Bumping into Jack at CL's, Phyllis assures him that she's 'just great' - ending her marriage is the right decision - a relief. She no longer wakes up wondering if her hubby's gonna run off with Sharon. Jack's pleased - so, what's next? Phyllis will focus on her kids - and see what new adventures her future holds. As Summer's confused, Phyllis thinks it a good idea that she's spending more time at camp. Daniel's another story (Phyllis shows off the cover of RS).

Daniel meets Abby at the club - this better be important. He isn't at all excited about meeting a Hollywood producer (and refuses to be part of her reality show that doesn't even exist). Well, Kent wanted to see Abby (thanks to their RS cover). Greeting Kent with air kisses, Abby introduces Daniel ('the pool guy'). So? When do we film our first episode? Abby wonders.

At the mausoleum, Jill's on the phone with Morgan - the lawyer who's put her lawsuit in motion. Hanging up, Jill salivates - she can't wait to see the look on Lauren's face.

Doing brisk business at the boutique, Lauren approaches a 'customer' - and finds herself 'served'. That bitch! Lauren gapes at the paperwork.

Waiting for Tucker (at a table at the club), Neil and Kay are instead joined by Sophia Dupuis (from McCall's 'team'). She's not there to take notes - she's handling the meeting. Neil and Kay aren't impressed - what could be so important that Tucker isn't coming?

At the ranch's front door, Ashley preps Tucker on dealing with TGVN. But we have leverage, Tucker reminds. Victor has an illegal exclusive on the Japanese cosmetics market (even if his investigation found no proof). No threats, Ashley warns (worried that 'it' won't work).

Inside, Victor hangs up with his fiance, then welcomes Ashley and Tucker in - well, I'll be damned. And what's the displeasure of their company? Tucker and Ashley whine about not being able to get Jabot on the shelves - because HE has a monopoly on the largest Japanese department chain. They then accuse Victor of bribing Japanese officials - whether that stays a secret is up to HIM.

Back at CL's, Phyllis blames herself (and her distraction) for Daniel's dilemma. Jack thinks him a terrific kid - he's gotta pay the rent. Is the problem Abby? Well, yeah - she may be Jack's niece (but doesn't exactly make a mother feel warm and fuzzy).

Meanwhile, Abby blathers on until Kent finally shuts her up (to way there won't be any pilot - without a backer - or money). Abby's awesome - and WILL come up with money (she got him that expensive necklace, didn't she?). Abby's further annoyed to hear that Kent's heading off to work on another project (and after he leaves, rants to Daniel about her parents not coughing up her friggin' money).

Cue the eerie music - how dare Tucker accuse Victor of bribery - he's building a few offices in Tokyo. How could Ashley stoop so low? It's 'business'. Though Tucker's sure it's a cover up, he has no proof - yet. C'mon - open up the market for Jabot. Victor threatens to sue Tucker for defamation (if he goes public) - and once Tucker obediently 'shows himself out', Victor reminds Ashley what Tucker did to his mother. Now, have a good day.

At the club, Neil and Kay acknowledge that CI has had some issues (with Tucker's takeover -and investigation by the Dept. of Justice). Sophia's well aware - let's move along. Neil then talks of CI's stability and quality - but the image needs 'tweaking'. The US budget can stay the same - but Asia and Europe need increases. Sophia hates to be blunt, but 'call me Neil' is 'completely off the mark'.

Yes, Sophia's read Neil's report - and unimpressed with the advertising and marketing, proposes fresh perspective (and young blood) to keep the company relevant. As such, she plans to cut the staff by 30% - invite bids from contemporary ad companies. An old gal herself, Kay protests - and is told to 'just read the report'. Kay's old and weary eyes will read every word. Neil's now left to demand the busy Sophia discuss matters right now.

Meeting his Mom at CL's, Daniel apologizes for being late. Poor Abby's upset about her no-go reality show. The RS cover? He was just helping out. Billy and Malcolm chose the most conservative shot. Letting it slip about the poolside video, Jack beats a hasty retreat - leaving Phyllis to ask - WHAT video????

At the ranch, Abby is SOOO 'pissed off'. Victor scolds her on her language - then confirms that he and Ashley are angry over the her cover (in that 'idiot's' sleazy magazine). Abby whines about her parents ruining her career (as the next 'it' girl). Victor feels he saved Abby (and the family) from humiliation. If she wants her trust fund, Abby better find a better investment (and prove she's grown up).

