In the halls of the Silva Oil Company, Matthew realized that the beast that needed to be outwitted now needed to be tamed.“Uncle, allow me to explain...”“No.” Fernando shook his head in disbelief. “Please, Matt, don’t do this.”“You seem to already know what I mean.” Matthew remains unfazed.“Why would you do something like that, Matt?” Fernando despairs. “You stole your cousin’s girlfriend! We’re family too, in case you forgot!”“Hey, wait a minute. It’s not that simple.” Matthew shakes his index finger. “First of all, Ron had no business getting involved in the party I was throwing, announcing his relationship right after I announced my engagement.”“Ah, so that’s why you stole my son’s girlfriend?” Fernando crossed his arms.“I didn’t steal, in the full sense of the word.” Matthew scratches his head. “We both saw we were making a mistake.”“Patty came to you after she was insulted by Ron?” Fernando raised his eyebrows.Matthew swallowed hard. He wasn’t going to tarnish his belove
In Ronaldo’s office, people might think that the son of the Silva Oil Company heir is taking care of the oil company, but in reality, he is taking care of his love life.Matthew is faced with a cousin he hasn’t seen in years, and little by little he realizes that he wasn’t Patricia’s best choice.“Ron, what’s wrong with you?” Matthew asked calmly. “You weren’t like this before. If before you scared Patty, now you’re scaring ME.”Ronaldo ironically retorts, “I don’t think anyone can scare the great Matthew Sterling.”“Well, let’s put things in this light: Patricia Borges doesn’t want to be your girlfriend anymore.”Ronaldo continued to stare at Matthew without any reaction for long seconds. Matthew wanted to know what was going through his head.Matthew felt that the matter should be treated seriously, as a business transaction. “Do you understand, Ron? Patty and I... started dating. We love each other.”“That can’t be.” Ronaldo suddenly said, “Patricia agreed to be my girlfriend not l
At the headquarters of the Sterling Empire, Matthew wore an elegant pinstripe suit and chaired the presentation meeting for ‘Ste-learning’, the new online teaching platform that promises to revolutionize the conglomerate.“It has been several years since we expanded our network of private schools, nor built another university,” Matthew explained with fluency and magnetism in his voice. “So, with this teaching platform, people can connect from the comfort of their homes and take advantage of our knowledge. In fact, we can extend this privilege to the university, creating distance learning, something that we have neglected since then.”“Online degree courses?” The CEO of Urbano magazine asked in wonder.“This has been a modality that has existed since the last decade,” Matthew spoke after carrying out extensive research. “People take the undergraduate course classes they want and show up at the university only for the semester exams and to hand in their monograph.”Abner nodded proudly.
Patricia appeared calm, but inside, she was dying of anxiety. Why did Walter have to enter the Gibraltar Club and catch her ending a conversation with Ricardo?“Walt, calm down. I think you’re exaggerating.” Patricia managed to say just that.“Am I exaggerating?” Walter sat where Ricardo had been. “He was leaving your table. Either he just greeted you briefly, or he’s been talking to you. Either way, he interacted with you!”“Why are you acting this way?” Patricia frowned. “Do you think I’m playing into Cindy’s hands, cheating on Matt after all the trouble I went through to finally win him over?”“You didn’t have any trouble ensnaring my friend!” Walter retorted fiercely. “You just broke into his suite and spread your legs! Where is the ‘trouble’?”Patricia couldn’t hold back any longer and slapped Walter. What an outrage!“Okay, I got it.” Walter held his sore cheek. “My best friend Matt has no luck with women. But that’s what happens to great men in history.”“SHUT UP, you ridiculou
