Thursday, July 24, 2008, Episode #5362

Family attorney Gloria has bad news for Ridge.

Ridge meets with the family attorney, Gloria, to discuss the papers she drew up to transfer ownership of Forrester to him and Brooke. He tells her that Eric agreed to turn over the company but got sick before he could sign the papers, and now Donna is claiming to have power of attorney and wants to block the transfer. Gloria confirms that Eric recently asked to give Donna full power of attorney as a sign of his trust in her. Ridge asks if there's anything he can do about the transfer. "Hope and pray your father makes it through this crisis," Gloria advises.

Ridge tells Brooke that Donna plans to block the ownership transfer.

Brooke drops by Ridge's office after seeing Eric and reports that Eric seems to know they're there for him, even in his comatose state. Ridge says he felt the same way when he was there earlier. Brooke says that she heard that Donna was also there earlier. Ridge confirms that she was and admits that Donna is as worried about Eric as they are. Brooke is touched that he realizes that and thanks him. Ridge cautions that he still has other issues with Donna, since Donna is trying to block them from taking over the company by exercising a power of attorney that Eric left her. Brooke asks why Donna would do that, since Eric agreed to the transfer. Ridge tells her that Donna claims Eric changed his mind, and he's not sure whether to believe her or not. All he knows is that the company is in a downward spiral, but he's sure he and Brooke can turn things around if given the chance. Brooke offers to talk to Donna to try to make her understand what's happening. Ridge hopes he can do that, since what they're doing is best for everyone.

Owen tries to reassure Donna.

In Eric's office, Donna tells Owen how shocked Ridge was when she revealed that she holds Eric's power of attorney. She knows Ridge has some control over the company now as its president, but she's not about to transfer ownership until Eric recovers. Owen assures her that Eric is a fighter who will pull through this medical crisis and come back to her. Donna thanks Owen for everything he's done for her, telling him that she couldn't have done this without him. Owen pauses with a guilty look on his face. Donna senses something's bothering him and teases that he must be too modest to accept compliments. Owen starts to say that there's something he has to tell her, but before he can get it out, Brooke comes in. Donna introduces her big sister to her new assistant, who Brooke recalls from the pool party. Owen offers to give them a chance to talk privately and leaves.

Felicia scolds Owen for not doing the job he was paid for.

Out in the hall, Owen runs into Felicia and tells her how sorry he was to hear about Eric's heart attack. Felicia fires back that her father might not even have had a heart attack had she found someone to break her father and Donna up like Owen was supposed to. Owen tells her that it was hard to walk away from $200 grand, but he couldn't do what she wanted once he saw how much Donna loves Eric. Felicia tells him to wait and see about that, since she's not through with Donna. Felicia then drops in to see Ridge, who is on the phone with Stephanie telling her to hang in there. As Ridge ends the call, Felicia asks if he told their mother that he and Brooke are taking over the company. Ridge says he hasn't, since the timing isn't right, and the transfer might not even happen anyway as things stand now. Felicia asks what he means, so Ridge tells her that Donna holds their father's power of attorney and is trying to block the transfer of ownership.

Brooke tries to reason with her sister.

Back in Eric's office, Brooke tells Donna to have faith and urges her sister to remember that she's not going through this alone. Brooke hugs Donna, who wants to get back to the hospital, but Brooke asks if they could talk before Donna leaves. Donna doesn't want to talk about the ownership issues, but Brooke thinks that Eric would have wanted them to discuss it. Donna tells Brooke that she and Eric talked right after Eric met with Ridge, and Eric changed his mind about turning the company over. That's why she thinks it will be devastating for Eric to wake up and find out that his company is no longer his. Brooke thinks Eric won't be ready to go back to work immediately as he'll need time to recuperate, which means that Forrester will need someone strong in charge if it's going to survive. Donna asks Brooke to please understand that she doesn't want to repay Eric's love and faith in her by letting him down. Outside, Owen eavesdrops on the conversation. Brooke says that she understands that Donna just wants to do right by Eric, but she really thinks the best thing for the company is for her and Ridge to run it, at least until Eric recovers. She even suggests that Eric's kids might see Donna in a new light if she does this. Donna doesn't know if she trusts Eric's kids. Brooke tells her she can and urges her to let the ownership transfer happen, giving Eric a chance to recuperate. Donna agrees to take the "leap of faith" Brooke's asking for since it will let Donna focus on Eric completely. Brooke thanks her and tells her she's doing the right thing. Outside, Owen looks concerned.

Brooke returns to Ridge's office and tells him that Donna agreed to sign the papers. Ridge is thrilled and tells Brooke that she's a miracle worker. He thinks they'll make Eric proud and predicts that Eric will wake up from that coma to comeback to a company that is stronger than ever. After Brooke confirms that Donna is ready to sign the papers today, Ridge wonders how he can repay Brooke. She tells him she can think of a few ways and she starts to unbutton his shirt. They start to kiss and make their way to the couch where they make love.