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
At Urbano Magazine, Andreia decided to go into her son's office to check on him."Son, tell me exactly what happened. Do you still have your job?" Andreia closed the door as she asked anxiously."Geez, Mom, thank you so much for the trust you have in me!" Nathan scoffed."Oh, get out, son!" Andreia's maternal anxiety faded in seconds as she saw Nathan didn't deserve it, "Here I was, almost having a nervous breakdown, so worried for you, and you reacted as if being fired was NOT possible!""I just try to be more optimistic." Nathan sat in his swivel chair.Andreia asked sarcastically, "So your grandfather was fine with you being manipulated and made into a puppet by his enemy?"Nathan frowned, disrespecting his mother, "No. He will always prefer the clumsy Matt. I'll never understand why, so I need to win by other means.""Fraudulent and deceitful means, right?" Andreia crossed her arms."Where is the fraud?" Nathan retorted cynically, "Alfredo Dantas is a member of the board, correct?
The next day at the beach house, Andreia was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for another workday.She hummed softly to herself as she worked with the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.Vicente appeared in the doorway, deep circles under his eyes, moving slowly as if he were sleepwalking."Good morning, dear! Breakfast is ready," Andreia called out cheerfully, turning to her husband.Her cheerful demeanor quickly turned to concern as she saw Vicente's sinister expression."Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! What's wrong, dear? Not much sleep? I didn't notice you tossing and turning in bed last night," she asked frantically."Of course not, woman! You were sleeping like a log!" Vicente snapped back, his tone harsh and irritable.Andreia pursed her lips and focused on the coffee maker, trying to keep her composure."And may I know the reason for your insomnia?" she asked, her voice tense.Vicente suddenly coughed violently, sounding like a tuberculosis patient. The sound echoed thr
Meanwhile, in some building's lobby, Karl was being attended to by the superintendent, who greeted him warmly, recognizing him as an important man."I'm very happy to help you move to our beautiful city," the superintendent said friendly."Yes, I'm delighted," Karl replied gently, though his smile was forced."And you'll also have the opportunity to live below the penthouse of the famous writer Jonah Lopes!" the superintendent continued enthusiastically.Karl struggled to maintain his smile. "Really?""Yes! And there's more: he's dating an old-time socialite, not that I'm calling her old, quite the opposite! Sheila Sterling is a beauty even at forty... It's a shame her husband passed away...""It really is a pity," Karl said distantly, his mind elsewhere."Anyway, I believe he won't mind giving you an autograph, Mr. Vieira," the superintendent added."I'm not a big fan of his writing style," Karl replied, his tone mocking.The elevator dinged and opened, revealing Sheila stepping out,