In Adam's office at Newman Media, Adam and Sally toasted their new start after Victoria purchased the company and made unexpected changes in the business model. Adam told Sally that they should hit the ground running. Sally agreed when Adam suggested they organize their ideas and craft them into a specific plan. Sally replied, "We need to show the world that you made a smart choice in hiring me." Sally praised Adam and assured him that Victor and Victoria would soon put aside their doubts and appreciate that he was a phenomenal CEO.
Sally and Adam laughed when they recalled having mistakenly believed that a bouquet of red roses, a box of chocolate-covered strawberries, and a bottle of Champagne they'd discovered in the office had been romantic Valentine's Day gifts. Sally had thought Adam had sent the gifts to her, and Adam had thought Sally had sent the items to him. Adam had later discovered that an advertiser had sent the gifts. Sally recalled the agreement she and Adam had made to keep their relationship professional and never celebrate a holiday. Adam paused and asked Sally if it would have been the worst thing in the world, adding that they'd overcompensated in their attempts to hide their true reactions before realizing who'd sent the gifts.
Sally agreed when Adam noted that they were doing a good job of navigating their attraction to each other while working together as professional colleagues. Sally suggested that she and Adam compile a list of pressing issues. Adam agreed and added that they wouldn't let their personal feelings get in the way. Adam closed the office door, and Sally locked it. Sally moved toward Adam and locked lips with his. Adam took Sally in his arms and pressed her against the door. Passionate kissing ensued.
Sally reached out to steady herself against a credenza and knocked over a plant and some glassware. Sally and Adam laughed about the broken office decor and resumed kissing. The couple began groping each other and also knocked items off Adam's desk. Adam removed Sally's blouse, revealing a lacy, black bra. Sally removed Adam's shirt and flung it in the air.
After Sally unbuckled Adam's belt, he picked her up and moved toward the sofa. As the couple reclined together, Sally's stiletto heels brushed against file folders that had fallen on the floor. After Sally and Adam made love, they covered themselves with a throw blanket. Adam, breathless, remarked that their sudden, unrestrained lovemaking had been a surprise. Sally added, "And intense. I've waited a really long time for this moment, and I still wasn't prepared for it."
Sally and Adam dressed, neatened up the office, and discussed how they might proceed. Sally worried that Adam might consider what they'd done to be a mistake. Adam said he didn't consider it a mistake. Sally also said she didn't think they'd made a mistake, adding, "So, what now?" Adam stroked Sally's hair and said they didn't have to figure it all out immediately and would play out everything as they went along. Before they plunged into work, Adam and Sally agreed they'd get something to eat first.
Rey stopped by Crimson Lights and told Sharon that he'd be home late because he'd be out working a burglary case. Rey explained that it wasn't how he'd intended to spend Valentine's Day. Rey promised to make it up to Sharon later. Sharon grinned knowingly and said the idea of Rey making it up to her later sounded even more fun. Sharon asked Rey how Chance had done on his first day back on the force.
Rey admitted that Chance wasn't ready. Rey wouldn't elaborate, though he felt that the unfortunate experience had proven to Chance that he was returning to work too early. Sharon said she hoped Chance would seek the help he needed. Rey told Sharon he had time before work to show her just how much he loved her. Sharon replied, "I like the sound of that."
Sharon and Rey agreed to celebrate after he returned from his stakeout. Faith entered upset because she hadn't been able to find the perfect Valentine's Day gift for Moses. Rey suggested a T-shirt with a graphic that reminded Moses of something special. Sharon assured Faith that Moses would like something she made for him. Faith shot down the suggestion and cried, "Really, Mom? Poster board and glitter?"
Sharon suggested Faith think about things that would make Moses happy. Faith smiled and told her mom she was thinking about a particular time when Moses had smiled with his whole being. Sharon told Faith to remember what in particular had inspired Moses to smile and choose a gift accordingly. Faith smiled and nodded.
Over a meal at Society, Noah and Nick discussed work. Noah was eager to speed up a project designed to help people. Nick explained that the process would take time. Noah glanced at the restaurant's Valentine's Day decorations and said they weren't helping to improve his mood. Noah acknowledged that he and Nick would both be without dates. Nick laughed and declared that Valentine's Day was a made-up holiday that forced suckers to buy candy and flowers. Noah invited his dad to hang out with him later. Nick accepted.
After Noah left, Moses approached and asked Nick for a favor. Anxious, Moses cried that he had no idea what to give Faith for Valentine's Day. Nick recalled that Faith had loved the bracelet Moses had given her for Christmas. Referring to specific, personalized charms on the bracelet, Nick explained that Moses had shown Faith how much she meant to him.
Nick asked Moses what he intended his gift selection to communicate. Moses said he wished to find a gift that would let Faith know how special she was to him, though he admitted that he'd procrastinated too long. Moses relaxed after Nick assured him they'd think of suitable gift ideas. Moses thanked Nick and told him he was "pretty cool." Nick laughed and replied that Moses' compliment was something his daughter had never said to him.
Moses and Faith exchanged gifts at Crimson Lights. Moses gave Faith a Valentine's Day card in which he'd enclosed concerts tickets to see a performance of Coltrane's music. Moses opened his card and also found tickets to see the Coltrane tribute concert. Faith said she'd remembered how much Coltrane's music had meant to Moses because listening to it had reminded him of his father. Faith also recalled the first time Moses had played Coltrane's music for her. Faith remembered that Moses had instructed her to close her eyes, so she could feel the music with her whole body and "see the music like it was magic." Moses replied, "You nailed it -- like magic."
Nick stopped by Crimson Lights and grinned when he saw Moses and Faith sitting together in a booth. Nick approached Sharon, pointed toward Moses and Faith, and whispered, "Young love. There's nothing like it." Sharon asked Nick if he remembered when they'd been teenagers. Nick recalled that the first gift Sharon had given him had been a homemade friendship bracelet. Nick teased that the bracelet had worked because they were still friends.
Nick and Sharon talked about how they'd each separately helped Moses and Faith choose gifts for Valentine's Day. Sharon and Nick congratulated each other with high-fives for having suggested the perfect gift of music. Rey, standing in the doorway leading from the patio, noticed Nick and Sharon talking. Nick had his arm around Sharon. After Nick opened a box of chocolate candy from Moses, Rey joined Nick and Sharon and selected a piece of candy.
At their apartment, Mariah gave up trying to guess the location of her Valentine's Day gift from Tessa. Tessa explained that her gift couldn't fit in a box with a bow. Tessa announced that she'd written a song for Mariah that had been inspired by her. Tessa played music on her phone and sang along. The personal performance was interrupted by a knock on the door. Mariah insisted they ignore the knock, but Tessa promised to pick up their celebration after they checked the door. Mariah opened the door and was surprised to find a smiling Noah holding a large, wrapped gift.
Noah told Mariah and Tessa that it was a gift to mark their housewarming, their engagement, and their impending adoption. Mariah noted that adoption would be a lengthy process. Mariah lifted the lid on the box and was touched to find a painting Noah had made of her and Tessa. Tessa gazed at the painting and cried, "I love it." Mariah held up the framed painting against a brick wall, and Tessa agreed it would be the perfect place to hang it. Mariah thanked Noah for having created a masterpiece.
Noah told Mariah and Tessa he was happy for them and was rooting for their marriage, their adoption plans, and every good thing that would happen in their future. Tessa told Noah that she and Mariah would treasure his special gift forever. Mariah hugged Noah and thanked him before he left to spend the evening with his dad.
