Thursday, Andrade Mansion. The doorbell rings, and Jacqueline appears to answer. “I’m coming!” As she opens the door, Zachary immediately hugs her, desperate. “JACQUE! Thank God you’re okay!” “Zach, what happened?” Jacqueline finds the gesture strange, but she hugs him back nonetheless. Zachary releases her from the hug and closes the door, looking very worried. “I found out through last night’s news program.” “Oh, about the clinic.” Jacqueline pursed her lips. “I wasn’t there.” “Still, I was worried, and my parents insisted I visit you today.” Zachary ran his fingers through her hair, continuing in a warm and romantic tone, “If something happened to you...” “Walt, my dad, and Matt were there. By the way, it was Matt who chased off the thugs, but that didn’t make the news.” Jacqueline frowned. Were the journalists doing that on purpose? Zachary smiled. “If I know Matt, he didn’t want glory for himself. All the credit was given to the clinic’s security guards.” “Dad gave them
At Andrade Mansion, Walter noticed that Jacqueline was using her pure and innocent mind. The embrace was released, and the older brother set out to explain, “Jacque, I think you didn’t understand me.” Zachary chimed in, teasingly, “I can’t believe, brother-in-law, that you’re going to explain this to her!” Walter looked at Zachary impatiently. “Zach, there are times when we need to be straightforward with our dear family members.” He looked at Jacqueline. “You know I love Linda, right?” “Yes, I love her too,” Jacqueline replied sweetly. “So, when I bring her home, she’ll be sleeping in my room,” Walter said without hesitation. Jacqueline gasped. “Here we go...” Zachary chuckled. “Cut it out, Zach.” Walter frowned. “Walt, but you and Linda aren’t married yet,” Jacqueline replied simply. “Isn’t that what ruined Matt’s love life? Eating dessert before the main course?” Walter hugged his younger sister again. “Oh, sis... how innocent you are...” Zachary added more fuel to the f
Bella came out of her room just as Ernesto was about to determine whether Linda would spend a few days at Andrade Mansion or not. “Look, my daughter, if it’s about sleeping in Miss Andrade’s room as a roommate, I authorize you to spend a few days at Andrade Mansion.” Ernesto suddenly smiled sweetly, patting his beloved daughter’s head as if she were still a little girl. “By the way, I am very worried about those criminals who approached you.” “Oh, Dad, thank you!” Linda smiled widely, and then embraced Ernesto. Boiling with anger and envy, Bella approached them. “Be careful, sis! You’ll stain your uniform!” Linda huffed and pulled away from Ernesto. “I don’t care. And Dad’s uniform isn’t that dirty.” “Of course, our mother, like a servant, spends all day cleaning oil stains, scrubbing the pieces by hand!” Bella roared. “Dad, you really are an idiot!” “Bella!” Linda yelled in horror, fearing Bella might be slapped for the second time. “What do you want now, Bella?” Ernesto shot
In the lobby of Andrade Mansion, Walter was heading to the clinic. Zachary and Jacqueline were behind him. “You two will be fine, right?” Walter turned to them. “You’d better not show up at the clinic for a few days.” Jacqueline was worried. “Bro, if Linda is in danger, you might be in danger too. Don’t go!” Jacqueline extended her hand, desperation evident in her eyes. Walter smiled sympathetically and took her hand. “I have to go, sis. I’m taking care of the clinics, especially now that our father is absent.” “I don’t even know why he had to go to the police,” Jacqueline sighed, concerned. Zachary replied, “As the owner of the clinic, he feels somewhat responsible, dear.” “Of course.” Walter nodded. “Two crazies come in with guns, wanting to kill one of our patients— what madness.” Jacqueline swallowed hard, daring to ask, “Bro... do you think the Alvares family might somehow be involved in this mess?” Walter looked at Jacqueline in disbelief. Jacqueline continued asking,
