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After getting over the initial shock, Elisabeth finally lets go of her tight embrace of Carla. Carla gets to greet Elisabeth properly while Stella gives her a “Ms. Ryan” greeting cheekily. Elisabeth asks about Sophia since the lil’ girl isn’t with them. Carla gives Stella a panic look and frantically utters that they’ve left Sophia behind! Elisabeth is horrified only to find out that Carla’s just pulling her legs, as usual. (Oh, how gullible art thou, Elisabeth?!)


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Carla asks if there’s anything new going on. Elisabeth looks uneasy. Carla immediately assumes it’s something to do with Ansgar and Tanja. Elisabeth dismisses the notion. She hesitantly replies that there’s one big thing that has happened which she didn’t get a chance to tell them before their return to the castle.


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Just then, in walk Ansgar and Maria who is stunned to see Carla standing in the main atrium. Carla immediately goes over to give her a warm hug, at the same time, greeting her, “Hi, Mother!” Maria looks even guiltier as she returns the hug hesitatingly. Carla feels Maria’s wavering hug and immediately senses that something’s happened so she asks point blank. Elisabeth quickly cuts in to say that it’s neither the time nor the place to talk since Carla and Stella just arrived. But Carla won’t hear of it and presses on. Maria then motions Carla to the living room.


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When Carla’s in the living room with Maria, Elisabeth is just about to enter as well. Maria tries to keep her out but Elisabeth won’t hear of it and insists that she’s in the room with them when Maria breaks the “news” to the still unsuspecting Carla. Carla is visibly impatient with all the secrecy, thus presses Maria to spill the beans already, so to speak. Maria then, with much difficulty, begins to reveal that she’s not Francesca, Carla’s mother, after all. Carla instantly exclaims, “What?!” in total disbelief. Maria continues to reveal that there were 3 sisters – Francesca, Carlotta & her, Maria. Carla looks confused and says, “But I thought they were dead.” Maria assures her otherwise, that she was living with another family.


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Carla continues to reject the notion and remarks, “But the DNA test….” At this point, Elisabeth jumps in quickly and replies that it was bogus, much to Maria’s chagrin. Maria proceeds to express her deepest regret and apologizes to Carla, asking her to be believed. Carla is visibly disturbed and confused. Elisabeth affirms what Maria has said so far is true and that this woman is definitely not Francesca. Carla then asks if Leonard, Constantin and Ansgar were notified about this.


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Elisabeth affirms but states that Ansgar knew about it before everyone else did. Carla interrupts and finishes the sentence for Elisabeth as she concludes that Ansgar obviously kept it a secret, which of ‘coz he would do that so he could take over the Holding with the deception of Maria being her mother. Maria tries to explain but Carla shuts her up.


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Elisabeth then reveals an even more alarming secret – that Ansgar is the child of Johannes and Maria. By this time, Carla can’t stand it any longer. She bursts out in anger, screaming that she doesn’t even know her family anymore. She glares at Maria accusingly, shakes her head in disbelief, and storms off, leaving Maria stunned and Elisabeth giving her a similarly dirty glare. (Yes, it’s ALL YOUR FAULT, Maria!!!)


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Later, Carla is sitting in Stella’s old office, her mind miles away. Just then, Stella walks toward the office, sees Carla and is relieved that she’s finally found her (must be looking for Carla since they left each other in the main atrium!). She goes over to Carla’s side and begins to tell her what she found out from Elisabeth – that Tanja had an accident. Carla shakes her head but seems distracted. Stella looks at Carla curiously and wonders, “It’s true that the Tanja issue was what your mother had wanted to tell you earlier, right?” Carla looks at Stella and replies in disgust, “That woman is not my mother!”


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Meanwhile, Carla and Stella are still in Stella’s old office. Carla feels bitter about the whole scam (oh, we feel ya, Carla! What a scandal indeed!), mocking that the whole Maria confession is all nonsense and something that the woman would do. Stella, knowing how upset Carla is, gives her an assuring and calming hug, reminding Carla that Maria, aka “the woman” means nothing to her anymore, so no use wasting her energy on her. Carla sighs deeply, agreeing to Stella’s sensible (as always!) reasoning.


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When they break away from each other’s embrace, Carla taking Stella’s advice to heart, changes tone and tells her she’s thought of something better – she’s going to check on Sophia – and walks away, leaving Stella watching her go, not too sure if she should feel relieved or apprehensive about Carla’s sudden switch in her mindset.


