Nick thanks Nate for meeting him at Society. Faith’s well and Moses is such a great kid. Dad’s health is great, Nick dispenses with the small talk to mention Ashland’s miraculous recovery – have you ever seen anything like it? No, it’s not common – Nate would love to see the protocol. Ashland’s condition has been an important subject in the family, Nick adds.
Vikki joins Ashland in the office. Victor just called to make threats against me, Ashland reports – I told him to do his best.
Seated at Adam’s desk at Newman Media, Victor grumbles to himself. You just made a big mistake Ashland Locke – no one threatens me or my family and gets away with it.
Babe, is that you? Abby calls out. Chance looks mildly annoyed as he jogs downstairs – he doesn’t want to talk about how his first therapy session went ~hug~
Upstairs, in Mariah and Tessa’s apartment, Faith alternates between wedding questions and questions about love. How did you guys know you were in love? Is the long distance thing a problem when Tessa goes on tour?
Noah brings a young lady into CL’s to order triple espressos. No, he’s not worried about caffeine keeping him up – he needs a boost before they hit the clubs. Sharon stifles her disapproval.
Introduced to Noah’s Mom, Cindy already heard so many good things and will come here for coffee from now on. You raised an amazing son – Noah has dreamy eyes. Cindy has a day job – but her passion is being an influencer. No, we didn’t go to school together – we just met today; how lucky is that? So lucky, Sharon agrees flatly.
Mariah shares the story of her ‘behaving badly’ and ‘losing her way’ – and how forgiving Tessa was. Relationships aren’t always easy. Faith isn’t sure love’s worth the risk of a broken heart.
If I don’t capitulate, Victor will expose my terrible crimes to you, Ashland’s been down this path before. How many times will they find out something that makes me a terrible monster? Vikki doesn’t understand why her Father’s taking this risk – there must be more going on.
Swearing Nate to secrecy, Nick confides that Ashland’s recovery might be too good to be true. He’s not questioning science – people are saying Ashland was never sick at all. Nate’s astounded – Ashland would have had to coerce numerous doctors to do wildly unethical things. Knowing Ashland as well as he does, Nate doesn’t believe it. Instead, he’d question whoever’s saying this – do they have any creditability? Enter Victor.
Maybe Victor planned to take control of my company and force me out, Ashland proposes. You think my Father’s not just buying this scam, you think he’s the one behind it? Vikki’s anger goes up a notch.
Everything alright? Victor interrupts the ‘serious’ conversation. Nate won’t believe it without proof. Ashland’s been treated by some excellent doctors. It’s a hoax, Victor assures – and will take Nate to Newman Media to see the proof.
Mariah and Tessa give Faith a lesson on love; how it’s worth the risk. Yes, Faith is asking with regards to Moses; the world makes sense when she’s with him.
Chance is sorry he’s being so quiet – today took a lot out of him. Abby doesn’t care about going out to dinner – she’s just glad he’s going to therapy; facing his trauma head on – for her and Dominic. A passionate kiss leads to sofa-sex.
Now at Newman Media to review some ‘proof’, Nate asks – do you even know that man in Peru is a doctor? And what about the lab in New York where Ashland’s cancer was diagnosed? Someone could be framing him. With all due respect, you two might be the ones being played, Nate suggests. There’s more damning evidence on the way, Victor has no doubt that Ashland’s a dangerous fraud.