Jill almost seems to have expected Lauren to make a beeline for the mausoleum. That was fast - Lauren must have ran every red light. Having read their father's will, Jill thinks her lawsuit will be a 'slam dunk'.

Over Daniel's protest, Phyllis watches enough of the sex tape to flip out (knowing it was the night before she and Nikki found them at the pool). Abby videoed it? Now, the RS cover!? Going from Amber - to Abby (the poster child for exhibitionist)!? Nick's little sister!? Victor will freak. Oh, Daniel finds this funny? Phyllis knows all about girls like Abby - who use men. Mother and son argue at CL's - then argue about who's embarrassing who.

Victor's unimpressed with Abby's career (of being naked). Quit this 'save the animals' nonsense. Victor worked for his money. Abby scoffs at the idea that Victor walked 20 miles in snow to get to school. That hits a nerve with Victor - do NOT disparage his tough childhood. Vikki and Nick hardly blazed their own trails, Abby snarls - and has Victor ever met a Newman that DIDN'T feel 'entitled'. Victor's a proud Dad - there's a bit of Newman inside Abby isn't there? They'll discuss her career and trust fund - AFTER Abby proves she's grown up.

Ashley pays Jack a visit at home - needing help and advice (on buying Beauty of Nature - merging it with Jabot). How to do it? Pry it from Victor's cold, dead hands, Jack quips. But wait just a minute - Jack wants Tucker to come over (as he has a proposition for him).

Still at the mausoleum, Lauren can't believe that Jill's hinging her entire lawsuit on the phrase 'to any and all my living heirs'. It's proof of my birthright, Jill insists. It's NOT all about money - it's about being recognized for who Jill IS. Yeah, a greedy opportunist, Lauren snarls. Arriving, Kay sends both women 'back to your corners' (so they can listen to HER).

The diplomatic Kay sees both sides - but Jill's lawsuit is making a difficult situation worse. Jill feels she HAD to - Lauren won't consider her family. When Lauren retaliates, Kay shuts them both up again. Jill was grieving over Liz - and feeling 'robbed', she's been searching for her bio parents for years. That said, Kay feels Jill's being overzealous. Lauren needs time to absorb her father's secret. Both thank Kay - but told they need to sit down and discuss it rationally, the sisters glare angrily at one another.

Hanging up after playing tough business woman, Sophia apologizes for 'upstaging' Neil (who chuckles - and wonders exactly what her 'role' is with McCall Unlimited). Tucker's 'right hand'? Neil thinks her more his 'hatchet woman'. Snarling that Tucker does his OWN dirty work, Sophia marches out,

Jack informs Ashley and Tucker that he wants to be Jabot's co CEO (alongside Ashley). Jabot's in his blood after all. When Tucker doubts Victor's 'bitter rival', Jack reminds that he and Brad ran NE for a while. If he can't pull it off, Tucker loses nothing - but if he can, do they have a deal? They sure do.

As Kay continues to play mediator, Jill refuses the drop her lawsuit unless Lauren agrees to a settlement. Kay also reminds Jill that she wanted a sister. Lauren will NEVER accept Jill (who her father never mentioned or searched for). In tears, Jill warns that her lawyer will tear Lauren to shreds. Oh yeah? Perhaps Jill's forgetting who Lauren's husband is (and what a great track record he has). As Lauren slams out, Jill clip clops upstairs (leaving Kay to sigh and shrug to the heavens).

Back at CL's, Daniel defends the smart and fearless Abby. He IS focusing on his art career - the RS cover inspired a call from a gallery owner. Abby will NOT bring him down - there's a lot more to her than people realize. Frustrated, Phyllis' forehead drops into her palm.

Ashley's relieved to hear that Abby's reality show's been dropped (but knows she blames them). She'll come around, Victor assures.

With her supportive Uncle Jack, Abby finally gets some sympathy - but assures she WILL make it happen. She hates the idea - but will sell Brad's house to fund her dream. But wait, it's Jack's day for bright ideas - and he may have another way.

Neil's surprised to bump into the oh so busy Tucker at CL's. Chided for sending Sophia in his place, Tucker claims to have full confidence in the woman who's authorized to speak for him. And with Tucker now devoted to Jabot, Neil better get used to dealing with her.

Malcolm's working at RS when Sophia sashays in to surprise him (knowing her fiance loves surprises). Miss me? ~kiss~

Daniel's not getting serious with Abby - he's enjoying his freedom. Phyllis is too - but no, mother and son won't be 'cruising' bars together anytime soon. Phyllis then confides she's going back to work - not at NE - or RS - but at Jabot. No, Jack doesn't now - Phyllis plans to approach Ashley.

