Tuesday, October 8, 2019
by Jenny Smith

Victoria tracked Billy down at Jabot, and he apologized for needing to leave Nick's event. Victoria rambled that no one had worked as hard or been as loyal to Newman Enterprises as she'd been, so she'd assumed that Victor would discuss his return to the company with her first. Billy guessed that Victor was returning as CEO, and Victoria groused that she'd found out when a reporter had asked her to comment on the rumor. Billy was sure that once she had a chance to think, she'd reach the same conclusion he had -- she should resign from Newman and work for Jabot.


Summer checked her phone in the corridor. She called Theo, who declined to answer when he saw her name appear on his phone. Summer started to type a text message to Theo to ask if he was busy, but she opted not to send it. Jack and Kyle arrived, and Kyle asked how things were going. Summer quipped that it was Victor's world, and they were just living in it. Jack stepped aside to take a call, and Kyle suggested that he and Summer meet at the Grand Phoenix later to grab a drink and catch up. She agreed, and she encouraged him to show that he deserved to be running the place for real.

Meanwhile, Victoria hesitated to make any rash decisions, but Billy insisted that his gut was telling him that she didn't need to be at Newman anymore. Victoria scolded that his gut had gotten him into big jams before. Jack and Kyle walked in, prepared to meet about the collective. Billy announced that he had a new agenda, since he intended to convince Victoria to join the executive team at Jabot. Kyle forced a smile.

Jack recalled when he'd spoken with Victor before the Adam nightmare, and Victor had sounded like a man at peace with where he was in life, content to turn things over to the next generation. Victoria conceded that she'd always expected Victor to return once his health stabilized, but she'd thought he'd consult her first. Billy huffed that Victor couldn't accept that anyone else could run his company the same way or better than him, but Kyle imagined that Victoria would want to be there to help Victor in case his condition took a turn for the worse. Billy argued that Victoria didn't owe Victor anything, and he was certain that Victor wasn't going to retire.

Jack sided with Billy, and he questioned why Victoria should spend the best years of her career in a holding pattern. Billy anticipated that Newman's loss would be a great gain for Jabot. Jack abstained from weighing in on any staffing changes and had no objection to anyone Billy and Kyle wanted to hire. After Jack headed out, Victoria reiterated that she wasn't ready to make an impulsive move. Billy thought Victor would never respect her the way she deserved, but she maintained that she wasn't ready to talk about it then. After Victoria left, Billy called hiring Victoria a game-changer, but Kyle countered that it wasn't Billy's call to make.


Billy questioned why they wouldn't hire someone of Victoria's caliber, given that she'd run a multinational company that was ten times Jabot's size. Kyle pointed out that Billy wasn't his boss and didn't get to make unilateral decisions, since they were equals. Billy argued that there wasn't a company out there that wouldn't hire Victoria, so they had to act fast. Kyle countered that Victoria wasn't ready, but Billy envisioned her making big changes in their corporate direction. Kyle protested that he was working to keep Jabot relevant, and he ordered Billy not to marginalize his contribution.

Billy figured that Kyle was learning the ropes, but Billy had been addressing the big picture for much longer. Kyle scoffed at the few months Billy had spent as CEO until he'd embezzled from the company to cover his gambling losses, and he objected to Billy pulling rank. Kyle was offended when Billy called him an up-and-comer and a kid. Billy answered a call and told Kyle to close the door on the way out.

At Society, Theo approached Devon, who wanted to discuss Power Communications. Devon admitted that he hadn't been as hands-on as he'd like to be, and Theo bragged that he'd been making connections to pull in a new level of clientele. Theo noted that a big part of his role was to help Mariah succeed, and while they'd worked out a lot of early kinks, he was concerned because Mariah had ignored his advice and ticked off some key people. Theo contended that getting the right people on their roster took a lot of courting and finessing, and he'd tried to make that clear to Mariah. Devon surmised that they needed to take steps to make sure that didn't happen again.

Theo remarked that things happened fast in the business, but Mariah didn't have the instincts to keep up. Devon recalled that he'd kept Theo around for his talent, but he'd previously warned that he wouldn't stand for Theo trying to stab Mariah in the back. Theo swore that he wanted to see Power grow and thrive. Devon asserted that he was satisfied with the way Mariah had been running the business, and he wanted her to focus, knowing that people were behind her. Devon proclaimed that Theo was out.

Theo protested that he and Mariah pushed one another through friendly competition and that they had the kind of energy that made stuff happen. Theo surmised that the decision was up to her as the head of Power. Devon pointed out that he owned the company, and he was sure that Mariah would agree with his decision. Theo assumed that Devon wanted to give Mariah the chance to sink or swim on her own, so it would give him more time to focus on his work with LP. Devon clarified that while Theo had an interesting skill set and good experience, his ego and ambition had become serious liabilities. Devon flatly stated that Theo no longer worked for Hamilton-Winters in any capacity.

