Tuesday, May 1st

Copyright Toni's Spoiler Site. Not to be republished.

On the patio, Avery peppers Mike with questions about working for Victor. Encouraging her to take the job, Mike scurries out when getting a call from Jill; the SEC are looking for Lauren (who's missing).

In Victor's office, Lauren rants on behalf of the loyal Mike; who's given his life's blood to the 'irrational' Victor. And if he goes, so does she (from the NE board!). Lauren marching past him, Nick arrives to hear that she resigned - because Victor fired Mike (who's inaction cost the company millions).

With Eden at CL's, Kyle ignores Jack's call. So when's he going to tell his Dad he's working for his enemy? He didn't tell ME anything, Kyle responds.

Arriving - and spotting Kyle, Adam tells Chelsea who he is (poor guy's been jerked around by the Newman's/Abbott's as much as we have). Introductions going well - Kyle shaking Adam's hand - the ladies go for tea. Yeah - has time for coffee - <sarcasm>with the most popular guy in GC </sarcasm> why not?

Joining Cane at the office, Ashley updates that she's 'this close' to getting an up and coming designer to use Jabot products exclusively on his runway fashion debut (at Fashion Week in September). Wanting to wrap up the deal with Martin (before the competition hears of it), Cane's to meet with him tonight - in New York. Ash then gets a call from Tucker - who suspects 'Beauty's' avoiding him. Declining lunch, Ashley's in the middle of something - gotta go ~click~

Yeah? Tucker's clearly not happy to find Genevieve at his door - looking to pick up where they left off.

Back at Jabot, Cane's one night trip to New York is discussed. He feels badly about his mother derailing BofN. The problem wasn't entirely your mother, Ashley admits.

Over coffee, Genevieve complains to her 'silent partner' - about the SEC grilling her for 2 hours (on where she got the funds to buy BofN). The money was dirty, Tucker assumes. Genevieve considered it her settlement - it doesn't matter how Collin earned his money (as long as Tucker says HE gave her the money). She'll agree to whatever terms Tucker wants. Defrauding the government could result in millions in fines. It won't work - he bid on BofN too. Yes - Tucker's reneging (on their deal).

The SEC in one room, Jill and Mike quietly panic in the other. Suddenly guessing where Lauren went, Mike's on the phone - when she arrives at the mausoleum. The SEC agents introduce themselves - and explain they're there to interview members of NE board members (about the BofN sale). Mike and Jill exchange looks - when Lauren announces that she's no longer a member - she just resigned.

In Victor's office, Nick scolds his father. Reminding how Victor reacted to Nikki's arrest, how can he not understand Mike being there for Lauren? Victor stands his ground - Mike should have made the call. And who will replace him? On cue, Avery arrives. Victor hopes she accepted his offer - to become his lawyer.

Seated with the SEC, Lauren explains that she voted against Adam becoming CEO and the sale of BofN (though both went through). To her knowledge all bylaws were followed - the sale was by the book. The agents shown out, Lauren tells Jill that the sale was valid. Good - Jill hopes the feds put the screws to Victor. Lauren hopes he regrets firing Mike. He's already found a replacement, Mike updates.

Victor doesn't much care that Nick didn't look too happy to see Avery. Reviewing the 'tweaked' contract, Victor welcomes Avery aboard. And don't worry about Jack - once he learns Avery's working for him, Victor's sure he won't want her anywhere near his company.

Ashley visits Jack - needing to talk to her 'big bro'. Tucker's been lying again. She begged him not to pursue BofN - but he did. Tucker didn't even trust Ashley enough to confide that the 'falling out' with Sofia was a scam. Sometimes Ashley doesn't know who Tucker is. Worst of all, he doesn't understand that it's not OK to keep things from his wife.

You can't back out now, Genevieve reminds Tucker of his promise. Tucker never promised anything. You did, Genevieve hands over an aged photo - you told me you'd always be there for me. Remember that? Tucker sighs over the photo of two teenagers. We had big dreams - but promised to always be friends. Then you ran off with a rich crime lord - easier to marry a fortune than make one right? Genevieve never stopped thinking of Tucker. But how was he supposed to know that? She married Collin and never looked back.

Still at CL's, Kyle raves about working at NE. Jack will get over it. Adam's no fan of Jack's - and him being with Nikki is 'messed up' - but Victor's no prize either. Kyle knows Victor and his Mom had issues - but he's always been straight (with HIM). As Diane's friend, Adam knows she always put Kyle first. Jack's no great father - but neither's Victor. Oh well, maybe Kyle will have better luck than Adam did (with Victor).

Ashley continues to mope - Tucker warned her that he'd never been in a committed relationship before. He keeps his business and personal lives separate. Is she expecting too much? Is Ashley wrong to feel betrayed? Jack hates to say it - but Tucker's sounding like someone else she was married to (Victor).

Thanks to Mike not making one simple call, Victor's plan for BofN was blown to bits. Now the SEC is breathing down his neck. Avery's ideal solution is to void the original sale. BofN reverts to NE - it's the least messy outcome. A lot will depend on how Genevieve responds to the SEC's questions. Victor believes she used tainted money - but that's between the SEC and Genevieve.

Genevieve hopes the smart Tucker can come up with another solution - before she has to face the SEC again. Oh look - here's the pesky SEC agents now. Genevieve was just leaving (her business proposal isn't something McCall's interested in). Sorry to bother you, forcing a smile, Genevieve excuses herself and exits.