After Noah left, Tessa resumed singing the song she'd written for Mariah, the message of which assured Mariah that she'd choose her and their very real life together every time, despite the obstacles and setbacks they'd weathered during their relationship. After Tessa sang the last note, she and Mariah kissed.
Chloe entered Chelsea's hotel suite and apologized for not being able to work the night before because she'd had to comfort Bella after the child had had a nightmare. The women agreed that dealing with their children's sleep issues was all part of the wonderful world of being a parent. Chelsea noted that she'd been experiencing sleep issues, which she described as awful insomnia. Chelsea said she'd eventually given up on sleep, gone to Crimson Lights, and while there, enjoyed a nice, normal conversation with Rey. Chelsea admitted she'd had a hard time finding her footing and welcomed talking to someone who didn't judge her.
Chloe assured Chelsea that fewer people in town would be judging her because she'd begun a new life without Adam. Chloe's comment depressed Chelsea. Chloe suggested Chelsea embrace the good things that they'd achieve through a partnership with Lauren. Chelsea remained reserved, recalling that she'd once stolen from Lauren. Chloe reminded Chelsea that Lauren had said she was willing to give Chelsea another chance. Chloe assured Chelsea that breaking away from her toxic relationship with Adam was a big part of starting anew. Chloe advised Chelsea to have high hopes and big dreams because no one would hand them anything.
Chelsea and Chloe later met at Society. Chloe gushed over Chelsea's sketches and chose one she thought should be the showpiece for the whole line. Chloe told Chelsea their accountant was putting together all the financials for Lauren. After Chloe admired another sketch, she assured Chelsea that Lauren would love it, too. Chloe, giddy, said, "I feel like this is all coming together."
Sally and Adam entered and spotted Chelsea and Chloe. Sally sighed and said, "Oh, great. Just what we need." After a brief discussion, Adam and Sally decided to stay, assuring themselves that it was normal for a CEO and a COO to have a business lunch together. Sally and Adam approached Chloe and Chelsea. Chelsea noted that Sally and Adam had been spending a lot of time together. Adam announced that Sally was his new COO. Sally said Adam recognized and appreciated her skills. Chelsea whispered, "I bet he does."
Chloe congratulated Sally, and Adam praised Sally for having shown him she was capable of holding her own. Chelsea glared at Sally when she replied, "I mean we can't spend all our time in the office, as much as I love all the energy and sparks that are flying around there." Adam asked Chelsea and Chloe about their meeting with Lauren involving a possible collaboration. Chloe noted that they'd been working on their final pitch. Sally advised Chloe and Chelsea to have everything in order because Lauren was a stickler for perfection. Chelsea said she'd worked with Lauren previously and knew what to do.
Chelsea told Sally it had been a lucky break that she'd been available to accept Adam's job offer. Sally replied, "You have no idea." Adam's facial expression appeared to reveal a lot of what had been left unsaid to Chelsea. After Adam and Sally walked away, Chelsea suddenly became energized and assured Chloe that Lauren would accept their proposal in a heartbeat. Chloe wholeheartedly agreed. Chloe and Chelsea focused their attention on their presentation, blocking out distractions.
Sally and Adam chose a nearby table and unfolded their napkins. Adam studied Sally's face. Adam said, "You good?" Sally smiled and nodded. Sally replied, "Are you kidding me? It's the best Valentine's Day ever." Adam smiled at Sally and seemed to relax after the awkward encounter with Chelsea.
At Devon and Amanda's penthouse, Lily presented Amanda with a "Jazz Baby" T-shirt for Dominic. Lily inquired about Dominic's health, and Amanda informed her that they were still waiting on test results. Lily shared that she'd also wanted to chat with Amanda one on one, and she asked how Amanda's law practice was going. Amanda admitted that things were a little slow after an initial rush of clients whose cases were wrapping up.
Amanda recognized that she'd have to drum up new clients to pay for her firm's fancy office space, but she wasn't overly concerned because Imani had political connections. Lily imagined that Sutton's cronies would be hesitant to work with the lawyer who'd helped take him down, and Amanda wondered if Lily was trying to make her have doubts about her firm. Lily suggested that Amanda cast a wider net for her client base, and she mentioned that she knew of a big client looking for legal representation. "It's me," Lily announced.
Amanda guessed that Lily had an issue with her contract at Chancellor. Lily indicated that Jill had accommodated all her requests and believed in her vision for the company, even if her methods were less than traditional. Amanda commented that it wasn't always the case, and she referred to her frustration with a former partner in Madison who'd been stuck in his ways. Amanda shared that she was trying hard not to be too rigid with a less experienced Imani, since it was good to be open to new ideas. Lily wished she had more people like that, since some of her seasoned executives were resistant to change and innovation.
Lily declared that she and Billy wanted people at Chancellor who believed in where the company was headed. Amanda applauded the results Lily and Billy had produced at ChancComm, and Lily credited Amanda for being one of the top people on their team at the time. Lily revealed that she wanted Amanda to work with her and Billy again at the mothership. Amanda called it an amazing offer, and Lily insisted that Amanda was her first and only choice. Amanda was flattered, but she protested that the timing wasn't right because she'd just started her own practice with Imani.
Lily argued that Amanda needed more clients, and she believed the opportunity to become Chancellor's chief counsel was too exciting to pass up. Amanda was stunned that Lily would consider her for a senior-level executive role at a much larger corporation, but Lily contended that Amanda was more than qualified. Lily implored her to think of it as a promotion she'd fully earned, but Amanda was sure Lily had lawyers on staff with decades of experience.
Lily bemoaned that she had no one with expertise in the areas where she wanted it, since the things she wanted to focus on hadn't existed years earlier. Lily preferred to work with people who knew advanced technology and were comfortable with the pace of innovation. She was determined to make sure Chancellor didn't miss out on it, and she wanted to build a strong team with people who were smart, capable, and forward-thinking. Amanda requested a second to catch her breath.
A stoic Chance sat on the sofa at the Chancellor mansion. He ignored an incoming call and flashed back to being on a stakeout with Rey, when he'd freaked out upon hearing a loud noise. Abby entered the room and was glad to see a pot of coffee, anticipating that she'd need it. She reported that Dominic had been sweet and affectionate, but she'd barely gotten him to smile when she'd sung a goofy song he usually liked. Abby was thankful that she had Chance to lean on, noting that she would have been losing her mind without him there. She added that when he held her in his arms, he made her believe their little boy would be okay. They embraced.
Abby contemplated waking Dominic up to give him something to eat, but Chance thought they should let the tot rest until they knew more. Chance asked if Abby had any second thoughts about telling her family what was going on, so they could have more support. She saw no need to worry everyone when there was possibly no reason, and she swore that she had all the support she needed from him. She wondered if he needed someone else to talk to, and she encouraged him to talk to a friend. Chance mentioned that he and Rey had talked briefly. Abby answered a call from Nate.
Abby told Chance that Nate and a specialist were on their way over to personally explain the test results, and she prepared to call Devon to ask him to join them. Chance was surprised that the doctors were making a house call, and Abby relayed that Nate had thought they'd be more comfortable not having to leave Dominic. Abby worried that Nate would have shared good news or something minor over the phone, but Chance urged her not to speculate. Abby conceded that hematology wasn't Nate's field, and Nate had said Dr. Alston would explain everything. Chance stated that what mattered was getting Dominic whatever he needed.