Vanda entered the Borges house with a triumphant smile. Things were happening to her and her daughter’s delight!Patricia appeared at the top of the stairs, half shaken by the conversation she had with Walter. But her mother’s joy distracted her from the previous scene. “Mom, good evening. The lady is very smiling. Do we have any more piece of good news?”Vanda hurriedly goes up the stairs. “Daughter, let’s go to your room and pack your bags!”“Bags?” Patricia’s eyes widen. “Where am I running away?”“You’re not running away.” Wanda laughs. “You’re going to live in the Sterling Mansion!”Patricia understood that this was the effect of the photo that Ricardo sent to Matthew. But she had to feign ignorance, widening her eyes and acting like a surprised woman. “WHAT? Why am I going to the mansion today? Was it Matt who suggested this?”“Suggest?” Vanda giggles as she leads her daughter to her room. “No, my dear daughter. You needed to see how steady and authoritative Matt was. He ordaine
The next day, Patricia and Matthew woke up at the same time, with both of their cell phones ringing the alarm at the same time. They really looked married, doing things in sync.“Yawn... good morning, my love.”“Good morning, my passion.”They both get up: Patricia, in her nightgown; Matthew, in his birthday suit.Patricia bites her lower lip in lust as she watches her boyfriend walk uninhibitedly to the bathroom. Then, she doesn’t wait any longer and takes out her cell phone to send a message.‘I moved into the Sterling Mansion after he saw the photo. Thanks!’Afterward, she went to the closet to choose something to wear.Meanwhile, Matthew was under the shower soaping himself, but his gaze seemed distant with other thoughts.He couldn’t forget the photo.If Matthew still had any doubts about something going on between Cindy and Jackson, that photo was definitive proof. Maybe he should discuss this with Patricia to justify the discipline he was applying to Jackson...But as he though
In the middle of the street, Liz questioned Sheila about the situation with their children.Sheila was embarrassed to be questioned openly and gestured for her sister-in-law to go to the mansion. “I didn’t understand your question.”“I think you did,” Liz complained. “I’m referring to the fact that my son Ron is heartbroken after Matthew showed up in his office announcing that Patty no longer wants him as her boyfriend.”“Ah, that...” Sheila sighed.“After that, I never heard from Patty again!” Liz whinnied. “Where is she? Why didn’t she come to us to formally announce the dissolution of their relationship? Ron is devastated and barely leaves his room to feed! Yesterday, he didn’t even take a shower and his beard is horrible.”“Oh, heavens, tell your son to clean himself. Girls hate smelly men.” Sheila seemed to mock Ronaldo.“He only cares about one girl’s opinion.” Liz retorted. “And then? Do you understand where I’m getting at?”“Yes, Liz. I’m very sorry.” Sheila stares at her. “It
Matthew appeared at the university square after Walter and Patricia finished talking. He met with Jacqueline. They both chose the same table where the previous couple was.“Is it okay for us to talk, Jacque? Or is the matter confidential?”Jacqueline looked at her cell phone. “Walt came in. I think your class is about to start, so I won’t be long.”Matthew smiles gently. “I confess that I was curious about your call. What do you have so important to tell me?”Jacqueline swallows hard and decides to speak at once, “Matt... Walt doesn’t intend to tell you because he doesn’t want to put worms in your head. I also don’t know all the details, so I don’t want you to think I’m making a strong accusation.”“Ok, I got it.” Matthew nodded.“I saw Walt talking to Patricia at the Gibraltar Club yesterday.” Jacqueline narrated, “He was practically arguing with her. I’ve never seen him so serious with her as yesterday. After she left, I looked closely and saw that there was a bruise on my brother’s