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At the Holding, Carla’s busy in her office. In struts Ansgar trying to unsettle Carla. He reminds her that despite all the recent revelations, nothing has changed. He’s as much a part of the Holding as she is and suggests that they should forget the past and work together.


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When Carla brushes it off, not wanting to engage in the conversation, Ansgar leaves the office but not before throwing insults on Carla, as usual. Carla ponders quietly about the whole mess that’s been tossed to her now that she’s back.


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Later, Carla calls Ludwig to ask if he could meet with her at Schneider’s to discuss some matters. Maria bumps into Ludwig as he hangs up his mobile. He asks her to tag along with him, despite Maria’s apprehension. At Schneider’s, Carla and Elisabeth are seated at the bar, Carla looking visibly nervous. Elisabeth asks if she’s nervous about seeing her uncle, Ludwig, again. Carla admits that her phone conversation with him was a bit odd but he did sound confident. Elisabeth then asks if she recognizes Ludwig.


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Just then, Elisabeth sees Ludwig entering the restaurant. Carla turns around and breaks into a big smile as she gives her long-lost uncle a hug, saying how glad she is to see him which he returns the greeting similarly.


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Then she spots Maria standing distantly and immediately turns away in disgust, but not before giving Ludwig a dirty look (since obviously he brought that woman with him!). Maria walks over to Carla, pleading for her to hear her out. Carla’s back is on Maria, not heeding to what she has to say. So Maria gently taps Carla on the back to motion her to turn around. But that action clearly is a big mistake….at least for Maria, ‘coz Carla instantly turns around and gives her such a tight, stinging slap in the face that Maria bowls over.


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Maria regains her balance and stares at Carla in utter shock. Carla turns away, feeling guilty about losing her temper on Maria like that in public, while Elisabeth tries to console her. Carla’s mixed emotions of anger and disappointment gets the best of her as she burst into tears.

(WELL DONE, CARLA!!!! SEE! It has to be CARLA as the perfect one to give the ever-deceitful Maria a big wallop! Bravo! Heheh!)

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Carla collects herself after her emotional outburst as Elisabeth suggests that they should go. As she gets up to leave, Ludwig stops her as Maria tries to explain again. She pleads to Carla that while she realizes that she’s done wrong but she did it with good intentions. Carla scorns at her audacity and mocks that after everything that Maria has done to her, that she still thinks she’s going to be forgiven, she’s got another thing coming. By now, Carla is virtually foaming in the mouth with fury as she calls Maria an absolutely awful person.


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Ludwig tries to intervene but gets chewed up as well. Elisabeth, in order to avoid more profanities from Carla, urges her to leave. Before she leaves, Carla reminds Ludwig that unlike him, she was lied to. Ludwig tries to calm her down, saying that they’re a family. Carla jeers at the notion and remarks sarcastically that he can have her as family and storms off with Elisabeth. Ludwig is speechless as Maria is visibly crushed.


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Carla stops by “No Limits” to meet up with Stella who’s been waiting for her. Stella cheerfully tries to give her a hug but gets pushed away.


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Sensing that Carla’s not in the mood, Stella asks if something bad has happened with her meeting with Ludwig. Carla spills the bean about her “physical encounter” (aka the SLAP) with Maria. Stella is shocked to hear it and asks what brought that on.


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Carla complains that she didn’t expect to see Maria and when everything comes out about family and what not, she lost her temper.


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She then tells Stella what’s worse is that while she was away, she realized that she didn’t miss anything except perhaps Elisabeth ‘coz she’s a friend but the thought of the Holding and Ansgar..not! She’s in a dilemma ‘coz she doesn’t want to leave without resolving the Holding issue. Stella encourages her to talk to the family to see what can be done. That gives Carla an idea.


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Carla stops by the Holding and sees Ludwig and Elisabeth busy discussing business matters in the office. She asks if she could talk to Elisabeth alone, as she’s still sore about Ludwig defending Maria, so he can’t be on the good side of things, surely. When Ludwig is gone, Carla tells Elisabeth that she has an idea about the future of the Holding. Elisabeth is curious but gets a shock of her life when Carla wants to relinquish her rights to the Holding to her! Elisabeth rejects the notion in disbelief but Carla assures her it’s the right decision as she trusts her and knows that the Holding will be in good hands under Elisabeth. Elisabeth tries to convince Carla to stay on but Carla wants to leave ASAP.


