Chapter 7 EPISODE 7.

As John trudged through the rainforest on the way back to Forest Lodge, the air crackled with tension, the aftermath of the emotional outburst at the fazenda palpable in the atmosphere. Reflecting to himself, John wasn't surprised by the charged atmosphere. He understood that when exposed, women often struggled to maintain composure. Susan Grey had been laid bare; her fraudulent actions brought to light, consequences thrust upon her. At that moment, with him looming over her and Filomena weeping, expressing guilt and remorse seemed her only viable recourse.

Her portrayal had been convincing, so much so that had it not been impossible, he might have believed she was genuinely surprised by the accusations. Her shock and display of self-condemnation had nearly prompted him to extend comforting words. Yet, even after a mental reevaluation of the evidence, John remained certain of her guilt. She had intimate knowledge of the company's accounts and figures. Moreover, her own father managed the finances-a clear indication of a family conspiracy. He glanced back and found Susan remarkably keeping pace with him, despite her shorter stature. He glimpsed the turmoil in her eyes, likely a mix of anger and frustration. Her fraudulent scheme had been exposed and thwarted. Her compelling act of remorse at the Fazenda was, undoubtedly, tailored for the benefit of Filomena and Carlos. John questioned his own fascination, considering he knew all too well how adept a woman could be at such performances when caught in a difficult situation. Aware of the depths a person could sink to escape poverty, he understood Susan's predicament. Her business was on the verge of collapse, and despite her fervent plea, he had no intention of throwing her the lifeline she so desperately sought. John's brows furrowed as he focused on the path ahead, the weight of the situation pressing on his thoughts. He had made arrangements for a helicopter to pick up Susan the following morning, ensuring her return to Rio de Janeiro for a commercial flight to London. This meant she had one more night in the rainforest to grapple with her guilt. Anticipating her actions, he doubted she would engage in emotional displays of regret and remorse once in the privacy of her room. Why bother when there was no audience to witness it? Upon reaching the lodge, John turned to Susan, offering her two hours until dinner, assuming she would wish to rest. She seemed momentarily detached as if struggling to concentrate on his words. Examining her closely, he noticed the toll the challenging trek had taken on her. She looked stricken and exhausted, the physical demands of their journey manifesting in the paleness of her skin and the shadows under her eyes. Concerned, he urged her to shower and rest, surprised by his own display of solicitude. Susan seemed apologetic for "inconveniencing" him with another night's stay. He wished she would show the fiery determination he had seen during their walk in the forest. Susan remained an enigma-a mix of contradictions, humor, seriousness, innocence, and an unconscious, intense sensuality. She didn't overtly flirt, yet her every movement seemed to exude a captivating allure. Despite the vibrant display of birds overhead, Susan appeared lost in her thoughts, almost as if she were in a state of shock. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on both of them. John surprised himself by inviting Susan to dinner, a decision that left them both astonished. He grappled with the complexities of the situation-wondering why he was drawn to spend another evening with her instead of walking away, relieved that the situation had been resolved. He knew the forest kiss held a deeper significance than a mere encounter between consenting adults. It lingered between them like an invisible force, pulling them closer. Susan seemed aware of it too, backing away nervously and suggesting dining in her room while requesting the use of a phone. He insisted she join him for dinner, noticing her seeming compliance, possibly due to exhaustion. She appeared defeated, and he silently hoped this remorse was genuine, perhaps deterring her from future fraudulent actions. In her room, Susan made attempts to reach out for answers, but she faced a wall of silence and isolation. She longed to be back in London, addressing the fraud that threatened her business. The distance and lack of immediate answers heightened her frustration and desperation. Susan grappled with the reality of her situation, acutely aware of the distance between the Amazon jungle and her business troubles in London. The irony wasn't lost on her: the very action that humanized John in her eyes, his concern for Carlos and Filomena, was now jeopardizing her business as he planned to withdraw his loan. She knew John's decision was rooted in his empathy for the people affected by her company's actions. As she contemplated her impending business collapse, she couldn't blame him for his stance, and she recognized the genuine care he had for those intertwined with the rainforest. Yet, understanding John's motives didn't provide a solution. Her business, her livelihood, and the lives of her employees were at stake. The weight of responsibility and the inability to have noticed the fraud crushed her. Should she tell John the truth? Would it make a difference now? Emotions swirled within her-anger, confusion, loss, fear-all converging in a desperate desire for answers. She needed to uncover who had orchestrated this downfall, but in the heart of the Amazon jungle, surrounded by its vibrant yet indifferent wildlife, finding those answers seemed like an insurmountable challenge.