Paulo believed that his position of power and his stake in the company would be enough to make Riana reconsider her decision. However, deep down, he knew the situation was delicate and that his reckless actions had consequences. Now, he faced the challenge of dealing with those repercussions while trying to maintain a facade of control and authority.
Riana, on the other hand, couldn’t help but laugh at Paulo’s claim. The shift in her posture was obvious; she was no longer the vulnerable person she had been years ago. Life’s hardships had shaped her, transforming her into a stronger, more determined version of herself. Scars, losses, and disappointments had made her resilient, ready to take control not only of her life but also of her company.
With a confident smile on her lips, Riana walked up to Paulo, stopping directly in front of him. Her eyes locked onto his, radiating a mix of confidence and determination, underscoring the weight of her words.
— You’re right, Paulo. Indeed, 20% of this company’s shares belong to your family. But it’s important to remember that those shares are divided between you, Julião, and Estevan.
The sarcasm in Riana’s gestures demonstrated her renewed confidence. With a deliberate display, she counted on her fingers, emphasizing the small percentage of shares that Paulo actually held. The mischievous smile on her face revealed her satisfaction in having turned the situation in her favor.
— That gives you 6.66%. She said sarcastically before continuing. “No, Paulo, you’re mistaken. I am the owner of this company—60% belong solely to me. So, you’d better behave and follow my instructions.
The revelation was a blow to Paulo, who stood frozen, unable to respond. The shock drained the color from his face, and without the courage to argue, he turned away from Riana and walked out of the room with firm steps. Once the door closed, Riana felt a deep sense of relief. She rushed to her chair and sat down, her hands and legs trembling. But despite the intensity of the situation, she felt victorious, strengthened, and fearless. A wide smile spread across her face, glowing with the success of her assertiveness.
After the emotional turbulence of the confrontation, Riana needed a moment to regain her composure. She then called Marília, the head of Human Resources, asking her to come to her office for a meeting. While waiting, she went to the bathroom, washed her face to pull herself together, and returned to her desk, ready to handle the next matters.
When Marília arrived, Riana welcomed her with a smile, showing gratitude for her colleague’s presence. Once they were seated, Riana initiated the conversation, eager to hear the outcome of the situation with Marie.
— Marília, it’s good to see you. Please, have a seat. Riana said, inviting her to take one of the chairs.
Marília, with her characteristic elegance, sat down and began to report:
— As soon as Marie finished signing the papers, I was heading to your office. But I saw Mr. Paulo speaking with her in the hallway. She looked visibly nervous, and he led her toward the stairs. To avoid being seen, I returned to the HR department. I apologize for the delay.
Riana nodded, appreciating Marília’s effort. With confirmation that everything had gone as planned, she felt ready to move forward with the next steps.
— That’s alright, Marília. The important thing is that you followed our plan. Riana reassured her colleague while organizing the papers on her desk, signaling that the conversation was nearing its end.
— Now, tomorrow, during the interviews, I want you to select the top three candidates and bring them to my office. I need someone I can trust for this position.”
Marília nodded, ready to follow the instructions.
— Understood, ma’am. The interview is scheduled for 9 a.m. Marília confirmed, ensuring that everything would be ready for the next day.
— Great. I’ll see you tomorrow, then. Riana concluded optimistically, already preparing for the challenges ahead.
After Marília left, Riana gathered her belongings and prepared to go home, eager to spend some quality time with her son, Miguel. On the way, as Dody drove her to her residence, she couldn’t resist looking at photos of Miguel on her phone. Each image brought a genuine smile to her face.
However, her attention was soon drawn to an email notification that appeared on the screen. It was a message from Willian. Riana’s smile widened when she saw his name, and she immediately opened the email. Willian expressed understanding for her absence at the restaurant and suggested dinner for Saturday night. Touched by his kindness, Riana decided to respond right away, apologizing for missing the dinner and accepting his invitation.
With a hint of hope and excitement, Riana sent the message, looking forward to the pleasant moments ahead.
When she arrived home, she was greeted by Aila’s warm smile as soon as she walked through the door. The joy of being back was clear on her face as her heart filled with anticipation to see Miguel. However, Riana’s attention was quickly captured by Aila’s kind words.
— Dear Riana, I didn’t even notice you had arrived; I apologize for not being at the door to greet you.
Riana’s smile grew even wider at Aila’s sweetness.
— Don’t worry, Aila. How is my son? She asked, barely able to contain her excitement.
Aila responded with a sparkle in her eyes.
—    That baby is the joy of this house.
Together, they went to the baby’s room, where Suzane, the nanny, was lovingly caring for Miguel. Riana waved at Suzane before turning to Aila.
—    I’m going to take a quick shower, and I’ll be right back.
However, before she could reach her room, Aila stopped her with some important news.
— Riana, Mr. Helmer was here. He left the documents you requested, along with the baby’s certificate. I placed everything on your desk in the office.
Grateful, Riana smiled and made a request.
— Thank you, Aila. Please ask them to prepare dinner. I’ll come down with the baby so we can eat together.
Aila nodded with a smile and went downstairs, leaving Riana alone with her thoughts. Helmer’s visit and the documents he brought symbolized more than just a logistical change; for Riana, this moment represented a new chapter in her life, a time of renewal, hope, and the promise of a bright future, filled with love and joy alongside Miguel.