Don Alejandro periodically interrupted whenever he felt somebody was leaving out important details, while Thiago continued his increasingly hopeless campaign to convince everyone that he had been unfairly blamed for recent events.
Nobody seemed particularly interested in supporting his argument.
Once the meal concluded, the family gradually relocated to the main sitting area, carrying with them the relaxed atmosphere that only seemed to exist when everyone was gathered under the same roof.
Doña Catalina settled comfortably onto one of the large sofas while Don Alejandro occupied his preferred armchair nearby. Gabriel and Alejandro resumed discussing work matters in quieter tones, while Felicia and Viola accepted tea from the servants and joined the conversation whenever necessary.
Luciano and Thiago naturally claimed the most comfortable seats available before anyone else could reach them.
For the first time all day, the mansion felt peaceful.
