Elaine arrived at Golden Letters with a relieved expression, confident that she had managed to keep Matthew away from his rivals.Brennon intercepted her in the hallway. "Elaine, Mr. Vieira is waiting in your office.""Thank you very much, Brennon!" Elaine exclaimed radiantly. "I'm so happy I could order a raise for everyone!""Don't be shy, my friend!" Brennon joined in the banter — or it wasn't some banter? Could there be a raise for him today?Elaine laughed and entered her office.Karl was waiting, ready for his first orders."Hello, Mr. Vieira. Well, may I call you Lawrence?" Elaine extended her hand.Karl shook it, a sincere and charismatic smile on his lips. "If I do a good job, you can call me Larry."Elaine was struck by Karl's aura. Where had she seen someone with such a commanding presence before?She shook her head and sat down, turning on her computer. "Well then. The first order of business will be for you to get acquainted with Vanda Borges.""The new best-selling autho
Fernando shook his head, trying to dispel these horrendous thoughts from his mind. He had no right to covet his son's girlfriend!Ronaldo had already lost Patricia to Matt. If he lost her again to his father, he might just kill himself!Reaffirming his resolve, he entered the office, smiling at the embracing couple. "Oh, how lovely! What do we have here?""Father, good morning," Ronaldo broke the embrace, "We're just taking care of our love.""Carry on, don't let this old man interfere." Fernando attempted to leave."You're not interfering at all, Fernando," Patricia replied kindly.Fernando struggled not to be enchanted by his future daughter-in-law's smile. "Uh... OK, we need to address something. This involves you too, Patty."Ronaldo and Patricia gave Fernando their full attention."The Lion's Den favela will have an inauguration of the piped water and sewage system. Since it all began with a charity event led by you, Patty, you should—""No, Fernando!" Patricia grew serious, begi
Vicente and Nathan thought they had heard wrong."Um... Please, repeat, Dr. Almeida," Vicente asked, stunned, "Did you say they are going to transfer my wife to the obstetrics ward? Does that mean she is pregnant?""Exactly, Mr. Gouveia! I know it seems a little late, but congratulations! You will be a father for the second time!" Dr. Almeida tried to be as upbeat as possible.But Vicente and Nathan felt like they were in a horror movie!How could this happen? Was Andreia cheating on Vicente?Suddenly, Vicente remembered how his love life and marital intimacy with Andreia had improved by 110% since they made up and canceled the divorce.Even Nathan could attest to the times he had heard moans and teeth grinding coming from his parents' room at four in the morning."Excuse me, I better attend to other patients. You can wait for more information in the lounge." Dr. Almeida left, thinking this kind of reaction was normal. She had witnessed it several times before.Nathan turned to his fa
Cindy returned to Urbano Magazine, where she found Matthew languishing from waiting too long in Nathan's office."Matt! What are you doing here?" Cindy asked, pleasantly surprised."I came for a meeting," Matthew replied with displeasure. "I was expecting to meet Aunt Andreia... and Nate...""Oh, it seems Nate hasn’t come back here," Cindy conveniently said, implying that Nathan was slacking off at work.Cindy's words had the desired effect. Matthew clenched his jaw, releasing his frustration.Today was the day to fire the idle cousin, and it turned out he wasn’t even on the company's premises for it!Smiling internally, Cindy wanted to pull Matthew's thoughts like a bucket of water from an Israeli well. "What’s wrong, Matt? Is there a problem I can help with?"Matthew looked carefully at Cindy before deciding. "OK, you work here, right? I came to fire Nathan. Aunt Andreia was aware of this."Cindy was taken aback by the announcement.Nathan wasn’t Cindy’s favorite person, but the ide
Matthew gave all his attention to listening to what Walter had to say about Jacqueline.Walter noticed this and smiled mischievously. "Hmm... Why so much attention on my little sister?""I was informed that she was feeling unwell, but I've been trying all day to come here. So many commitments." Matthew explained as if confessing a sin in a confessional."I understand. You've had many matters to deal with now that you're the president of the Sterling Empire." Walter, like Matthew, didn't suspect the real reason."Anyway, can I see her?" Matthew smiled.His phone rang, and he checked the caller. "Oh, it's Patty. I'll take it.""Take it in my office," Walter suggested.After Matthew entered, Walter smiled like a tiger and hurried to Jacqueline's room.Jacqueline had woken up and was resting peacefully. Her heart rate and blood pressure were at the ideal levels, as shown by the multi-parameter monitor."Hey, brother. What’s with that smiling face?" Jacqueline asked, curious."Can’t I have
Saturday. The day of the party Jacqueline wanted to throw for Matthew had arrived. Matthew was already descending the stairs of Sterling Mansion with Evan following behind, dressed casually."Those black jeans look good on you, Young Matthew," Evan complimented, eyeing his boss closely."Thanks, Evan. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?" Matthew asked with an inviting smile."I need to connect with your grandfather to go over the report," Evan replied responsibly.Abner had been pestering the secretary to keep him updated on everything happening with his beloved grandson."Okay, I’ll bring you a piece of cake," Matthew joked, mentioning a habit of the residents of Lion's Den.Evan stepped aside, laughing heartily.But just before Matthew could open the door, it swung open, revealing Elaine.Elaine was taken aback to see Matthew in black jeans, a white T-shirt, and a matching black blazer, looking charming and interesting."Where do you think you're going all dressed up and at
“Matt, you actually came!” Jacqueline didn’t waste any time bringing the guest of honor closer to her.“Really?” Matthew chuckles. “I promised I’d come, didn’t I? After all, the party was thrown in my honor.”Patricia and Ronaldo stop dancing. Patricia smiles brightly upon seeing that Matthew is alone.“She didn’t come,” Patricia comments with pleasure.“Who, Elaine?” Ronaldo looks around in all directions.“I don’t see her. I bet Matt didn’t even tell her,” Patricia says mischievously and moves closer to greet him.Ronaldo heads to the drinks bar. A friend of Zachary is serving as the bartender.“Tough day, Mr. Silva?” he asks while preparing a drink.“Nah... With Patty, everything’s easier,” Ronaldo praises her, accepting the drink.Patricia approaches the 'couple'. “Hi! The party is wonderful, Jacque.”“Thanks, Patty. Have you seen our guest of honor?” Jacqueline snuggles up to Matthew, and he doesn’t stop the physical contact.Walter looks at everyone from a distance, concerned.“
Matthew smiles and stands up as if he were a politician, grinning and waving to the voting public. "That's right! We are very excited about the swearing-in of our friend. Matt was hiding in the slums, hopeless and without a future, until God was merciful and showed him the truth that sets him free!" Jacqueline continued with her enthusiastic and animated praise. Walter smiled at his younger sister. He approached her and whispered, "Let the folks have their fun, sis." "Oh, yes, I didn't want to drag this out. Let's toast and cheer for Matthew Sterling! May his future be promising!" "Here, here!" Everyone holding drinks raised their glasses high, toasting to Matthew’s future. The DJ continued playing music. Patricia approached Ronaldo again. "Fun party, huh?" "Yes, dear. Jacqueline went all out to please my cousin." Ronaldo smiled kindly, "Do you think it will be enough?" "For...?" "For your revenge." Ronaldo wrapped his arm around Patricia. Patricia wasn’t willing to see it t