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
Matthew gave all his attention to listening to what Walter had to say about Jacqueline.Walter noticed this and smiled mischievously. "Hmm... Why so much attention on my little sister?""I was informed that she was feeling unwell, but I've been trying all day to come here. So many commitments." Matthew explained as if confessing a sin in a confessional."I understand. You've had many matters to deal with now that you're the president of the Sterling Empire." Walter, like Matthew, didn't suspect the real reason."Anyway, can I see her?" Matthew smiled.His phone rang, and he checked the caller. "Oh, it's Patty. I'll take it.""Take it in my office," Walter suggested.After Matthew entered, Walter smiled like a tiger and hurried to Jacqueline's room.Jacqueline had woken up and was resting peacefully. Her heart rate and blood pressure were at the ideal levels, as shown by the multi-parameter monitor."Hey, brother. What’s with that smiling face?" Jacqueline asked, curious."Can’t I have
Saturday. The day of the party Jacqueline wanted to throw for Matthew had arrived. Matthew was already descending the stairs of Sterling Mansion with Evan following behind, dressed casually."Those black jeans look good on you, Young Matthew," Evan complimented, eyeing his boss closely."Thanks, Evan. Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?" Matthew asked with an inviting smile."I need to connect with your grandfather to go over the report," Evan replied responsibly.Abner had been pestering the secretary to keep him updated on everything happening with his beloved grandson."Okay, I’ll bring you a piece of cake," Matthew joked, mentioning a habit of the residents of Lion's Den.Evan stepped aside, laughing heartily.But just before Matthew could open the door, it swung open, revealing Elaine.Elaine was taken aback to see Matthew in black jeans, a white T-shirt, and a matching black blazer, looking charming and interesting."Where do you think you're going all dressed up and at
“Matt, you actually came!” Jacqueline didn’t waste any time bringing the guest of honor closer to her.“Really?” Matthew chuckles. “I promised I’d come, didn’t I? After all, the party was thrown in my honor.”Patricia and Ronaldo stop dancing. Patricia smiles brightly upon seeing that Matthew is alone.“She didn’t come,” Patricia comments with pleasure.“Who, Elaine?” Ronaldo looks around in all directions.“I don’t see her. I bet Matt didn’t even tell her,” Patricia says mischievously and moves closer to greet him.Ronaldo heads to the drinks bar. A friend of Zachary is serving as the bartender.“Tough day, Mr. Silva?” he asks while preparing a drink.“Nah... With Patty, everything’s easier,” Ronaldo praises her, accepting the drink.Patricia approaches the 'couple'. “Hi! The party is wonderful, Jacque.”“Thanks, Patty. Have you seen our guest of honor?” Jacqueline snuggles up to Matthew, and he doesn’t stop the physical contact.Walter looks at everyone from a distance, concerned.“
Matthew smiles and stands up as if he were a politician, grinning and waving to the voting public. "That's right! We are very excited about the swearing-in of our friend. Matt was hiding in the slums, hopeless and without a future, until God was merciful and showed him the truth that sets him free!" Jacqueline continued with her enthusiastic and animated praise. Walter smiled at his younger sister. He approached her and whispered, "Let the folks have their fun, sis." "Oh, yes, I didn't want to drag this out. Let's toast and cheer for Matthew Sterling! May his future be promising!" "Here, here!" Everyone holding drinks raised their glasses high, toasting to Matthew’s future. The DJ continued playing music. Patricia approached Ronaldo again. "Fun party, huh?" "Yes, dear. Jacqueline went all out to please my cousin." Ronaldo smiled kindly, "Do you think it will be enough?" "For...?" "For your revenge." Ronaldo wrapped his arm around Patricia. Patricia wasn’t willing to see it t
Monday. Elaine left her apartment wearing sunglasses, unwilling to engage with any neighbors.As she walked down the street, she moved quickly, determined not to say "good morning" to anyone who might recognize her.The slap she received from someone who was supposed to love and protect her had left her bitter and disillusioned with life."He loves her..." Elaine murmured to herself. "I’ve never seen him defend me the way he defends her!"Her phone rang, and she suddenly stopped in her tracks, too flustered to act rationally. Checking the device, she was even more shocked.Nathan? How had he not given up yet?Elaine was further astounded to realize that she should have blocked his number but hadn’t done so yet.Remembering the slap again... Elaine answered automatically, "Hello?"On the other end, Nathan was lying in bed, propped up against the headboard, smiling, with blankets covering him from the waist down. "Hello! I thought you weren’t going to answer me!""The general rule was t
Elaine and Nathan meet at the Gibraltar Club. They are literally the first customers there.A few waiters are still cleaning the tables."Good morning. Please, have a seat!" One of them directed the couple to a table that was already clean.Elaine sat down with a somber expression while Nathan couldn’t stop smiling."Two shots of brandy, double for my friend," Nathan ordered.The waiter stepped away."I don’t know why you’re so cheerful," Elaine grumbled."Are you regretting accepting my invitation?" Nathan leaned forward."No. I just don’t quite understand why," Elaine sighed."You accepted my invitation to talk and vent," Nathan answered for her. "Tell me, Elaine: why weren’t there any photos of you with Matt at Jacqueline Andrade’s party?""I wasn’t invited, damn it!" Elaine literally spat the words."Calm down! I’m here to help," Nathan grinned."Can you contact the Bento family to get rid of Jacqueline Andrade?" Elaine asked sourly."No, but I can try something. Is she also inter
At Andrade Clinic, Linda Alvares is at the reception desk, noticing how slow the traffic is. This meant there were fewer patients, fewer sick people — thank God.With some free time, she decided to open a tab on the computer and started browsing the Internet. When she accessed the famous LCN website, Linda felt a shiver down her spine.In the article covering Jacqueline’s party, there was a photo of her dancing seductively with Walter!Below the photo, the sensationalist caption read: ‘Who is the mysterious girl who has captivated the heart of the Andrade Clinics heir?’“Damn gossip mongers!” Linda complained out loud.Walter and Charles walked in at that moment, chatting animatedly.“The girl stole your heart, according to the article, huh?” Charles commented jokingly.“Dad, you’re old enough to know that you can’t believe everything the media says.” Walter replied, pretending to be offended.Turning and catching Linda’s eye, Walter widened his mischievous smile.Linda blushed, still