At Society, Billy thanked Devon for meeting with him. Devon was grateful for the distraction, since he still hadn't gotten word about what had been causing Dominic's symptoms. Billy empathized because of Delia's leukemia diagnosis and their subsequent search for a bone marrow donor. Devon warned that he might have to cut their meeting short if Abby or Chance called. Billy displayed some ideas he had on a tablet computer, and Devon marveled that Billy hadn't been joking when he'd said he was thinking big. Billy recounted that he'd woken up in the middle of the night with ideas, and Devon was floored by how much Billy had done in one night. Devon questioned whether Billy ever slept.
Billy figured that he could sleep when he was old, but Devon doubted that Lily would want Billy to run himself ragged. Billy insisted that it wasn't a big deal, since nighttime was when he got the most thinking done. Devon pointed out that it might leave Billy exhausted the next day, and Billy countered that working from home allowed him to sneak in naps. Billy asserted that being nocturnal had its benefits, since Lily had found him putting some thoughts on tape when he'd been up late one night, and it had sparked some interesting conversation about all the big questions in life. Devon remarked that it sounded like a midlife crisis without an actual crisis. Billy made it clear that he was very happy where he was right then, and he wanted to do everything he could to keep it that way.
Billy pitched an idea about presenting question-and-answer sessions, since everyone had questions about how to fix things about themselves. He anticipated that people would write in with content, so there would be no shortage of material. Devon thought the possibilities were endless because everyone asked themselves big life questions, like Billy had been doing late at night. Billy jokingly envisioned starting his own podcast with his midnight musings as a cure for people's insomnia.
Devon was enthusiastic about the idea, and he referred to how Billy's soul-searching had led to a valuable conversation with Lily. Devon thought they could do that for others on a much wider scale. Devon answered a call from Nate and said he'd be over right away. Devon informed Billy that Nate and a specialist were heading over to the mansion to fill them in about Dominic's condition. Billy hoped Dominic was okay. Before he headed out, Devon reiterated that he loved Billy's ideas.
Devon called Amanda from the Chancellor mansion and told her that he, Chance, and Abby were waiting for the doctors to arrive. Amanda promised that she and Lily would say a prayer from their end. After he hung up, Abby hugged Devon and informed him that Dominic didn't seem uncomfortable or in pain, but the baby had no energy or appetite. Devon reasoned that Nate hadn't told her to rush Dominic to the hospital, so it might be a good sign that it wasn't an emergency. They heard car doors slam outside, and Abby confirmed that Nate's car had pulled up.
Chance thanked Nate and Dr. Alston for being there, and he hoped the doctors could shed some light on what was wrong with Dominic. Nate deferred to Dr. Alston, who indicated that the results of the bone marrow aspiration hadn't shown any signs of leukemia. Devon, Chance, and Abby breathed a collective sigh of relief, and Abby asked if the doctors were any closer to finding out what was causing the baby's symptoms. Dr. Alston explained that another test had revealed that Dominic had a rare blood disorder that had led to the low red blood cell count, and she recommended he be treated right away before the condition led to more severe symptoms and likely bone marrow failure. She said the best way to combat the disease was a bone marrow transplant.
Dr. Alston shared that with a successful transplant, Dominic would begin producing healthy bone marrow and red blood cells on his own. Devon inquired about the possibility of rejection, and the doctor replied that it depended on the compatibility of the donor. Abby surmised that she and Devon would be matches as Dominic's parents, but Nate informed them that it was rare for a family member other than a sibling to be fully compatible. Nate recommended that they still get tested, since they'd at least be half-matches.
Dr. Alston added that there had been successful transplants using parental donors, and it might be their best option; however, they'd have to take special measures to reduce the chance of rejection. Nate offered to set up Devon and Abby to be tested at the hospital. Dr. Alston assured the trio of frightened parents that there was hope for Dominic to live a happy and healthy life. Devon, Nate, and Dr. Alston filed out. Chance volunteered to drive Abby to the hospital, but she preferred to go by herself so he'd be at home in case Dominic wanted his dad to hold him. Abby begged Chance to tell her it would all be okay, and he pledged to be there for her and get through it as a family. They hugged.
Meanwhile, Amanda waited impatiently for news, and Lily offered to distract her by chatting more about Amanda working for Chancellor. Amanda noted that Lily had to be persuasive if she'd convinced Billy to become second in command after they'd been on equal footing at ChancComm. Lily admitted that it hadn't been easy, and he'd turned her down at first, but she'd given him space to find his own path. Lily lauded him for not letting his ego get in the way of a great opportunity, but Amanda was skeptical that he was fully on board.
Lily gushed that things had been great, and she and Billy fought less with a clear line about who had the final say. Lily enthused about how much fun she was having with the transformation of Chancellor. Amanda was sure Lily and Billy would do amazing things together, and she was impressed that Billy had grown and evolved enough to embrace a supporting role. However, she balked at the idea of giving up her new practice. Lily insisted that Amanda accompany her to talk to someone else before Amanda decided anything.
Lily returned home with Amanda in tow, and Billy hoped they were there to announce that Amanda was joining the team. Lily informed him that she hadn't closed the sale yet, so she'd wanted Amanda to speak with someone who had been reluctant to sign on but was glad he had. Billy explained to Amanda that they were working from home because their offices were being expanded, but he wished they could go to Chancellor so she could feel the electrifying vibe of the team that was working to revitalize the business. He crowed that there was nothing that couldn't be challenged, and they welcomed and rewarded people for taking the initiative to do things better. Amanda thought it sounded like an ideal work environment.
Billy recalled that he and Lily had loved working with Amanda before, and he promised that Amanda would have more autonomy as well as a bigger office and paycheck. Amanda countered that she had all the autonomy she could ever want at the law firm she'd just opened, and she felt that she couldn't just walk out on her sister. Lily chirped that there was a place for Imani at Chancellor, too, and Amanda was flabbergasted that they'd also consider hiring Imani. Lily offered to talk with Imani to address any concerns she had, and Amanda mused that they were making it hard to say no. Amanda agreed to talk to her sister and get back to them.
After Amanda left, Lily thanked Billy for his recruitment efforts. Billy imagined it would be great to have Amanda as their head of legal affairs in case he was tempted to cross a line again. Lily preferred to believe his questionable tactics were behind them, and she asked how his meeting with Devon had gone. Billy recounted that Devon had liked his concepts, but Devon had gotten a call and had needed to take off. Lily hoped everything was okay with Dominic. Billy pointed out that the baby's cousin was a head honcho at Memorial and his grandfather was Victor Newman, so Dominic would get the best care possible.
Lily looked over Billy's shoulder and inquired about a graphic named Midnight Musings that Billy had used in his pitch to Devon. Billy shared that he and Devon had joked about Billy starting his own podcast based on his late-night ramblings, and Lily loved the idea. Billy stressed that he'd been kidding about it, but he suspected he wasn't the only one up at night, philosophizing over a glass of scotch. Lily imagined that it would be easy to get sponsorships from liquor companies, but Billy wasn't interested in pouring his heart out for people to judge. Lily argued that there were ways to stay anonymous, and she ordered him not to delete the graphic.
