Chapter 4 Chapter 4
Adam, however, couldn't keep quiet.
“Boss, I heard that old Arbex is going to pass Daniela's company on to the next in line, but no one knows who that will be. Cícero Arbex has already put together a team to develop new products, and João Pedro... so far, nothing. I think he's looking for new people.”
Katherine replied without looking up from her notebook:
“Are you afraid?”
Adam laughed loudly.
“Afraid? With my boss on my side, who would I be afraid of? They can search all they want, but they won't find anyone better than you in perfumery.”
Katherine smiled slightly.
“No matter how much you praise me, you won't get a raise. Save your energy and drive carefully.”
“Oh, my salary is already several times higher than the others, so it's great! Working with the boss is reward enough!” he replied, laughing.
For a moment, the mood lightened.
But then Adam frowned, remembering something.
“Boss, are you going to the auction tonight?”
Katherine thought for a moment.
“Give me the list of items,” she asked.
He handed her the catalog, and Katherine's eyes quickly scanned it.
Page after page, until they stopped at an old, discreet, but familiar item.
She looked at it for a few seconds, silently, before closing the catalog.
“Let's go,” she said firmly.
Adam smiled, stepping on the gas.
The night promised to be exciting.
At 7:45 p.m., Katherine arrived at the auction hall.
She was dressed casually, no different than usual. Even so, her delicate and imposing face attracted glances from all sides.
Adam leaned over slightly, whispering in her ear:
“Boss, there are at least thirty-five hungry wolves drooling over your beauty.”
Katherine gave him a cold look.
She was not in a good mood. Seeing some men approaching, she raised her eyebrow.
“I'm going to the bathroom. You deal with them.”
Before Adam could protest, she had already disappeared down the hallway.
When he turned around, he was met by a group of smiling businessmen coming toward him.
“Mr. Mendes! Long time no see! I didn't expect to see you here,” said one of them, extending his hand.
Adam returned the handshake with a professional smile.
Another man quickly added:
“By the way, which family is the young lady who was with you earlier from? You're a lucky man, Mr. Mendes. Such a beautiful girlfriend... impressive.”
Adam kept smiling. He didn't answer.
He was used to being used as a shield by his boss.
He followed the philosophy that “he who talks too much, errs.” So he just smiled and nodded.
It was at that exact moment that João Pedro entered the room.
He and his assistant had arrived shortly after Katherine — and, coincidentally, witnessed the whole scene.
The assistant's eyes widened.
“So she... has a boyfriend?” he muttered to himself, incredulous.
He glanced quickly at his boss.
But João Pedro's expression remained unchanged. No emotion. No trace of irritation or surprise.
His gaze was cold, deep, and unreadable — as always.
Within seconds, he was chatting calmly with the CEOs who were greeting him.
The assistant adjusted his glasses, unsurprised.
After all, his boss's heart only had room for work.
Personal matters? They didn't affect him.
They were there because of a rumor that Sasha Luz had sent an exclusive perfume to that night's auction.
And João Pedro was determined to find her — through that fragrance.
Outside, Katherine finished washing her hands.
But instead of returning to the hall, she went up to the terrace to get some fresh air before the event began.
The night air was light, and the view of São Paulo sparkled below her like a sea of lights.
Then a high-pitched, annoying female voice broke the silence.
“Cousin?!”
Katherine turned her face slightly, her gaze cold and distant.
Nísia walked toward her, her full skirt fluttering exaggeratedly.
Her eyes sparkled with surprise.
“It's really you!” she exclaimed, and immediately turned around, shouting, “Mom! Dad! It's my sister!”
Katherine remained silent, walking to the railing and looking out over the city below.
She had no intention of talking.
Soon, Rosana and Daniel Lutz approached.
Rosana looked confused. Daniel, as always, wore the same somber expression—perhaps even more so than usual.
“Why is Kath here too?” Rosana asked, frowning.
Daniel didn't answer, but his gaze spoke for itself: disapproval and discomfort.
Nísia, sensing the tension, bit her lip with feigned hesitation.
“Dad... actually, this afternoon, Mom and I saw my sister being taken away by a strange man. And she didn't come back to the Arbex house or the Lutz house last night. I think... she went to live with someone else.”
The girl watched sideways, waiting for his reaction.
When she saw her father's face darken even more, a satisfied smile appeared on her lips.
But before Daniel could respond, a man appeared beside Katherine—tall, elegant, speaking to her in a low voice, too close.
Nísia's eyes widened.
She recognized him immediately.
“It's that man!” she exclaimed, with a glimmer of barely concealed excitement.
Rosana sighed, her voice low and laden with false concern.
“It seems that Kath was brought here by that man. Otherwise, with such a hard-to-get invitation, how could a girl like her get in?”
Turning to her husband, she continued in an anguished tone:
“Honey, I'm very worried about Kath. Since her mother died, she's been acting strange... she doesn't listen to anyone. She always has that arrogant look on her face. That alone wouldn't be a problem. But now... involved with a man? If she continues like this, she'll end up ruining herself.”
Before she finished, Daniel Lutz's face darkened even more.
His cold gaze swept over his wife, his daughter, and finally stopped on Katherine—motionless by the railing.
“None of you are going to talk to her.” His voice sounded firm, cutting. “Pretend you don't know her.”
Without another word, he turned and left. He didn't even look back.
Rosana and Nísia exchanged glances.
A slight, poisonous smile appeared on both their lips.
“Mom,” said Nísia with false sweetness, “it seems that ‘my little sister’ was never very dear to Dad. He doesn't even bother to get involved in her affairs.”
Rosana raised her eyebrows, satisfied.
“That's why I'm telling you, dear: work hard, shine, surpass her in everything. Make your father happy. Who knows, maybe one day he'll even leave you part of his inheritance.”
Nísia nodded enthusiastically.