LOGINIt was a legendary and dangerous technique that only elite actors could master. It consisted of using one's own aura, gaze, and rhythm to mentally crush one's scene partner. The dominant actor would “suck” all the air out of the room, making the other feel small, watched, and panicked, leading to abnormal mistakes and mental blocks.
Helena wasn't just acting well; she was waging a silent psychological war. She destroyed Sabrina's mind without saying a word outside the scrip
“Axel, you’re so irresponsible! You’re way too impatient! Why did you announce on your public profile that I signed with World Entertainment before the time was right?! The press conference isn’t until tomorrow!”Axel shot her a sharp, aggrieved look, crossing his arms.— Of course it was to boost your popularity and engagement, you ungrateful thing! Look how famous you are now. The whole internet is buzzing with your name! Vox Talents must be having a heart attack right now!Helena snorted and glanced at him sideways, crossing her arms as well.— If it weren’t for Henrique coming to our rescue and sharing your post to lend his prestige, the two of us would have been cursed and crucified in the public square for being a “dirty, adulterous couple,” got it?!Upon hearing the words “adulterous couple,” Axel swallowed hard, feeling the room’s temperature dro
Everyone in the corporate, financial, and entertainment worlds knew Henrique’s official account. It was a practically inert profile, cold as ice, filled only with generic, billion-dollar announcements: the anniversary of the founding of the Ballmer empire, the acquisition of new multinationals, the completion of major collaborations on technology projects, or complex macroeconomic theories that no mere mortal in the comments could understand, but which made them like the post out of sheer respect for the owner’s grandeur.But Henrique Ballmer was a living legend. He had tens of millions of global followers. He was the supreme, untouchable “Male God.” So even though his account was updated only every six months with dry corporate announcements, there were legions of fervent fans, shareholders, and tycoons who idolized him and followed every comma on that profile.And now... Henrique, the ice-cold man who never, ever, got involved in celebrity gos
When Helena left the Ballmer mansion that morning, she was driving the sleek, understated black Audi that Henrique had arranged especially for her.Given the recent explosive negative media coverage sparked by Camila’s gossip, it would be asking for trouble—or even a public lynching—if she tried to take the crowded Araraquara subway today.On the way back to the Platinum Palace, her mind buzzing with strategies for tomorrow’s press conference, Helena felt exhausted but euphoric.Taking advantage of the calm traffic on the highway, she excitedly tested the secret military-grade autonomous driving feature that the Chief had installed. After confirming the route and the mansion’s location on the built-in GPS, she let go of the steering wheel.The car took control with ghostly, perfect smoothness. Helena let out a sigh of wonder, leaned back into the luxurious soft leather seat, opened the World Entertainment do
However, Helena’s heart tightened inexplicably. The thought of packing her bags and leaving the Ballmer mansion—leaving behind the warm dinners, the laughter with Mateo, and Henrique’s deep gazes on quiet nights—made her chest ache.Helena bit her lower lip, looking a little torn and worried.“Ms. Johnson, thank you so much for the company’s generosity. But… I might not be able to move for now.”Hailey’s eyes narrowed dangerously behind her black-framed glasses. She shot her a look that seemed capable of freezing water.“Why not? Do you have a boyfriend?”Realizing the lethal tone in Hailey’s voice and noticing that the businesswoman had completely misunderstood, Helena’s eyes widened and she waved her hands frantically.“No! No, of course it’s not because of a boyfriend!” I’m living with your billionaire Big Boss!, she screamed me
As she opened the door and stepped into the room, Helena felt as though her eyes had finally been cleansed. She had almost been blinded by the “nouveau riche” decor of the lobby, whereas this office was the absolute opposite: predominantly in shades of black, white, and gray, decorated in a minimalist, stark, and sharp style. Just like its owner.Seated behind an imposing tempered glass desk was a woman in her thirties, wearing thin black-framed glasses and an impeccable champagne-colored tailored suit. She exuded the aura of an ice queen of the corporate world.Helena stopped three steps from the desk, standing tall and confident.“Hello. I’m Helena. I’m here to introduce myself for the job!”The woman stopped typing on her laptop and folded her hands on the desk.“Hello, Helena. As of today and this very moment, I am your official manager, Hailey Johnson.” — The woman got straight to the point, without any polite smiles. — I’m sure you’ve already
“By the way, Helena…” Axel suddenly changed the subject, realizing that the discussion about Instagram was going nowhere and that his brother would give him a death stare if Helena found out she was his “sister-in-law.” “Your new official manager at World Entertainment has already been chosen and confirmed!”As expected, Helena’s attention was immediately piqued. Her career was her number one priority.“Really?!” Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. “Who is it? Who did the department assign to me?”Axel smiled mischievously, holding his chopsticks in the air.“Hehe… I’m not going to tell you! It’s confidential! Unless… unless you solemnly promise to cook another full meal for me next weekend!”Axel seemed to be on cloud nine, happy to keep her in suspense, with an expression that practically begged to be beaten.Helena narrowed her eyes, shot him a look of deep disdain, and, ignoring him completely, turned to the man who truly ruled the empire. She rested her chin in her hands and win
“Not long ago.” Josh took the opportunity to move and break eye contact. He rummaged through the kitchen cabinets for a long time, looking for something to serve, until he finally gave up and grabbed a bottle of cold mineral water from the refrigerator. “Sorry, I haven't installed the purifier yet
Seeing that Lucas was about to turn the steering wheel to the right, Helena's instincts spoke louder than prudence.“Oh, Lucas, don't turn there! The road is blocked!” she shouted, holding onto the front seat.The car slowed down slightly. Josh, who was sulking in the ba
Josh's gaze fell on her lips. For a second, the tension in the car shifted from comical violence to something more... charged. He leaned in, as if to kiss her.But then he saw the fake wrinkles, the latex mole on her chin, and the strong smell of mothballs from her “granny” clo
She coughed twice, a dry, weak cough of someone who had smoked all her life, and began to make her way through the crowd.“Please... cough, cough... let me through, excuse me...” Her voice came out shaky and nasal. “My dear, kind girls, could you let this poor old lady ta