Rey stopped by the Chancellor mansion to get an update on Dominic. Chance solemnly informed him that they'd gotten the test results back, and Rey assumed the news wasn't good. Chance explained that something was wrong with Dominic's bone marrow and blood, and it was only treatable with a bone marrow transplant. Rey recalled that he'd been in similar situations with Lola and Faith, so he knew how difficult it was to wait for news about a possible match.
Chance reported that the doctors had said there was hope, so he was hanging onto that. Rey swore that he and Sharon would keep Dominic in their prayers, and he assured Chance that no one expected him back at work under the circumstances. Chance confided that it wasn't the only reason he shouldn't go back, and he referred to the stakeout. Rey said Chance didn't have to explain, but Chance insisted on apologizing for letting Rey down. Abby overheard as she walked in.
Abby apologized for interrupting, and Chance told her that he'd filled Rey in on everything. Rey told them to let him and Sharon know if there was anything they could do. After Rey left, Abby informed Chance that the hospital should let her know soon if she was a match. She cited what Chance had said about letting Rey down, but Chance claimed that he'd just felt bad for ducking out of the stakeout early. Abby wondered if something specific had happened to change Chance's mind about returning to work, and he vaguely replied that it had just been too soon.
Abby's phone rang with a call from Dr. Alston. Abby answered and anxiously asked if the test results were back. Abby was crushed by the confirmation that she was only a half-match. She asked about Devon.
Devon returned to his penthouse, and Amanda anxiously asked if he'd gotten her message. He apologized for not getting back to her because he'd had to go straight to the hospital. He revealed that Dominic had a blood disorder, and he and Abby had been tested to see if they could be donors for a bone marrow transplant. He continued that the procedure was simple, but the hard part was finding a compatible donor. Devon worried that horrible things would happen that would make Dominic's life a "living hell" if they couldn't find a donor or if the transplant didn't work.
Amanda cried that she was sorry, and she took Devon into her arms. Amanda inquired whether Devon and Abby might be donors, and he sadly divulged that they'd probably only be half-matches. He added that the only perfect match would be a sibling, and she realized that only an identical twin would have the same DNA. Devon expected that he and Abby would be as good as it got, but it wasn't optimal and might not be enough to save Dominic.
Amanda resolved to find out everything she and Devon could about the disorder and search the globe for donors. She swore that he wasn't in it alone, since he had her, his family, and everyone who loved Dominic, and they would get through it together. Devon knew she was right, but he hated that Dominic had to go through any of it. Devon answered a call from Dr. Alston, who delivered his test results. He asked if she was sure, and he ecstatically told Amanda that he was a 100 percent match for Dominic. They rejoiced.
At Newman Locke, Victoria informed Victor she knew about Ashland's connection to the clinic in Peru. Victor asked if she realized that Ashland had lied to her. Victoria didn't understand why Victor was scrutinizing Ashland's treatment. She felt slightly betrayed. Victor claimed he was there for an update on Newman Locke's acquisition of Newman Media.
Victoria told Victor everything was proceeding as expected, and Adam had been on his best behavior; however, Adam had hired Sally Spectra as his COO. Victor was stunned. He stated that Sally had no experience and asked what she knew about running a company. He said Adam had hired Sally without his knowledge. Victor left, and Victoria smiled.
Outside Victoria's office Ashland received a text message: "The American is still digging around the clinic." Ashland didn't look happy. When he entered the office, Victoria told him Victor had stopped in for an update on the Newman Media acquisition, and he hadn't mentioned that he'd questioned Ashland about Peru or that he was on any kind of fishing expedition. Ashland claimed that was how one caught the most fish: one distracted them, so they never realized that the deadly hook had been baited.
Victoria told Ashland that she'd told Victor that Adam had hired Sally. She said Victor despised being out of the loop, and perhaps things weren't as solid between Adam and Victor as they'd wanted her to believe. Ashland said he'd seen Victor and Adam at odds on a few occasions; however, the fact that Victor had sold them Newman Media with the caveat that Adam remained the CEO was an indication that Victor continued to trust Adam.
Victoria told Ashland it was possible that Victor wanted to keep Adam in place so she could keep an eye on him. If Adam stepped out of line, she would put him back in line, or she would report to Victor ,who would deal with Adam. She said that as much as Victor wanted to trust Adam, he knew it was a recipe for disaster.
Ashland was amazed at how well Victoria knew Victor. She claimed she was the queen in Victor's game of chess, and she'd seen how he played the game far more than Adam ever had. Ashland claimed Adam was deeply ensconced in Newman Media, and Adam didn't like the idea that he had to take orders from Ashland and Victoria. Ashland didn't believe Adam was going to sit back and accept his fate, and it wasn't a question if Adam would make his move -- it was when he would do so.
Victoria told Ashland that Adam was nothing but trouble. She'd only agreed to let Adam stay on to appease Victor so he would go through with the sale. Victoria claimed that once the paperwork was done and there was no going back on the merger, there would be due cause for Adam's dismissal. Victoria suggested they give Adam enough rope, and they would make "damn sure" Adam failed. Ashland claimed Victor wouldn't take kindly to discovering they were trying to undermine Adam.
Ashland told Victoria that once Adam and Sally were shown the door, Ashland would be happy to step in and oversee Newman Media himself. He said it would be a pleasure being in charge of a media company again. He said he was used to maintaining a strong hand over everything he controlled. Victoria questioned "everything he controlled." Victoria reminded him it wasn't Ashland's company; it belonged to both of them.
Ashland told Victoria he hadn't meant to come off as overly possessive, and he'd been speaking in the past tense. He said he'd been accustomed to maintaining a strong hand in all he'd ever owned. She hoped he'd meant it because they were in it together. He agreed. He claimed to be on her side, despite his slip of the tongue. She wanted to believe him; however, his last confession had left her a bit wary.
Ashland apologized that he hadn't told Victoria about financing the clinic in Peru. He called it a stupid mistake on his part and said he regretted it. He asked Victoria not to allow Victor to sow seeds of doubt in her mind about him. He said Adam was the untrustworthy one.
Ashland received a call and told Victoria he had to take it. Before he walked out of the office, he told her he loved her.
At Newman Media, Adam recalled having sex on his desk with Sally. Sally stood outside Adam's office door, and she recalled having sex with Adam. She smiled and entered Adam's office. She stated that she and Adam had done a lot of fraternizing the previous day, and they'd crossed a lot of lines. She said she didn't regret any of it. Adam told her nothing had changed. They didn't need to pretend they didn't want to rip each other's clothes off when they were alone. Sally stated things were going to stay hot as long as they were within ten feet of each other.
Adam told Sally their Valentine's Day celebration had had a rare intensity, something only experienced in an earthquake or tsunami. Sally claimed there were aftershocks following an earthquake. She claimed it was difficult to hide the wildfire between them. She asked how they needed to handle things.
Sally told Adam she'd given some thought to their situation and all the ramifications. She didn't regret what had happened between them. Adam admitted it had been spectacular. Sally wanted to make sure that what had happened between them hadn't been a once-in-a-lifetime event. Adam claimed they both knew it hadn't been a casual hook-up, and he wanted to be with her. Sally didn't want to continue if it meant they would be sneaking around. She didn't want to be his dirty little secret or his guilty pleasure. Neither did Adam, who said he couldn't find a way to keep her a secret. Victor claimed he could.
Victor reminded Adam they were in the middle of sensitive negotiations regarding the sale and merger of Newman Media, and they didn't need any distractions. Sally asked if Victor considered her a distraction. Victor told Sally he thought she was no more than an innocent distraction. She'd carved out "one hell of a career" in a very short time, from a dressmaker to COO of a major company. It had been a meteoric rise, and he wanted to know how she'd done it.
