Thursday, May 22, 2008, Episode #5317

Katie looks for answers.

At the Marone mansion, Donna agonizes to Katie that Marcus might be the son she gave up for adoption years ago. Katie asks Donna where she gave birth. Donna says it was at St. Joseph's here in L.A., so Katie offers to call the hospital and do some digging. Donna realizes that she's late for some big meeting Eric called at Forrester and bolts out. Katie promises to call if she has any news. Katie then calls the Records Department at St. Joe's asking for any information she can get on a child who would have been put up for adoption, but she gets nowhere.

Ridge and Felicia show little respect for Donna...

Ridge, Brooke, Thorne, Felicia and Ashley are in Eric's office for the meeting. Ridge fumes when Brooke tells him that Rick won't be there. Felicia wants to get started, but Eric wants to wait for Donna. Eric's kids all question what value Donna brings to the company. Eric reminds them that Donna was responsible for his getting the company back from Nick Marone, but Ridge feels they need to focus on their profitability now that that they have control back. Brooke says that Donna can be part of that. When Thorne and Felicia poo-poo Donna's contribution, Brooke accuses them of taking their nasty pills. Eric tells everyone to stop and reminds them all that Donna is his wife, so he wants them to respect her. Donna finally arrives and apologizes for being late. While Brooke brings her sister up to speed on some agenda changes, Ridge, Thorne and Felicia all criticize Donna for being both late and unprepared. Eric starts to talk about the holiday line, but Ridge has to chime in that Donna, unlike either of her sisters or his mother, doesn't fit in here, since she's brought negative publicity to this company. Brooke reminds them that Donna inspired Eric's last collection, but Ridge counters that was just one collection. Fed up with his children's attitude, Eric orders them to give Donna the respect she deserves. "We are," Thorne snipes. Eric tells them that their mother's mistakes ended their marriage, but they disagree. Ridge reminds Eric how he got caught in the buff on the ledge outside Donna's window. Having had enough, Eric ends the meeting.

...and Thorne and Ashley agree.

Ridge, Brooke, Felicia, Thorne and Ashley gather in the other room to talk. Everyone but Brooke agrees that Donna has to go! Brooke accuses them of being unfair. Ashley thinks it's fair to expect their leader to show sound judgment. Brooke tells Ashley to pipe down, since she's not even family. Ash retorts that Ridge asked her to be here since she's head of the cosmetics division. Ridge tells them all to stay on topic, but Brooke sees the agenda as crucifying her sister. When Felicia suggests that Donna take Pam's place as receptionist, Brooke asks if they're going to be talking about Donna scrubbing floors or cleaning toilets next. Ridge says this is not a vendetta, but Brooke doesn't believe that. Ridge asks Brooke what Donna has to contribute to the company and suggests that maybe Rick has worn out his welcome, too. Brooke fumes at Ridge for attacking her family, but Felicia chimes in that the person who really belongs here is her mother - and she won't be answering to Donna!

Brooke is shocked at how her sister is being verbally abused.

Brooke is shocked at the verbal abuse that everyone, especially Ridge, is heaping on Donna. Ashley tells Brooke to think like a businessperson and not like Donna's sister, since she doesn't think Donna deserves the role Eric gave her. Ridge agrees that Brooke is being biased, but Brooke says she's just supporting her family, which happens to be under a great deal of stress. Ridge tells Brooke that she'll always have a place here, and so will Katie, but Donna will never fit in. Thorne and Felicia join their big brother in suggesting that their dad retire when he's on top to spend time with his new bride. Ridge asks Ashley what she thinks (like a division head has a say?). Ashley doesn't want to lose Eric's talent, but she doesn't think he's capable of leading the company. (Would you have backed your brother Jack if he ever said that about your late dad, Ash?). Ridge, Felicia and Thorne agree and point out that the name Logan isn't on the door. Brooke reminds them all that she's a Logan. Ridge tells her she's a Forrester, since she has three Forrester children, but Brooke tells him that his taking a stand against her family is taking one against her.

Eric tells Donna he has faith in her.

Back in his office, Eric tells Donna that he's fed up with his children acting like spoiled brats. Donna suggests that she back down for the good of the company, but Eric will not hear of it and tells her that he has complete faith in the woman he married. As they embrace, Marcus arrives to see Donna. When the receptionist comes in to tell Donna, Donna covers that it must be some temps she's interviewing to fill in for Katie and asks Eric if she can use his office. Eric has a meeting to get to, so he tells her to go right ahead. After Eric leaves, Donna invites Marcus in. Marcus admits that he didn't know if she'd see him. Donna thanks him for coming, since she was worried that she hurt his feelings the last time they spoke. Marcus asks if she was telling the truth when he said he couldn't be her son. Before Donna can answer, Katie calls with some news from her research and asks Donna to come right over. "We'll be right there," Donna says, leading Katie to wonder who "we" refers to. Donna hangs up and tells Marcus that they have things to discuss, but it can't be here. Marcus asks where he should meet her.

Marcus asks Donna his questions.

Soon after, Donna arrives at the Marone mansion. Katie informs her that the adoption records were sealed, but they can be released if both parties in the adoption agree. Marcus arrives, so Donna introduces him to Katie. Marcus tells them that he's sorry about the loss of their brother. He then asks Donna if she ever had a kid. Donna says she had her reasons not to play straight with him. Marcus asks if that's a yes or a no. Donna reveals that she had a baby that she gave up for adoption who would be about Marcus's age. She thought she would never see that baby again. Marcus says she might have thought otherwise had she not rushed him out of the mansion the other day.