At the club, Victor and Ashley discuss their rebellious daughter (who's a tad more rebellious than Nick and Vikki ever were). Victor's confident that Abby will snap out of it and 'come back to the fold'. She could cause a whole lotta grief first, Ashley sighs.

Meanwhile, Jack shares his plan with Abby. Brad owned stock in NE (which she inherited) - she also owns as much NE stock as Vikki and Nick do. Stock = power. Leverage it and Abby can do whatever she wants.

Next: Vikki curls her lip at Victor - you don't like the way I do business? Do your own dirty work Dad ... Nick curls his lip too (at a smirking Adam) - Play time's over Sport - I'm gonna see to it that you go back to jail ... Abby confronts her father - as the second largest shareholder, I have the power to get my show produced.

My Thoughts: Victor claims that Abby 'exposed herself' on the cover of RS? He's angrier over the tame headshots than he was when a teenage Vikki did a centerfold in a nudie magazine .. Not that I enjoy defending Abby - but she's hardly the most 'embarassing' thing about the Newman family ..... Neil's a real asset to CI alright - in fact, he put the 'ass' in 'asset' ... Nice to see a regular sized woman in GC - an African American WOMAN in a top level executive job too. What ARE the chances that Neil's irritation towards Sophia will give way to romance? ... Tucker's still under investigation by the Department of Justice? So, why is he accusing Victor of bribery? ... Odd that this investigation (that Jill and Billy were so excited about) hasn't effected Tucker at all (and that the media's shown absolutely no interest) ... So what if Victor has a monopoly on Japan's largest department store chain? If Jabot's products were any good, customers would purchase them from the second largest chain (or Tucker could start a new chain of department stores) .... If Fenmore's summer shoe sale is so great that women fly in from NY, why aren't there any shoes in the boutique? ... Victor's in such a good mood that the staff's becoming 'suspicious'? (due to his engagement to Nikki)? Like being a billionaire alone isn't enough to put a smile on one's face? .... Nice that Phyllis is settling into her new place? But what does she have to 'settle'? The place was fully furnished. Other than sanitizing and de-Bardwelling the place, Phyllis only needed to put her clothes away) .... Jill and Lauren sisters? Yeah - I see the resemblance. Both played bitch-on-wheels with gusto today. Jill IS definitely in the wrong (if only in the way she's going about things) - BUT - deep down - it's NOT about the money - Jill is obviously deeply hurt by Lauren's rejection (and lashing out the only way she knows how) In the 11th hour, I'm guessing that Jill and Lauren will forge a sisterly bond (hopefully not with one of em needing a kidney). Why yes Lauren - we all know about your husband's 'record' - his track record AND criminal record ..... I assume you've seen this, Phyllis shows Jack the latest copy of RS. Of COURSE he has - everyone in town reads it (plus it IS his former magazine - now published by his brother) But does Jack really think that Daniel did the cover to pay his rent? Daniel didn't even get paid ... If Abby feels so 'close' to Brad and Colleen in his former home, why is she never there? .... Huh? Phyllis is 'relieved' that her marriage is over? What happened to the Mrs Newman who would do 'anything' to keep her family together (including begging)? Why does Phyllis think Billy'd hire her back at RS? And why does she think she has a shot at working at Jabot? Is Kevin still CI's IT department head? Will he be Phyllis' boss? ... That (slamming it shut) can't be good for your laptop Phyllis (though I can't imagine why she brought her laptop along to the coffee house - it's not like she's working on a project ... Phyllis can't work at NE because she'd be running into Nick? Doesn't she think she might run into him at CL's? ... Phyllis is gonna focus on her daughter - so sends her off the camp? Cause she needs her friends right now? ... There's a lot more to Abby than people realize? Like WHAT? .... Introduced to Daniel Romalotti, Kent recognizes him as the 'pool guy' - but doesn't wonder if he's the son of International famous pop star Danny Romalotti? Funny that Kent recognized Daniel - but Abby's fans couldn't (without checking out his butt) ... 'When Sophia speaks', she speaks for Tucker? She never has anything to say for herself? OK - so I can see her and Malcolm as a couple - but without Malcolm ... Victor's security called to announce Meggie's arrival - but didn't call head to let him know that Tucker and Ashley were visiting?