Nathan couldn't help but smile at the despair on Elaine's face. She had either run fast or taken a taxi to catch up with him.Elaine was panting, sweat drops rolling down her forehead. Her eyes showed extreme panic as she approached swiftly as if her life depended on it.Matthew was startled by the sight of his girlfriend. "Elaine! What happened, my love?"Matthew embraced Elaine fervently, and she broke down in tears.Seeing the band-aid on Nathan's face again, Matthew frowned. "I remember now. Nate just told me that you were responsible for his facial injury."Still embraced, Elaine jolted, realizing Nathan hadn't told the whole story.She stepped back, trying to compose herself, taking deep breaths. "I hope you didn't believe a word of that idiot.""How dare you, you harlot?" Nathan roared in jealousy.Evan pulled Nathan by his right shoulder. "Control yourself, you hysterical fool!"Nathan shook him off, freeing himself from the secretary. "Enough, I won't tolerate any more attack
Patricia arrives at Silva Oil Company.The secretary respectfully escorts her to Ronaldo's office. It's already understood by everyone that she will be the next Mrs. Silva.Opening the door, the secretary announces, "Mr. Silva, your girlfriend wishes to speak with you.""Please, let her in." Ronaldo beams.Patricia thanks the secretary and enters, closing the door behind her. "Good morning, darling. Am I interrupting?"Ronaldo, always smiling, hugs Patricia tightly. "Of course not, my dear! You're always welcome here, even to work.""I have no inclination to be on the docks or to be a stevedore." Patricia jokes before dropping the bomb.Ronaldo chuckles, loosening the hug. "Heh, heh, heh... you'll never dirty your beautiful hands and perfect nails with crude oil.""Aww, what a romantic boyfriend I've found..." Patricia kisses Ronaldo on the cheek. "It makes it even harder for me to deliver the bad news.""There's no bad news that our love can't conquer." Ronaldo declares, leaning agai
At Andrade Clinic, Linda was returning from the water cooler with her water bottle. She preferred it this way to avoid having to get up constantly, which could disrupt overall service.Of course, she also needed to impress Walter Andrade...Walter approaches her as if drawn by Linda's thoughts. "Hello, Linda. How's your job? Have you managed to get familiar with the operating system?""Some of the older secretaries gave me some tips." Linda gives her best smile. "People here are so friendly and attentive?""Believe me, we strive to maintain the best work environment." Walter grins. "Considering the stress we endure in the halls, especially among the doctors rushing against time to save lives.""I understand. And how is your little sister?" Linda asks casually.Walter widens his smile. "She's better, thank you for asking.""I imagine you hope for the best for your younger sister. I know all about that." Linda nods, recalling her own family."I could check your resume," Walter jokes, "b
At Andrade Clinic, Patricia and Ronaldo visit Jacqueline. Zachary was still with her, watching her eat."Hello, Jacque!" Ronaldo greets her.Patricia decides to stay quiet for now not to upset Jacqueline. She simply smiles, indicating she wants peace.Jacqueline turns towards the entrance and sees the couple. Patricia being accompanied by Ronaldo calms her down."Hello, Ron. Hello, Patty. Thank you for coming," Jacqueline responds."We're worried about you," Ronaldo approaches the bed."Don't worry, we're taking good care of her." Zachary stands up from the bed, "She's better, eating, and has color in her face.""That's good, Jacque," Patricia finally speaks up.Jacqueline nods. "I'm glad to see you're happy with Ron, Patty. Don't let him slip away."Patricia nestles into Ronaldo. "I won't let him go.""I wanted to throw a little party for Matthew yesterday, but he wasn't available at Golden Letters." Jacqueline blames herself, lowering her head, "I'm so weak and useless! I can't keep
Elaine arrived at Golden Letters with a relieved expression, confident that she had managed to keep Matthew away from his rivals.Brennon intercepted her in the hallway. "Elaine, Mr. Vieira is waiting in your office.""Thank you very much, Brennon!" Elaine exclaimed radiantly. "I'm so happy I could order a raise for everyone!""Don't be shy, my friend!" Brennon joined in the banter — or it wasn't some banter? Could there be a raise for him today?Elaine laughed and entered her office.Karl was waiting, ready for his first orders."Hello, Mr. Vieira. Well, may I call you Lawrence?" Elaine extended her hand.Karl shook it, a sincere and charismatic smile on his lips. "If I do a good job, you can call me Larry."Elaine was struck by Karl's aura. Where had she seen someone with such a commanding presence before?She shook her head and sat down, turning on her computer. "Well then. The first order of business will be for you to get acquainted with Vanda Borges.""The new best-selling autho
Fernando shook his head, trying to dispel these horrendous thoughts from his mind. He had no right to covet his son's girlfriend!Ronaldo had already lost Patricia to Matt. If he lost her again to his father, he might just kill himself!Reaffirming his resolve, he entered the office, smiling at the embracing couple. "Oh, how lovely! What do we have here?""Father, good morning," Ronaldo broke the embrace, "We're just taking care of our love.""Carry on, don't let this old man interfere." Fernando attempted to leave."You're not interfering at all, Fernando," Patricia replied kindly.Fernando struggled not to be enchanted by his future daughter-in-law's smile. "Uh... OK, we need to address something. This involves you too, Patty."Ronaldo and Patricia gave Fernando their full attention."The Lion's Den favela will have an inauguration of the piped water and sewage system. Since it all began with a charity event led by you, Patty, you should—""No, Fernando!" Patricia grew serious, begi
Vicente and Nathan thought they had heard wrong."Um... Please, repeat, Dr. Almeida," Vicente asked, stunned, "Did you say they are going to transfer my wife to the obstetrics ward? Does that mean she is pregnant?""Exactly, Mr. Gouveia! I know it seems a little late, but congratulations! You will be a father for the second time!" Dr. Almeida tried to be as upbeat as possible.But Vicente and Nathan felt like they were in a horror movie!How could this happen? Was Andreia cheating on Vicente?Suddenly, Vicente remembered how his love life and marital intimacy with Andreia had improved by 110% since they made up and canceled the divorce.Even Nathan could attest to the times he had heard moans and teeth grinding coming from his parents' room at four in the morning."Excuse me, I better attend to other patients. You can wait for more information in the lounge." Dr. Almeida left, thinking this kind of reaction was normal. She had witnessed it several times before.Nathan turned to his fa
Cindy returned to Urbano Magazine, where she found Matthew languishing from waiting too long in Nathan's office."Matt! What are you doing here?" Cindy asked, pleasantly surprised."I came for a meeting," Matthew replied with displeasure. "I was expecting to meet Aunt Andreia... and Nate...""Oh, it seems Nate hasn’t come back here," Cindy conveniently said, implying that Nathan was slacking off at work.Cindy's words had the desired effect. Matthew clenched his jaw, releasing his frustration.Today was the day to fire the idle cousin, and it turned out he wasn’t even on the company's premises for it!Smiling internally, Cindy wanted to pull Matthew's thoughts like a bucket of water from an Israeli well. "What’s wrong, Matt? Is there a problem I can help with?"Matthew looked carefully at Cindy before deciding. "OK, you work here, right? I came to fire Nathan. Aunt Andreia was aware of this."Cindy was taken aback by the announcement.Nathan wasn’t Cindy’s favorite person, but the ide