Riza Holds Adam at Gunpoint — and Mariah Makes a Shocking Decision
At the Club, Christine tells Sharon she’s managed to get a plea deal, but Mariah is refusing to cooperate. She’s determined to be punished, which could mean fifteen years in prison.
Sharon worries that pressuring Mariah to agree to the deal will only backfire. Her daughter already seems to have moved into “the neighborhood of depression.” The lawyer advises some tough love.
Daniel Does the Right Thing
Alone at the park cafe, Mariah asks Daniel for an update on her family. She hopes that Tessa is OK and has moved on so she can too. Announcing that she plans to plead guilty, Mariah explains that she needs to be punished. That means she could go away for a long time. She wants to know that her wife and daughter will be okay.
When Daniel claims he and Tessa are only friends, Mariah says it’s a lie. She’s fine with Tessa moving on. There’s no way to salvage their marriage. Daniel’s convinced that she still loves her family. After some prodding, she breaks down and sobs about how much she misses Tessa and Aria, but repeats that she needs to be punished and it’s not too late for them to move on.
Daniel calls Tessa to come to the park, and explains that he’s convinced Mariah still loves her. Daniel admits that Tessa has brought more to his life than he ever thought he could have again. As much as he may wish they could have a future together, he thinks Tessa owes it to herself to resolve her unfinished business. He won’t stand in the way of any chance that her marriage could be saved.
Billy and Chelsea Square Off
At Society, Billy tells Chelsea he’s trying hard not to be upset about losing Chancellor. She thinks that sounds out of character. They discuss the whole mess and all they’ve lost. He notes that Victor’s victory is hollow: he lost his empire and now only has Katherine’s legacy to live with. Billy then takes a call from Sally, talking loudly about her foldng Newman Media into Spectra Charles.
No sooner is Billy off the line than Chelsea is on his case. They fight about the ethics of what he’s done, with her taking the Newman’s side. They argue over what Victor did to Jack. Chelsea won’t justify it, but she also won’t back down. She accuses him of schadenfreude (taking pleasure from another’s misfortune), and he accuses her of reverting to “the conniving woman” and having a tantrum. Chelsea urges him to stay out of her life and focus on his own mess.
Riza Answers Adam’s Call
In Vegas, Nick fumes over Riza not returning Adam’s calls. Adam, urging patience, wonders if Nick’s leg is bothering him. Nick fobs it off and offers to deal with the woman himself, but his brother doesn’t think he’s in any condition to do so. Finally, Riza calls. Adam claims he was just in the area and asks if she wants to get together to reminisce. He arranges for her to come to him.
Adam admits to Nick that Riza seems suspicious. Since she’s on her way, Nick has to leave. Adam makes him promise not to hunt Matt down on his own.
The Final Scenes
Cricket and Sharon corner Mariah at Crimson Lights. She continues refusing to accept any plea deal. It’s a good one, but she doesn’t deserve it. They insist they only want her to get the help she needs. Suddenly, Mariah receives a text from Tessa, asking her to meet.
Back in Vegas, Nick leaves the hotel room and rushes into the elevator. Once the doors close, he pops a pill and grunts.
Meanwhile, Adam waits at the bar in his room. When Riza arrives, he’s no sooner let her through the door than she’s pointing a gun at him.
