Chapter 113 Chapter 113
Nísia shuddered, unable to believe the possessive and protective tone he had used to defend Katherine. Before she could reply, João made a gesture of disdain and the dog, responding to the silent command, lunged at her. Nísia let out a scream of terror and ran out of the East Wing, completely humiliated, hearing the sound of the door closing behind her.
All the triumph she had felt during the day was incinerated. Her hatred for Katherine Lutz now burned stronger than ever. She quickly wiped her face, her heart pounding with rage, and returned to the West Wing with a single thought: she would make Katherine pay for every second of that humiliation during the perfume presentation.
João Arbex no longer looked disheveled from his shower. He had changed his clothes and was now wearing a casual outfit in light brown tones that accentuated his imposing and aristocratic figure. Marcus, his trusted assistant, helped him adjust the last details of the fit, allowing himself a knowing smile.
“Sir, with your charm, it's a waste not to have a girlfriend,” Marcus commented, admiring the aura of power his boss exuded.
João's expression, however, remained impenetrable. Marcus continued, his tone now more serious:
"Miss Lutz's cousin seems to be quite cunning, even daring to speak ill of her own sister in front of you. Does Daniel Lutz know about this?
Upon hearing mention of Nísia's audacity, the last glimmer of patience in João's eyes disappeared, replaced by his usual icy indifference.
“Tell my men that she is forbidden from entering the East Wing from now on,” he ordered, his voice as sharp as a blade. “And have someone clean the first floor later.”
Marcus nodded silently. He understood his Lord's temperament perfectly; when it came to protecting his space or punishing insolence, João was resolute and cold, leaving no room for sentimentality or second chances.
After giving his orders, John descended the stairs with firm steps and headed for the West Wing, where the banquet was in full swing.
At the same time, Katherine was finally able to catch her breath. After escaping the exhausting “interrogation” by the elderly masters, who seemed fascinated by her every word, she felt the need for a moment of solitude. The banquet was about to begin and the guests were already taking their seats.
Katherine took advantage of the brief opportunity to go to the bathroom. Upon leaving, fate brought her face to face with the man who dominated her most restless thoughts. João had just arrived.
The heady scent of João's shower gel overpowered the faint smell of mint that usually accompanied him, emanating a warm and intensely masculine fragrance that seemed to fill the narrow hallway. The two stared at each other for a few seconds—a silence charged with electricity and unspoken words.
Katherine suddenly remembered the “vinegar pile” — his ostentatious jealousy — and felt her face flush. She was the first to look away, maintaining an apparent calm as she walked toward the dining hall. João watched her movement, the sparkle in his eyes disappearing for a moment. He pondered for a few seconds before following her inside.
As soon as they crossed the threshold of the hall, they were greeted by a symphony of sophisticated fragrances. In the center, a renowned perfumer passionately explained the ingredients and effects of the fragrance he held in his hands. In the background, a slow dance performance took place in perfect harmony with the olfactory theme, creating an ethereal atmosphere.
After finishing his technical explanation, the perfumer approached Sasha Meneguel to ask for her opinion. In that room, Sasha was the ultimate authority, receiving the respect and reverence of all.
Katherine sat in her designated seat, flanked by Octavio Arbex and Anastasia.
She glanced indifferently at the perfumer and enjoyed the show in silence, her impeccable posture concealing any emotion.
Suddenly, the seat next to her moved. Seeing his older brother approaching, Octavio immediately gave up his seat, waiting for João to sit there. Unexpectedly, João did not sit next to Katherine. He continued walking to the seat next to Cicero Arbex and, with aristocratic grace, settled in there.
Katherine looked at him unconsciously; he was now sitting diagonally across from her. Unlike the last few days, João did not stare at her constantly. As soon as he sat down, he began to talk to the elders around him with impeccable courtesy.
His presence, however, was like a magnet. He attracted a lot of attention, especially from the older guests, who kept questioning him with poorly disguised curiosity.
“João is so handsome, do you have a girlfriend?” asked one of them with a playful smile.
An old master chuckled and glanced ambiguously at Katherine before answering for the young man:
“Almost.”
“João, do you want a girlfriend? If so, I can find you one,” offered another guest enthusiastically.
João took a sip of water, his calm expression remaining indifferent to Cupid's attempts. With a chuckle, the elderly man looked at Cicero Arbex and insisted:
“João, Mr. Kardashian has a girl at home who is only three years older than you. She is the perfect age, sensible and intellectual. How about considering her?”
João replied with icy politeness:
“I prefer younger women.”
One of the elderly men immediately relaxed upon hearing his preference.
“It's true, when choosing a wife, it's usually better to choose a younger one. It gives a different feeling. João, my granddaughter is twenty-three this year, two years younger than you, which is perfect.”
Octavio Arbex, sensing the veiled discomfort, intervened at the right moment:
“Gentlemen, my brother is not interested in anyone over twenty-two or under eighteen, so there is no need for introductions.”
The two masters frowned, surprised by the specificity of the rule, and asked João directly:
“João, is that true?”
João's face took on an affectionate and almost enigmatic air as he replied:
“It depends mainly on the person.”
At that moment, Katherine couldn't resist and gave him another look. This time, her eyes met his directly, without barriers. In the shock of that eye contact, the men around them understood everything at once and stopped discussing the girlfriend issue immediately.
At that point, the attention of the banquet turned to Nísia. With an air of triumph, she sprayed perfume on some silk handkerchiefs and asked a waiter to distribute them among the distinguished guests, proudly explaining the notes of her creation.