Champagne, swag, candles.
Playlist is set.
Do you think I should have gone
with that event planner Pietro
everyone's been raving about?
Are you kidding? Look at this place.
It looks swell, tops, dandy.
Gosh, am I gonna be hearing
'50s slang coming out of
your mouth all night?
Absolutely. Now, come over here
and give me a little peck, would ya?
Okay. Do you think
these old TVs are too much?
Honestly. Maybe we should have
gone smaller.
I think the TVs look perfect,
okay? Everything you've done here tonight,
everything you pulled off looks perfect.
Okay. I haven't pulled anything off yet.
And what if it's not perfect.
It will be perfect.
You're just trying to talk me down.
Yes, I am. Is it working?
This is the biggest night of our lives.
Or mine, anyway.
And everything is at stake here.
Everything is riding on this launch,
a launch that we have already had taken away from us once.
How are you so...
-Calm, cool, and collected? -Yeah.
'Cause I've watched you.
I've watched you put in the time and the effort,
not just for tonight, but for the whole vision
of Abbott Communications, okay?
How can I not be anything but confident in you?
You're gonna kill it tonight.
-You really think so? -I know so.
People are gonna leave here tonight
knowing that there's a new player in town.
Abbott Communications will be the future,
and you...will be the star
of the media world.
Oh, geez, no pressure.
You got this.
So that's where it stands.
I mean, Jabot's transferred
any and all assets to
whereabouts unknown.
They've increased their asset divestiture
and liquidation to the point
that the company's on life support--at best.
Jack Abbott is playing defense.
He's preparing...
for the AI attack.
Well, it's definitely preemptive.
By emptying the accounts
and apparently disbanding the company,
he can avoid the attack. It's a gutsy move.
Reeks of desperation.
[grunts/mutters]
Disbanding a company, then trying to put it
back together again is almost impossible.
Well, that big risk could mitigate any damage
that the software could have accomplished.
You know, it's sound strategy if you ask me.
I mean, there's no longer a Jabot to attack.
You know what?
I'm gonna use his defensive tactics against him.
Would you like a drink?
Sure.
♪♪
-Phyllis. -What?
-It's not happening. -I think it is.
No.
No. It was a mistake.
-Doesn't feel like a mistake. -Listen...
I told you we could have been friends.
But from now on, you will be my enemy.
Sleeping with the enemy is a thing, you know?
You played me. You lied to me.
You screwed me over. Yeah.
Back at you.
No way in hell.
Son of a bitch.
-Sorry. Did you say something? -Huh?
Uh, hey, Tessa.
-Hi. -I gotta go.
Whoa! Just like that?
No hi, how's your evening going?
No nosy questions about my life?
No unsolicited advice?
I don't think I know what to do with that.
Oh, my goodness. You're so funny.
No. There's someplace I need to be.
-Excuse me. -Ah, more like someone
-you need to hunt down. -Um...
for your information, I'm going to Billy and Sally's party
for Abbott Communications.
-Are you going? -No! Why would I wanna go
and support a guy who totally screwed you over?
You've had Billy's back how many times?
You believed in him when no one else in this town would.
You kept him from acting on his worst possible impulses.
No, I hope that Billy and his party and his company,
it's all just a big bust.
Oh! Listen to you!
Listen to you protecting me.
-Defending my honor. -Mm-hmm.
You sound almost like, uh, me.
Ha. That is a compliment in my family, believe it or not.
Seriously, why do you wanna go?
You don't like Billy. You don't like Sally.
Why would you wanna go and support them?
Oh, you don't wanna go and support them.
You just wanna go and make problems.
You don't know what you're talking about.
I know exactly what I'm talking about.
So why don't you forget whatever it is
you're planning on doing and do not crash that party.
I'm not gonna crash the party. For your information,
I was invited.
What the--
-What? -Okay, this has to be wrong.
How did I not see this before? Phyllis is on the guest list.
Yes. I invited her.
Last-minute thing.
Why would you do that, after the way she treats me
and the fact that she's done nothing but screw you over?
Yeah, understood. Um...
Kinda felt bad for her.
A pity invite? You really expect me to believe that?
Well, that, and I wanna rub her face in the massive success
that Abbott Communications is gonna be tonight, of course,
and she doesn't have a job,
and sucking up to Cane isn't really a job, so...
