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,
The tense conversation continues in the Silva penthouse kitchen among Liz, Fernando, and Ronaldo."Fernando, son, we need to handle this situation calmly," Fernando advises. "If Jasmine returns and we have Patty living here, things will get ugly between them."Ronaldo responds ironically, "Really? Why? Is Jasmine the owner of this penthouse?"Liz intervenes, "No, but she's our daughter."Ronaldo explains, "Mom, Jasmine disobeyed Matt and was morally responsible for his breakup with Patty. Having Jasmine here would be a constant reminder for Patty."Fernando questions with outrage, "So you suggest we FORBID Jasmine from coming back?""That's the price she pays for being a troublemaker," Ronaldo insists.Fernando and Liz shake their heads at the same time, disagreeing."Sorry, son," Fernando adds. "If Patty wants to live here, she'll be welcome. But if Jasmine reappears, I won't kick out my daughter. They'll have to learn to live together."Ronaldo tastes bitterness in his mouth, knowin
Karl opens the door to his apartment and surveys the interior, satisfied with the decoration.The apartment is already decorated, except for some basic items like a television and other electronics.He smiles with satisfaction, planning to arrange the missing items soon.Karl enters the bedroom with his suitcases and places them on the single bed.He starts unpacking clothes and, as he looks at an object, his eyes sparkle with emotion.Karl picks up a picture frame showing himself, Sheila, and Matthew when Matthew was two years old, all happy in a park.He places it on the bedside table."I'll make up for the lost time, son. I promise. In the meantime, bear without me a little longer," Karl murmurs.The doorbell rings.Karl leaves the room and heads to the living room.He opens the door to find Edmund standing outside."Edmund!" Karl exclaims, smiling broadly."Karl!" Edmund responds warmly, and they embrace."Since when have you been here, my man?" Edmund asks."A few days," Karl rep
Andreia sat at her desk with a serious expression on her face, staring at her computer without really paying attention."What are you so worried about, hubby?" she muttered to herself, clicking and typing on the Internet.On her screen, Vicente's channel was trending, with the number of views and subscribers increasing daily.Vicente was currently recording another live stream, wearing a suit and tie, deeply engrossed in playing another Beethoven classic.The 9º Symphony filled the room. The door opened, and Nathan entered, finding his mother with a slight smile, appreciating the music and her husband."Okay, is everything under control now?" he asked."Hi, son," Andreia replied."Mom, do you know what got into Dad?" Nathan questioned."Did something get into him? Look how calm and focused he is," Andreia responded.Nathan moved to the other side of the desk.Seeing his father on the computer, he was taken aback. "How is this possible? Before I left, his nerves were in sherds. It coul
Vicente had finished his live stream at the Beach House and was now receiving applause and comments from his subscribers on social media.He smiled as he read the praises and typed responses on his tablet."Wow! I nailed this live. Good thing I can do it without my annoying son," Vicente remarked happily.From behind Vicente, the door opened, and Karl entered."You have some talent with your piano."Vicente jumped in surprise and turned to the door, paling as he saw Karl."What the hell are you doing here?" Vicente exclaimed."Calm down! I know your son and wife are at work," Karl reassured him."Of course, you know everything that happens in my life!" Vicente replied desperately."Don't be hysterical. You weren't like this when you were fooling my sister," Karl countered.Vicente put the tablet away before he dropped it. "Let's get one thing straight, you idiot: I LOVE ANDREIA!""I never denied that. What I've always questioned is what DROVE you to love Andreia. You could love my sis
In the Sterling Mansion, on the veranda, Abner indulges in a mid-morning snack as Jarbas appears somewhat embarrassed."Jarbas, you're not interrupting my snack. Go ahead and say what you need to," Abner assures him."Sir... Mr. Gouveia is here. Mr. Vicente Gouveia," Jarbas informs him."Well, send him in then," Abner orders him.Moments later, Vicente enters and sits across the table, visibly on edge."My goodness, Vicente! What happened to you?" Abner expresses concern."Some sinister things," Vicente responds cryptically."What do you mean? I watched your Live and thought it was fantastic! I even pressed 'like'," Abner remarks."Thank you, but I'm not concerned about that right now. Abner, I'm aware that my son showed up here yesterday," Vicente starts the subject.Abner pauses chewing. "Yes. The audacity of that brat demanding that I appoint him as president of the conglomerate just because someone who hasn't gotten over a high school grudge wants to get back at me!""Tell me, Abn
In Karl's apartment, he sits on the sofa, scrolling through the news on his phone, and comes across Marilza Peres's headline."Hmm... Interesting..." Karl muses and then uses the same phone to make a call.In the Sterling Cultural Hall, Edmund's phone rings."Hello?" Edmund answers."Have you read the news?" Karl inquires."I'm a very busy man, sir..." Edmund jokes."Don't be a clown. My son made the cover of a magazine again," Karl informs him."If you could just brief me..." Edmund requests."Okay, but read it yourself later. My boy is dating a stunning blonde, an employee of Golden Letters," Karl answers him."I heard he was sort of forced to break up with Patty Borges," Edmund comments."I want to know more about this girl," Karl admits."What's your interest in the girl?" Edmund asks."Define 'interest,'" Karl challenges playfully."Do you want to date her?" Edmund queries.Karl bursts into laughter, leaning his head back.Edmund shakes his head, embarrassed. "Okay, my imaginatio