In the busy lobby of Golden Letters, Elaine entered with an uncharacteristic frown, drawing puzzled glances from her coworkers.Wasn't she supposed to be radiant with joy after Matthew's confirmation as president of the Sterling Empire?Some colleagues, eager to congratulate her, hesitated as they observed her storming towards the reception counter.Nayla, seeing her friend's demeanor, held her breath in concern."Elaine, my friend! What's wrong? Why are you like this?" Nayla ventured cautiously."Something awful happened yesterday, Nayla," Elaine replied gravely with frustration.Nayla's eyes widened with excitement. "What? Yesterday was supposed to be your boyfriend's happiest day! How could it be horrible?""Shh! It's not quite like that," Elaine cautioned, motioning for Nayla to lower her voice.Stepping around the counter, Elaine leaned in closer to her friend, speaking in a hushed tone. "You're right. Yesterday was the happiest day of my life, and Matt's too.""Absolutely," Nayl
Inside the cozy kitchen of the Cardoso family home, morning activities buzzed with energy. Cindy finished her breakfast while Zilda washed dishes at the sink, and Germano eagerly browsed news on his tablet."Here, Mom, my plate," Cindy said, handing her dish to Zilda."Aren't you running late for work, dear?" Zilda inquired with concern."A little. But I think Andrea will understand," Cindy replied confidently."Daughter, your article in Urbano has more views than Marilza Peres'!" Germano exclaimed excitedly.Cindy and Zilda exchanged victorious smiles.Cindy turned to her father. "Absolutely, Dad! I got the scoop and published the article first. I was at headquarters before anyone else, securing exclusivity.""Congratulations, dear. You're clearing your name and making me proud," Germano praised warmly."Thank you, Dad," Cindy said emotionally."And with your relationship with that great guy, Jackson, you're in a fantastic situation!" Germano added with pride."Especially now that yo
In Edmund's office at the Sterling Cultural Hall, Bryce's concern for his father's demeanor was palpable. Edmund, usually composed, found himself sweating under Bryce's scrutinizing gaze.Edmund wondered if Bryce listened to his chat with Karl, a supposed dead man..."Dad, what's going on? You look nervous. I was just kidding," Bryce remarked, trying to lighten the mood.Edmund forced a chuckle, attempting to regain his composure. "You scared me, son.""I scared you? Why? Do you think you can talk to the dead or something?" Bryce quipped, half-jokingly.Edmund's murmured response hinted at deeper concerns. "You could say that again.""Huh?" Bryce raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his father's cryptic reply."Forget it, my son! Let's focus on work, shall we? What do we have for today?" Edmund redirected, hoping to steer the conversation away from his worries.Suspicion still lingering, Bryce handed over a document to his father.Edmund accepted it, reading through with a mixture of relief
In the lobby of Golden Letters, Elaine and Nayla found themselves momentarily stunned by Nathan's sudden appearance.He strode towards them with an inscrutable expression, his presence commanding attention despite the early hour."Good morning, Mr. Gouveia," greeted Nayla, trying to maintain a professional demeanor.Nathan's response had a tone of cynicism. "I see I've lost the respect of my grandfather's employees, huh?"Elaine, never one to shy away from confrontation, immediately stepped in with furrowed brows. "Nathan, PLEASE! Don't start trouble the moment you set foot in the company. Who cares if no one sees you as the heir anymore?"Nayla, emboldened by Elaine's stance, added with a teasing smirk, "Exactly! Why do you still act like you're the big shot? Were you sleeping or in a coma yesterday?"Nathan's retort was swift and pointed. "No. I heard about my grandfather's decision firsthand. I was at the meeting."His explanation was interrupted by uncontrollable laughter from Ela
Inside the Sterling Empire Headquarters, Abner and Matthew found themselves posing for a photo intended for Cindy's upcoming article.The atmosphere in Matthew's office was charged with a mix of formality and anticipation."Cool! Now, sir...?" Cindy chirped energetically, aiming her enthusiasm at the third gentleman."Mr. Fabian Mendes, lawyer," Fabian introduced himself with a smile, joining Matthew for the photo."Please, Mr. Lawyer, stand next to Matthew and shake his hand, look lively!" Cindy directed, and Fabian complied, shaking Matthew's hand as the photographer snapped away."Is this good?" Fabian inquired after the photos were taken."Fantastic!" Cindy exclaimed. "Have you both signed already? Let's get shots of you standing at the desk, signing the formal documents."Matthew, however, interrupted with urgency, glancing at his computer screen."Wait a minute, Cindy! Grandpa, there's something you need to know," Matthew interjected, his tone serious.Abner turned his attention
Inside Matthew's car, parked in the lot outside Golden Letters, Matthew shook his head disapprovingly as he started the engine."Mom, you deserve to be in a better situation..." Matthew muttered to himself, his thoughts lingering on Sheila's circumstances.He still thinks that Jonah and Sheila are taking too long to get married. Sheila lives with Jonah, cooks for him, sleeps with him...She lives like a married woman without the formality.Driving through the headquarters' parking lot, Matthew nodded in acknowledgment to the guards stationed at the checkpoint as he maneuvered his car.******Inside Golden Letters' lobby, tension simmered even before Matthew's arrival. Jackson approached Nathan with clear indignation evident in his demeanor.Elaine stood nearby, visibly nervous and trembling, finding reassurance in her friend's presence."Jackson, I'm so glad you're here!" Elaine exclaimed with relief upon seeing him.Nathan, however, interjected sharply, "What's this? Hey, big guy, do
Inside the lobby of Golden Letters, chaos erupts as Jackson and Nathan clash in a heated confrontation.Nathan recovered from the first punch. Driven by frustration and anger, he launches himself at Jackson, aiming to strike him with punches and kicks.However, Jackson's agility and strength prove superior. He evades Nathan's attacks skillfully and lands his blows, further infuriating Nathan.Finally gaining the upper hand, Jackson steps back, wiping sweat from his brow and catching his breath."Phew! You're out of shape, huh?" Jackson taunts, his tone showcasing his triumph.Confusion reigns as security guards arrive, uncertain about how to intervene. Nayla quickly points them in Nathan's direction."Kick this vandal out of here!" Nayla demands firmly.Struggling to catch his breath, Nathan protests, "Wait... You can't do this to me!"Elaine, visibly shaken but resolute, interjects, "How not? You came here to harass me, thinking you could find Matt to do who knows what! Guards, get h
Inside Siren Restaurant, the midday hum of chatter filled the air as Karl quietly enjoyed his lunch, discreetly observing a group of board members deep in conversation with Fabian across the room.Their voices carried enough for Karl to overhear snippets of their discussion."I'm confident that young Matthew Sterling will be a great leader," Fabian remarked with assurance. "He even had his ex-girlfriend conduct an interview. I posed for photos and everything!"Suspicion influenced the answer from one of the directors, "I hope we're not talking about Cindy Cardoso.""That's her," Fabian confirmed casually. "Hey, do you foresee any issues?"Another director chimed in with caution. "We just hope Young Mr. Sterling remembers who he's marrying."Karl felt a twinge of irritation at the lack of faith displayed by the older men.He considered rising to defend Matthew when his phone suddenly rang, shattering his thoughts.He answered quickly, anticipating the call from Golden Letters."Hello?"