In that nearby neighborhood where Julião and his siblings lived, the atmosphere was tense and filled with discontent. As he entered his house, his face bore a mixture of frustration and anger. Without even greeting anyone present, he went straight to the living room. There, he didn’t hesitate to pour himself a whiskey, seeking to ease the burden of the worries that troubled him at that moment. While he sipped the drink, lost in thought, Paulo entered the room, and upon seeing his brother, he quickly voiced his indignation:
— I’m outraged by how Riana is treating me. That spoiled, cheeky girl has no right to...
Julião interrupted Paulo with a knowing look, indicating he was aware of something his brother had yet to realize. After taking a sip of his whiskey, he responded, his voice dripping with sarcasm:
— That’s because you can’t resist a pretty face, can you?
Feigning innocence, Paulo fired back with a rhetorical question:
— What are you talking about?
Then, Julião rose from his chair, his expression serious and determined, and looked Paulo in the eyes, as if about to reveal an uncomfortable truth:
— Don’t play dumb, Paulo. Everyone at the company knew you were getting involved with that assistant. The only one who didn’t see what was happening under her nose was Riana herself.
Hearing such an accusation, Paulo couldn’t hide his surprise, but he quickly composed himself, pouring more whiskey before retorting:
— And you, Julião? What are you doing? All you care about is taking control of the company and...
Before Paulo could finish his sentence, Julião intervened, lightly patting his brother’s face in a gesture that mixed disdain with authority:
— You’re out of the game. I’ll show you how it’s done. In a few weeks, I’ll be vice president, and it won’t be long before I take over the company.
Paulo, in his usual defiant manner, replied with a sarcastic laugh:
— I’ll believe it when I see it.
The rivalry and ambition between the two brothers painted an uncertain future for THE SOFT GENIUS, with the seeds of discord planted and ready to sprout at any moment.
While Paulo and Julião exchanged words in the living room, the tension in the house was palpable. However, the heavy atmosphere was interrupted by the arrival of Estevan, the youngest brother, who walked silently through the hallway, seemingly oblivious to the conflict between his brothers. But Paulo didn’t hesitate to call him out harshly:
— You idiot nerd, come here!
Estevan continued his path without paying much attention to the call, but Paulo, determined not to be ignored, ran up to him and grabbed him by the shirt, forcing him to stop. Estevan, with fury written on his face, asked irritably:
— What do you want from me?
Paulo didn’t hesitate to respond, slapping Estevan’s face as he spoke:
— Is that how you talk to your brother? Come drink with us.
Estevan, unshaken by the provocation, didn’t look at Paulo and firmly replied:
— You know I don’t drink, and I’m not even old enough for that. What’s wrong with you, Paulo?
Paulo, unfazed by his brother’s irritation, smiled sarcastically and gave Estevan a light pat on the back before mocking him:
— You really are a nerd.
Visibly upset, Estevan headed to his room without saying another word to his brother. Meanwhile, Paulo returned to the living room where Julião was still enjoying his drink, and addressed him with a question:
— Flavia called you. Aren’t you going out with her tonight?
Julião, taking another sip of his drink, replied confidently:
— No, Flavia’s in the past. My focus now is Riana.
Paulo, flashing a wide smile, commented ironically before leaving the room:
— I hope you have better luck than I did.
The conversation between the brothers reflected not only their different approaches to personal life but also the tensions and challenges they faced in the complexities of their relationships.
That night, silence filled the atmosphere in Riana's house as she lay in bed, carefully watching the peaceful sleep of the baby beside her. However, this serene moment was interrupted by the quiet entrance of the housekeeper into the room. Her steps were cautious, as if she carried a heavy concern. She approached Riana, choosing her words carefully before speaking:
— We need to talk, dear. — The housekeeper said, her voice filled with seriousness and urgency.
Riana’s eyes lifted to meet hers, her expression a mix of surprise and apprehension. She whispered, barely audible:
— Does it have to be now?
The housekeeper nodded, keeping her gaze firm, and replied:
— It’s important.
Riana got up slowly, feeling a knot of worry forming in her chest. She moved away from the bed, preparing herself to hear what the housekeeper had to say.
— Go ahead. — Riana said, her voice slightly tense but firm.
The housekeeper took a deep breath before beginning, her eyes conveying a mixture of compassion and determination.
— It’s about Morgan. She’s been a trusted presence in this house for so many years, I never would have imagined... — The housekeeper began, her voice wavering slightly with the gravity of the subject.
