Sheila returned to Jonah's penthouse. He greeted her with a hug."So, how was it? Was the lasagna delicious?""The lasagna was good, but the taste of being disregarded by my sister-in-law was not." Sheila broke the hug and collapsed on the couch.It seemed like she had returned from the Vietnam War.Jonah sat next to her. "Why was she hostile towards you?""I threw in her face how Jasmine is a terrible daughter and she insinuated something like 'your son should have left the auction command to me'," Sheila replied indignantly."It appears symbolically your sister-in-law agrees with what her daughter did." Jonah pondered."It's not that she's proud. She wants to blame Patty and my son too." Sheila shook her head, "But I won't accept that. Matt did right in appointing Patty to be the auction commander. And if it weren't for this fake painting fiasco, no one would be talking about anything other than how Patty was an excellent event conductor."The doorbell rang."Who's coming in?" Jonah
Matthew's graduation day had finally arrived. He and his friend Walter were graduating with degrees in Business Administration from Sterling University, an institution named after Matthew's family.As expected, Matthew was chosen to give the graduation speech!The auditorium was packed, and the ceremony was being broadcast live on LCN. Among the audience, the Sterling and Silva families watched Matthew with emotion.Liz and Fernando couldn't help but glance at an empty seat that should have been occupied by Jasmine.Matthew stepped up to the podium, exuding confidence. "Ladies and gentlemen," he began. "Well, I need no introduction. I entered this educational institution as a mere scholarship holder, and now I, leave here with my head held high, with excellent grades and a bright future ahead of me. But I don't just want to brag. I want people who watch me, and who have a dream, to feel confident in pursuing their goals. Believe in your potential. And if pursuing a degree is your drea
The party continued in full swing. Patricia, having recovered her composure, approached Ronaldo with a playful smile."Hey, let's not announce our relationship at this party, okay?" she said.Ronaldo nodded in agreement. "Let's not repeat the same mistake. I want our relationship to progress to marriage this time.""Oh, how romantic..." Patricia replied with her voice tinged with affection.Ronaldo, ever the gentleman, placed both hands on Patricia's face and kissed her.Meanwhile, Fernando, watching from a distance, glanced at Matthew to see if he would react with jealousy.From Fernando's point of view, Matthew and Elaine continued their affectionate conversation, completely oblivious to Patricia and Ronaldo.Liz approached her husband and noticed his keen observation. "Hey, are you spying on our nephew?" she asked."I needed to know if he's still going to cause trouble. It's my son's turn to be happy with Patty," Fernando said, his tone serious.Liz smiled softly. "Look, husband, I
It's evening. As the party wound down and guests began to leave the Sterling Mansion, Walter and Matthew shared a fraternal embrace in the foyer."Finally, it's over, buddy," Walter said. "Let's focus on our businesses from now on."Matthew smiled. "Have you inherited yours already?""No, but we'll continue to prepare for that day!" Walter replied jokingly.The embrace ended as the Andrade family approached, ready to leave."Matt, congratulations once again," Charles said. "The graduation speech was very inspiring."Emmanuelle added, "I'm sure the audience on the LCN channel must have gone through the roof."Jacqueline, still reeling from the news that Matthew was dating Elaine, found it difficult to speak.Walter gave her a pleading look, silently urging her to say something."Good luck in your professional life, Matt," Jacqueline said defensively."Thank you, Jacque. And remember what I told you," Matthew responded kindly.Unable to handle the situation any longer, Jacqueline left a
Abner answered the door wearing a white robe, clearly ready for bed."Oh, grandpa... you were about to go to bed," Matthew remarked."Are you asking or stating?" Abner replied."Both," Matthew said with a grin."If you need to tell me something, tell me," Abner said playfully, stepping aside to let Matthew in.Matthew entered the room, his expression serious. "I need to tell you something. Alfredo Dantas seems to be persistent in trying to replace me as president."Abner was shocked. "HUH? Doesn't he know you graduated today? I told all the board members about it!""It seems he refuses to accept reality. I received this photo from Clayton, taken at the Happy Snack Bar," Matthew said nonchalantly, handing his phone to Abner."Wasn't Clayton working at the university kiosk?" Abner asked, scrutinizing the photo."He probably showed up at the snack bar to see how things are going," Matthew suggested.Abner's expression hardened as he recognized Nathan chatting animatedly with Alfredo."I
The morning at the Gouveia family's beach house was marked by an uneasy breakfast.The air was thick with tension as Andrea and Vicente exchanged suspicious glances directed at Nathan."Where were you last night? Night swimming?" Vicente inquired with his tone tinged with suspicion.Nathan made a sly grin, taking deliberate bites of his ham and cheese sandwich to annoy his father. "I was just grabbing a snack," he replied, swallowing with a hint of insolence.Andrea chimed in, "With whom?"Nathan maintained his mocking smile as he replied, "With some friends," further fueling his parents' skepticism.Vicente's frustration was palpable. "Are you trying to tear this family apart?"But Nathan remained defiant. "I'm not the one hiding secrets and making shady deals," he retorted, his words dripping with disdain.Andrea, visibly offended, shot back, "Oh! So now you're using that against us?"Nathan's response was blunt. "Just a heads-up, I could if I wanted to."Vicente's patience wore th
Matthew, dressed formally with a tie, was about to start his day in Abner's office. Abner sat at his desk, looking determined."Grandpa, are you sure you can handle this alone?" Matthew asked, concern in his voice."It will be worth the last effort, until you fully take over my throne," Abner replied with a reassuring smile."Good. I need to go to Golden Letters. Now, that's my place every morning," Matthew said, preparing to leave."For now, for now..." Abner said, smiling.Just then, Evan opened the door and stuck his head into the office."He has arrived," Evan announced."I'm expecting him," Abner replied."Good luck, grandpa," Matthew said, hugging his grandfather before leaving.As he turned to go, he added to Evan, "Take care of him. Is your gun loaded?"Evan patted his suit, indicating the hidden holster. Matthew smiled, satisfied, and left the office.******Nathan approached the hallway with a confident smile, which faded when he saw Matthew coming from the opposite directio
Andreia, dressed in a green suit for work, paced the living room of their beach house, her face etched with worry. Vicente, wearing only red shorts, prepared for a swim."I'm extremely worried, darling!" Andreia exclaimed."Who was that old man you showed me, and what does he plan to do with our son?" Vicente asked, concern growing in his voice.Andreia's irritation was displayed all over her face. "He is an annoying old man who was in love with Mom and blames my Dad for 'stealing' her from him. As if such a thing could be true. My mother was the beauty of the school and my father was the captain of the football team: how could anyone dare to separate that perfect couple?""The imbecile thought he could, huh?" Vicente joked."And now he is using that grudge to get back at my father, interfering with his decisions at the board," Andreia continued.Vicente's anger flared. "And what's worse: using my son as a tool for revenge! No wonder Nate is so confident in defeating Matt!""I hope Ma