Tucker tells the same tale as Lauren. He didn't see anything illegal during NE board meetings. There was no discussion regarding Genevieve's funds - the board merely approved BofN's sale to the highest bidder. Arriving, Ashley's introduced to the agents (who on their way out, make a point of mentioning that Ms Atkinson was there when they arrived). Now alone, Ashley's happy to hear that Tucker told Genevieve he wasn't interested in BofN. With a hug, she's now up for that lunch date after all - UNTIL she spots the photo Genevieve left behind. We were friends as kids, Tucker reluctantly admits. You didn't think it 'mattered'!? Genevieve almost married her brother! Horrified, Ashley can't believe Tucker's been hiding this from her!

Her final doctor's appointment over, Chelsea sighs - it's like the baby never happened. And when Victor comes knocking at Adam's door - needing to speak to him privately, Chelsea leaves. Not there because he's pissed about Adam blabbing to Vikki (that he hired Chelsea) - Victor's there because the SEC is breathing down his neck. If Adam remembers leaning on someone - he could help Victor get BofN back (and be well compensated). Lie? Adam's now an ethical guy - who won't compound his sins. Think about it - Victor's sure he'll make the right decision. Seconds after Victor leaves, Adam gets a call - an SEC agent would like to speak to him. When and where?

A furious Genevieve's at Jack's - you son of a bitch - this is all your fault!

Arms folded, Ashley's near tears - more secrets - why does Tucker them over and over? For no reason? Tucker doesn't care who SHE was friends with as a kid. It WOULD matter - WOULD be important if they were involved in their lives NOW. Save it, she shrugs Tucker off to take a call from Cane. Ashley is now going to New York - I NEED to go (she stomps into the bedroom, leaving Tucker frowning).

So - the rumours are true, Nick bumps into Kyle at CL's ~hug~ How long's he staying? We'll see how it goes. Catching up over dinner sounds great. Kyle then updates that he's staying with (and working for) Victor. Nick's smile fades - when the SEC agents approach - needing to speak to him.

Genevieve made a mistake - tried to make it right - and now the SEC are all over her. Is this payback? Jack was wronged - if his compensation includes karmic justice, so be it. Isn't 'humiliating' Genevieve in Vegas payback enough? Backing out of the marriage was an act of 'decency' - and this is purely business, Jack claims. You won't get way with it, Genevieve hisses - then storms out when Avery arrives. I am SO done here! Jack concludes 'we have them on the ropes'. Actually - we need to talk about that, Avery puts a puzzled look on Jack's face.

Over tea, Mike's impressed that Lauren resigned from the NE board. Nobody messes with my man and gets away with it ~kiss~

As Ashley wheels her suitcase out of the bedroom, Tucker sputters that his stupid mistakes aren't meant to hurt her. Still on the verge of tears, Ashley IS hurt - and needs space. Ignoring Tucker's 'please don't go', she wheels her luggage out.

Done with the SEC (but with other things to do) Nick rejoins Kyle just long enough to offer assistance - if there's anything he needs (at the ranch or office). Eden then reappears to say how 'popular' Kyle is. He comments that his Mom was always looking for a rich guy to take care of them. Refusing to rely on others, Kyle vows to be in charge of his own destiny.

Such is life - Jack takes the news well - but hopes Avery knows what she's getting into; being the Black Knight's 'personal lackey' requires moral ambiguity. Avery will walk away if asked to break the law (though she doesn't mind bending it). Thanks - but with the SEC now involved, Jack doesn't think he'll even need a replacement attorney.

Chelsea returns to Adam's suite - and is proud that Adam refused to be rewarded for lying for Victor (remembering things the way he wants people to believe they happened). Neither of them will be manipulated by Dear Old Dad.

When Genevieve drops by his office, Victor claims they have a problem (or rather, her problem has become his). Genevieve assures they have nothing to worry about - she didn't talk - and Collin won't. The SEC has no proof. That's what worries Victor - Genevieve's even more naive than he thought she was.

After calling Lily with the good news (that he's not going out of town and will be home soon) - Cane gets a visit from the SEC agents (who're told that 'Ethan Atkinson' was another life). Flashing their badges, it's that other life the SEC are there to discuss.

Next: Where are we going? Kay asks. You'll find out when we get there, Murphy replies .... How did you handle the agents? Genevieve asks. You're asking if I told them anything? Cane responds (Lily at his side)... Mommy and Daddy are getting married again! Summer blurts out. What a surprise, Nikki forces a smile (Nick and Phyllis didn't expect the announcement either).

My Thoughts: If the phone call Mike failed to make was so important, why couldn't Victor pick up the phone and dial the digits himself? .... How many times can Victor repeat that the SEC is 'breathing down his neck'? Have they even talked to him? Those SEC agents sure get around - catching folks at the local coffee shop etc. Wonder how they got everyone's personal cell numbers .... Kyle's sure he's gonna 'love' working at Newman? Guess he won't be starting in the mailroom ... Kyle knows Victor and his Mom 'had issues'? There's an understatement ... Diane always put Kyle first? She used him as a pawn - signed him over to Victor just to piss off Jack ... Huh? Kyle's not gonna 'rely' on anyone? Certainly not 'rich guys' - like his mother did? That'd be commendable - IF he wasn't just handed a job and place to live by the richest guy in town ... ... Nice that Nick stood up for Mike - but I'm still not sure how Mike's failure to make a phone all cost Victor 'millions' ... Kinda odd that Genevieve would keep that photo all these years - then just leave it behind at Tucker's place ... Know what really makes me 'crazy'? Ashley manages to say with a straight face (which is kinda funny because of how many time's she's suffered bouts of mental instability - crashing parties cradling a blanket named 'Robert' - time spent in a mental health facility - Adam's 'gaslighting' that nearly driving her over the edge again etc.)