Okay. Well, she better control herself,
because there are a lot of very important people here,
and the last thing we need is for her to make a scene.
I'm not worried about that, because all eyes will be on you
and Abbott Communications.
This is your company. This is your party.
My company. Wow.
That gave me chills.
Well, it's the truth.
We are co-CEOs.
Sure, but you're the head honcho.
The show's running through you.
You're the one that's gonna take this company to the top.
Okay, well, it means everything to me
that you're so confident in my capabilities.
But I need you to promise me something.
Name it.
I don't wanna do this alone.
I want this to be a real partnership.
I wanna know that we are in this 100% together.
Never a doubt.
-I need you to mean that, Billy. -I do.
You are talented, and you have so much experience,
and I don't want you just signing off on my ideas.
I wanna know when you disagree.
-Ooh. -I wanna know--I do.
I wanna know when you think you have a better idea than me.
Okay. You better be careful because you might regret that.
Not a chance.
Challenges, transparency, open debate--
that is what make us and the company stronger.
What is best for Abbott Communications
will always come first.
And that is why I trust you implicitly.
Well, you have made this possible.
Your belief in me is what's
allowed me to feel like I'm capable
of being in this position,
of shepherding my vision for our company.
And I know that we are strong enough to deal with whatever
or whoever tries to get in the way of us doing something great.
Wow.
Aren't you the bee's knees?
That's the wrong decade. That's '20s.
-This is '50s. -Oh.
And you are wearing the same outfit you were wearing before.
Right, yeah. This is, uh, this is probably
the most retro thing that I own, so...
Okay, Cane, that's not the deal.
You said '50s outfit, otherwise you're not my plus-one.
You're being serious?
Yes, I'm being serious.
You want me to trust you, we make a deal,
and then you go back on it and think that you can
-charm your way out of it. -So, what, my charm won't work?
No, it won't.
Okay.
Um...
how about some penny loafers
and a pair of really sweet white socks?
-Will that work? -Okay. Fenmore's is still open.
-You should go. -Okay. I'll be right back.
Hey.
Later, 'gator.
Oh, my God. Please don't say that.
-Was that cute? -No.
Didn't expect to see you here, Cane.
It's your lucky night. I'll be right back.
LILY: Hi!
-Um... -What was that about, Lily?
And why is he coming back?
Oh, no, I-I wanna hear about Dom's rehearsal.
How was it?
Well, it was completely adorable,
and it ended early so Mom and Dad
-were able to play dress-up. -Yeah.
Our little guy was definitely in his groove, though.
Yes. Aunty Lily will have to come to the recital.
I wouldn't miss it.
I thought Nate was gonna be here with you, though.
He was. He had a business call that he had to take, but...
oh, he's right there.
-NATE: Hey. -DEVON: Nate.
I just saw Cane leaving.
So, did you change your mind?
You're not going through with it?
-Going through with what? -Letting Cane accompany her
-to the launch party. -Oh, my God.
DEVON: What?
You invited Cane as a date to this thing?
No, it's not a date. It's not a date.
But you invited him. Why would you do that?
Because he's the father of my children,
and we live in the same town
and I should try to get along with him.
Why wouldn't I do that?
I don't--after everything he's done,
I don't know where to start.
Lily, this is Cane we're talking about here.
He'll use this non-date
to try to weasel his way back into your good graces,
which we both know he doesn't deserve.
Okay, I think what Cane deserves or doesn't deserve
is not up to you.
Just promise me you're not gonna give me or Cane
a hard time about this, okay? Please.
You know, being nice is not gonna change him
back into the man that you fell in love with.
That man is long gone.
Oh, my God, can we not make a big deal out of this?
I won't make it a big deal as long as you're certain
that nothing else is happening tonight
except for the launch of Abbott Communications
and not you reconciling with your ex.
Hello, everyone.
-Hey. -Hi.
-You look lovely. -Thank you.
Oh, so Victoria is your date to the party?
This is hardly a date.
It's just two friends enjoying the evening together.
-Really? -NATE: Really.
Well, I had planned already to come to support Billy, but...
given his partnership with Sally in life and with the company,
I figured it would be a little less awkward
if I didn't show up here unaccompanied.