Theo entered Society's kitchen and bellowed, "Guess who's back?" Lola jumped and scolded him for sneaking up on her. She teasingly wondered if it was safe for him to be back at the scene, since she'd never seen anyone hit the deck that hard over the sight of little blood. Theo reminded her that she'd agreed to keep his secret, and Lola commented that social media had been made to take pleasure in someone else's misfortune. Theo was thankful that she was a good person who had refrained from posting something humiliating, like him fainting dead away.

Theo looked around the kitchen and imagined that the image would have gone viral in no time. Meanwhile, Lola doused her hand with ketchup and pretended that she'd cut herself again. Theo became queasy when he glanced over, but he quickly realized the ruse and joined her in having a good laugh. He recognized that he was good at pretending that he had it all together, but it clearly wasn't the case. He called it another one of his secrets, and Lola asked how he kept his secrets straight.

Theo explained that he'd spent time building a brand and maintaining an image, but he never just hung out like that and laughed. He joked that he knew a secret of Lola's, too, since she'd shown her evil streak by pranking him. Theo wished that he'd met her before Kyle had, and Lola became incensed when she realized that he'd been working her. She stressed that she'd told him she'd help him with Kyle when the moment was right, but Theo had pushed things too far. He retorted that it wasn't easy to be as perfect as she was, and she walked off.

At the Grand Phoenix, Phyllis pressed Abby to upgrade the hotel's security software. Abby argued that the hotel had just launched with brand-new software, and she questioned why Phyllis was already talking about enhancing security. Phyllis warned that the threats were rising, so they had to be a step ahead of the bad guys. Abby admitted that she couldn't take anything Phyllis said at face value, and she wasn't comfortable with any of it. Phyllis taunted that she was comfortable with Abby being uncomfortable. Abby seethed.

Phyllis bristled at the implication that she was getting a kickback for installing the new software. Abby grumbled that it wouldn't be the first time Phyllis had played her, but Phyllis recounted that she'd saved Abby's "entitled butt" by avoiding a PR disaster for the hotel. Phyllis figured that it was too bad if Abby didn't like her, but Abby had to suck it up and deal with her. "Just you, or you and Adam?" Abby inquired.

Phyllis asked what Adam had to do with her being head of security. Abby pointed out that he'd gotten away with trying to kill her father, and she imagined that Adam was still plotting ways to go after her and her family. Abby added that Phyllis was living in Adam's penthouse, and she refused to let the two of them screw her over. Phyllis argued that if she wanted to do that, Abby would never foresee it. Abby took that as a threat, and she warned not to underestimate her.

Phyllis wished that Abby was enough of a challenge to justify having the conversation, but Phyllis and Adam dealt on a different level. Phyllis compared it to playing 3D chess while lightweights like Abby played checkers. Abby suggested that Phyllis follow Adam out of town. Phyllis decided to tell her security team that they were moving ahead with her plans.

Phyllis greeted Amanda at the elevator and introduced herself as one of the hotel's owners. Phyllis inquired about Amanda's stay, and Amanda reported that it had been lovely. Amanda complimented the dedicated makeup area in the dressing room, and she could tell the suites had been designed by a woman. Phyllis took credit for the idea, and Amanda applauded her. Phyllis mentioned that she'd heard Amanda was working with Chance.

Amanda feigned ignorance, and Phyllis remarked that word traveled in a small town. Phyllis claimed that she'd been friends with Chance and wanted to get in touch with him. Amanda imagined that Phyllis had more personal avenues to get his contact information, and she argued that she couldn't be too careful. Phyllis agreed.

Summer arrived at the hotel, and Abby barked that it would have been nice if Summer had stopped by the ranch the night before. Summer retorted that she'd needed a moment to get over being lied to. Abby defended that it had been for Victor's protection, and she suggested that Summer be happy that he was alive. Summer insisted that she was happy, but she thought her family needed to stop acting like she just needed get over it. Summer imagined that Abby would have whined for months about being the last to know, and she stalked off.

Abby greeted Devon with a hug and acknowledged that she and her family owed him an apology. Devon swore that he wasn't mad at her, he figured that he'd get past it in time. He spotted Amanda talking to Phyllis. After Phyllis walked away, Devon approached Amanda, who groaned that she wasn't up for another argument. Devon swore that he'd just wanted to have a civil conversation the other day, and Amanda demanded to know what he'd expected from it.

