The next day, the Sterling family met around the breakfast table. Only Matthew, Abner, and Alice enjoyed the lavish breakfast, choosing several nutritious options, while Sheila just sipped a coffee with milk and Cindy barely chewed a cracker.“Would you two please choose options that fill your bellies?” Alice scolds them as if she were the headmistress of a kindergarten, “I don’t want to learn about anyone fainting from hypoglycemia.”“If you don’t want to learn, then don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you!” Sheila retorts rudely.Abner purses his lips, then complains, “Oh, my, are we going to start the day with arguments? What will Cindy think of the Sterling family?”Sheila glares at Cindy. “The correct question is: What will Cindy WRITE about the Sterling family?”Cindy throws the cookie on the plate angrily. “Are you insinuating that I will gossip to the LCN newspaper about what happens in here?”“I don’t think. I’m sure.” Sheila smiles evilly.Cindy counters, “Well,
At the Silva Oil Company, Leonardo is listening carefully to his daughter’s opinion about the death of his son-in-law Karl Sterling.“Tell me, daughter. What do you think really happened?”Sheila swallows hard, afraid to blurt out controversial thoughts for nothing. But she sees that her father is genuinely interested in what’s on her mind.“OK, but let this stay between us for now.” Sheila says, “I don’t want to accuse anyone without proof. Sometimes I think it was someone closer to the Sterling family who murdered Karl.”Leonardo’s eyes widen. “You mean...?”“For some reason that I still don’t know, I feel like it was my in-laws who killed their own son!” Sheila exclaims, scandalized.Leonardo gets up from the presidential chair. “DAUGHTER! This is too much! Why do you think that? Is your hatred for Alice Sterling so great that you have come to this conclusion?”Sheila shifts in her seat. “Hmm... I don’t know, Dad. I just think that would explain their refusal to see the obvious. Ho
At the Siren restaurant, Ricardo decides to continue the conversation to get revenge on Matthew for the insult he suffered on the day narrated by Nathan.“Yes, I went through the biggest embarrassment of my life. That’s why I want to help you.” Ricardo says seriously.Nathan is on alert, “Why do you think I need help?”“Oh, are you okay with being disowned and replaced by someone who barely arrived, someone who was previously presumed dead?” Ricardo provokes Nathan, “Do you accept that your grandfather’s large conglomerate is run by a favela resident who has no aptitude for business?”Nathan fumes, “Of course not! But the idiot is showing false modesty, saying he doesn’t want to admit anything yet.”“Do you really think Matthew Silva won’t want the reins of the business when he gets a taste of power?” Ricardo smiles temptingly.Nathan is convinced. “OK, you have a point. How can you help me?”“First, let’s rip off his good-guy mask.” Ricardo grins, “We’ll see if he’s the humble guy wh
In the Sterling University auditorium, the press conference begins. Photographers flood the venue with popping flashes as cameras record the true heir to the Sterling Empire speaking.“Hello, everybody. Practically no one knows me, only those who work with me at Golden Letters. My name, until a while ago, was Matthew Silva. But months later, I came to discover that I am the son of the late businessman Karl Sterling. My mother and grandfather confirmed the story. Exams such as DNA testing were carried out to confirm everything. If anyone is still wondering if today’s tabloids were telling the truth...” Matthew has a solemn expression as he confirms, “I say yes.”Everyone is amazed. The reporters, as always, start asking questions one after another.Evan gestures for the reporters to shut up and points his finger at a young lady, “You ask first.”The lady reporter wastes no time, “Mr. Sterling, where have you been all this time? Is it true that you were in Lion’s Den?”“Yes, I lived in
At night, people passing through Litorânea Avenue to go to the nightclub or stroll along the beach came across a new commercial establishment.The Happy Snack night snack bar run by Clayton Saldanha (and financed by the man who identified himself as Matthew Sterling) caught the attention of young people, adults, and families who wanted to treat their children to something succulent beyond the common homemade dinner.As it was in a busy place, most of the tables were occupied. University students who heard about the change showed up to check out the place.Some of these college students are David, Bryce, and their troupe.“Hey, David, the place looks much better and more spacious than the kiosk!” Bryce marvels.David looks around, “Yes, very good... WELL built.”“Let’s choose something. The quality of the snacks has probably improved too!” Another friend is already choosing a table for everyone to sit at.Jackson was wearing his uniform and addresses them, “Good evening! Welcome to the
The next day, Jackson knocked on Patricia’s bedroom door. His poor sister cried incessantly on the bed, feeling like the most unworthy woman in the world.“Patty, I’m going in!” Jackson warns and enters.He was wearing shorts and no shirt, still sleepy from work. The opening was so successful that they stayed until midnight.“How are you, little sister?”“Hi, Jackson.” Patricia straightens up and wipes away her tears, but her eyes are red as if she has conjunctivitis.“Oh, little sister... What was it this time?” Jackson approaches her.“I found out, Jackson...” Patricia pointed to her cell phone that was on the dresser, “Matthew Sterling? How long did he intend to hide this truth from me?”“He never wanted you to know,” Jackson states.“WHY?” Patricia is indignant.“He said you lost all prerogatives after... Patty, answer me honestly: have you and David ever slept together?”“Never, my beloved brother, NEVER!” Patricia desperately responds, “David Rocha is the most respectful gentlem
Matthew and Patricia meet at the Happy Snack kiosk, which is now closed indefinitely.“It was so nice to work here...” Patricia laments, “Why did he have to ruin everything?”Matthew approaches her, “Who ruined what?”“YOU!” Patricia slaps Matthew as soon as she sees him.Matthew is stunned and massages his sore cheek. “Did you summon me for this?”Tears are already beginning to flow down Patricia’s cheeks. “Just tell me WHY, Matt?”“From the moment you started sleeping with David Rocha, you don’t deserve to know anything else about my life.” Matthew responds seriously, “What morality do you have to criticize Cindy when she had a moment with Ricardo Montegrande if you do the same thing?”“I’M NOT SLEEPING WITH DAVID!”“Yes, you are, Patty, YOU ARE!” Matthew roars, “Don’t lie to me!”“And YOU can lie to me?” Patricia is horrified.“I hadn’t told anyone about my true identity.” Matthew explains, “I discovered this months ago when Grandpa Abner found me here. I was afraid of revealing my
“Of course not, Mrs. Sterling!”“You better call me Sheila. We’ve been friends for a long time, and the other one calls my vixen mother-in-law Alice.”“OK...” Patricia takes a deep breath, “Matt would never agree to me dating David. I believe he thinks this thing about me sleeping with David just out of spite, out of jealousy.”“You’re not in love with David.” Sheila doesn’t ask, she states.“No, I’m not. I will always love your son, Sheila.” Patricia pours her heart into this sentence.Sheila smiles contentedly, “Then why are we wasting time? Let’s wait for him to return so you can declare yourself once and for all.”“I can’t, Sheila. I can’t try to win over Matt, not now that he’s turned out to be a millionaire. I need to improve my social status and hope he becomes disillusioned with Cindy.”“And how are you going to improve your social status?” Sheila was afraid to wait for the answer.“David Rocha,” Patricia responds in cold blood.“Are you going out with David out of pure materi