And I'm sure things are already awkward enough,
considering that Abbott Communications
will be in direct competition with Newman Media.
Well, I have lived with the conflict
between Billy and my dad for a lot of years,
so I've had a lot of practice at walking the fine line
between navigating my father's animosity towards Billy
and supporting Billy as the father of my children.
Yeah, you know, I get it,
because relationships with exes are complicated, right?
But, you know, I mean, Billy's not the only person
that Victor has issues with,
so you will not be at the top of his list.
Well, I will have you know that Victor and I
came to a new understanding at Thanksgiving.
And now the past is behind us.
A nice bottle of tequila goes a long way.
NATE: It's good to be back on track with Victor.
And to have rekindled a friendship
with someone who means so much to me.
As a friend.
Well, you can never have enough friends.
That's right. And let's hope tonight
is nothing but a friendly gathering for all of us.
You were invited
to the Abbott Communication launch party?
-Yes. -Really?
Yes. Why's that so hard for you to believe?
Oh, so many reasons.
Okay. Well, I'm an integral part
of the Genoa City business community.
I was thinking more along the lines of public nuisance.
Mm. [small laugh]
You're funny. He is so funny.
-A comedian. -Yeah.
Yeah, yeah. You know, I don't mean to be a buzzkill here,
but the last time you finagled yourself an invitation
to a soiree that you had no business being at,
-people actually got killed. -Okay, well,
I'm not gonna finagle anything.
I'm an invited guest. No blood is gonna be shed.
If you're so worried about me, why don't you be my plus-one?
No. I have no interest in celebrating Billy
in his latest, most likely doomed venture.
Is that why you wanna go?
You just wanna see him fall on his ass again?
Or is it to cause problems?
Oh, my gosh.
I-I-I'm deeply hurt.
Why do you always think that of me?
-It's because I know you, Mom! -You know, I'm just gonna
-order some drinks. -This isn't gonna take long.
No, no, go order a drink. That's a good idea.
-Just answer the question. -Seriously...
Answer the question.
Why are you going? Is it just to stir things up?
The only thing I wanna stir up
is peace and goodwill toward my fellow man.
[laughs] Peace and goodwill?
Exactly.
Yeah. Well, history would suggest
that that's not the case where you're concerned.
So I guess I'm gonna have to go with you
to make sure that you don't cause any problems.
Ah! Great! Oh, my gosh!
This is gonna be great!
So much fun. It's gonna be awesome!
Yeah. Somehow I highly doubt that.
Do you know what? I'm not going alone.
I'm gonna need a wing person. You wanna come with me?
I promise you I will not hold back my ideas
or my advice.
Well, thank you.
But you know, it goes both ways.
Well, when have you ever known me
to hold back whatever I'm thinking?
That's a good point.
Did I mention you are quite the dish, by the way?
Well, you, sir, are the ginchiest.
Ooh. That would make us a power couple.
And there's nothing to stop us now.
Oh! That was fast.
Yep. I, uh, I'm a man who knows what I want.
What? It's not retro enough for you?
No, no, it's--it'll do.
Victoria.
Hi. Is the rest of your family coming?
Your father?
That would be a definite no.
Oh. That's a shame.
I was looking forward to congratulating him
at beating me at my own game. Not many have.
Well, not many are Victor Newman.
How can you move against Jack if there's no Jabot to attack?
I don't give a damn about Jabot.
You just wanna take Jack down for the count.
For good.
I wouldn't mind knowing your, uh, next move.
I don't wanna spoil
the surprise.
Will you at least give me a hint as to what you're up to?
All in good time.
But I'm gonna need some help with this.
Oh. I have to take this.
-Excuse me. -Yeah.
If you're calling to check on the launch,
we're just about to walk into the party.
Son, this will have to go on without you.
Kindly ask Chelsea to take over for Newman Media, all right?
[huffs]
What is going on?
I need you to come to the ranch right away--it's urgent.
Okay?
Oh, shoot. This is not--
That's not gonna work out.
-Why not? -That's--well...
Tessa, it's not like I don't want you to come,
you know, but, uh,
I just have one plus-one, not two plus-ones.
No, that's okay. I actually have my own invite.
-Y-you were invited? -Yes, I was.
I mean, it guess it would appear that I, too,
am an integral part of the Genoa City business community.
So, what do you say?