Sally told Victor the offer had been a surprise, and only a fool would have turned it down. Victor claimed that only a fool wouldn't have realized they were punching far above their height. Adam claimed he had complete confidence in his decision and in Sally's abilities. He said Sally had vast experience in marketing, finance, and research. She'd started a fashion house and revived it with her aunt from the ground up. Victor claimed Adam had left out a few salient points in her résumé: her disastrous embattlement with Forrester Creations and her duplicitous actions toward Summer. Adam claimed no one in that room had clean hands.
Sally told Victor she wouldn't spend her life apologizing for her past actions, and that included Summer. She claimed she'd made a move to get what she'd wanted and what she'd felt she'd deserved. She was sorry people had gotten hurt. However, Summer had landed on both feet. Sally claimed she would turn Newman Media into a company that people would sit up and pay attention to, not because she had a bunch of degrees or accolades but because she'd spent her whole life proving people wrong. Sally claimed she could do the job. Victor said he wanted to talk to Adam alone. Sally left.
Adam hoped Victor was satisfied that Sally was the right choice, but Victor stated he was dissatisfied that Adam hadn't consulted him first. Adam asked if he needed Victor and Victoria's approval for every choice he made. He said Victoria was counting the minutes until he failed and she could fire him, and it was obvious Victor didn't trust his judgment. Adam said Newman Media's new scoop should be about its own CEO's resignation.
Victor reminded Adam they hadn't finalized the merger yet. Adam acknowledged that Victor had reason to be suspicious of Sally, but Victor had only seen one side of Sally. Adam said he was done justifying his decision to hire Sally. Adam stated Sally wasn't the self-serving, diabolical person everyone believed she was, and Sally was the right person for the job. Victor stated he wouldn't stand in Sally's way as long as she was a team player and proved she could do the job. Adam said Victor wouldn't regret it.
Victor told Adam he had an issue with Ashland Locke. He'd never trusted him, and he'd discovered some inconsistencies about Ashland's cancer treatment. Adam stated that perhaps Ashland had faked it to give Victoria hope, but Victor said Victoria had already accepted his cancer diagnosis before they'd been engaged. Victor wanted Adam to stay vigilant, and if he saw any contradictions or inconsistencies in Ashland's actions, Adam was to report that to Victor immediately. Adam stated that Ashland hated him, and Ashland had made it clear that he would keep Adam on a short leash.
Victor told Adam that was a plus because, while Adam was on a short leash, he would see how Ashland operated and who he communicated with. Adam asked if it was a test of his family loyalty. He asked if Victor was hoping he would decline Victor's request to prove he wouldn't betray Victoria. Victor claimed if Adam loved his family and his sister, he would do as Victor asked.
After Victor left, Sally returned. Adam assured her she was still COO, and Victor had been impressed with her show of defiance. Adam claimed he was in awe of Sally because not many people would have gone toe to toe with Victor. Adam said Victor wasn't going to stand in Sally's way as long as she was a team player and could handle the job. Sally wondered if Victor would go behind her back and destroy her very existence. Adam admitted Victor had done that in the past; however, this wasn't one of those times because he had bigger things to contend with.
At the ranch, Nick told Nikki he wanted to see Victor. Nikki informed him that Victor had gone to see Victoria. Nick said he was concerned about Nikki because he knew that Victoria and Adam would wind up fighting, and neither one of them fought fairly. He was afraid Nikki would wind up in the crossfire. Nikki claimed she could handle a little sibling rivalry. Nikki felt she would be able to step in and defuse a few situations before they got heated. Nick said if Nikki needed to talk, she knew where to find him.
Nick told Nikki he was fired up about the work New Hope was doing because they were helping a lot of people. Nikki was happy that Nick had made peace with all members of the family. Nick claimed he was working hard to get along with everyone. He also admitted that working with Noah and spending time with Faith and Christian kept him grounded. It reminded him what was important and how lucky he was.
Nick told Nikki that Sharon and Faith had thrown Mariah and Tessa one heck of an engagement party. Nick asked if Faith had mentioned that Mariah and Tessa were planning to adopt a child. Nikki was happy for them. Nikki smiled and said one day she'd be able to call Sharon "Granny." Nick laughed then suddenly became serious. Nick wished Cassie had lived long enough to experience the things Mariah was experiencing: a job, falling in love, and starting a family. He said he loved all his kids "so much." Nikki interrupted and said he could never replace the one he'd lost.
Nikki told Nick that Cassie would always be with him, and she would want him to celebrate everything headed his way. She told him to embrace them because life was so short. Nikki claimed Nick would have so many grandchildren, he would need to add a wing to his house. Suddenly, Nikki became serious.
Nikki told Nick she'd known exactly who Victor had been when she'd married him. She admitted she adored him even after everything they'd been through together. However, there had been another entity in their marriage: Newman Enterprises. It wasn't just a company; it was a part of them, which included Nick, even though he'd chosen another path. She claimed it took up a lot of space in Victor's head and heart. She wished Victor had been able to keep the family together through the company. She said Victor's love for his family was unparalleled.
Nick told Nikki that family had always been Victor's priority; however, family and business had always been intertwined. Nick said he was happy working with Noah, but if Noah ever wanted to do something else, Nick would be okay with it because he wanted Noah to be happy. Nick said Victor had never found his grounding through his kids' happiness. Nick said Nikki, the love of Victor's life, had always been there to keep Victor sane. Nikki admitted that she and Victor had something special, and not every relationship was meant to last forever.
Nick asked if Nikki was referring to his relationships. Nikki admitted she'd been disappointed that some of his relationships hadn't lasted longer. Nick claimed he was in a great place. Victor arrived. Nikki said she and Nick had been catching up. Nick wanted to know about Newman Locke's newest acquisition. Victor said it was going well. Nick asked if it had been a good move to force Victoria and Adam to work together, since they couldn't be in the same room without fighting.
Victor was surprised that Nick cared about the family business, since he'd walked away from it. Nick said he'd left the job, but he would never leave the family. Victor said if Nick wanted to keep peace between his siblings, then he would always have a place at Newman. Nick appreciated it; however, he was more concerned about Victoria getting hurt than he was about the welfare of the business. Victor claimed he was keeping a very keen eye on the business. Nick felt there was a larger play in the works.
Chloe and Chelsea met at the Grand Phoenix prior to presenting their proposal to Lauren. Chelsea was very nervous. Chloe assured her they had a great plan and the talent to back it up. Chelsea said it wasn't just a business deal for her, but the start of a new beginning. Chelsea agreed their plan was solid. Chloe encouraged Chelsea to take her shots at Sally any time because Lauren had more issues with Sally than Chelsea did. They left to meet with Lauren.
At Society, Jack told Lauren about his video chats with Harrison. He was certain Phyllis would have more charming stories and photos of Harrison. Lauren asked if Phyllis had decided whether she would take the job at Marchetti. Jack hadn't heard. Lauren said it was a big decision for Phyllis to pack up and move to Italy. Jack said Phyllis seemed ready for the change.
Jack told Lauren the longer Phyllis remained in Milan, the more likely it was she would accept Summer's offer. Lauren asked how much he wanted Phyllis to turn down the job offer and remain in Genoa City. Jack stated that Phyllis needed to do what made her happy, and it was her choice to make. Lauren admitted she would be sad if Phyllis decided to move to Milan. Jack said he couldn't see why Phyllis would pass up such an amazing job opportunity, and he would support Phyllis in whatever path she chose.