Riana remained silent, anxiously waiting for the revelation to come.
— Today, after Mr. Helmer left, I caught her on the phone, discussing the arrival of your lawyer and the documents he brought, including the boy’s birth certificate. I confronted Morgan, and she confessed... — The housekeeper continued, her voice laden with regret and disbelief.
Riana felt her heart tighten as she listened to every word. She could never have predicted something like this.
— She confessed that a man approached her while she was doing some shopping. He showed her photos of you, of the house, of your parents, and said that you were in danger. He asked her to inform him about everything and promised to reward her generously. She’s been passing information to this person for a long time, even before the accident with your father and brother. — The housekeeper concluded, her voice thick with the gravity of the situation.
Riana absorbed the information slowly, a mix of shock, sadness, and anger bubbling inside her. She felt utterly betrayed by the trust she had placed in Morgan.
— I’m sorry to bring this up, I know it’s still painful for you, but I had to keep you informed. — The housekeeper added, her expression reflecting the compassion and care she had always shown for Riana.
Riana nodded, silently thanking the housekeeper for her honesty and courage in sharing this revelation. She knew she needed to act quickly to protect her family and home from Morgan’s betrayal.
Faced with the devastating revelation about Morgan’s actions, Riana remained calm and resolute. She wouldn’t let this betrayal go unpunished. With her firm voice, she gave instructions to the housekeeper, who promptly followed her orders. Calling Suzane to care for the baby, she then proceeded to her office. Shortly after, the three women gathered, with Morgan visibly shaken and sobbing.
Riana allowed Morgan to calm down before beginning to confront her. She watched, with a mix of compassion and firmness, as Morgan tried to justify herself between desperate sobs. When Morgan finally seemed calmer, Riana began to speak, her voice filled with determination:
— Morgan, when you accepted this job, you agreed to respect the confidentiality and responsibility that this position demands. However, your actions reveal a grave betrayal. You’ve passed confidential information to a stranger, putting not only this family but also the safety of all of us at risk. — Riana said, her expression serious and unyielding.
Morgan attempted to articulate a defense between tears, but her words were cut short by Riana, who decisively interrupted her:
— Morgan, I’m not naive. I know when someone is lying. Now, either you choose to cooperate and tell the truth, or I will have no choice but to take drastic legal measures. — Riana’s voice echoed with firmness and authority.
Riana’s words seemed to hit Morgan hard, and she stopped talking abruptly, her face contorted with pain and fear of what was to come. In a last-ditch effort to avoid the consequences of her actions, Morgan mumbled a few words, revealing the name of Lázaro, the gardener, as the source of her information.
Riana listened intently, but her expression remained unwavering. She knew it was time to act swiftly and decisively to protect her family and her company from the threat posed by Morgan’s actions.
Riana was in a state of intense fury, a storm of emotions boiling inside her due to the situation she was in. However, she remained calm and acted cautiously, trusting that Alfred Bizantino, a renowned professional investigator, and considered the best in his field, would be able to unravel the mystery that tormented her.
She had strong suspicions that the deaths of her father and brother were not mere accidents. She was determined to uncover the truth, regardless of the cost or effort required. That night, Alfred embarked on his mission, taking Morgan with him. Knowing this, Riana felt a sense of relief and knew she could rest peacefully.
However, to avoid any unwanted surprises, she decided to call a meeting with all the employees that same night. She wanted to keep them informed about the recent events and the possible consequences that could follow. After the meeting, when she went upstairs to her room, the housekeeper, a kind and caring woman, slowly approached her and offered:
— Good night, my dear. If you’d like, I can bring you some tea.
Riana smiled at the housekeeper, hugged her affectionately, and gently declined the kind
offer:
— No tea for me, I’ll sleep in Miguel’s room. It’s been one of those days, but I’m happy. I ended things with Paulo and put him in his place.
The housekeeper smiled back at Riana, stroked her face tenderly, and commented:
— My girl is growing up.
After exchanging kisses on the cheek and goodbyes, Aila headed to the living room. Before going to bed, she had the habit of checking all the rooms in the house. Riana, on the other hand, went upstairs to the baby’s room. Upon entering, she smiled at the nanny and said:
— Suzane, you can go to your room. I’ll take care of Miguel tonight.
The young nanny looked at Riana with a hint of concern and asked:
— Are you sure, miss?
Riana confirmed:
— Yes, go ahead.
Suzane smiled, walked to the door, and before leaving, stopped and said:
— If you need me, I’ll be at the end of the hall. Good night, miss.