Wednesday, April 01, 2009, Episode #5532

Ridge and Taylor hope James can help their son.

Ridge and Taylor return to his office after putting Thomas on a plane to go see James Warwick. Ridge wonders if they should call James again, but Taylor thinks it'll be fine, since James promised to be there for Thomas. Ridge is just glad that James offered to help Thomas. Taylor hopes that James can help their son. "How did we not know our son was in so much trouble?" she asks. Ridge comforts her with a hug.

Nick is surprised to learn that his mother hired Owen.

At Jackie M, Nick is surprised to learn that his mother hired Owen. He reminds Jackie that they agreed not to have any new hires until their financial status improves. Jackie explains that she finds Owen impressive, plus he's hardly costing them anything and she can use the help. She's confident that they'll turn things around financially in no time with Owen and Bridget on their team. Speaking of Bridget, Nick asks where "Madame X" is. Jackie informs him that she gave Bridget the day off to tell Eric about her recent career change. She spoke to Bridget earlier and learned that Eric took the news in stride and even tried to hire his daughter away from them, but Bridget explained why she wanted to stay put where she is and Eric understood. Nick thinks that's good for Eric, but Jackie thinks it's good for them, because they need Bridget.

Jackie explains the value of the Forrester name to Nick.

Mr. Williams from the bank stops by to see Nick and Jackie, since they haven't returned any of his calls. Jackie explains that they've been busy since their recent fashion show. Mr. Williams states that he was pleased when they made their last two loan payments on time, so he was surprised when they were late this month. Nick and Jackie ask for more time, since they expect to be the talk of the fashion world thanks to their new designer, Madame X, but Mr. Williams wonders if an unknown like Madame X can bring in the money they need. Jackie states that Madame X won't be an unknown for long, since they're about to reveal that Madame X is Bridget Forrester. Mr. Williams is impressed that they have Eric Forrester's daughter on staff and offers to bring that bit of news back to the loan review committee to buy them some time. After the banker leaves, Jackie marvels at the way doors just fly open at the mere mention of the Forrester name. Nick asks why the Forrester name makes a difference. Jackie thinks he'd know the answer if he wasn't so blinded by his hatred of Stephanie. Nick states that he doesn't hate Stephanie, but he doesn't like her much, either. Jackie points out that Eric and Stephanie spent half their lives building a company based on grace and charm and elegance. Listening to his mother, Nick gets distracted. Jackie asks if he's thinking about Katie, but Nick admits that he's actually thinking about Stephanie and her impact on the fashion industry. He has to admit that Stephanie is smart and savvy, and her clientele respects her. Jackie thinks he's right, and that's all the more reason to have their own Forrester designer; she feels that Stephanie brought class and consistency to Forrester Creations, and having their own Forrester designer can bring that feeling to Jackie M. She can't help but wonder what the future of Forrester will be like with Donna at Eric's right hand instead of Stephanie.

Stephanie fumes that Eric would support Rick and Steffy's relationship.

Stephanie comes into Eric's office and asks if he's heard that Rick and Steffy are engaged. Eric scoffs at the idea of an engagement, since it seems a bit fast for that to happen. Based on that response, Stephanie asks if that means he'll support that relationship. Eric says no at first, but in thinking about it, he really doesn't see a reason not to support it given that Ridge and Taylor might be doing just that to bring peace to the family. Since he wants peace in the family, too, he doesn't see what good it would do to tell Rick and Steffy what to feel. HE suggests that she follow Ridge's lead in trying to accept the situation instead of acting like a rumormonger. Just then, Donna comes to the door and purrs seductively about some seduction plans that involve her, Eric and a bottle of honey. Once Donna comes through the door completely, she's shocked to see Stephanie there. Stephanie tells Eric to come with her to talk to Ridge about the engagement, but Eric wants to spend time with his wife right now. Stephanie can't believe that he'd allow these sexual antics in the office and asks where his priorities are. Eric insists that his priorities are not the ones that need to be adjusted here. Stephanie disagrees, since she thinks he should be focusing on what's going on with his sons right now. Eric still doesn't see what's wrong about Rick and Steffy being together. Stephanie reminds him that Rick and Steffy share the same last name, but Eric reminds her that there's still no DNA shared among the kids, and she only has herself to blame for that since she lied to him about Ridge's paternity for years.

A fed-up Eric fires Stephanie!

Stephanie adamantly disagrees with Eric. She points out that the kids are too young to get married, and she also believes that Rick is only pursuing Steffy to stick it to Ridge, so she needs Eric to talk to Rick and put a stop to this. Eric reminds her that she doesn't tell him what to do anymore. Of course not, Stephanie sneers, since it's obviously more important to cavort with that slut he calls a wife instead of dealing with the issues in their family. Eric warns her not to talk about Donna that way, but she refuses. She fears that the style and elegance have been sucked out of this company, and she's not going to stand for it anymore. Eric is sick and tired of her calling all the shots, both in the company and the family, like she's the only one with a say. She always talks about HER family and HER accomplishments, because her father's money got this company started, but she never once acknowledges that all that money would have been useless without his designs. Stephanie argues that she was the one who took care of their everyday life so he was free to create, and she was the one who kept an air of respectability that made women want to wear his designs. Donna reminds Stephanie that Eric once sold the company to keep her out of jail, but Stephanie doesn't want to talk about it and wants to get back to Rick and Steffy. Fed up, Eric tells her to leave if that's the way she feels, because she's fired! It's clear to him that she doesn't want to be a partner and only wants to have control, so he's not going to stand here and fight with her over this when he has a wife who loves and supports him. Stephanie asks him not to act so rashly, but Eric has had it with her negativity and constant fits of anger. Stephanie laughs bitterly and walks out, telling him not to come knocking when he gets tired of dealing with Rick and all these Logans in the company, because she won't answer.

Donna assures Eric that he did the right thing.

After Stephanie leaves, Eric is clearly upset about what just happened. Donna tells him she's proud of him for standing up to Stephanie and assures him that he did the right thing, but Eric doesn't look convinced. Donna tells him that it's about time someone put Stephanie in her place after years of her criticizing their marriage, the Logan family and even Eric's own son. "It's going to be a much better place to work around here without Stephanie," Donna predicts.

Stephanie goes to see Ridge and tells him that Eric just fired her. Ridge can't believe that Eric would do something like that and offers to talk to his dad, but Stephanie tells him not to bother, because she doesn't want to be where she's not wanted. Ridge refuses to accept this, because she's half of Forrester Creations in his mind, but Stephanie doesn't see the point of fighting given that Eric is married to Donna now. She thinks it's time to just accept the reality of her situation and move on, especially since it's become increasingly clear to her that it's awkward for her to be around Eric these days. "Fashion's for the young, honey. My time has come and gone. I've worn out my welcome here," she declares.