Lauren asked if Jack would be fine if Phyllis left Genoa City. Jack stated he would miss Phyllis a lot. He admitted his feelings for Phyllis were complicated and very deep. Lauren asked what Jack would say to Phyllis if she walked through the door at that moment. Jack said it didn't matter because it wasn't happening. Jack turned, and his face lit up when he saw Phyllis walk in.
Phyllis said she hoped she wasn't interrupting. Jack claimed that he and Lauren had been catching up. Lauren said she had a meeting with potential partners, and, as if on cue, Chelsea and Chloe arrived. Jack assumed Chelsea and Chloe were looking for new opportunities, since Newman Media had been swallowed up by the Newman Locke juggernaut. Chloe admitted their fashion platform was no more, and they were able to focus on their real passion -- design. Jack wished them luck. Phyllis asked if the team consisted of Chelsea and Chloe. Chelsea admitted that Sally was no longer with them.
Phyllis said she'd heard Chelsea was staying at her hotel. Chelsea said she was selling the penthouse, and Phyllis was going to be her landlord for the foreseeable future. Phyllis was happy Chelsea had gotten rid of all the toxicity in of her life, like Adam and Sally. Lauren wanted to begin the meeting, and she, Chelsea, and Chloe sat down at a table. Lauren suggested that Chelsea and Chloe start with the financial planning. Once they were done with the financials, they informed Lauren they had a new name: Bella and Connor. Chloe and Chelsea offered to provide Lauren with more information if she required it. Lauren sternly claimed she'd seen enough.
Lauren told Chelsea and Chloe she was impressed with their presentation, and she couldn't wait to see what they brought to Fenmore's. She felt it would be very profitable for all of them. Chelsea was more than grateful because it was a chance to rebuild her life. She promised she would prove herself to Lauren. Lauren said if she didn't believe Chelsea had changed, she wouldn't have had that conversation with them.
At another table, Phyllis told Jack it had brought her "so much joy" spending time with Summer, Kyle, and Harrison. She'd gotten a sense of how they lived in Milan. Jack said it was a sense of how she might fit into that life if she took the job at Marchetti. Phyllis said that initially, the job offer had been very intimidating. Jack asked if she would take the job. Phyllis claimed there was a lot to consider. She would have to be fluent in Italian and immersed in the fashion industry, and it would be challenging. She said she would have to learn everything about the fashion industry; however, she wasn't sure she wanted to.
Jack reminded Phyllis that she'd stated there was nothing tying her to Genoa City. Phyllis admitted she'd said that; however, she'd forgotten about one element -- herself. She said Genoa City was her home; her life was rooted there, and it had made her the person she was. She'd asked herself if she wanted to go to Milan and change herself again. Phyllis said that as much as she loved the thought of working with Summer, she would remain in Genoa City because she loved her hotel and her friends. She loved her life there. Jack was delighted.
Jack reminded Phyllis they were supposed to have dinner when she returned from Milan, but if she was too tired, they could postpone it. Phyllis didn't want to postpone it. Jack said Phyllis had made the right decision, and she appeared very relaxed. Phyllis said spending time with Summer had been great. She gushed that Harrison had tried to teach her Italian. She said he was adorable.
Phyllis told Jack she belonged in Genoa City. Jack agreed. Jack received a text message with only a Los Angeles address. Phyllis left to get their coats while Jack sent a reply: "You have the wrong number." Another message popped up: "No. This message is for you, Jack Abbott. You need to go to Los Angeles." Jack wrote, "Why? Who is this?" The response was "Something you've been missing."
At Crimson Lights, Abby thanked Rey for meeting with her. Rey was surprised Abby had reached out to him when she had so much going on with Dominic. Abby informed him that Devon was the perfect match, and he would be Dominic's bone marrow donor. Rey was happy that Dominic would make a full recovery.
Abby told Rey she'd overheard Chance apologize to Rey for what had happened at the stakeout. When she'd questioned Chance about what had happened, Chance had said he'd returned to work too soon. Abby felt there had been more to it than that. She asked Rey what had happened at the stakeout and if she needed to be worried about Chance. Rey was reluctant to say anything because it felt like a breach of confidence.
Abby told Rey she understood that he didn't want to betray his partner, but she asked Rey to think about the position she was in as Chance's wife. She said Chance wanted to be strong and didn't want to ask for help, even when he was struggling. She wanted to help, but she couldn't if she didn't know what was going on. Rey told Abby that it had become evident it had been too soon for Chance to be back in the fray. That was all he was comfortable sharing with Abby.
Abby appreciated Rey's loyalty, but with everything going on with Dominic, she believed that was the reason Chance wasn't opening up to her, and she thought that he didn't want to be a burden. She didn't want Chance to keep everything inside. Abby asked Rey to talk to Chance. She believed Rey was the only person who could convince Chance that he didn't have to pretend everything was okay for his family's sake.
Chance returned to the stakeout site and remembered what had happened. Rey provided Chance with instructions, but when Chance heard a loud bang, it paralyzed him. When Rey returned and informed Chance they'd caught the guy, Chance apologized because he'd choked and let Rey down. Chance had believed he'd been ready to work. It had been a simple stakeout, and he'd been useless, just like in Spain. His team had needed him, and he'd let them down.
Rey told Chance the stakeout had nothing to do with Spain. No one had been hurt, and the guy was in custody. Rey said Chance hadn't failed; he'd returned to work too soon. He wasn't ready to be back on the force. Chance claimed he didn't believe he ever would be because he didn't believe he would ever get past what had happened in Spain.
When Chance returned home, Rey was there with Abby. Chance asked Abby if she'd heard from Devon about the next steps in Dominic's treatment. She said Devon had an appointment the next day to discuss the treatment. Abby asked if he was okay. Annoyed, Chance said he was the same as he'd been when Rey had stopped by earlier. He asked why Rey had returned. Abby admitted she'd had questions about what had happened at the stakeout. Chance asked what Rey had to say about it. Rey said he hadn't said much because he didn't feel it had been his place.
Abby told Chance she understood he had a hard time talking to her. She asked Chance to talk to Rey, and she left the room. Chance angrily accused Rey of talking about him behind his back. Rey assured him there hadn't been an ulterior motive. Rey said Abby had asked him to talk to Chance because Rey and Abby were both concerned about Chance, and Rey thought he might be able to help. Chance said he was fine. He claimed Rey needed to take care of his own family. Chance told Rey to go and deal with them, and Chance would deal with his family.
Rey told Chance that his house was in order, but Chance's wasn't. Rey said that even with everything happening with Dominic, Abby had tracked him down and said that the man she loved was in trouble, and she'd asked him to help Chance. Rey told Chance to think about the tense situation he was putting Abby through. Chance claimed Abby shouldn't have gone to Rey because Rey didn't know what he was talking about. Rey said Abby hadn't known what else to do. She knew something was wrong, but Chance wouldn't open up to her. Rey wondered why.
Chance told Rey he was trying not to upset Abby. Rey stated that Abby was already upset. Chance spat that Abby was upset because of the baby, and he didn't want to add his problems to her plate. Rey stated it wasn't about separate plates; it was one big plate. Rey said if Chance didn't open up to Abby, she wouldn't stay. He said Chance needed to tell Abby what he was feeling because she could help, and Chance could only suppress what was going on inside his head for so long before he exploded.
