The courtroom was packed, and the tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Carrie Reed sat in the front row, her hands clenched in her lap, praying they wouldn’t call her to the stand. Nancy leaned over and whispered, “I can’t imagine what they’re asking him in there. ”
Carrie barely heard her.
She was just grateful they weren’t asking her. But the reporters outside were already circling, smelling blood. One of them called out, “Ms. Reed, has there been a decision in the Mike Horton case yet?
”
“I will issue a statement as soon as we hear anything,” she said, her voice brittle. A man with a camera grinned. “We don’t want to miss any of the fireworks. ”
Carrie felt her stomach drop.
Ali McIntyre had promised a bombshell. And Carrie had a sinking feeling she was the one it was about to land on. Inside the courtroom, Dr. Gregory was hammering Mike’s former colleague, Dr.
Wesley. “Did Dr. Horton consciously and deliberately try to get rid of Ms. McIntyre?
”
Dr. Wesley hesitated. Then he said, “Yes. ”
The room gasped.
Gregory pressed his advantage. “If Ali McIntyre was qualified for the head nurse position at Mercy, why didn’t she get it at University? Because it wasn’t convenient or pleasant for Dr. Horton to see her every day after he ended their relationship.
The very fact that he recommended her for the position at Mercy is proof that he is guilty of sexual harassment. ”
It was a twisted logic, but it was working. Mike was being painted as a man who used his power to push Ali away. And Carrie knew it was only a matter of time before they turned on her.
When they finally called her to the stand, her heart was pounding so hard she could barely hear the oath. Gregory eyed her like a predator. “Mike never lied about his relationship with Ali, did you think? ”
“This hospital is where I work,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
“It is not where I ask questions about my colleagues’ private lives. ”
“And based on your own knowledge of Mike’s behavior, do you think it’s possible that he used the promise of a promotion to seduce Ali? ”
“There is no way that he would do something like that. He has too much integrity.
”
The words barely left her mouth before Ali McIntyre stood up, her eyes blazing. “Too much integrity? Well, was it his integrity that got you into Mike’s bed in Las Vegas? Was it his integrity that made you cheat on your husband?
”
The courtroom erupted. Carrie felt the blood drain from her face. “Answer the question, Mrs. Reed,” the judge said.
“It just happened. I swear. I never planned to go to bed with Mike. ”
“You’re lying,” Ali shot back.
“You couldn’t stand the thought of Mike happy with me, so the first chance you got, you threw yourself at him. And then you tried to convince everyone, even my own mother, that I was crazy. Admit it, Carrie. You and Mike are both guilty as sin.
”
Carrie wanted to disappear. She knew that she and Mike had crossed a line in Las Vegas, but she never thought it would come out like this, in front of everyone. And now her secret was exposed in the worst possible way. Gregory was relentless.
“Mrs. Reed, you never approved of Mike’s relationship with Ali, did you? ”
“I didn’t think she was right for him. ”
“And why do you feel that was any of your business?
”
“I just didn’t think it was smart for Mike to date someone on staff. ”
“You should talk,” Ali sneered. Carrie felt her world collapsing. She had tried to protect Mike, and now she was the one being torn apart.
Every lie she’d told was coming back to destroy her. For a moment, she locked eyes with Mike. He looked devastated. And Carrie knew that no matter how this trial ended, their lives would never be the same.
Meanwhile, across the ocean, the situation in Paris was spiraling in a completely different direction. Eric and Bo had broken into a hidden safe in a Parisian apartment, and the contents were staggering. Securities, gold, diamonds—millions of dollars’ worth. But the real shock was the passports.
His and hers, with John’s photo and Hope’s photo. Aliases. A getaway kit. Greta stared at it, her face pale.
“Everything my mother and father John would need to escape from Stefano. ”
“In 1985,” Bo added. “That was the year Stefano brought John to Salem and brainwashed him. ”
Greta’s hands were shaking.
She pulled out another document. “This is a deed to a house that my mother and I lived in here in Paris. And this… this is a deed to a country estate outside the city.
The von Amberg ancestral home, willed to my mother by the Prince. I never even knew she had a country home. ”
Eric looked at her. “You want answers, don’t you?
Let’s go check it out. ”
Greta hesitated, then nodded. “Okay. ”
But even as they raced toward the old estate, another version of Hope was already moving through Paris.
Gina, the princess persona Stefano had created, was demanding to be taken to the city. “I have guests,” she insisted. “I want to meet them. ”
Her servant Kurt tried to warn her.
“Paris is not as you remember it, Princess. It’s far more peaceful. ”
“Peace is for the dead. I am alive, and I have guests.
I want to go. Now. ”
Meanwhile, the real Hope was trapped with Stefano, being manipulated into a scheme she wanted no part of. “Bo is still terribly obsessed with Hope,” Stefano said, his voice silky.
“That’s why he followed her here. ”
“Curse Bo Brady and his obsessions,” Hope replied, her Gina persona bleeding through. Stefano smiled. “Perhaps he could be useful to me.
Bo Brady… that idea seems to have some appeal. Call him. ”
Hope was torn.
