Monday, July 28, 2008, Episode #5364

Jarrett and the other reporters want answers from Donna.

The Forresters and the press are stunned by Donna's announcement that she will be running Forrester. Donna explains that she has Eric's power of attorney and is running the business the way he'd want until he recovers. Jarrett points out that Ridge, as lead designer, has the most experience at the company, but Donna corrects him that her sister Brooke has more experience actually running the business. She says she's just doing what Eric would want her to do. Thorne asks if she thinks his dad would want her to fire his kids. He would if they weren't acting in his best interests, Donna insists. Felicia charges, "You are out of your mind," but Donna brushes her off and says that her sister and nephew will help steer the company forward through this difficult time. The reporters have more questions, but Owen asks them to leave and tells them that they'll have to go through him if they want to talk to Donna. Jarrett tries to talk to Rick, who also tells Jarrett it's time to leave. Once the reporters are gone, the Forresters tell Donna that she'll destroy the company. Thorne tells her again that he's sure his dad didn't think she'd fire his kids. Donna fires back that Eric probably didn't think he'd be betrayed by his kids, either.

Ridge advises Donna to change her mind.

Felicia tries to rail at Donna, but Ridge stops her. Donna asks everyone but Brooke and Owen to leave, but the Forresters hold back for a moment. Brooke tries to reason with Donna; she agrees that Felicia was wrong, but she argues that the company still needs stability. Donna insists that Ridge, Thorne and Felicia are out. Ridge predicts that she'll find out when Eric wakes up who he's really mad it, and it won't be his kids. He advises Donna to change her mind, or she'll find herself out of Eric's life and his company for good.

An angry Pam confronts Donna.

Outside, Pam asks Rick what's going on. Rick tells her she wouldn't believe him if he told her. Pam assumes it has to do with Donna and asks what the "hot tamale" did now. Rick won't answer her, but then Ridge, Thorne and Felicia come out of the office and tell Pam that they just got fired. Felicia warns Pam to pack her bags, since Pam is probably next. Rick warns Pam not to do anything, but she ignores him and barges into the office. Brooke and Owen are offering Donna their respective opinions on her decision as Pam bursts through the door and asks Donna how she could do this to Eric's family when they're in so much pain. Donna tells Pam she could join her nephews and niece if she wants. Pam asks if Donna is firing her. Donna answers that she isn't, since she thinks Eric would want Pam to stay. However, since she has Owen up here to see to her needs, Donna informs Pam that she'll be working downstairs in general reception. Pam warns that Donna will never get away with this as Rick comes in and pulls her out. Brooke asks Owen for a moment alone with her sister, so Owen leaves.

Thorne asks Felicia what she was thinking by bribing Owen.

The Forrester siblings retreat to Brooke's house, where they learn that the news of their ouster has hit the Internet and the press. Ridge and Thorne ask Felicia what she was thinking trying to bribe a complete stranger. Felicia says she was trying to protect the family, since she knew their father would never tolerate infidelity. Thorne doubts Donna would be stupid enough to cheat on her meal ticket, and Ridge agrees that Felicia went too far. She tells them she was fighting for their family. "But your plan backfired," Ridge laments, "and Forrester Creations, our dad's legacy, is now in Donna's hands. God help us all." Felicia insists that she's sure Owen is the greedy sort, so she can only assume from his actions that he has another agenda, one a lot bigger than $200,000.

Owen gives Pam some advice.

Back at Forrester, Pam is fielding calls from the press while Rick walks by on his cell phone on his way to his office. Rick reminds Pam to send all calls from clients and buyers to him and then asks Owen to tell Donna that he needs to see her as soon as she's available, since he needs facts if he's going to contain the media frenzy. Owen says he'll let her know. Pam offers Owen one her lemon bars. Owen tries one and says that they're different from the ones his mom used to make. As he chews, he detects a flavor with a kick to it and asks if it's nutmeg. Pam praises that he's right about that, but not about who he associates with. She warns him to watch his back around Donna. Owen tells her to watch herself, too, since the smart thing to do is to avoid making an enemy of Donna.

Brooke tries to reason with Donna.

Inside, Brooke pleads with Donna to reconsider. While Brooke agrees that Felicia's actions were appalling, she points out that Ridge didn't do anything wrong. Donna asserts that Eric trusted her, but Brooke counters that Donna isn't capable of running Forrester the way Ridge can. This isn't the time of place to wage a war with Eric's children, Brooke advises. Donna says there won't be a war now that they're gone. Owen comes in with a pile of messages for Donna, including some from people who wanted to talk to Ridge. Donna tells him that she needs time to collect her thoughts before she calls anyone back. Brooke tells Donna that this doesn't have to be a war and urges her sister to focus on Eric and leave the company to her and Ridge. Donna insists that she can run this company with Brooke, Rick, Marcus and Owen on her side, but Brooke protests that she's being forced to choose sides. She knows what it's like to feel so vulnerable when facing the Forresters that you want to fight back, but she really hopes Donna can rise above those feelings of revenge. She's sure Ridge will come back if Donna admits she made a mistake, so she urges her sister to think about it. The sisters hug and exchange goodbyes before Brooke leaves.

Rick worries about the company's new status quo.

Outside, Brooke runs into Rick, who tells her that their buyers are freaking out. Brooke asks him to give Donna some time to think, since she really thinks Donna will soon see that she made a mistake and went too far. Meanwhile, back at Brooke's, the Forrester siblings anxiously wait for Brooke to call. They all pray that Donna will come to her senses and admit her mistakes before she runs their family business into the ground. Felicia insists that "Prima Donna" can do whatever she wants with their dad's power of attorney, but Ridge says there might be a way to stop her and storms out. Thorne and Felicia then realize that Ridge left his cell phone behind, so Thorne answers when it rings and finds Brooke on the line. Brooke informs them that she thinks she changed Donna's mind and wanted to give Ridge the good news. When Thorne tells her that Ridge left, Brooke asks him to have Ridge call her.