, if the lady is here, we run the risk of her seeing you in those revealing speedos... and we don't want that, do we?" Mark moved even closer to the
Mark was stunned to hear Claudia and Gilson brazenly scheming to deny Sandro the proper credit for hiring the artists for Katrina's series. Mark could have chosen not to get involved in this matter since it pertained to the Vasconcelos Company. But since it concerned the father of his beloved wife, and Mark had seen Sandro becoming a more acceptable person, he felt the need to take action. After that recording, Mark had no doubt: Gilson Vasconcelos was the rotten apple that had contaminated the whole basket. Sharpening his hearing, he continued to listen. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry for yelling earlier." Gilson was falsely apologizing. "I'm just so nervous about the possibility of Sandro outshining me." "You're right, dear." Claudia affirmed, "For many years, you triumphed and overcame the injustice of being dominated and subjugated by Sandro just because he's your older brother."We're now in the position you deserve. That idiot Mark the Pauper came along as if by divine providence,
The next day. Mark is having breakfast already dressed in a navy blue suit with pinstripes.Julian looks at Briana's empty seat."Arrange breakfast for Mrs. Ferro in the master suite," Mark ordered in a cold tone."Yes, Mr. Ferro." Julian swallows hard, already understanding why Briana couldn't come down to the dining room.After the cook left, Mark picked up his tablet to catch up on the day's news.As expected, the news that Vasconcelos hired Alanna Torres and Ray Dixon for their next series is in the headlines.Not a single mention of Sandro.Mark pressed his lips in irritation.Mark's phone rang, and he checked the caller ID: Sandro."Hello?"On the other end, Sandro was pacing in his suite while Nadir leaned against the headboard of the bed, drying her tears."Hello? Mark, did you read today's newspaper?""I just read that the 'Vasconcelos Company' hired two big-name artists for your niece's series," Mark remarked with the necessary irony."This is unfair, Mark! I mediated the hi
Luana met Lawrence Sodré at the café near Glamour."Luana, it's been a while since you called me! What happened?""Nothing happened, Lawrence, that's why I called you." Luana gestured for them to sit down.Like a gentleman, Lawrence waited for Luana to sit first. "So, nothing else has happened between Brie and that weird husband?"Luana took a deep breath, grabbing her latte. "Well... I don't know how to put this to you, Lawrence.""I'm listening.""I really don't believe Briana is going through any marital difficulties." Luana confessed, blowing on her latte and taking a sip.Lawrence stood still, thinking he must have heard an illusion.The idea that nothing was wrong in Briana and Mark's sudden marriage was something he could never accept!Lawrence smiled nervously, shaking his head. "Uh... Excuse me, Luana, can you repeat that?""I think you don't have a hearing problem," Luana asserted. "Lawrence, I've been closely observing Brie and Mark. They don't seem like an unusual couple t