Devon claimed that he'd just been trying to let Amanda know what she'd gotten herself into, but Amanda suspected that he'd shared stories about his wonderful wife to get her to let her guard down. Devon pointed out that Amanda had no actual legal documentation and that she'd never even seen her client, so he was trying to find out what she was after. Nate watched as Amanda accused Devon of wanting to hold onto the money. Devon barked that he was a reasonable man, but he had limits, and he stormed off.

Phyllis walked by, and Amanda apologized for not being more helpful earlier. Amanda thanked Phyllis for not going on about her resemblance to Hilary the way everyone else had, and Phyllis replied that she preferred to do the last thing anyone expected. Nate eavesdropped.

Theo entered the Grand Phoenix and asked Abby if she'd seen Summer. Abby reported that Summer had left a while earlier, and Theo wondered how Summer had seemed. Abby described Summer as being her usual snarky self, and she excused herself to take a call. Theo tried to call Summer but got voicemail, and he hung up. Nate ran into Abby, and she threw her arms around him and was glad to see a friendly face after everyone had been hostile toward her. Nate bemoaned that his day had been troubling, too.

Abby complained that people kept dumping on her because her father was alive, but Nate understood why people were upset. He pointed out that he'd gone against his ethics to save his patient's life because Victor had convinced him to play along, but it had just been a game to Victor and Adam. Nate contended that he had principles, and Abby was irritated at the implication that she didn't. She spat that she didn't want to compromise his principles any further, and she suggested that he leave before she dragged him down even more. Abby stepped to the bar, and Theo suggested that he and Abby grab a drink while he listened to her vent. She huffed that he was the last person she'd want to do that with, and she stalked off.

Nate approached Amanda at the elevator and inquired whether Yale had taught her how to stick it to the opposition by making things personal. Amanda defended that Devon had made it personal by approaching her, and she asserted that one of the first things she'd learned was that her job wasn't a popularity contest. She taunted that it was Nate's job to heal people, but he'd thrown his reputation out the window by lying to the public. She called him out on what it was like to have someone draw their own conclusions and then go on attack.

At Crimson Lights, Summer whined to Kyle about her earlier encounter with Abby. Kyle shared that Victor was back as Newman's CEO and that Victoria had learned the news from a reporter. Summer recognized that she wasn't happy with Victoria, but she'd never wish that on her aunt. Kyle confided that Billy had immediately tried to hire Victoria away from Newman, and Summer protested that Billy couldn't do that because he and Kyle ran Jabot together. Kyle relayed that Victoria wasn't ready to make a decision about her future, but Billy considered Kyle a neophyte and wanted to give Victoria Kyle's job.

Summer was sure that Jack wouldn't let Billy push Kyle out, but Kyle griped that Billy had been acting snide and superior. Kyle wasn't sure what it would mean for him or Summer if Victoria left Newman, and Summer encouraged Kyle to remind his dad of everything he'd done for the company. Kyle snarled that Billy had messed up royally when he'd been in charge, and it angered him that Jack still thought Billy was a better executive than Kyle was. Summer expected Jack to realize that Kyle was just as capable as Billy but without the issues. Kyle lamented that it might never happen, and Summer compared it to her feeling like an outsider because her family didn't trust her. Kyle put his hand over hers and said she deserved better, and she replied that he did, too.

Summer insisted that Kyle had nothing to be insecure about, since he was very gifted. He returned the compliment, but he wondered if they'd ever dazzle the business world before they were old and decrepit. She hoped Billy succeeded in getting Victoria to Jabot, since they'd see how indispensable Kyle was when they fell on their faces. Kyle and Summer agreed that they made a great team, and they thanked one another for the talk. Kyle departed, and Summer contemplated calling Theo. She picked up a napkin that Kyle had doodled the collective's logo on and looked thoughtful.

Kyle entered the kitchen at Society, and Lola called it perfect timing because she was about to wrap up. She inquired about his day, and he mused that whatever happened with his job or anything else, he could handle it. "As long as I have this," he added, and they kissed.

Billy and Victoria entered the Crimson Lights patio, and he apologized for putting her on the spot with Jack. He said he'd love to work with her again, but he had a feeling she didn't feel the same way. Victoria explained that hearing about her dad returning to the company from someone else had dredged up old stuff about Victor not valuing her as much as her brothers, and she admitted that Billy had made working at Jabot sound very attractive. She loved his enthusiasm, but she couldn't get caught up in it. Billy assumed that she wasn't in the right headspace to make a life-altering decision, and he agreed to support and love her, no matter what decision she made. They kissed and hugged.

In Las Vegas, Adam raked in the poker chips. "Deal me in," Phyllis commanded as she sat down at the table with a sly wink.