Nolan stood motionless, watching the car drive away. He didn't love her, but he didn't want to see her leave like this either. The rejection wasn't personal—it was a barrier imposed by the Spector and Wilson families, historic rivals.
He had discovered this too late. That's why he had invited her to dinner, to cut things off before it was too late. He didn't want to drag Noemia into the crossfire.
Sighing, Nolan turned to leave... but he was no longer alone.
Ellijah was standing there on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets and a dark smile on his lips. He hadn't come for Nolan. He was waiting for Victoria.
But Jackson had already taken her away.
Ellijah's gaze darkened, and the air around him seemed to grow heavier.
Ellijah only stepped out of the shadows after Noemia and Nolan had left.
“Have you talked to her?” he asked casually, though impatience flashed in his eyes.
Nolan nodded. “Yes. It's over.&rdqu
Nolan stood motionless, watching the car drive away. He didn't love her, but he didn't want to see her leave like this either. The rejection wasn't personal—it was a barrier imposed by the Spector and Wilson families, historic rivals.He had discovered this too late. That's why he had invited her to dinner, to cut things off before it was too late. He didn't want to drag Noemia into the crossfire.Sighing, Nolan turned to leave... but he was no longer alone.Ellijah was standing there on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets and a dark smile on his lips. He hadn't come for Nolan. He was waiting for Victoria.But Jackson had already taken her away.Ellijah's gaze darkened, and the air around him seemed to grow heavier.Ellijah only stepped out of the shadows after Noemia and Nolan had left.“Have you talked to her?” he asked casually, though impatience flashed in his eyes.Nolan nodded. “Yes. It's over.&rdqu
The sun was setting, painting the sky red, and Ellijah, from the window of his studio, felt the dark desire in his heart grow. He had always been attracted to what he didn't have — and now, more than ever, it was Victoria who fueled that obsession.Meanwhile, Victoria finished work and left the company to join Noemia, as promised. Little did she know that the fate of that night would be decisive not only for her friend, but for herself.Jackson, meanwhile, finally found a break after days of tension and intense negotiations with Lázaro. An unexpected invitation came his way: the president of one of the largest construction companies in the country wanted to welcome him to his residence to discuss a project that Jackson had long desired.Jackson went. He imagined it would be just another brief business trip. But as soon as he walked through the doors of the luxurious mansion, he realized something was wrong.In the basement, the host revealed
He gently held her chin between his fingers, tilting her face toward his.Victoria blinked, confused.“Amber... what?” She had no idea what he was talking about.Jackson kept his serious expression.“Ambergris. It's a luxury brand of men's perfume. What I smell on you is of the highest quality.”Her heart skipped a beat. Now she understood: Jackson was suspicious.“You... think I'm cheating on you?” Her voice trembled, heavy with hurt.Jackson quickly let go of her, as if he had realized the weight of his own words.“No, honey. Don't say that. I just... I was surprised. Men notice these things, you know.” And I... I get jealous too easily.The intensity in his voice betrayed the truth: it was jealousy, not suspicion.Victoria snorted, irritated, but also hurt.“I have no idea how that smell got on me. I went to college with Noemia, and there were only gi
“He's gorgeous, isn't he? And so smart too...” Noemia sighed, her eyes shining like stars.Victoria winked at her, amused.“Indeed. Good taste, my friend.”“I want to date him!” confessed Noemia, unable to hide her adoration as her eyes remained fixed on Nolan, standing elegantly on the platform.Victoria smiled at her friend's innocence. Nolan's beauty and charisma were undeniable, but that impression soon faded. With one hand resting lightly on her belly, she just listened to his deep, slow voice explaining the subject.However, for her, the nearly hour-long class became tedious and sleepy. Next to her, Noemia remained attentive, completely spellbound. Victoria barely contained her urge to laugh at her enthusiasm.But before she could make any comment, the classroom door opened.A young man wearing a cap leaned against the doorframe, silently observing Nolan.The brim of the cap was pulled
Lazaro never hid what he had done. After all, if Jackson wanted to, he could easily find him. The noise he had made was not just an attack—it was an invitation.He smiled, crossing his legs provocatively."Since you've found out everything, I won't deny it. It was me. But I bet you didn't expect me to find a major flaw in Jatobá.Jackson's eyes flashed, but his expression remained unchanged. He slowly twirled the cigarette between his fingers.“And what exactly do you think you found?”That was what Jackson wanted to hear. If Lazaro had exposed himself so much, he certainly had a second card up his sleeve.Lazaro leaned forward, a cold half-smile on his face.“It depends on your sincerity, Mr. Carson. I want a 30% stake in Jatobá. Sell it to me... and I'll tell you where the flaw is.”Jackson let out a brief, dry laugh, crushing his cigarette in the ashtray. His voice was calm but icy. &l
“Victoria, if I couldn't get information quickly, how could I survive in the entertainment industry?” Noemia joked, laughing. Then she lowered her voice, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “By the way... I just confirmed it. It really is Ellijah.”Victoria frowned, showing no surprise.Deep down, she already suspected it. But hearing the name definitively made her heart beat faster—not with joy, but with embarrassment.“It's really him...” she murmured. “Yes. And he's kept a very low profile these past few years. He lived abroad, leaving almost no trace. No parties, no banquets, no close friends,” said Noemia, surprised.“It's strange, because in high school he was the complete opposite. Captain of the basketball team, outgoing, handsome... half the school sighed over him.”Victória remembered. She remembered the unexpected confession, Ellijah's warm gaze, and how she, without