Chance claimed that Rey and Abby were overexaggerating. Rey disagreed. He understood that Chance had been in tense situations as a soldier, a cop, and a Fed. Rey acknowledged that Chance had seen things most people couldn't imagine; however, what had happened in Spain had been too traumatic for one person to handle on their own, and it was eating at Chance. Chance claimed he was handling it. Rey said that whatever was going on, it wouldn't fade away and disappear. Ray said it would continue to impact Chance's life, his family, and his health until he dealt with it.
Chance appreciated what Rey was doing, but he claimed it was between him and Abby. Rey told Chance that Abby needed him, and Chance needed Abby. He said Abby needed all of Chance, not some hollowed-out shell of what he'd previously been. Rey said Chance needed to do a lot of work before he could return to the force, and part of that work would entail letting his guard down and showing Abby how he really felt. Abby returned and asked if they needed more time. Rey said he'd said his peace, and he left.
Chance told Abby the last thing he wanted to do was cause Abby any more stress. He was trying to keep what he felt away from her. She understood but said he couldn't protect her from her own feelings. She said she loved him, and she worried about him, especially when he stopped talking to her. She said she had no idea what had happened at the stakeout, and her mind had been conjuring up many scenarios because she didn't know the truth. She understood it was hard on him. She told Chance to lean on her and allow her to be strong for him.
Chance told Abby it wasn't that easy. Abby said she'd tried to step back and respect that he wanted to deal with his issues on his own; however, things had been getting worse, and whatever had happened at the stakeout, it had brought him back to what had happened in Spain. She had no idea what the next few months would look like for Dominic, but the only way to get through everything was to do it as a united front. Abby insisted they needed to lean on each other with no barriers. She said Chance had to let her in.
Chance told Abby he'd thought he would be fine at the stakeout. They'd needed to watch a guy, catch him in the act, and arrest him. He said he'd done that a million times. However, once he'd been at the site, he'd had to act like everything had been okay, but he hadn't been okay. He'd felt the fear rising up in him, and he'd begun reliving Spain again. He said he'd spiraled, and he could have gotten them killed. He told her that when he'd heard a loud noise, it had paralyzed him. He said he hadn't been able to back up his partner because he'd been paralyzed and scared.
Abby was happy that Chance had shared that with her. She said he was a strong and brave man, but his family needed him to find a way to cope with his issues and help him heal. He needed to do it immediately.
At the coffeehouse, Rey was deep in thought when Chelsea and Chloe arrived. They were elated that Lauren had hired them. Chelsea wanted to start working immediately. Chelsea sat down at a table while Chloe went to get tea. When Chelsea saw Rey, she remembered the dream she'd had about him and their passionate kiss. She was startled when Rey asked why they were so excited. She told him they were officially in business.
Chloe returned and told Rey their line would be at Fenmore's soon. She said they were back in the game. Rey said he knew how hard Chelsea had been working, and it was great to see it had paid off. He was happy she was out of Newman Media and away from Adam. He said it was a new chapter for Chelsea, and she should be proud of herself.
Rey watched from his booth as Chelsea and Chloe worked. Chloe received a text message from Kevin and said she had to leave. After Chloe left, Chelsea called Rey over to join her.
At Society, Victoria assured Victor the sale of Newman Media was going smoothly. Victoria asked Victor to tell her he'd overridden Adam's decision about his new COO. Victor said he found Sally an interesting choice. Victoria said she couldn't figure Victor out; at first, he'd been furious because Adam had fallen for Billy's ruse and almost destroyed Newman Media, but then he'd made the sale of Newman Media contingent on Adam remaining the CEO.
Victoria told Victor that he'd been upset when she'd told him Adam had hired Sally as COO, but then he was okay with it. Victor said that after a discussion with Adam and Sally, he'd been persuaded. Victoria refused to buy it because Sally wasn't qualified for that job. She asked what Victor was after. Victor stated he wanted unity in the Newman family. Victoria asked if he thought it would happen when he was forcing her to work with Adam. Victor stated they'd all made mistakes, and Adam had done a "damn good job" at Newman Media. He believed in Adam.
At Newman Media, Sally told Adam she'd looked at all the assets and ad revenue of Newman Media to see if there was any overlap with ChancComm, and it turned out they would have a robust library content. Sally suggested they offer subscription deals to their existing customers and sell them on the other platforms. Adam said it was a good idea but a little simplistic because she'd overlooked the complexity of the merger.
Sally told Adam she hadn't underestimated the complexity of the merger. She said they had to work fast to get both companies integrated. She'd consulted with both chief marketing officers at ChancComm and Newman Media. They were both very receptive to her ideas, very motivated, and ready to collaborate. Adam told Sally they had to do some downsizing prior to expansion. He felt they needed to put a pin in the subscription idea for the time being, but Sally claimed he was wrong and said she would provide him with the numbers.
At home, Billy told Lily he'd had a sleepless night, but he'd put in some good time on his midnight shift. He'd had a repeat of the previous nights, and it had been good. He claimed he'd written down some great ideas. He felt he might be onto something with his late-night musings. He said Devon felt that he should start his own podcasts because Devon really liked that idea.
Billy told Lily he hadn't taken the idea seriously at first; however, Lily's idea of doing it anonymously was one way of doing it; the other would be him being him. He didn't have to talk about anything that wasn't already public knowledge. The purpose of it would be to help people overcome adversity and challenges in their lives. Lily wanted to make sure that the podcast wouldn't take him away from his COO duties.
Billy assured Lily the podcast would only take an hour out of his day. The emotional release would give him more energy at work. Billy admitted that tapping into his subconscious was scary because it implied that he was facing demons, and he'd faced many demons over the years. He felt he was digging deep enough to find the goodness under all the trauma and admitted he'd spent too much time dwelling on everything that was wrong in his life. He was finally seeing all the things that were right.
Billy told Lily that venting all the anger, addiction, and bitterness had made him feel whole and well. He believed that was the journey people would connect with. Lily told Billy it was a valuable experience to share.
At Crimson Lights, Ashland asked if Nate was ready for the professional change they'd discussed. Nate said that part of his job was to fight bureaucracy, and he found it frustrating because he cared mostly about his patients. Ashland said Nate could use his talents on more important things than paperwork. Nate admitted that the administrative aspects of his work were important; however, he felt that a lot of unnecessary complications had been built into the system.
Ashland told Nate that was exactly the reason he wanted Nate to join Newman Locke. He said they could put together Newman's Health Care Division with Locke Communication and create real innovation in that arena with the right leadership. He needed someone who not only understood how to change the current systems but someone who could see healthcare in a much bigger way globally.
Ashland told Nate that when he'd been the recipient of an extraordinary health care system, Nate had been very caring and useful during that time. Ashland saw it not only as a way to give back to Nate but to enable him to give "so much to so many" people. Ashland asked Nate to imagine the change he could make globally if he joined Newman Locke.
At the Grand Phoenix, Amanda welcomed Phyllis home. She asked Phyllis about the job at Marchetti. Amanda was delighted when Phyllis informed her that she was staying in Genoa City. They both looked over at Jack, who was a few feet away on his phone. Amanda asked Phyllis if Jack was the reason Phyllis had decided to stay in town. Phyllis admitted that Jack had been part of her decision because of her friendship with Jack. She mentioned that her friendships with Amanda and Michael were also important to her.
