Wednesday, February 01, 2012, Episode #6251

Hope talks to Katie about Bill's lie.

Katie drops by the Forrester photo studio to see Hope, who is looking at old photos to find material for a reboot of Hope For The Future. Looking at one photo, Hope sighs that she feels like she's looking at old school pictures and recalling how unprepared she was for what life would throw at her. Katie sighs that she felt that way, too. Hope indicates that her mom is probably in her office, but Katie states that she's there to see Hope and asks her niece how much Brooke or Ridge know about Bill's deception. Hope explains that she didn't tell her mom or Ridge about Bill's big lie since she didn't see a need to subject Bill to public humiliation, but now she wonders if Katie has something else in mind. Katie supposes that Hope may have been hurt more than anyone by Bill's deception, but Hope states that she's not taking it personally since Bill doesn't really know her and may have actually thought Steffy was more worthy of being with Liam. Katie sighs that it doesn't matter what Bill thinks after the way he led Liam around like a rat in a maze.

Katie asks Hope about Liam's plans.

Katie asks Hope what Liam plans to do. Hope isn't sure, but she plans not to pressure Liam out of confidence that they'll eventually be together. Katie warns that you can never let your guard down around Bill since you don't know what he'll do next. Hope asks Katie if she talked to Bill. Katie admits she ducked some cell phone calls from her husband and didn't reply to a text telling her to come home since she doesn't know what to say. Hope asks Katie if her marriage is over. Katie supposes that there is something Bill could do to salvage things, but she honestly doesn't know what it is and doubts that Bill knows, either.

Bill doesn't take well to Liam's threats.

Bill arrives at the cliff house to find out why Liam didn't show up for work and finds his son packing some things. Liam explains that he called Alison to tell her he wouldn't be in today. Bill asks why Liam is packing since the title to the house is now in Liam's name; Liam explains that he packed some things for Steffy to pick up. Bill counters that Steffy won't need to pick anything up if Liam just calls her and asks her to come home. Tired of his dad's demands and criticism, Liam feels like he and Bill need to either redefine their relationship or end it. Bill reminds Liam that he doesn't respond well to threats and asks what he can say to make things right. Liam suggests they try a little role reversal. Bill bristles at the idea, fretting that he doesn't understand his son. Liam agrees and asks Bill if he has something to say. Bill says that he just wants to know what Liam plans to do and asks what Liam wants from him. Liam says that he wants less... as in less lying, less manipulating and less of Bill's poor attempts to make a man out of him, and if Bill can't handle that, he should leave until he finds some humility. Bill says he's sorry, but he feels like he's in quicksand and doesn't know how to get out. He tries again to convince Liam to work things out with Steffy, but Liam won't let his father control his life or decide what makes him happy anymore. Bill suggests that Liam has feelings for Steffy; Liam counters by suggesting that Bill does, too and firmly declares, "I'm not you!"

Liam tells off his dad.

When Liam balks at being treated like some project to be built into a replica of his father, Bill boasts that his own life doesn't suck, and neither does Liam's since finding his father. Liam doesn't see it that way given how Bill has a sister he barely speaks to, a wife who keeps walking out on him and a son who used to idolize him but now can't stand him. While he sees that Bill likes being surrounded by yes-men like Justin, he doesn't want or need any part of that. Seeing how Liam can't stand the sight of him, Bill recalls how his father had no use for him, guessing that his not having a father around gave him a screwed up sense of the world until Liam came until his life. When Bill praises him as the best thing in his life, Liam tells him to get a dog because he can't be that, and he urges his dad to get some ethics while he's at it to put some order in his messed up life. Bill asks Liam if he can eventually forgive him. Liam doesn't know because of all the lies that tarnished his image of Bill a a hero. Recalling how he used to want to be just like Bill (but with better manners), Liam opines, "You're not a genius, and you're not a giant. You're a rich man with a very tiny idea of what life is about." Worried that his dad is only generous when it benefits him, Liam states that even if he can forgive Bill, he can't forget what his father did.

Eric questions Stephanie's decision.

Ridge, Brooke and Stephanie call Eric and Rick to Ridge's office to wait for the latest sales figures. While they wait, Ridge announces that they know who the thief who stole from them is. Eric is eager to have the thief arrested until Stephanie reveals that it's Pam and declares that they can't press charges against her sister. Eric wants to know why Pam would steal from them, but Stephanie shrugs it off by telling them that Pam's not working there any longer and asking to leave it at that. Eric can't just let it lie, so Ridge and Brooke explain how Donna figured it out and confided in Brooke. When the sales figures arrive, Ridge shares that they lost more in status than in revenue, but he even with sales that are okay, he feels that they can't make any mistakes and need to make sure only their most trusted employees and clients get past reception. Right on cue, Amber barges in looking for Rick!

Brooke finds some information in the sales reports.

Ridge fumes that Amber's presence just proves his point. When Stephanie questions how she got past Madison, Amber admits that she thought she could slip in when Madison stepped away for a minute. Ridge refuses to conduct a meeting while Amber is there. Stephanie agrees, but Brooke blurts out that there's some encouraging news in the report that the designs Amber drafted for Rick are selling quite well. Ridge looks at the numbers and sees that based on these figures, Rick is actually outselling him!

Amber gets support from Rick.

Eric congratulates both Rick and Ridge, noting that Ridge was under a lot of pressure lately. Rick offers to do more designs, but Ridge tells him to drop Amber and they can talk. When Rick refuses, stating that he and Amber are a team, Brooke suggests that Amber work off site. Rick doesn't think Amber, a new mother, is going to steal from them, but Stephanie and Ridge still don't like the idea of her working there. Rick senses an executive decision coming up.

Ridge isn't pleased by Rick's attitude.

Once the others leave, Ridge talks one-on-one with Rick, stressing that Rick needs to remember who works for who around here. Rick recalls Ridge's statement about his designs that they'd "let the sales speak for themselves" and states that they have. Ridge stands by that, admitting that Rick did well but alluding that there may have been luck involved. He guesses that time will tell, and he's even willing to let Amber keep drafting if Rick's too desperate or inept to do it himself, but the one thing he won't tolerate is Rick's attitude. Rick scoffs at the remark, stating that he has as much right to be at the company his father founded, and in this office, as Ridge does, and maybe even more if they want to get technical about it. Ridge asks if that's referring to the fact that Rick is a Forrester by blood while he is... Rick cuts him off and says, "You, Ridge, are CEO... for now."