Wednesday, August 29, 2007, Episode #5135

Stephanie objects to Donna's request.

At Forrester Originals, Eric, Stephanie and Thorne check out some models wearing Eric's latest designs. As they debate changes and marketing ideas for the new collection, Donna comes in. Stephanie immediately wants to throw the spokesmodel for their competition out, but Eric and Thorne tell her to stop. Stephanie scoffs at the chances of Forrester Creations beating them on the runway, anyway, given the buzz about Clarke's weak designs and Brooke being AWOL. Donna admits she's concerned about her sister but gets to the reason for her visit and hands Eric and Stephanie a mock-up wedding invitation for a wedding Donna wants to take place at the Forrester mansion! "Absolutely not!" Stephanie protests. Thorne asks Donna what happened to their plans to get married at the Country Club. Donna tells him that she thought a small, intimate wedding would be more meaningful. Stephanie again raises her objections, but Eric has no problem with his son getting married at the family home.

Thorne and Donna want to get married next week.

Eric notices that the invitation didn't have a date filled in. That's because they haven't picked one yet, Donna explains. Thorne opts to get married next week, which even further upsets Stephanie. Thorne reminds his mom that she's pulled together weddings for Ridge in less time, but Stephanie thinks that's beside the point. Donna asks Thorne if he really wants to get married next week. "If you're up for the challenge, yes," he confirms. Then it's settled, Eric states. Stephanie, however, doesn't think anything is settled and tries to tell Thorne that Donna doesn't love him. Donna turns on the waterworks, sobbing to Thorne that Stephanie will never accept their relationship. Stephanie balks at the Oscar-winning performance and insists that this wedding won't happen, especially not in her home. Eric reminds her that it's his home, too, and he's fine with the wedding taking place there. He reminds them that they all have work to do, so he suggests they stop this bickering and get back to work. Donna hugs Thorne, looking at a fuming Stephanie over Thorne's shoulder.

Storm and Jackie plot strategy.

At Forrester Creations, Nick, Jackie and Storm try to come up with an angle they can use to combat the Forresters' dominance on the runway. While they're talking, Brooke calls to apologize for not being in the office lately. Nick tells her to take care of herself and not worry about them. Hanging up the phone, Nick fumes at what Ridge has put Brooke through lately. Storm agrees, pointing out that he's been splitting his time between Forrester Creations and Brooke's plight as best as he can. Nick tells Storm to focus on Brooke, but Jackie thinks they can't afford that with the Forrester Originals name being promoted all over town around this new collection. She laments that you hardly hear the word "Creations" after the Forrester name in the press these days. Jackie's comment gives Nick an idea. He reminds Storm and Jackie that the Forresters sold him the rights to the Forrester name when they sold him their company. He didn't sue when Eric christened the Forresters' new company "Forrester Originals" because he knew that would just draw attention to Eric's new venture, which was financed by all the members of the family borrowing against their personal assets. Given the Forresters' current financial situation, with all their assets leveraged, Nick wonders if they could still get an injunction against Eric selling clothes with the Forrester name on them.

Nick thinks he has the answer he needs.

As Storm considers the idea, Meriah buzzes Nick to tell him that Eric Forrester is on the phone. Nick takes the call and puts it on speakerphone, so Jackie and Storm can hear the call from Eric. Nick asks Eric what he can do for Eric. Eric thinks it's more of a case of what he can do for Nick; he explains that he heard the buzz about the state of the latest collection from Forrester Creations, so he's more confident than ever that Nick can't compete with the line Eric has designed. That's why he wants to offer Nick the chance to bow out gracefully by selling Forrester Creations back to the Forrester family. "Chalk it up to lessons learned," Eric suggests. Upset with Eric's arrogance, Nick states that he's never been one to abandon ship, even if the boat is sinking. He points out that Eric has underestimated him before, and with the new company mortgaged to the hilt... Eric says that won't be a concern when the new line debuts. "There's only room in the fashion business for one Forrester," Eric says, willing to let the customers decide. "May the best Forrester win," Nick retorts as he hangs up the phone.

Bridget is surprised to learn that her mom told Ridge about the rape.

Bridget arrives at Brooke's house with her suitcase, having covered her shifts at the hospital so she can stay here with her mom for a few days. Brooke thanks her daughter for the support, but she thinks things might be better since Ridge stopped by. "I told him everything," Brooke explains, pointing out how loving and caring Ridge was once he found out about the rape. Brooke admits that she feels relieved now. Bridget asks where Ridge is. Brooke explains that he went to find Andy. Bridget wonders if that's wise given how dangerous Andy is, but Brooke points out that there was no stopping Ridge once he found out what Andy did. At least she doesn't have to worry about the kids now, since Ridge assured her that no one would take her children away from her now. Bridget is pleased to hear that Ridge is finally making the right decision. And he's not the only one, Brooke adds, since she's decided to go to the police and report the rape. She can't let Andy do this to some other woman, she explains. She knows she let Andy control her, and she also knows she was wrong to wash away the evidence and not to call the police immediately. She refuses to be a victim anymore, to Andy or to Stephanie.

Brooke refuses to be a victim anymore.

As Brooke has something to eat, Brooke still regrets trying to keep her rape a secret. Bridget tells her that's a very human reaction, and she thinks there's still enough that a good prosecutor can work with to put Andy behind bars. She promises to stand by her mom every step of the way. Brooke picks up the bird cage Andy brought her, thinking about how either Ridge or the police will soon find Andy. "When they do," she declares, "I will make him pay. I will destroy him, the same way tried to destroy me!" She then takes the bird cage and smashes it against the ground, screaming as she breaks it into tiny pieces. As Bridget cleans up the mess, Brooke apologizes; it's just that she was so shaken when Stephanie came by earlier and showed her Ridge's signature on that custody agreement. Ridge told her he did that after seeing the picture of her and Andy in the paper. She laments that Stephanie always finds a way to humiliate her.

Ridge corners Andy.

At Cafe Russe, Andy sees Ridge and bolts from the restaurant. He tries to get to the elevator, but when there are too many people around, he goes for the stairs and runs up to the roof. Ridge follows right behind, confronting the cowardly rapist on the roof. Andy tries to play dumb, but Ridge is sure Andy knows exactly who he is. Ridge admits that he'd love to strangle Andy and toss him off this roof; Andy taunts that he thought throwing men off boats was more Ridge's style, warning the designer not to play hero. Ridge vows to make Andy pay for what he did to Brooke by seeing Andy behind bars. "Go ahead and nail me. It'll be the worst mistake of your life," Andy boasts, warning that he won't be the only one who pays if he gets arrested. Ridge refuses to back down, pointing out that Andy's threats to Brooke about the kids won't hold water any longer. Andy laughs at how Ridge thinks he has all this control in his perfect little Forrester world where nothing bad happens. He knows how the Forresters slide away from trouble all the time, but it's not going to happen this time, since he's got the ammunition to blow Ridge's world apart.