Um, you know,
was just really looking forward to that gingerbread latte, so...
Yeah, no, we can get one to go.
Look, I know that you have no other plans this evening
except coffee with me, so I know that you're free.
And I feel like you could use the distraction.
I don't know.
Don't make her go!
Stop it. You're pressuring her. You know, it's not like
it's gonna be that fun, so don't worry about it.
You just said it was gonna be awesome.
You don't wanna miss awesome, do you?
Um, well, it's a '50s retro theme,
and I just don't have a poodle skirt.
Okay. Okay, well, the invitation did say
that '50s attire was optional and, you know,
my attendance, if I'm gonna keep hmm outta trouble,
is not gonna be optional, so what do you say?
Maybe come and make what could be
a very unpleasant evening a little less unpleasant?
Hey, hey, thanks a lot.
You're welcome.
What do you say?
What would Mahatma Six Strings do?
Oh, okay.
When you put it like that, how could I possibly say no?
DANIEL: [claps] Great!
We'll all go together.
Hey...great.
I'm sorry to say but...
I have to go.
-Now? -Yes. It's Victor.
Something has come up.
Okay.
Look, I will be back as soon as I can.
Is everything all right?
I'm gonna find out soon enough.
I know you're worried about your dad going after Jack.
Is that what this is about?
As much as I would like to, I cannot keep putting myself
in the middle of those two every time they go at it.
And this might be one of those times.
Okay? I'll call you in a bit.
-Adam! -Good evening.
Are you leaving so soon?
Competition from Abbott Communications
already too much to handle?
Ha. Well, the business world doesn't stop
because of a party.
There are always fires to put out.
And wars to wage.
Excuse me.
Well, Adam certainly seems to be on a mission.
Yeah. He's probably scrambling to try to figure out
how to cover the successful launch of a rival media company.
Well, let's hope that's the case and nothing more.
Thank you.
Okay. It's almost show time.
We open up those doors,
it's the beginning of a new reality.
Shall we?
[Sally sighs]
What is it?
Are you sure we're ready for this?
Question is is the world ready for us?
Nice look, Montgomery Clift.
Thank you for coming, son.
So...what's happening?
Well, Jabot's gone full speed with their countermoves.
Asset transfer, liquidation, divestiture--
it's all happening in real time.
So it sounds like Jack really is disappearing his company.
It's hard to hit a target that isn't even there.
I guess that means your plan to unleash the AI program on Jabot
just won't work.
Not a whole lot to swing at there.
But there is, son.
I don't understand.
I wanna use his defensive move
against him.
[jazzy big band music plays]
♪♪
♪ I wanna love, I wanna thrill ♪
♪ I wanna give all the things that Jack gave Jill ♪
♪ I'll be candy to a girl like you ♪
-♪ A girl like you...♪ -Thank you.
Well, this is amazing.
You...you've done it.
I could not be happier for you, Billy.
I appreciate that, but really, this is all Sally.
You have earned this moment to shine, both of you.
-Thank you. -Enjoy the evening.
BILLY: Thank you. You too.
Oh, I do not believe it.
-Hey. Congrats. -BILLY: Cane.
Impressive.
What the hell are you doing here?
Uh, he's my guest. Is that a problem?
Yeah, it is a problem.
Because of Cane, our last launch party was canceled.
We were embarrassed in front of the world.
Set us back a few months. So Cane, I'd appreciate it
if you walked up the stairs and the hell out.
I genuinely regret what happened--
I don't care. You can save that for someone who does.
Billy, I made a mess of things.
Again, I understand you're angry, but I really do hope
that there's a way we can move forward.
You gotta be kidding me.
Look, if you want me to leave, I'll leave.
I just--I do, I wish you the best.
Look, Abbott Communications came out victorious in all this,
so please...stay.
Enjoy yourselves.
-LILY: Thank you. -Thank you, Sally.
I can't believe you're gonna let that ass
-stay in this party, Sally. -You know what? Who cares?
Look at this. Look at everything we've accomplished.
If anything, Cane can marinate in envy
at how impressively we have bounced back.
Cane Ashby?
That's the last person I expected to be here.
He has some nerve
after what he pulled with the last launch party.
There is no way Billy invited him to this.
Well...[huffs] are you kidding me?