Phyllis told Amanda that she'd decided not to have a romantic relationship with Jack because, inevitably, she screwed up relationships. She stated that as much as she wanted one with Jack, she wasn't going to do it because it wouldn't work. They were friends, and they would always remain friends.
Jack approached and said he hoped he wasn't interrupting Phyllis and Amanda. Phyllis said she'd told Amanda about her trip to Milan. Amanda said she had a very interesting job offer on the table. Imani arrived. Amanda said she and Imani needed to talk, and she would fill them in later. Amanda left.
Phyllis asked if Jack had received any more mysterious text messages. Jack said he hadn't. He said if someone was playing games, which he suspected they were, he wasn't up for it. He said he wasn't curious about them, and he wondered why Phyllis was so interested.
Elsewhere, Amanda told Imani she'd been offered the position of chief counsel for Chancellor Industries. Imani was thrown that Amanda was entertaining the idea of taking the job, since they'd recently opened their own law firm. Amanda told Imani there would be a place for her at the company, as well, because Billy and Lily believed in them. Imani asked if Amanda didn't want to risk going solo. She said the reason Amanda had left ChancComm had been because she'd been interested in trial work. Imani asked why Amanda wanted to return to corporate law.
Amanda told Imani that leaving ChancComm had been about taking Sutton down. ChancComm had been all media related -- protecting sources, freedom of speech, and libel cases. She said the work at Chancellor would be varied and exciting, heading up the legal department of a massive conglomerate would never be boring, Lily and Billy were great to work for, and the perks and pay would be top notch.
At Society, Victoria stated that Victor wanted family unity, but his actions suggested something different. Victor asked what he would gain by creating discord. Adam and Sally arrived. Adam told Victoria that he and Sally were about to discuss Sally's ideas on how to capitalize on a bigger and better Newman Media. Victoria said she and Ashland would like to hear their ideas. She was certain she and Ashland would have some thoughts. Sally asked if Victoria wanted to hear their ideas, but Victoria claimed she was late for something. In a snotty manner, Victoria suggested they join Victor for a family meal because Victor loved those, and she left.
Victor asked for a private word with Adam. He reminded Adam to keep an eye on Ashland. Adam stated he wouldn't let anything get past him because he knew there were many agendas and power plays at work. Victor said Sally seemed to be good for Adam. Adam stated the respect was mutual, and they had a lot in common. He said Sally would be an asset to the executive team.
Alone with Adam, Sally said that after such a large breakfast, she wanted to work out before they returned to the office. Adam said he had a better idea on how to get some cardio in. Sally smiled and loudly asked for the check.
Victoria arrived at the coffeehouse and joined Ashland and Nate. Ashland told Victoria he'd been trying to get Nate to turn in his white coat for a business suit. Nate said he wasn't ready to turn in his stethoscope yet. He admitted Ashland was a master salesman. Victoria said Ashland was used to getting what he wanted; however, Nate had to make up his own mind. She reminded Ashland he was asking Nate to make a major career shift. She knew Nate had been a wonderful source of support and information for Ashland, and she knew Nate could conquer any path he chose.
Nate told Victoria and Ashland he had to leave. Ashland hoped Nate would give serious consideration to his offer. After Nate left, Victoria asked why Ashland was so intent on convincing Nate to leave the medical field. Ashland stated Nate would be good at Newman Locke. Victoria said there had to be more to it than that. There were a lot of smart people with medical backgrounds that could do the same job Ashland wanted Nate to do, and some were already on staff.
Ashland told Victoria that he subscribed to the theory that it was best to surround himself in business with allies. He trusted Nate implicitly. Victoria hoped he considered her an ally. Ashland said they both knew Victor was up to something. Victoria said she'd run into Victor at Society earlier, and after she'd given him plenty of ammunition for Victor to give Adam a hard time about Sally, she had been surprised Victor supported Sally as COO. She said Victor had been all smiles when Adam and Sally had arrived. Victoria had no idea what Victor was up to, but she intended to find out.
Sally and Adam booked a suite at the Grand Phoenix. Once they entered the room, they immediately began disrobing each other. After the sex, Sally asked Adam why Victor had wanted to talk to Adam privately. Adam claimed it was a family thing. Sally said that as Adam's COO, if there was trouble on the horizon, she would be more helpful if she knew what might happen. She said that trust was the basis of any good working relationship, and Adam had to trust her with whatever was going on. Adam said he had the feeling Ashland had fallen out of favor with Victor, and Victor had asked him to keep his eyes open.
Sally told Adam that Ashland had always been an enigma to her, and Ashland always appeared to be working an angle. Adam wasn't sure whether he would spy on Ashland. He said it bothered him playing Victor's game. He resented Victor for putting him in a position that if he didn't do Victor's bidding, he wouldn't be in charge at Newman Media. He said he wasn't a chess piece in Victor's chess game with Victoria and Ashland; he'd earned the CEO title and the power that went with it. Sally said Adam had to look out for himself, which was what Victor and Victoria would always do.
At Society, Elena said she understood why Nate found it tempting to leave the hospital to work with at Newman Locke. Nate was friends with Ashland and Victoria; however, Elena knew they would lure Nate in with a big promise, and there would be the honeymoon phase. She reminded Nate he would still be working for the Locke Ness Monster, and he hadn't seen that side of Ashland yet. She also pointed out that Victoria wasn't the warmest person.
Nate told Elena that he'd seen a competitive dynamic between Victoria and Ashland earlier. Elena pointed out that if Nate got caught in the crossfire, it could be a problem for him. Nate asked Elena to think about all the good he could do if Ashland's pitch talk had been for real. Elena felt that if Nate was seriously considering the offer, he needed to think long and hard about accepting it because it would be a life-changing decision, career-wise. Nate had recently made a major change, and she asked if he was sure he wanted to make another one.
Amanda and Imani arrived at Billy and Lily's. Amanda told Billy that if the offer was still on the table, she and Imani were excited about working at Chancellor Industries. Lily yelled that it was. Billy said they were excited that Amanda and Imani were joining them, and he promised things would not be boring. Lily suggested they get to work.
Lily explained to Amanda and Imani that they had a lot going on with their partnership with Hamilton-Winters. Lily wanted to begin by creating a template for an agreement for the work they were going to do with their creative team. Amanda said it should all be work for hire so that they owned the IP. Lily said she disagreed; she'd done some research. Lily said it was part of their mission to own their creative team and intellectual property. She wanted to create a template that would be a win-win to both sides. Amanda said she would prepare some options for Lily to consider.
Later at the coffeehouse, excited, Amanda asked Imani if they had really joined Chancellor Industries. Imani said they had to figure out how to get out of their office lease. Amanda said they needed to find lawyers to take over their cases. Imani said she felt good about the move. Amanda said it felt right. Imani asked if there was a personal history between Amanda and Billy. Amanda said she and Billy were just friends who'd helped each other through some rough patches.
At home, Victor received a call from Michael. Michael said he'd shared a meal with a doctor who'd recently been fired from the clinic because he'd questioned some of the decisions his bosses had made. It was the same clinic where Ashland had received his miracle treatment. The doctor remembered Ashland Locke clearly. There had been a story about Ashland's treatment and condition, which the doctor would gladly tell Michael in great detail for a price. Victor told Michael to pay the doctor anything he wanted because he needed incontrovertible proof of Locke's deception.