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Carla apologizes to Elisabeth for springing this on her so suddenly but she wants Elisabeth to trust her judgement. She presses on, trying to convince Elisabeth to accept her offer. However, Elisabeth firmly declines the offer, dissuading Carla on the grounds that while she’s flattered that all her efforts are so well-appreciated but she can’t head the Holding. While she’d be happy to amend her contract but she just can’t trust herself to be able to grow the company. Carla realizes that Elisabeth is adamant against it. So she reluctantly concedes.


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Back in the castle, Carla updates Stella about Elisabeth not accepting her offer to head the Holding. Carla is in a fix trying to figure it out. Stella suggests that the decision to choose Carla’s replacement to be left to the shareholders. Carla disagrees ‘coz she knows very well that Ansgar will manipulate the decision to his favour. Stella then suggests a family member but Carla dismisses the idea of Ludwig as out of the question. Stella argues that he’s not at fault about the whole saga about Maria. But Carla brushes her off as she doesn’t trust him or his loyalty to the family.


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Just as Carla and Stella are about to step out of the living room they were in earlier, Carla spots Ludwig talking to Maria. She quickly closes the door halfway and starts to eavesdrop, while Stella stands behind her listening as well. Ludwig apologizes to Maria for the incident earlier. Maria understands that he meant well but Ludwig argues that his well intentions made the situation worse. Maria then remarks that Carla is also mad at him now. Just then, Ansgar walks in and overhears Maria’s comment about Carla and as usual, proceeds to bad-mouthing Carla. Ludwig is not amused and tells Ansgar off. He stresses that all the fighting is not right as he believes in upholding the family’s name family loyalty comes first. When Carla hears that, her whole perception of Ludwig changes dramatically as she now believes that she’s jumped the gun on him way too early previously, thinking that he’s on Maria/Ansgar’s side. She looks at Stella and both of them know what Carla’s going to do about the future of the Holding right there and then.


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Later in the evening, Elisabeth, with Ludwig with her, enters the living room and apologizes to Carla for being a little late. Apparently, Carla’s called a family meeting and has been waiting in the living room for everyone. First off, Carla apologizes to Ludwig for her behaviour toward him earlier at Schneider’s, that she misjudged him. Elisabeth smiles, relieved that Carla has come to her senses. Ludwig expresses that he understands Carla’s state of mind, what with her being betrayed by Maria and all. Then Carla motions Ludwig and Elisabeth to have a seat since she needs to talk to them about the future of the Holding. She asks if Elisabeth has given Ludwig the heads up about their conversation in the office earlier but Elisabeth hasn’t. As they take their respective seats, Ansgar walks in. Carla tells Ludwig and Elisabeth that she can no longer head the Holding. Ansgar sarcastically remarks his disbelief. That’s when everyone notices his presence.


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Carla shakes her head and tells Ansgar he’s hopeless. Ansgar retaliates that it’s because she refuses to be tolerant. Everyone decides to just ignore him. Carla then proceeds to announce that she’s relinquishing her power of the Holding. Ansgar listens with great interest, anticipating something to his benefit, no less! Carla looks at Ludwig in the eye and tells him that she wants him to replace her as the new Head of the Holding. Ludwig stares at Carla in disbelief while Ansgar is visibly furious. Carla continues to assure Ludwig that he’s the right person for the job as she knows he’ll uphold the family’s name when he takes over the Holding. Ludwig is speechless and turns over to Elisabeth like he can’t believe what he’s just heard. Elisabeth, on the other hand, gives Ludwig a silent look of approval as she smiles in agreement with Carla’s decision. Ansgar is fuming now!

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After Carla’s shocking announcement to Ludwig, Elisabeth and the very-pissed-of Ansgar, she proceeds to leave saying that she’ll break the news to everyone tomorrow morning, assuming that Ludwig has no problem with it. Alas, that isn’t the case as Ludwig clarifies that he really can’t take on Carla’s offer at all. Carla is stunned while Ansgar’s fury turns into amusement with that bombshell that Ludwig has just dropped on his half-sister! Carla confronts Ludwig who explains that he had dissolved his ownership of the company a long time ago. Carla argues that they could easily change the agreement. Elisabeth agrees with Carla’s point but Ludwig explains further that because of the scandal that involved him in the past, it was his father’s decision to disown him from the family.


