Ricardo Montalvo, a detective from Porto Esperança, is called to investigate the disappearance of historian Dr. Luís Montenegro. The investigation soon leads him to discover the existence of Vertentes, a secret organization formed by powerful members of the city, which controls local politics, justice and commerce. As he delves into the shadows of Vertentes, Ricardo faces threats and discovers that the leader of the organization, known as "The Elder", is the philanthropist Bernardo Lemos – a respected and untouchable figure in society. To dismantle Vertentes, Ricardo needs to gather compelling evidence, facing betrayals and manipulators disguised as allies. In the middle of the investigation, he is confronted by a secret from his own past: his father was one of the founders of Vertentes. With this burden, he commits himself even more to exposing the truth and redeeming his family. In the final confrontation, Ricardo and his ally Adriana obtain Bernardo s confession and hand it over to the press, triggering a scandal that shakes Porto Esperança and its inhabitants. Amidst the public chaos and the justice that is being served, Ricardo finds his own redemption, freeing himself from the shadows that have dominated his life and the city for so long.