At Silva Oil Company, Kirk appeared in Leonardo’s office. Fernando and Marta had already left. “KIRK!” Leonardo abruptly stood up from his desk. “How are you, my young man!” “Mr. Silva?” Kirk was surprised by such reverence. “I didn’t know you cared so much about me...” “Cut the small talk! You just had a seizure and looked like you were going to die in my company,” Leonardo gestured for the employee to sit down. “Now I want to know all the details. Don’t hide anything from this curious old man.” Kirk smiled and sat down. “Well, sir, there’s not much to tell. I was stupid enough to fall for the siren’s song.” “In this case, the cocaine song, right?” Leonardo leaned forward. “What do you intend to do from here on out?” “Obviously, I promised myself and my family that I wouldn’t use that cr*p anymore. It wasn’t worth all the drama and suffering,” Kirk replied honestly. “That’s good. Then you can continue from where you left off,” Leonardo smiled, relieved. “That’s about what I w
In Urbano Magazine, Cindy returned with the printed sheet, extending it to Andreia. “Read this not-so-pretentious article, my friend,” Cindy declared. Andreia took the paper and read it. A smile formed at the right corner of her mouth. “Cool... nothing so blatantly accusatory, but clear enough for any semi-literate person to understand that Elaine knocked over that pyramid of champagne glasses, causing a scene at the book signing.” “Of course, I won’t say she did it because the honored author was her enemy’s mother,” Cindy replied mischievously. “You don’t want to risk Matt’s wrath.” Andreia stood up, a bit slowly due to her pregnancy. “Speaking of which, how did he react after your dad’s video?” “I didn’t bring it up with him,” Cindy shook her head. “If I mention it, people will say I still love him.” “And you don’t want to do anything to ruin your relationship with Jackson,” Andreia repeated. “Cindy, it’s commendable that you’re more committed and focused on having someone in
Fernando appeared in the kitchen wearing gray sweatpants. Liz, who was sour and bitter, smiled pathetically with her gaze fixed on her husband’s pants. “Good morning, son. What’s new?” Ronaldo replied rudely, “The news is seeing my mother still able to walk!” “RON!” Liz was startled. Fernando shook his head. “Son, don’t be disrespectful. Your mother and I are trying to be as discreet as possible.” Ronaldo shot back, “Just missing discretion when discussing my fiancée, huh? Can we talk about that now?” Liz pursed her lips. “I was so happy when I woke up, but you made sure to ruin my day.” “Mom, we can’t avoid the obvious!” Ronaldo turned to Fernando. “Matt told me that Elaine was reprimanded.” “And I will never agree to that!” Liz shouted. “Elaine was a victim of that tough girl from the slums! She could have died from a cut to her jugular!” “But Elaine provoked Patty’s wrath by saying those nasty things,” Fernando reasoned as he served himself breakfast. “Couldn’t Patricia a
Silva Penthouse, Monday morning. Ronaldo was walking down the hallway to the kitchen in just his boxer shorts when the suite door opened. Liz was smiling a little too much, looking like she was about to dance ballet. “Mom! Long time no see!” “Yes, son, I had a wonderful time with your father!” Liz replied suggestively. Ronaldo blushed to the roots of his hair. “Is breakfast ready?” she asked casually. “I was about to check,” Ronaldo said, heading to the kitchen. There, the coffee maker was already brewing coffee. “Nando must have prepared it in advance.” Liz took bread and butter from the fridge. Ronaldo, cautious, sat down at the table. He noticed a tear in Liz’s nightgown. “Mom, did you and Dad make up this Sunday?” “We can say he’s no longer in love with your fiancée,” Liz replied with a mischievous smile. “Mom, stop talking about that disgusting stuff!” Ronaldo frowned. “This is all your sick imagination.” Liz simply shrugged, sitting down at the table as well. “You’r
Elaine arrived stumbling with fear and bewilderment. The truth about Bella and Nathan’s relationship was something horrifying and incredible for her to digest. “Oh my God... how did these two families let this issue intertwine like this?” Nayla was at the reception desk, smiling, waiting for Elaine to approach. But when she realized Elaine was going to walk past her, Nayla called out loudly, “ELAINE?” Elaine stopped suddenly and looked at her friend. “Oh, Nayla, I’m sorry...” “Don’t worry. I know you must be going through a lot of pressure.” Nayla stood up. “I really am. But I always have time for my friends.” Elaine smiled and approached, trying to distract her mind. “I wanted to know if there are any openings here at Golden Letters for my brother.” Nayla asked respectfully. Elaine’s smile vanished with the wind. As Nayla’s boss, she knew who the brother was. “Nayla, we’re friends, but you know I have a strong opinion against drug use and sales.” Elaine replied in a boss t