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Later on, Carla tries her luck again to convince Ludwig to lead the Holding when she meets him in the study. She apologizes for her reaction when Ludwig declined her offer earlier. But she tries to convince him that what’s past is the past, he shouldn’t dwell on it. But Ludwig believes that Elisabeth is more than capable of managing the company. While Carla also agrees with Ludwig’s observation, but there’s one important factor – that is, Ansgar will definitely challenge Elisabeth. Ludwig ponders at the mention of Ansgar. Carla goes on to say that her brother is a very ambitious person and he’ll fight to the end to get what he wants. Ludwig agrees as he’s obviously seen how Ansgar is, thusfar.


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However, he still doesn’t believe that Ansgar is going to jeopardize the future of the Holding. He believes that there’s a way to work with Ansgar and Maria. But Carla argues more impatiently this time that she cannot accept his rationale and doesn’t understand why Ludwig continues to reject the notion of heading the company since he’s obviously the ideal person and belongs with the family business. She questions his judgement and wonders if he’s only satisfied to see the Holding go into flames. Ludwig thinks she’s overreacting. Carla continues to understand the pain and suffering that his father had put on him in the past but how could he just stand by and watch the downward spiral that she believes will happen if he doesn’t take over the Holding. Then he calmly proposes that Elisabeth should take over the reins while he could be in an advising capacity. But Carla insists that the only way forward is for him to take charge or else nothing would resolve the situation.


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After breakfast, Elisabeth bumps into Ludwig in the main atrium who tells her that he’s thought of a solution to the Holding leadership problem. Elisabeth listens with interest, wondering what he’s come up with. Ludwig then tells her that he could position himself in the Holding as the External Manager. Elisabeth looks at him and quips, “Is THIS the solution you came up with?” Ludwig, still pretty much pleased with himself, tells her that his solution will resolve all of Carla’s problems. Elisabeth asks if he’s discussed his “brilliant” idea with Carla yet, which Ludwig hadn’t thought that it’d be a problem. Elisabeth then tells him that his so-called solution doesn’t prevent the Ansgar problem. Ludwig quite naively assures Elisabeth that once his solution is in effect, Ansgar and Maria will toe the line and everyone is going to be happy. Elisabeth asserts to him that he’s being too naïve about the family especially when it comes to Ansgar and he hasn’t seen what he and Maria could do in order to get what they want. Ludwig is still not convinced and stubbornly tells Elisabeth that it’s going to be okay. Elisabeth leaves but not before she turns back and suggests that he could check the records with Sebastian.


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Later, Carla, Elisabeth and Ansgar are meeting in the dining room to discuss the Holding. Carla expresses disappointment that Ludwig is not in attendance. But she contends that things have to move on. So, she starts devising a plan on how to divide up the shares of hers to Elisabeth, Ludwig and Ansgar, where Ludwig will get most of her shares. She also concludes that Elisabeth will continue to be the custodian of the Holding. Ansgar springs up in protest of such an absurd arrangement and reminds Carla that her plan will not work if Ludwig doesn’t agree. Meanwhile, Ludwig enters the dining room quietly but nobody notices. Then, Ansgar shows his fangs. He threatens that if he’s not given the reins of the entire Holding, he guarantees that he’ll destroy everything. Carla curses him but he’s unfazed. Elisabeth is beside herself when she curses that Johannes would be turning in his grave now.


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Ludwig, on the other hand, is listening quietly but getting more furious now that he’s seen with his own eyes how evil Ansgar is and the threat he is to the family business. Ansgar flares up in anger at the mention of Johannes because to him, he’s been doing everything for Johannes only to be shoved aside by him so he shouldn’t be blamed for his actions. More infuriated than ever, Carla reminds Ansgar that she’s still the head of the Holding. Ansgar starts to scream in protest while Ludwig, who’s clearly heard enough of the quarrel, shuts them all up as he bangs on the chair to get their attention.


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When they are all ears, Ludwig quietly announces that he accepts the leadership offer of the Holding. Carla and Elisabeth are relieved to hear the good news while Ansgar is mortified and humiliated.

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Ansgar is beside himself while Carla is beaming with joy at Ludwig’s eventual decision to take up her offer to head the company. Ansgar protests the decision furiously arguing that Ludwig can’t take over the Holding. But Carla is enjoying herself watching Ansgar slowly losing the battle. She could barely contain her absolute glee that she even taunts him physically, mocking that now he’ll have to pull his weight and toe the line. When Carla adds that Elisabeth will be taking a critical role in the Holding with Ludwig as well, and Ludwig starts talking about how he and Elisabeth will be working on it and so on, that’s the last straw for Ansgar as he storms off in a huff. When he’s gone, Carla looks at Ludwig gratefully and thanks him for leaping into the breach for her at the most critical moment.


