Nikki’s Health Crisis Worsens — and Matt Goes All In With Cane
At the outdoor café, Victoria crosses paths with Sally and is super sweet to her about the wedding and new baby, even reminding her that every pregnancy is different after a loss, and urging her to enjoy every minute. Sally thanks Victoria and takes her off guard by asking her to reach out to Billy and admit she was a little hard on him.
Victoria sniffs that Billy helped steal her father’s life’s work. Sally argues that he didn’t use the AI. Victoria reminds her that she still has Newman Media – she and Billy benefited more than Phyllis and Cane in the end. Sally says this isn’t about business… it’s about tension in the family. Victoria gets it. She urges Sally to have a grand wedding if that’s what she wants. She wants her and Billy to be happy.
Still Recovering
At Crimson Lights, Sharon tells Phyllis that Mariah is making such good progress that her team is discussing a possible release soon. The judge would have to agree, but if everything goes smoothly, she’ll have her daughter back home where she belongs. Phyllis, clearly thinking of Summer, croaks that she’s happy for her.
Phyllis knows how stressful this has all been for Sharon, who rants about Ian Ward pushing Mariah to the brink. Phyllis muses, “She hit her breaking point, didn’t she?” Phyllis muses that it always comes back to their kids. Sharon remarks on the change in their dynamic. Phyllis thinks Martin Laurent pushed them to the brink and they’re still recovering.
Sharon admits she still has nightmares about the clinic. Phyllis does too. They agree they’re bonded forever. Sharon’s sure Phyllis will find a way to get Summer and Daniel back into her life, but warns if she doesn’t see the situation with Newman differently, she won’t win them over. Phyllis is forced to admit she’s right.
Moving to the patio, Phyllis texts Summer to say she gave back Victor’s company and understands why she was so upset with her. She’d like to have a conversation, or to have her come home. She’s not sure if she still thinks of her as her mom.
A Confrontation
Nikki spots Victor in the Club dining room and he tries to blow her off. She wonders if he’s busy ordering new linens for Matt Clark’s room and rants about him having the madman on the ranch around their children and grandchildren. “Have you lost your damn mind?!”
Victor reminds her the ranch is none of her business and claims he’s keeping Clark where he can see him. Nikki insists he hand him over to the police; he’s harboring a fugitive. Victor says the charges have been dropped. She accuses Victor of bribing someone to drop them. Why would he do that?!
Victor says he doesn’t control the cops in Las Vegas and they bicker until she brings up Nicholas. He asks if their son is OK. Sitting, Nikki tells him all about her and Nick going to a meeting earlier that day. Swerving, she asks Victor how he could hand Chancellor to Lily without a word to her. He grunts, “It’s simple. I did.”
Nikki thinks Victor did this as a way to hurt her. He informs her that she chose her relationship with Jack Abbott over him and has no right to ask questions. Nikki suddenly realizes that Chancellor is what he promised Lily for the fake kidnapping scam, which was long before she moved out. Victor refuses to confirm it. When she snips at him, she suddenly gasps at a jolt of pain in her head.
Plan Blown
At the ranch, Adam warns Matt not to go off script, this has to go smoothly. Matt needs him to understand something. “This can’t happen. The whole situation has changed.” Adam goes off and Matt explains this won’t work because he’s remembered that he met Cane when he first came to town. If he recognizes him, this whole plan is blown.
Adam grills Matt about his run-in with Cane at the Club and they argue about the villain now having a conscience. Matt recalls that Adam didn’t always do the right thing and he’s changed. He doesn’t like doing horrible things anymore. Adam concedes he felt that way in Vegas. As Matt carries on dramatically, Adam asks if he can do this. Matt will give it a shot.
Skeptical
At the outdoor café, Matt and Adam encounter Sally and Victoria. Adam introduces Matt to Sally as a family friend. When the redhead trots off. Victoria reminds Adam that people in town know Matt Clark. He shouldn’t be out. “It’s not safe for anyone.”
Adam reminds Victoria that he doesn’t make the calls. Victor has a mission for Matt… to keep tabs on Cane Ashby. He’ll be their eyes and ears. Victoria is skeptical, but Clark insists they can trust him. Adam adds that security will never be far away. Just then, Cane appears. Adam thanks him for coming.
Cane asks, “What are we doing here?” Adam and Victoria explain that they wanted to meet on neutral ground to apologize for the charges they brought against him. “We’re sorry for the inconvenience,” Adam soothes. Cane suspects this is about something else and points to Matt. “What kind of trap are you trying to set now?”
The Final Scenes
At the Club, Victor asks Nikki if she’s alright… is the headache because of her MS? Nikki starts snarking about him suddenly being civil, but another jolt of pain cuts her off. Victor wants to call a doctor. She hisses that it’s stress from everything he put her through.
Victor orders her to go up, take a pain pill, and call the doctor. She doesn’t take orders from him and storms off, holding the furniture and walls to steady herself. As she tries going up the stairs, her vision blurs and her expression turns to fear.
On the coffee house patio, Sharon asks if Phyllis is OK. She shakes her head, “No.” But she’ll get there. “I know we’ll get there.” Sharon is always there for her. Phyllis is there for her too, and assures Sharon that Mariah will come home. They embrace.
At the outdoor café, Adam and Victoria tell Cane that Matt is a friend of the family. Matt asks Ashby if it’s true that he was Aristotle Dumas. Fangirling, he marvels, “That was some serious empire building. You are the man!” Adam and Victoria exchange a glance, as Matt continues gushing about how impressed he is by Cane.
Matt starts grilling Cane about acquisitions and his ability to fly under the radar. Adam tries stopping Matt. Cane says Dumas was a mistake. Matt refuses to believe that and asks if it’s true that he sought his father’s advice. He wants to have a drink sometime to ask him more. Cane says maybe and walks off. Matt asks Adam and Victoria, “How’d I do?” They warn that he came on a little strong. Adam calls Victor and reports that Matt went “all in” with Cane.