It looks like he's Lily's date.
I just don't understand
why she's wasting her time with this guy.
He's broken her heart
and their family
and betrayed all the trust any of us have ever had in him.
Don't you think you're overreacting just a little bit?
Cane does seem to be working hard
to prove himself to Lily.
Yeah, 'cause he wants to win her back.
He's made that clear.
Which means he's going to pretend that he's changed
and lie about the man he's become.
Well, Lily is too smart to fall for that act.
Well, she sure looks like she's enjoying herself.
Not a crime.
All I know is there's no way in hell
I'm gonna let him hurt her again.
However you may feel about Cane,
he and Lily will always be tied together through the twins.
You and I know that. With Chance.
It's much easier to make peace with your exes
than to live in tension with them.
I don't know how you're supposed to
make peace with someone who indirectly
got Chance and Damian killed.
Okay, don't look now,
but Jack and Diane are trying not to stare at us.
I said don't look!
-[laughing] What? -[laughing] Oh, my God.
So what? They seem about as upset that we're together
as your family does.
Yeah, you do not have a lot of fans here.
What are you talking about? The bartender loves me.
Yeah, because you tipped big.
But trust me, they're looking at me too
'cause I'm the hypocrite who said that I was done with you,
-and yet here you are. -Hey, no you're not a hypocrite.
-Yeah. -Because--and you can deny it
all you want--but you know the man I am deep down.
And you know that man deserves a second chance.
I actually don't know that.
-Yeah, you do. -Well, it's gonna take more
than penny loafers and white socks.
Yeah. Okay. Yeah, you're right.
It'll take me reconnecting with the old Cane,
the man that knows that family comes first
and that there's nothing more important than showing up.
And how's that journey going?
I won't lie. Step at a time.
But it's a hell of a lot more easy with you.
See? I told you this party would be fun.
Yeah. I think it's a little early to label it.
You don't need a new form of attack, Victor.
Jack's plan is monumentally risky in its own right.
And I agree with Michael.
From what it sounds like, all you have to do
is sit back and just wait for the implosion.
What Jack has done here is so extreme
that it's gonna be hard for Jabot to come back from this.
I mean, forget what the financials are.
The world's gonna see this company as incredibly unstable.
And we need to exploit that.
And we shall.
Well, something tells me that the fun factor just plunged.
Let's go get a cocktail.
That's actually a great idea.
And you might wanna strap in for this.
LILY: Good evening.
PHYLLIS: I hadn't noticed.
You, uh, look lovely.
-Thank you. -I like your fascinator.
Thank you very much. [giggles]
-Hey, great party, huh? -Oh, it's so great, yeah.
You guys enjoy.
Well, that was awkward. I guess you weren't lying
when you said things were done with you and Phyllis.
Nope. I promise you we are very much done.
Good evening.
Hello there.
Don't you look dapper?
You look pretty stylish yourself.
Thank you.
Uh, Claire's not here tonight.
-I'm sorry. -Did she change her mind?
I thought she was coming.
No. Walnut Grove was having a winter dance,
and Katie insisted that Claire get her ready--
Claire and only Claire.
I'm sorry to hear that, but Katie's in very good hands.
I have no doubt.
I imagine Connor must be going too.
Uh, no, actually. He's sitting this one out.
How is he doing?
I mean, I'm really surprised at how far he's come
since his diagnosis.
He's amazing, making great strides with his OCD.
But, you know, sometimes things come up
-and he gets overwhelmed. -But everything's okay?
Yeah, new doctor, new protocol.
He's just taking things one day at a time.
On this particular day, it was just easier to say no.
Could I get everyone's attention, please?
Thank you very much. First of all, thank you for coming.
And I want to officially welcome you
to the launch of Abbott Communications.
[cheers and applause]
Tonight marks the dramatic shift
in the Abbott family legacy
and the promise of a new player in the media world.
As you correctly observe, public perception is everything.
That's why you called me here.
You want me to use Newman Media
to weaponize Jack's defensive move
and use it against him.
On the night
of the Abbott Communications launch party.
What could be more fitting?
So without further ado, it is my honor to introduce you
to the driving force behind Abbott Communications,
the talented,
the one, the only,
Sally Spectra.
Well, thank you guys, for coming.
I know a lot of people
all but counted Abbott Communications out
after we had to call off our original launch.