At Andrade Clinic, Charles was leading a meeting with the receptionists and security guards. Walter and Emmanuelle were present. “So, everyone, the next time Liz Silva or anyone else causes a scene at the clinic entrance, security or even the police must be called in immediately. Don’t hesitate just because the troublemaker is someone from an important family. This is a hospital clinic, not a zoo, so I demand order in the lobby. A disturbance can jeopardize the patients who are waiting for care, and I don’t want to compromise anyone’s safety, understood?” “Yes, Mr. Andrade!” everyone responded in unison. “Okay, everyone can return to your posts.” The staff went back to work. Linda gave Walter a brief kiss before leaving. “Linda, I need to ask you a quick question,” Emmanuelle called her back. Linda paused, closing the door after the last person left. “Did you check with your parents if it’s safe to go home?” “No, Emmanuelle. The conversation with Gus was so good that I forgot
In Matthew’s suite, he was now buttoning the cuffs of his genuine cotton dress shirt. Elaine had also gotten out of the bathtub, unable to continue relaxing, and was now putting on her work suit.The memory of the Golden Letters prompted Matthew to strike up a conversation. “Did you remove a glass from the base of the pyramid?” Elaine stared at Matthew as if he were the devil. “What? How can you throw a question like that out of nowhere?” “I just asked a question, woman, answer me.” Elaine shook her head as she walked to the sofa to put on her high heels. “This is inconceivable. Your mind is always revolving around Patricia’s issues. You never forget her, and then tell me I don’t need to worry.” “Was the champagne glass pyramid made for an occasion involving Patricia?” Matthew countered logically. “No, but it was her mother’s book signing.” Elaine angrily slipped on her shoes. “Well, I remembered that many claimed the embarrassment happened because someone removed a glass from
Monday. Elaine was relaxing in the bathtub of her husband’s suite. Matthew stepped out of the shower stall, drying his hair with a white towel as he walked to the double sink. The sight of Matthew’s exposed body startled Elaine for a few seconds, but then she took advantage of the beautiful view, smiling mischievously. “It hardly feels like it’s Monday,” she commented casually. Matthew was washing his face as he said, “Yes, it’s Monday, the day to take care of important things after we relax our nerves on Sunday.” Elaine pursed her lips and retorted, “If I relaxed my nerves, it’s because they were in shambles. It’s not like me to live in constant stress, darling. I might not get the chance to calm down in the future.” Matthew turned off the faucet and grabbed a face towel. “Are you saying you would be willing to reduce your contact with Aunt Liz?” Elaine could no longer relax. “What does that mean?” Matthew tossed the towel onto the sink and turned to his wife. “I don’t like t
In the Silva Penthouse, Liz took advantage of the wreckage of the coffee table to create more drama. “Here we have it, darling! The COFFEE TABLE is SHATTERED with Elaine’s body thanks to Patty—” “SHUT UP!” Fernando slammed the door shut. Liz trembled in panic, staring wide-eyed at her furious husband. “But what is this? Why are you angry with me, darling, when you should be furious with Patty—” “I command silence, and you keep babbling even more!” Fernando went to the utility room to grab a broom. Liz quickly grabbed her phone and took a picture of the shattered coffee table. Maybe this will come in handy for her in the future... “So, what are we going to do about this?” Liz shouted for Fernando to hear. Fernando returned with a broom and a dustpan in hand. “Don’t tell me you’re going to sweep this up!” Liz reacted horrified. “Let the maid clean it up on Monday!” “I won’t have a living room full of glass shards until Monday. I want to watch TV tomorrow!” Fernando’s ferocity