Friday, November 04, 2005, Episode #4675

At Spectra, Clarke delivers the grim news to Sally, Thorne and Darla that none of their inventory is moving from their warehouse. Thorne isn't surprised; he holds up the latest issue of Eye on Fashion, with the "Forrester Reunited" logo on the cover, as the reason for their poor sales. Sally laments that she made a mess of things; Ridge designed his heart out while Thomas suffered from a sophomore slump, and that combined with the news of Eric and Brooke's remarriage and their "Forrester Reunited" ad campaign to score a Forrester win. Still, even if they go belly up, she's sure they'll bounce back, as they have before. Thorne reminds her that, even if they don't bounce back, she still has some of the money he paid her, which will give her a nice nest egg to live on. He, however, gambled everything he had on Spectra. Now he has a wife and daughter to support, but he let them down. He wonders what kind of a husband and father that makes him.

Darla tries to reassure Thorne.

Thorne storms out. Darla follows to comfort him. He admits that he shouldn't have gone off on Sally, since he knew going in how she operates. He wonders if he was meant to be a success. Darla tells him not to talk that way; she knows thing look bleak, but it's not because he failed the company or his family. She reminds him of all the work he did to bring class to this place, and to give Sally and her staff a sense of accomplishment that they never had before. She states that he did that by being the wonderful, sweet, caring man that he is...the man that she fell in love with and will continue to love until she dies. If things don't work out at Spectra, she supposes, maybe it wasn't meant to be. And even if that's the case, she believes that his best days are ahead of him. He wonders how she can be so sure. She tells him it's because she has complete faith in him. She knows that he'll find his way, or it will find him, and maybe it will be sooner than he thinks.

Taylor is stunned by what she learns about Forrester.

At the Forrester mansion, Stephanie is making working with some charts and papers. She looks at the trust document and says that Forrester Creations is all hers. Massimo arrives and sees all the papers; she explains that she's going to shake things up at Forrester. Before she can say any more, Taylor arrives, glad to see that Stephanie hasn't left for Florida yet. Mass says that plans have changed, and he and Stephanie explain to Taylor about the trust. Taylor is amazed that Stephanie has owned Forrester from its inception, and she's also surprised that Eric would keep this from Stephanie for all these years. She can only imagine how Stephanie feels. Stephanie says that she feels betrayed in the worst way, but she plans to use this document to take control and make some changes. She promises Taylor that the children's trusts will all be straightened out in time, and she hopes Taylor will trust her about that. Taylor says that she will. Stephanie then explains that this document has given her a sense of purpose; she has a vision of taking Forrester back to the image of style and class it had in the past, and she wants Taylor to help her. Taylor agrees to help, since she thinks Brooke destroyed the image of the company. Stephanie thanks her: she knows that together, they can make Forrester a company to be proud of again.

Brooke is in her bedroom, looking at a photo of Nick and Bridget; she thinks about how Nick will be with Bridget, where he belongs; she knew that Nick could no more betray Bridget than she could. Even though she and Nick love each other, Brooke knows they can never be together. Just then, Brooke gets a call from Eric: he says that he's been at the office all night and needs her down there immediately.

Eric looks for a loophole.

After Eric hangs up, he turns to Jonathan and his team of attorneys, who are reviewing the trust document. Eric says that he won't let Stephanie take his company from him. Jonathan fears that he has no choice. The other attorneys agree; they've reviewed the documents and have spoken with the trustee, Katherine Chancellor. Since the trust has not been altered since its inception, these documents are binding. Eric asks Jonathan to find a loophole, but Jonathan fears there is none. In fact, he informs Eric, Stephanie could choose to bring criminal fraud charges against the two of them for concealing the trust, which means the two of them could end up in jail.

Ridge can't believe his mother would cut off her kids and grandkids.

Brooke arrives and asks Eric what's wrong. She wants to know why she saw Jonathan and the lawyers outside. Eric tells her about the trust, explaining how the trust gives Stephanie full control of the company. Brooke asks how that can be possible. She asks Eric if he knew about this. Eric tells her how he hid the documents in his safe for years, but now Stephanie knows about it and plans to use it to control the company. Brooke says that she doesn't care what Stephanie thinks this document means: as far as she's concerned, she and Eric are still co-CEO's. She tells him to get Jonathan; when Eric hesitates, she says she'll do it herself, but Eric says it's too late. Stephanie has control of this company and plans to use it to come after the two of them like never before. In fact, Stephanie already fired him. Brooke asks how Stephanie can fire him, when the company would be nothing without him. Without the two of them, Eric states, since she's given to the company as well, and that's their strength. They can't let Stephanie take it away from them. And from their children, Brooke says. Eric agrees: that's why he has Jonathan filling in Ridge right now, while Rick is on his way back from Milan. What about Bridget? Brooke asks. They agree that Bridget doesn't need the stress of this. Ridge walks in and asks what's going on. Eric explains to Ridge about what Grandpa Douglas did, and what Stephanie plans to do with the control she now has. He thinks that it's important for the three of them and Rick to put up a united front not to let Stephanie change anything. Ridge doesn't think his mother would take away the legacy from her children and grandchildren. He thinks Stephanie just has to calm down so they can work this out.

Rick offers support for his mother.

Soon after, Rick arrives. Eric quickly explains to his youngest son how they have to get ready to do battle. Ridge wonders if Eric is being a bit melodramatic. Eric thinks that Stephanie is acting that way; Rick is not all that surprised, as he knew Stephanie would do something to stir things up after his parents remarried. Brooke tells them that Stephanie has already fired Eric. Ridge can't believe it. Eric thinks it was in the heat of the moment, but it shows how unpredictable Stephanie is right now. That's why they have to present a united front, to show her that she can't use Forrester as a weapon in her vendetta against Brooke or as a way to get back at them for their marriage.

At the mansion, Massimo tells Stephanie that she was right: Eric has gathered Brooke, Ridge and Rick at Forrester. Stephanie says that this is her chance to explain about her planned changes for the company, so she asks Taylor to come with her to watch.

Massimo helps Stephanie assert her rights.

As Brooke and Eric agree to present a united front, Stephanie, Massimo and Taylor arrive. Ridge asks Taylor why she's here; Stephanie says Taylor is with her. Eric asks Stephanie and company to wait outside his office while they wrap up a meeting, but Massimo points out that it's Stephanie's office. Eric says that she may have some old document now, but that doesn't give her the right to push the members of this family around and make changes. Stephanie greets Rick and asks if his father has explained what's happening. He said that she's trying to challenge the family for ownership of the company?. That's not quite right, she says, explaining how Eric hid the knowledge of who really owned Forrester from her throughout their marriage. Eric reminds her that Forrester is made up of the accomplishments of the four people she sees in front of her, people who won't accept any change. Stephanie says that the way Eric hides behind his bride and children shows how far off base Forrester has gone over the years. That's why she wants to take Forrester back to what it was. She'd like Rick to stay at Forrester International and for Ridge to stay as head designer. But as for Rick's parents... Brooke says that she and Eric are co-CEO's. Stephanie counters that she fired Eric yesterday, and is doing the same for Brooke, effective today. Brooke says Stephanie can't do that, but Massimo says she can. Stephanie then says that she wants to take Forrester back to what it was before Brooke and her smut came along.