But Billy never gave up,
'cause that is not who he is.
And it's certainly not who I am.
We knew we had an idea
that could change the way people view the media
and how they use it,
and so tonight, we're going to make that a reality.
But we could not have done it alone.
We had the support of the people who matter the most to us,
our friends, our colleagues,
people who really want to make a difference in this world.
The Abbott family-- thank you guys so much
for having faith in us.
And from an investor who I am very proud to say
believes in us deeply.
And, most importantly, Billy and I,
who believe in each other
and who believe in what we can accomplish together as co-CEOs.
I remember the moment
Billy thought of the idea of launching a media company
and how excited he was at building something of his own
from the ground up.
And tonight
we are making that a reality.
And I'm very honored to be building your dream
alongside you.
Victor, I know you're all about seizing the moment,
but maybe you wanna take some time and...
and think this through.
Why hell would I do that?
Once Adam gives the go ahead
and those social media posts go out,
that news is gonna spread like wildfire.
But that's the point! Don't you understand?
I want the reputation of that son of a bitch destroyed
before he even blinks an eye!
That's cold. Cold. Even for you.
It's this kind of hesitation and squeamishness
that made us part ways before.
Jack is already burying himself. Why pile on?
Don't you understand?
It's them against us.
It's all Jack or nothing.
To hell with the consequences, the collateral damage.
He is not innocent in any of this!
No, I'm not absolving Jack of any wrongdoing over the years,
but at least you and I can respect each other enough
-to be honest... -Enough!
...about what this is really about!
It's happening!
Everything all right?
-It's a go. -Good.
What sets Abbott Communications apart from the rest of the field
is our core value of bringing connection back
into this constant connectedness that we all find ourselves in.
So tonight's theme, The Dawn of TV,
speaks to the dawn of a new communications era
that we are launching tonight
where decency, fairness
-and civility will once again... -[phone chimes]
...prevail in the media.
-Abbott Communications... -[phone chimes]
...will always be tech forward, but we will also be transparent,
accessible, and spin-free.
Our allegiances will first and foremost be to the facts
and to the people who...
-What the hell? -...look to us for the truth.
-No. -We have so many plans...
-Son of a bitch. -...and we will continue
to share them with you as the evening progresses.
But until then, please enjoy yourselves.
Thank you.
Oh, my gosh, what a rush!
I was so nervous, but that was exciting.
Billy?
One second.
Billy, what is going on?
Billy, what is happening?
It's nothing.
It doesn't have anything to do with
Abbott Communications.
Billy, I just got done telling the entire room
that we're all about truth and transparency.
Sally, it's okay. It can wait.
Billy, every single person in here is looking at their phone.
Something happened. What is going on?
Jabot is imploding.
Is this because of your AI program?
No. No, this seems to be self-inflicted.
No wonder Adam hurried out of here.
Victor's henchman had work to do.
Yeah. Victor's not messing around.
Did you know this was coming?
I had no idea.
Well, how could you not know? You and Adam run Newman Media.
Clearly, I was left out of the loop.
An attack like this...
suggesting Jabot is shutting operations?
I never would have approved it.
It's definitely the work of my father.
Once again, Adam just did as he was told.
Do you think it's true? That Jabot's in trouble?
I mean, I don't know. You gotta consider the source.
Victor loves nothing more than to go after Jabot,
and he's not afraid to use Newman Media
as a means to do it.
Trial by fire for Abbott Communications,
isn't it?
Everyone's gonna be watching
to see how they respond to these reports.
I just can't see them running a story like that
about the family.
How could they ignore it?
After all their claims of transparency and integrity?
The Newmans and the Abbotts going at each other
on the eve of their launch is definitely gonna
impact them moving forward, I'll tell you that.
This is not good news.
Oh, I feel bad for the Abbotts.
And it definitely puts a damper on their celebration.
Jack, what's going on with Jabot? Is it going down?
Well, as my Latin friends will say
at an occasion like this,
salud, amor, pecetas.
To Jack Abbott...
the architect of his own downfall.
Captioned by Los Angeles Distribution and Broadcasting, Inc.
Captioning provided by Bell Dramatic Serial Company,
Sony Pictures Television and CBS, Inc.
Join us again for "The Young and the Restless."