In the lounge, Billy leaves a message for Jack, assuming he’s busy doing damage control after Victor and Adam’s ‘gut punch’ story. Sally joins him to say ‘we did it’. Yes, we make quite the team.
Coming home with Diane and Kyle, Jack’s on his phone – any rumours of Jabot’s demise are wrong – we’re restructuring, we’re thriving – you can quote me on that. Wondering how Victor knew what they were up to, Jack can’t sugar coat it – this may be the end of us.
At CL’s, Phyllis agrees – the night was full of surprises. Daniel worries how Jabot tanking will affect Summer. How could Jabot fall apart so fast? He wonders if his Mom has any ideas about that.
At the ranch, Adam reports a record number of hits on Newman Media – it’s a real triumph. You don’t seem very triumphant, Victor observes – then reiterates that Jack brought this on himself – there’s no reason to feel remorse. Chelsea arrives to coldly ask why she wasn’t told this was happening.
Your guess is as good as mine (Phyllis has no idea why Jabot’s tanking) She’s surprised Jack turned his back on her and walked away without telling her anything. This isn’t about you, Daniel understands why Jack might not want to confide in her.
* Apologies dear readers. I spent a few days in Niagara Falls with family visiting from the East Coast. Today’s spoiler to follow…
Yes, it’s a legitimate news story – but it was news to me, your partner, Chelsea complains about being left blindsided (with Vikki It makes me and Newman Media look bad. It couldn’t be helped, Victor wants to move on. Am I being dismissed? Chelsea fumes. Victor reminds her and Adam that he owns Newman Media – I won’t be questioned – is that clear?
Billy reads headlines on his phone; Jabot quietly shuts down divisions – Holiday woes for the cosmetics giant. The social media platforms are worse, Sally reads ‘Something stinks at the perfume power house’. All this from one Newman Media article. We’re a media company, Sally wants to get to work putting out some positive articles.
Kyle and Diane reassure Jack that because of his good reputation, he’ll be given the benefit of the doubt. They know Victor’s not done – another shoe will drop. What, when and where? they wonder.
Putting out a puff piece isn’t the answer, Billy convinces Sally that they have to cover this as a news story, without bias. You fighting for the family makes you one of us, Billy concludes that they’ll just have to trust Jack, Kyle and Diane.
We’re still in control of our assets, Kyle and Diane brainstorm the spin. Nobody cares about our problems, Jack decides there’s not a lot they can do – and Victor knows that.
It happened at lightning speed – we had to act quickly, Victor values Chelsea’s role at Newman Media. She wonders what triggered this? Why tonight? And why did they imply that Jabot’s on the rocks? It’s finished, Victor claims with confidence. Knowing he has more up his sleeve, Chelsea wonders if she’ll be let in on it.
Daniel could see the wheels turning when his Mom was pumping Jack for info. He’s not buying that Phyllis is merely worried about Summer – why do you care what happens at Jabot? Why are you so anxious that it survive?
Billy and Sally feels sorry for Jack (who’s under a lot of pressure) What Adam did is hateful. She’d like to give the Newmans a taste of their own evidence. Bad press about Jabot could affect Abbott Communications. Billy’s sure Sally can handle whatever Victor throws at her. She couldn’t (and wouldn’t want to) do it without Billy. I’m proud of you, he gives her a kiss.
Victor has no hidden agenda; nothing up his sleeve. Adam didn’t know what was going on until he got to the ranch. Chelsea wants to do the best job she can but needs to be in the loop. Jack’s finished, Victor reiterates.
This could get worse before it gets better – but, we’re still standing, the Abbotts manage to laugh – here’s to Abbott Communications!
Phyllis doesn’t appreciate being interrogated – her only concern is Summer being affected. Daniel wonders why his Mom’s being evasive – there’s more to it. Tired of being bullied, Phyllis has had enough – have a good evening! she leaves Daniel to mutter ‘she’s SO guilty’.
A few people congratulated us for getting the story, Chelsea reports; Jack was upset, he and Diane left in a hurry. Billy let Sally shine. They did a great job, Chelsea considers the launch a success. It’ll go down in flames, like every other venture Billy’s tried, Victor’s sure.
Billy drops by the house to wonder how Victor found out. Kyle’s worried – we have a mole. Diane suspects Nikki. She’s on our side, Jack swears on his life; she didn’t tell Victor. When Billy agrees, Diane’s annoyed. Jack knows in his bones that Nikki wouldn’t betray him. Trusting his brothers’ judgement, Billy thinks Victor scrambled/panicked – he had to move fast. The article was hastily put together – it’s exaggerated, sloppy. We need to spin it – people will be on our side, Billy thinks Jack’s plan just might work.