Chapter 3 Chapter 3

While they talked, Katherine remained immersed in the game. She defeated the final boss with ease, but when she heard the name “Sasha Luz,” her fingers hesitated for a moment.

A spark of curiosity appeared in her eyes.

Soon after, she returned to playing as if nothing had happened.

At that moment, João Pedro closed his laptop and said calmly:

“Water.”

The assistant quickly handed him the bottle, relieved that his boss would show a modicum of kindness to the passenger.

He looked in the rearview mirror and saw João unscrewing the cap. He smiled—perhaps he was more of a gentleman than he appeared.

But in the next instant, he saw João Pedro bring the bottle to his lips and take a sip, without touching the rim.

The assistant's smile disappeared.

“All right, I thought too much...”

Suddenly, he heard something that almost made him doubt his own ears.

“Are you thirsty?”

The voice came from João Pedro.

The assistant blinked, stunned. Did he really just talk... to her?

Katherine was also surprised. That was, if she wasn't mistaken, only the third time he had spoken to her since she entered the Arbex mansion.

The coldest man I've ever met... asking if I'm thirsty?

She looked up, stared into his dark eyes for a few seconds, and replied calmly:

“Thank you.”

She took the bottle, tilted her head, and took a sip.

The crystal-clear water slid over her lips, and a rebellious drop ran down her chin, following the curve of her neck until it disappeared into her collarbone.

With a single gesture, she exuded the same elegance as someone tasting an expensive wine.

Just as Katherine was about to put the cap back on the bottle, João reached out, took it, and closed it himself, without saying a word.

Suddenly, his phone vibrated. His cold gaze shifted to the screen.

“Please, can you stop at the intersection ahead?”

“Huh?” The assistant blinked in surprise. “Aren't you going back to the Arbex residence?”

João glanced sideways at him, only to see that Katherine had already unbuckled her seatbelt.

“I have some personal matters to take care of. I'll be back later.”

“But... you said you wanted to see the boss personally take her inside...”

“Stop the car.” His voice was soft but laden with authority.

The assistant had no choice but to obey.

Katherine got out of the car silently, and he turned around, hesitant.

“Boss... your grandfather may blame you for incompetence if you don't accompany Miss Lutz.”

João Pedro's expression did not change.

“I already picked her up. Whether she comes back or not is her choice. Now, turn around and go to the company.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Wait.”

The assistant turned around immediately.

“Give me some water too,” the man ordered.

The assistant blinked, confused.

Then he looked in the rearview mirror and understood: his lips were dry.

Ah... I see.

His boss suffered from mild obsessive-compulsive disorder—anything that bothered him, he needed to “correct.” He couldn't stand seeing imperfect details, such as chapped lips.

Perhaps... Katherine's lips were also a little dry.

So, had the boss offered her water earlier just to... relieve his own discomfort?

The assistant bit his lip to keep from laughing. Yes, that was exactly João Pedro Arbex's style.

Take care of someone? Impossible. Controlling the environment? Always.

In the back seat, João's phone vibrated again. He answered it.

“Grandpa.”

“You brat! What was that disastrous date? Did you make the girl cry again?!”

“Take care of your health first, Grandpa. No need to get so upset.”

“Bah! If I die, it will be because of you!” Tell me, how many girls have you made cry this month?!

“Only those who truly understand me don't cry.” His voice was calm, almost amused. “The others... well, maybe they need to mature.”

“Bah! Stop talking nonsense!” the old man roared on the other end of the line. “That girl said you already have a girlfriend!” What's going on? Where is she? Where did you hide her?!

João Pedro changed his handkerchief, distracted.

“She's talking about Katherine.”

“WHAT?!” The scream made the assistant cringe. “You bastard! Kath is just a high school senior! How could you do that?!” Are you planning to... cultivate her, is that it?! Tell me the truth!

João Pedro smiled slightly, his tone soft and provocative:

“Does that mean that if I'm dating someone, you'll stop setting me up on blind dates?”

“Yes!” grumbled the old man, furious.

“Well... then you can assume that I'm cultivating a relationship with her.”

On the other end, the silence was almost audible.

His grandfather was probably about to have another fit of rage.

João calmly hung up.

Meanwhile, Katherine was already walking along the tree-lined sidewalks of São Paulo.

Minutes later, she arrived at the Lutz residence—her heart still racing, but not for the reason she imagined.

The Arbexes were the most influential family in the capital.

Descendants of legendary generals, academics, and businessmen—true founding fathers of the nation.

With businesses spread across the globe, they were undoubtedly the most powerful and wealthy family in São Paulo.

After leaving the Arbexes' car, Katherine walked to the corner and got into another vehicle that was waiting discreetly for her.

The interior was silent, the sound of the engine low and steady.

While driving, Adam spoke excitedly, and Katherine calmly leafed through the technical data sheets in her hands.

“Boss, Luz Medic has left Cinedim behind once again! They can't catch up with us, how awesome!” he exclaimed, almost vibrating at the wheel.

Katherine finished reviewing the last spreadsheet and replied without changing her expression:

“Don't get excited when you win, and don't get discouraged when you lose.”

“I understand!” he laughed, still euphoric. "But even so, it's incredible! A few years ago, Cinedim was the absolute leader in the manipulation sector.

No one imagined that a company less than three years old would surpass them! I'm thrilled!“

The light turned red, and Adam took the opportunity to turn to her, smiling.

”But what I want to see most is their faces when they find out that the boss of Luz Medic is a high school student! It'll be historic!"

Katherine looked away, closing the report.

She took a thick notebook out of her backpack and began leafing through it, ignoring the comment.

It was a volume three or four centimeters thick, filled with old notes—records of her mother's experiments with fragrances and perfume formulas. That woman loved to create scents. She spent hours mixing essences, testing combinations, trying to capture the smell of happiness in a bottle.

Katherine slid her fingers over the yellowed pages, reading silently for a few minutes.