LOGINRealizing that his son was looking at him as if he were Judas, Henrique lost his smile and changed the subject with the skill of a politician.
“However,” Henrique continued, raising his voice, "the harmful effects of alcohol consumption far outweigh the benefits. Liver damage, loss of control, safety risks... In addition, you have to drink a very specific amount to get any benefit, which is rare. Therefore, science is on Mateo's side: unless it is truly unavoidable, it is best not to drink.
Helena's jaw dropped.
Mateo uncrossed his arms and smiled victoriously. Dad was back on the good guys' team.
To deliver the coup de grâce and isolate Helena completely, Henrique folded the newspaper and added with the utmost serenity:
“In fact, I've been trying to stop drinking lately. For my health and to set an example.”
Helena collapsed. She threw her head on the table, defeated, her arms limp at her sides.
“Josh! Did you eat gunpowder for breakfast? Why are you attacking me? I just called to see if you were okay!”On the other end of the line, Josh closed his eyes, feeling extremely suffocated. He was angry. Angry at her for being so blind, angry at his uncle for being so perfect, and angry at himself for losing the battle before even fighting.He suppressed his emotions, forcing his voice to remain neutral.“Sorry. I'm at my father's company right now. He's having financial problems, and I've spent the day running around trying to fix the mess. I'm stressed.”It was a half-truth, but it would do.“Listen...” His voice softened, laden with a sadness that Helena couldn't quite decipher. “If you have some time tonight, log into the online game. I sent a rare gift to your account.”“A gift?”“Yes.” A pause. “Happy birthday, Helena.”Before Helena cou
Realizing that his son was looking at him as if he were Judas, Henrique lost his smile and changed the subject with the skill of a politician.“However,” Henrique continued, raising his voice, "the harmful effects of alcohol consumption far outweigh the benefits. Liver damage, loss of control, safety risks... In addition, you have to drink a very specific amount to get any benefit, which is rare. Therefore, science is on Mateo's side: unless it is truly unavoidable, it is best not to drink.Helena's jaw dropped.Mateo uncrossed his arms and smiled victoriously. Dad was back on the good guys' team.To deliver the coup de grâce and isolate Helena completely, Henrique folded the newspaper and added with the utmost serenity:“In fact, I've been trying to stop drinking lately. For my health and to set an example.”Helena collapsed. She threw her head on the table, defeated, her arms limp at her sides.
“Um... oh... my head...”Helena frowned on the pillow, moaning in pain in her sleep.Mateo's heart sank. He quickly leaned over and began to blow gently on Helena's forehead, as if trying to “blow the pain away,” just as she did with him when he hurt himself.A cunning gleam passed through Henrique's eyes. He saw an opportunity.He sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hand on his son's shoulder.“Son,” Henrique said gravely. “Seeing her like this hurts, doesn't it?”Mateo nodded vigorously.“Unfortunately, drinking is part of her social work. As her boss, I can't interfere too much without seeming authoritarian. But you...” Henrique paused dramatically. “If I were you... you could try to convince her. She listens to you. If you tell her you're sad when she drinks, maybe she'll stop.”Mateo's eyes flashed with determination. He nodded, with the serious expression of a soldier accepting a critical mission.Mission Accepted: Save Mom from Alcohol.The next morning.Sunlight invaded
Half an hour later.Dinner was over. The team said their goodbyes and got into taxis and vans.In the end, only Helena and Josh remained on the hotel sidewalk, under the yellow light of the street lamps.The alcohol and adrenaline had worn off, leaving Helena in a state of total exhaustion. She was leaning against a golden column, her eyes half-closed, swaying slightly. She looked like a sleepy puppy about to fall over.Josh watched her, crossing his arms.“Lucas is coming with the car,” he said. “Don't be stubborn. Come back with me. I'll take you home.”Helena muttered something unintelligible and shook her head.“Wait a minute...” Josh narrowed his eyes. “Don't tell me you're waiting for...”Before he could finish his sentence, the automatic doors of the hotel lobby opened.A tall man, wearing an impeccable dark suit, stepped out into the night. In the moonlight, his fig
“Henri...” She stopped herself. Calling the boss of bosses by his first name there would be social suicide. “Mr. Ballmer... I've walked into the wrong room...”The lighting was dim. She hadn't seen that, in the darkest and most noble corner of the sofa, Henrique Ballmer was sitting with his eyes closed, resting while the others made noise.Amidst that sea of sweaty, vulgar men, Henrique's scent of sandalwood and clean presence were like pure oxygen.“Which room are you in?” he asked, ignoring President Costa, who was still bowing in reverence. “I'll take you there.”Until that moment, Henrique had vaguely heard the commotion, but he hadn't cared. It was only when Helena's familiar voice—full of restrained panic—cut through the air that he opened his eyes.And what he saw—that disgusting old man pulling Helena—made his blood boil.At that moment, Henrique's desire was not
“You're telling the truth after drinking too much, aren't you?!” he accused, pointing his finger. “I knew it! I thought you had intentions with Henrique from the beginning! Are you thinking of sleeping with him, Helena? Admit it!”“Is there any woman in the whole country who doesn't want to sleep with Henrique Ballmer?” Helena retorted shamelessly.“Well, every woman in the country wants to sleep with me too, but you never thought about sleeping with me!” Josh fired back, playing his trump card.Helena's tone of voice rose slightly, laden with malice, as she leaned toward him:“And how do you know I never wanted to sleep with you before?”Josh froze. His brain short-circuited.“Wh... what?”Immediately afterwards, his ears turned red as peppers. He stammered, unable to form a sentence.In the next second, a muffled laugh escaped Helena. She was hav







