Matthew visits Silva Oil Company to talk to Leonardo.The grandfather smiles widely upon seeing his grandson. "Matt! Welcome!""You seem very happy to see me, huh?" Matthew closes the door to the president's office.He looks around to see that the place is twice as spacious and well-furnished as Fernando and Ronaldo's offices.Leonardo stands up, "If you want, I can arrange one like this for you.""This office belongs to Uncle Fernando," Matthew replied seriously, "And I came to talk to you about another matter.""I'm listening." Leonardo grins."When were you planning to tell me that you were Abner's classmate in high school?" Matthew shakes the photo album.Leonardo quickly takes the album and flips through the content.He sees a picture of himself and Marta among numerous past friends. Some of them had already passed away.Leonardo felt melancholic. Those were good times...But not everything was perfect. Leonardo's gaze hardened when he saw Abner with a football helmet...Matthew
Gibraltar Club, evening.Patricia meets with Theodore Damascene, sitting at a reserved table."We don't need to drink anything," Patricia said, "Let's just talk business.""You're in charge," Theodore tries to smile, but his nervousness is evident."Is there something you want to tell me?" Patricia notices his distressed expression.Theodore takes a deep breath before delivering the strange news. "Miss Borges, I don't even know where to start. I called Matthew Sterling, informing him of your intention to clear your name, but he reacted negatively and said it was better for you not to get involved."Patricia's eyes widened, surprised by Matthew's change.Not only did he break up with her, but now he prohibits her from trying to clear her name in front of the mockers!"What crazy idea is this?" Patricia complains, "I NEED to be cleared of this fake painting nonsense! Mr. Damascene, you know I never meant to cause trouble for your family!""I know," Theodore responds kindly."So, what is
Matthew is horrified to learn that his ex-girlfriend is working at one of his companies.What a joke is this!"Elaine, don't share fake news," Matthew warns her."I'm serious, Matt." Elaine insists, "You're the heir, right? You can check in a snap of fingers if Cindy is part of the staff or not.""If I go to the Urbano editorial now, I might not find her." Matthew shakes his head, "Knowing Jackson, Cindy would be unable to walk today."Elaine blushes.Matthew realizes he was rude. "I'm sorry, Elaine. You really loved and deserved Jackson. But, unfortunately, certain things happened, and Jackson needed to date Cindy for that."Elaine stared at Matthew, trying to understand what that meant.Matthew felt it best not to tell Elaine that Cindy was shot by Evan and that her relationship with Jackson was part of the pact that Sterlings and Cardosos made to cover up the scandal.As Elaine believed Cindy had been mugged near the Sterling Cultural Hall, Matthew's words made no sense."What do y
In the dining room of the Sterling Mansion, the servants begin to serve the options. Abner is present, looking at his cell phone, checking the time.Alice had not returned yet.Matthew appears and sits down. "How empty the mansion is! Well, that will change in a few days.""Is your mother coming back here? Did she break up with her writer boyfriend?" Abner asked interested."No. They're going to live together and get married once mom has moved on." Matthew smiles hopefully, "Grandpa, I had a genius idea!""Tell me." Abner beams."I found a young lady who will meet the shareholders' wishes," Matthew proudly announces, "Elaine Prates!"Abner bounces in his chair, startled by the news."Heh, heh, what a shock was that, Grandpa?" Matthew laughs."Elaine Prates, from Golden Letters?" Abner asks astounded."The very one." Matthew starts to serve himself, "What do you think?""What does SHE think about this?" Abner composes himself.The issue is moving too fast."She kissed me, reciprocating
Alice feels uncomfortable hearing that Leonardo escalated the problem by trying to poach Matthew for the Silva Oil Company."Leo, you shouldn't be doing this. If Abner finds out, he'll throw you off the docks!""Probably, Matt is telling him over dinner," Leonardo responds feeling satisfied."Why do you want Matt to work here so badly?" Alice asks anxiously, "The company is reserved for your son and grandson. Matthew wouldn't inherit anything.""Maybe what Matt needs is not to inherit a conglomerate, but rather to have a sense of purpose in his life," Leonardo states, "Think about it, Alice: Matt, all his life, lived in the most unworthy of conditions. In almost a year, he went from a slum dweller to a prince charming. That was too much for him, and the poor thing is having trouble reconciling the extreme change he went through, even though he tries hard."Alice grimaces with disdain, "If Matt is having difficulty adjusting, it's because of your 'wonderful' daughter who ran away after
The next day, Leonardo was in his office with Marta, Fernando, Liz, Ronaldo... and Jasmine, who was just hanging around and taking up space."Where is our daughter?" Marta asked.Leonardo grimaced. "Woman, when were you planning on telling me that our daughter was off the rails with writer Jonah Lopes, living in sin at his penthouse?"Fernando and Liz widened their eyes.Jasmine smirked mischievously, mocking her aunt's liberal life in her thoughts.Marta reacted guilty, indicating that she knew and approved. "Uh... She didn't tell me it was a secret. I thought she had told you!""If she didn't tell, then she knew she was doing wrong." Jasmine teased.Marta frowned, turning to her granddaughter. "You, if you had a Hollywood-style hunk, would live with him in the same way!"Fernando gestured impatiently. "OK, are we here to talk about Sheila?""No," Leonardo replied, sitting in the chairman's chair, "Yesterday, I made a proposal to Matthew to join us in our family business."Jasmine hu
Matthew questions Cindy's hiring at Urbano magazine."Now, Matthew, maybe it's the opposite. Maybe you hired Cindy to cause trouble with me."Andreia vehemently shakes her head. "No, Matt! We didn't plan to harm you!"Nathan responds with disdain, "I don't completely share the same opinion.""Son, it's over! Accept your role and be thankful that you at least have a job." Vicente stands up and approaches them."Do I still have a job?" Nathan stares at Matthew.Matthew looks condescendingly at his cousin as if it isn't worth getting upset with him."You can stay. At least you won't be able to complain about how cruel I am. But remember: it was my grandfather who fired you.""He's more of a grandfather to me than you are, buddy." Nathan raises his chin, "While you were lost in the slums, I was always around, learning about the conglomerate. Sometimes I wonder what the board thinks of me."Matthew chuckles, "Ha, ha, ha! Dream on! If Mr. Dantas is being so tough on me, imagine how he would
Nathan is now at the Siren restaurant, waiting for someone at the table to have lunch and talk.Suddenly, someone enters and smiles at him."Mr. Gouveia." The man extends his hand.Nathan shakes the man's hand, somewhat wary, "Mr. Dantas. What a coincidence, my cousin mentioned you today.""Don't tell me! Our thoughts seem to be connected." Alfredo laughs and sits across from him, "Have you chosen already?""No, I was waiting for us to talk about your proposal first." Nathan narrows his eyes."You must have a lot of questions after I called you." Alfredo chuckles as if he was enjoying himself.Nathan picks up the menu but doesn't browse through it."Alright, young Gouveia." Alfredo starts, "Here's the thing: we, at least most of the board members, are concerned about the direction the conglomerate is heading. Have you been following the latest news?""As Matt's cousin and currently working at Urbano, it's impossible for me not to know," Nathan states in a neutral tone."Well. In the b