She knew she was being used, but the Gina side of her was drawn to the power, to the game. “It will never work, Steffy. ”
“Make it work, Gina. ”
When Bo’s phone rang, he answered eagerly.
“Brady. ”
“Bo, it’s me. Hope,” she said, her voice warm. “Hey, Hope.
It’s good to hear your voice. Can I tell you again that I had a great time last night? ”
“Yeah, me too. If you can take me two days running, I’d really like to see you again.
Could you come over right away? ”
“Is something wrong? ”
“I hate talking about it on the phone. Just come over, and I’ll tell you all about it.
And could you come really soon? I need you. ”
“I’m on my way. ”
Stefano watched her hang up, his eyes glittering with satisfaction.
“Well done. Very well done. Bo Brady will come here, primed for romance. But when he gets here, he will get the surprise of his life.
”
Bo was already racing across the city, unaware that he was walking straight into Stefano’s trap—and that the woman he loved was about to betray him. Back in Salem, Sami Brady was locked in her own battle, one built on secrets and manipulation. She had been spying on Kate Roberts, and she just got caught by Brandon, the new guy who was staying at the mansion. “How much did you hear?
” she asked. “Enough to know you really hate Kate Roberts,” he said. “The feeling’s mutual. ”
“Yeah, I picked up on that at breakfast.
What’s the deal? ”
“Look, if you live here long enough, you’ll find a reason to hate Kate, too. My reason is she and Lucas lied and got me put on death row. ”
“Whoa.
I thought they tried to save you. ”
“That’s the story they’re selling. If you buy it, you’re a fool. Kate and Lucas are only out for themselves.
”
“And you’re not? ”
“I want what’s best for my son. So, is that your question? Are you going to tell on me, or what?
”
Brandon shrugged. “It depends. What do I get if I keep quiet? ”
Sami stared at him, trying to figure out if he was her enemy or just another player in the game.
“I don’t care what you do, Brandon. But I am going to find out the truth about Franco’s murder. And I suggest you stay out of my way. ”
“I wouldn’t want to be your enemy.
”
“No, you wouldn’t. ”
But even as she walked away, she knew she couldn’t trust Brandon. In the Roberts house, no one was innocent. And Kate was always one step ahead.
Kate was dealing with her own nightmare. Vivian had been supposed to be dying. Instead, she was standing in Kate’s living room, very much alive, with Dr. Carver confirming she was in remission.
Kate’s smile was frozen. “So, I was right. Vivian was pulling a scam all along. ”
Nicholas insisted, “I know how this looks, but my aunt was terminal.
She’s in remission. You can imagine how relieved I feel. ”
“Go ahead and drop the other shoe. ”
“Vivian is divorcing Stefano.
”
“Of course she is. And she’s keeping the stock. ”
Kate’s composure cracked. “So, let’s see now, I have Sami in the guesthouse, Vivian in Titan.
Now what the hell am I supposed to do? ”
Nicholas suggested, “Perhaps you and my aunt could try working together. ”
Kate almost laughed. “I can’t believe you, of all people, would ask me to work with Vivian.
”
“I have enormous respect for you, Kate,” Nicholas said. “I’ve made it very clear to my aunt that she’s to be on her best behavior around you. ”
“Vivian can make all the promises she wants to. But eventually, she will stab me in the back.
”
“Look, I told her, ‘One wrong move, and I’ll leave Salem. ‘ Since I’m one of the only family members left who chooses to speak to her, I think she’ll behave. ”
Kate stared at him, her fury barely contained. “Vivian’s not dying.
I don’t know when I’ve ever been more disappointed. ”
Nicholas was calm, almost smug. “Aunt Viv is so happy right now. She just wants to make the most of her second chance at life.
”
“I’ll bet she does. ”
Kate felt her world shifting beneath her feet. She had fought so hard to be on top, and now Vivian was moving into the mansion, taking a seat at Titan, and there was nothing Kate could do to stop it. She was going to have to share her power—or find a way to destroy Vivian before she got too comfortable.
But for now, all she could do was smile and pretend the knife wasn’t already in her back. The trial was reaching its climax. Carrie was still on the stand, her world in pieces. “Mrs.
Reed,” Gregory said, “you have already admitted that Mike wasn’t forthcoming about the fact that he’d slept with Ali McIntyre. Don’t you think it’s possible that he might have lied to you about his behavior with her on that night? ”
Carrie wanted to scream. She knew Mike.
She knew he wasn’t the monster they were making him out to be. But her own secrets were pressing in on her, and she couldn’t tell the whole truth without condemning both of them. “Mike is innocent,” she said, her voice trembling. “I have no doubt in my mind.
I know him well enough to know that he would not lie about something so serious. ”
“How well do you know Mike Horton? ” Gregory pressed. “Our families are very close…
”
“You were unhappy when Mike started dating Ali, weren’t you? ” The lawyer’s eyes were merciless. “Even though you’re a married woman, you wanted Mike for yourself, didn’t you? Tell the truth, Mrs.
Reed. You are in love with Mike Horton, aren’t you? ”
The words hung in the air like an executioner’s axe. Carrie opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
She could feel the eyes of the entire courtroom on her, waiting for her to fall. And in that frozen moment, she knew her answer would change everything.
