Claro, aqui está a tradução com as aspas:

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"The blond, arrogant, and presumptuous idiot who was once my fiancé simply turned his back on me as if I were little more than furniture to him. I was stunned, very bad-tempered, and could have screamed if we weren’t in such a compromising environment.

Gavin had never been a particularly cruel person. We had arguments here and there, but they were just everyday nonsense. It was common knowledge that I had a short fuse, but I didn’t see it that way. For a long time, powerful men with intensive lucrative means acted exactly as I do, so why was only I seen as inflexible? If they thought I would behave more demurely just because of my gender, they were terribly mistaken.

Jew had indeed grown a lot in recent years, which had been anything but easy. After the idiot left me at the altar, I had to pick myself up psychologically. Of course, I had the help of James Ethan, CEO of Altari, one of the largest companies in the dealership industry. James and I were already close before the bomb went off, and it was precisely his company and support that pushed me enough to walk on my own two feet again.

While I was lost in thought, I felt the businessman’s light touch on my shoulder. I smiled at him as soon as we made eye contact.

'You look stunning as always,' his voice is sweet, soothing, and deeply sensual. The kind of voice that would seduce a mermaid to abandon her home under the waves.

'You’re very kind,' I reply, looking intently at him.

The white man with black, slightly wavy hair, dark eyes, and a slightly prominent nose looks behind me. I realize he must be watching Gavin. Then he looks back at me. His expression is one of confusion.

'Why did you go talk to him?'

I sip my champagne. One of the best ways to demonstrate non-submission is to never justify oneself or give the impression that explanations will always be given to those who want them. The power of silence was much greater than I ever thought. So I give a smile without showing my teeth, letting my voice convey calm and tranquility.

'It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him without that wardrobe he calls a friend. Seeing him alone piqued my curiosity. I also wanted to congratulate him on Urus’s shares and the progress he’s been making.'

'Really? He didn’t seem very happy with your presence.'

'Of course not. Not everyone can easily accept the past.'

James moves closer to me. He is ten years younger than I am, and his skin smells like peaches. His gaze is fixed on my mouth and his breath is warm and heavy; a reaction I commonly elicit from him without effort.

'Careful, James. Remember where we are.'

He steps back reluctantly, opening another charming smile.

'Can you blame me for trying?'

I don’t respond. But we look at each other with complicity.

James was 32 years old, tall, strong, and always preferred to be on the other side of a fight. He rarely raised his voice to get what he wanted, much less used aggression to eliminate his enemies. His biggest competitors simply stepped aside without even trying to confront him, and some even joined him. His persuasion was formidable, and the way he asserted and achieved what he wanted was one of his greatest highlights.

The young man came from a long lineage; all businessmen, successful, millionaires, and fully capable of turning their rivals’ lives into hell.

Aligning forces with him was one of the best decisions I ever made. Besides having common interests (as well as money and success, of course), we could count on our shared hatred. And contrary to what many say, hatred, not love, can unify and raise flags for absolutely anything. Foundations like mutual trust and honor were only truly valid if the interests were also aligned.

My mother always told me that a strong man would not waste his time crying when he saw ruin in the house next door. He would implode it before the ruin spread. He would find the source of the rot and expel it, or move away in time. Gavin was never that man. He let himself be affected by anything, always putting his heart before his head and handing over all his planning to those who secretly wanted to take him out of the picture.

That’s how Gavin had two projects stolen by James, but he could never prove it in court. That’s how they became archenemies.

James categorically stated that the project had been improved and reformulated, but he confessed to me that he really stole the idea after overhearing Gavin talking to Donovan one afternoon. Gavin saw him, and James just pretended he wasn’t there the whole time, noting the details in his brain and saving them for later.

'A strong man does whatever it takes to triumph,' my mother also said. So I didn’t judge him for what happened.

The orchestra was playing a slow melody, and Gavin was now sitting in another chair, much further away from where he had originally been. His look of distress was as evident as the one of contempt I was giving him. How could I, so victorious, hardworking, and imposing, have ever been involved with someone whose category was so low?

'Where do we go after this?' asked my business partner... among other things. 'Cabo Frio or Saquarema?'

Where we would go to satiate each other’s hunger and desire, that was what he wanted to know.

I sipped my champagne slowly, looking into his eyes over the glass.

All I got was another long look, full of desire and power. A great power that fascinated me more every day.

Running my hand through my newly dyed red hair, I replied:

'Saquarema is very beautiful at this time of year.'