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After the dust is settled and Ansgar’s gone (who’s licking his wounds at Schneider’s albeit that doesn’t deter him from snapping at the waiter and poor Charlie!), Carla, Elisabeth and Ludwig are in the living room. With champagne-filled glasses in their hands, Carla toasts Ludwig and Elisabeth with a very happy congratulatory note that now the future of the Holding is in good hands, what with Ludwig heading the family business and Elisabeth helping him out. Whereas, Carla herself is feeling triumphant that she’s finally managed to put the nail in the coffin insofar as settling all her family matters including the Holding satisfactorily so she could leave town in peace. Carla asks if Ludwig has any regrets with his decision which thankfully he doesn’t. Carla further assures him that he’s not going to be left alone ‘coz he has Elisabeth and Sebastian to support him.


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Later in the evening, Nathalie meets up with Carla and Stella in the office. When Carla sees her best friend whom she hasn’t seen for ages, she motions Nathalie to give her a big hug, at the same time apologizing to her for not meeting up until now. Nathalie doesn’t mind. She’s met by Ludwig and Elisabeth who are on their way out.


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When they’re gone, they all take their seats, Stella sitting closely next to Carla. Nathalie immediately expresses her utter shock when she heard about the whole Maria saga and her deception in pretending to be Carla’s mother. Carla is melancholic as she snuggles against Stella who has her arm around her while telling her best friend that family can’t be chosen. The loving couple is holding hands caressing each other tenderly (Could these lovebirds BE any cuter and more adorable?!! S-W-E-E-T!!! And check out the “BIG ROCK” on Stella’s finger!) as Nathalie quickly changes the subject to something happier. She asks the lovebirds if they’re married yet. Stella replies that they haven’t yet as they’re taking it slow. Carla explains that she’s just finished resolving the issue about the future of the Holding; that her uncle Ludwig will be taking over the reins, to her delight. When she’s completely done with everything, then they will take the big plunge of tying the knot!


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Stella eyes Nathalie curiously and comments that she looks like she has good news up her sleeves. Nathalie is all smiles but remains coy so Carla asks if Stella’s hit the nail and wonders if it has anything to do with Matthias. Nathalie nods happily, glowing at the couple. Then Carla guesses it – that Nathalie’s preggers!


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Instantly Carla and Stella give her a big hug of congratulations. Carla asks if she and Matthias have gone out together to celebrate. That’s when Nathalie spills the beans about bumping into Ansgar at Schneider’s who was drowning his sorrows alone at the bar. Carla is unsympathetic about the demise of her half-brother which he brought to himself in the first place as she happily divulges. (You go grrrrl!!!)


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The next morning, Carla, Ludwig and Elisabeth are in the living room, signing all the necessary legal papers about Carla’s handover of the Holding, her shares to Ludwig and Elisabeth. Ludwig wonders if Ansgar should be in attendance as well but Elisabeth just brushes off the notion. Then when Carla and Ludwig both sign on the last dotted line of the document, Carla then teases Ludwig that the Holding is in his hands to so he’s the big boss now! Ludwig feels very surreal about it and confesses that all the legalities are making him think of breakfast. Elisabeth and Carla laugh in total agreement while Carla suggests Cognac as well and everyone then shouts out ”Champagne!” Who could disagree with booze for breakfast, eh?

**Meanwhile, Ansgar is only thinking about vengeance now. He comes up with an evil plan to bring down Ludwig. On the morning of the paper-signing where the power of the Holding is officially transferred from Carla to Ludwig and Elisabeth, Ansgar takes a trip to Santa Cruz, Argentina, to try to dig out some dirt on Ludwig that will jeopardize his position in the Holding. His vengeful behaviour even scares his own mother, Maria, when he warns that Ludwig is going down…** (Really, when is this vengeful, good-for-nothing tosser going to stop?!! This arse-hole really needs a good bollocking and someone needs to throw him into prison quickly! Poor Ludwig…& potentially Elisabeth, too!)

Check out the preview for tomorrow's episode (3556).

You can see it here with an English summary:
http://community.livejournal.com/vl_discuss/140304.html#cutid1

Any guesses about what is in the envelope?

I have my fingers crossed for a big surprise

I certainly think it is something wonderful, but I have no idea what it is. What do you think? I mean she has the ring and the world trip, what else????

many, many thanks to the one and only ccogz for these brilliant summaries :redknuddel: :knuddelknutsch: