Elaine’s face went pale when Matthew mentioned the idea of annulling their marriage, fear flashing across her features.“Do you have to bring that up, knowing full well I don’t want it?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.“I know. I don’t want that either,” Matthew assured her. “But that’s not what I want to talk about. Can’t you see that your interactions with Aunt Liz aren’t doing you any favors?”Elaine looked horrified. “Matt, she’s your aunt! Why are you so against her?”“The embarrassments you’ve caused at fancy restaurants are reason enough.”“Oh, but there’s a more important reason,” Elaine countered, recalling her actions. “The frame of Patricia that I rightly threw into the fireplace—”Matthew’s expression darkened. “And that nearly cost you your marriage!”Stepping out from behind her desk, Elaine clung to his suit jacket. “Darling, please, let’s not bring it up again! What does it cost you to admit you were wrong to have a picture of my rival?”Matthew looked away. “
As the sun sets over Urbano Magazine, Sheila stands in Andreia’s office, surprised by her skepticism over Matthew’s intentions.“Andreia,” Sheila begins, “how can you doubt such a generous offer from my son?”Andreia shakes her head, contemplating her words carefully. “Do you really want to know, Sheila?”With her arms crossed, Sheila nods. “I have all the time in the world.”Andreia hesitates but decides to press on. “Alright. Vicente and I have been discussing... recent events, especially those involving our son.”“Are you talking about your unborn child?” Sheila asks, raising a brow.“I’m talking about Nate,” Andreia says, sounding exasperated. “Ever since I became pregnant, I’ve thought of Nate as my son too, and that feeling only grows.”Sheila nods. “That’s wonderful, Andreia.”“Yes, but so does my instinct to protect him. When that accident happened — Nate trapped in the car with that hooker, almost drowning — I couldn’t help but wonder if Matt had something to do with it.”She
As the sun sets at Urbano Magazine, Sheila stands across from Andreia, who has just accused Matthew of setting up Vicente’s solo concert out of guilt.“Andreia,” Sheila begins, her tone firm, “I want to be perfectly clear: regardless of what I think happened to Karl, I would never encourage, let alone approve of, Matt taking any action against Nathan. The rivalry over the presidency of the Sterling Empire was more than enough for them.”Andreia looks at her skeptically. “Sheila, Matt wouldn’t tell you if he had plans. He’d know you’d try to talk him out of it.”Sheila shakes her head. “No, my son isn’t like that!”“Then who is, Sheila?” Andreia’s voice drops, laced with accusation. “My husband?”Sheila sighs, exasperated. “I don’t know. But I’ll admit this much, Andreia — Vicente has always been my main suspect. Or have you forgotten the constant fights he had with Karl?”Andreia’s face darkens. “No, I don’t want to remember those times. They were... dark.”“So don’t be surprised when
Andreia arrives home, weary after her conversation with Sheila, and finds Vicente absentmindedly playing piano keys, as if he’s working on a new composition. In truth, his mind is on the discussion he had earlier with Nathan.“Good evening, dear,” Andreia greets him, her voice tired but contemplative. “I had a very interesting conversation today.”Vicente glances up, curious. “With whom?”Andreia sinks into the sofa. “Sheila showed up at the office to talk about the solo concert that Matt is planning for you.”Vicente’s interest piques. “What did she have to say about it?”“Well,” Andreia says slowly, “she believes Matt’s doing you a favor. But we also talked about... our suspicions.”A chill runs down Vicente’s spine. “Did you tell her what we suspect about Bella Alvares?”Andreia nods. “Yes, I did. Sheila was horrified. She swore she’s never seen or heard Matt planning anything against our son, and she insisted she would never support it if she had known.”“Good to know,” Vicente re
Vicente joins Andreia on the sofa, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close.Andreia smirks. “Hmm... I’m liking the direction this conversation is taking.”“First of all,” Vicente says, smiling warmly, “I want to know how our baby is doing.”“He’s doing well,” she assures him, leaning into his embrace. “Hey, will you be able to come with me to the next ultrasound?”“Count on me, my dear.”“Thank you.” She hesitates, then continues, “So, what have you decided about this concert that, to me, seems like a trap?”Vicente takes a deep breath. “I talked to Nate at the snack bar. Can you believe he agrees with you?”Andreia laughs, surprised. “Ha, ha, ha... what an interesting coincidence.”Vicente looks at her with affection. “So, dear, I thought about it carefully. I’ve decided not to accept this opportunity.”Andreia studies his face, wanting to be sure he’s confident in his choice. “Are you sure? You were pretty excited about it before.”Vicente nods. “But my son’s life comes fir
Karl’s apartment is quiet as the doorbell rings, breaking the silence. Wearing only a T-shirt and shorts, Karl emerges from the kitchen, calling out, “Who is it?”“Sheila Sterling, your old friend!” comes the cheerful reply from the other side of the door.Karl’s face lights up as he opens the door, and Sheila strides in.“Make yourself at home, friend!” he says warmly.Sheila grins. “I hope I won’t get TOO comfortable and bother you.”“That will never happen. How can I help you?” he asks, watching her settle in.“Am I interrupting something you had planned?” she asks, hesitating. “I just… need a shoulder to lean on.”Karl sits on the sofa, patting the space next to him. “Sit on Larry’s couch. You’re not bothering me at all.”“What if I’m interrupting your dinner?” Sheila asks, eyeing him carefully.“Have you already eaten?” Karl responds. “I was just about to grab my dessert.”Sheila glances at her watch. “Oh, it’s past dinner time. But I’ve been wandering around the city after an un
In Karl’s kitchen, he and Sheila sit down to eat a simple meal together. Since her visit was unplanned, Sheila quickly prepares her own dish, making herself comfortable as though she were at home. Meanwhile, Karl enjoys a small dish of raspberry pudding beside her.“When you finish the main dish, I’ll serve you some pudding,” Karl says.“Thank you, Lawrence,” Sheila replies, chewing. “The food is so good that now I’m afraid of ruining the mood by talking about my problems.”Karl reassures her, “No, you came to vent; so please do.”Sheila swallows and smiles at him. “Thank you. I don’t know what to do, what to say to my son.”Karl looks concerned. “Is it about Matt?”Sheila nods. “I know you like him. Maybe the subject will interest you even more.”“Is he going through some trouble?” Karl asks gently.Sheila sighs. “Matt wants to offer Vicente a solo concert at the Sterling Cultural Hall.”Karl pauses, surprised. “A solo concert, without other events alongside his?”“Exactly,” Sheila r
At the Happy Snack Bar, Bella rises from her table, carrying an empty cup of soursop juice, and heads over to where Nathan and Paulina are talking by the counter.“I’ll take a refill,” Bella says, handing Nathan her cup.“Just a minute,” Nathan replies, taking the cup and stepping away to refill it.Bella watches him walk off, and then turns to Paulina with a glare.“So, you came here to poison Nate’s mind against me?” Bella challenges.Paulina replies, her tone ironic, “I thought you two weren’t friends or lovers anymore.”“We’re not dating,” Bella clarifies, “but today we have a truce.”Paulina sighs. “Even with your father’s orders, even with my admonitions... you insist on coming here, wanting to get involved with someone connected to Matthew Sterling. Bella, why are you so determined to be disobedient?”“Why do you and my dad insist on shoving rules at me that I won’t follow?” Bella snaps, clearly irritated.Paulina’s face hardens. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?!”Just