Bella showed up to work at Jorge Nunes’ podcast studio, her new boss. Jorge didn’t waste time: he looked closely at the new assistant, checking if she had any bruises on her face. “What’s wrong?” Bella smiled nonchalantly. “Only now are you noticing how beautiful I am?” “Cut the crap. I’m really worried about you, Bella Alvares.” Jorge crossed his arms, continuing to analyze her. “Good thing I won’t need to call the police — today.” Upon hearing the phrase “call the police,” Bella seized the opportunity to complain, “Listen here, Mr. Nunes, you acted really poorly by calling my house! Now everyone is throwing this in my face as if I were the guilty one!” Jorge’s eyes widened. “But how could this be your fault?” “Everyone in that house is against me,” Bella explained, exasperated. “What I need to do is keep working here, get my paycheck, and look for a place to rent or buy on installments. I’m leaving that house.” “At least you have plans,” Jorge replied. “You think I LIKE livi
Silva Oil Company, docks, morning. Gustavo and Ernesto react awkwardly when Patricia informs them that the police are present. Some dockworkers who witnessed Ernesto stumbling on the forklift laughed heartily. “What’s up, Ernie? Are you scared of the police?” “Get lost!” Ernesto exclaimed, feeling intimidated by the presence of the Diva of Silva Oil Company. Patricia smiled gently. “I’m sorry, Mr. Alvares. I didn’t mean to scare anyone. But it’s quite likely that the police will want to speak with you.” Gustavo asked anxiously, “Do you think Kirk has woken up? His family has been through too much.” “I still don’t know, but it’s likely that the police will ask questions about his drug use.” Patricia sighed. “What a shame, folks. We who come from the favela can’t perpetuate the stereotype of involvement in drug dealing. My family and I have never been involved in anything wrong, and I believe all of you are innocent citizens as well.” “Thank you, Miss Borges!” The dockworkers ch
Ronaldo is worried about Patricia’s appearance alongside Ernesto. Is it a good idea to get involved with suspicious characters linked to drug sales? Patricia, on the other hand, was calm. “Hello, gentlemen. Sergeant Carvalho, I believe you were involved in that mess at Zachary Loss’s nightclub, correct?” “Yes, and your boyfriend at the time, Matthew Sterling, helped quite a bit.” Ronaldo grimaced at the mention of Matt; only Fernando noticed. Ernesto spread his hands, smiling. “Well, gentlemen, since you were going to call me anyway, here I am voluntarily.” “I informed the dockworkers downstairs to be on standby and not to hide anything,” Patricia replied. “Thank you, dear.” Ronaldo stands up. “It’s best to let the police do their job now.” Ronaldo led Patricia out. Carvalho nodded in agreement: the fewer people, the better. With only Fernando present, Carvalho pointed to an empty chair where Ernesto sat. “How long have you known Kirk Camargo, Mr. Alvares?” “Since he started
As the Diva of Silva Oil Company, Gustavo promptly obeyed Patricia and headed to Ronaldo’s office. Ronaldo was standing, flipping through a binder. Upon noticing the presence of Gustavo and Patricia, he looked up. “Oh, here we are, Gustavo. Thank you for coming to speak with me.” Gustavo’s sharp gaze discerned that Ronaldo was looking at his file. “What are you doing with that?” Gustavo asked, his tone expressing caution and distrust. “What’s wrong? Can’t the boss look at his employees’ credentials?” Ronaldo raised an eyebrow mockingly. Patricia wasn’t naive and felt the storm brewing. “Ron, why did you call Gustavo?” “I called him to ask him to tell me everything he knows before he lies to Sergeant Carvalho.” “I don’t want to lie!” Gustavo shouted. “Gustavo Alvares, as you can see, I requested documentation from everyone who lives in Lion’s Den,” Ronaldo gestured to the desk full of files. “But it’s my file you’re flipping through,” Gustavo thought of an idea. “Mr. Silva,