1 00:00:11,211 --> 00:00:13,847 >> Nikki: I already ordered for you. 2 00:00:13,913 --> 00:00:16,149 >> Victoria: If I want something, I'll order it for myself. 3 00:00:16,216 --> 00:00:18,084 >> Nikki: Okay. 4 00:00:18,151 --> 00:00:19,919 I'm not the enemy. 5 00:00:19,986 --> 00:00:23,189 >> Victoria: No, but you are half of the reason why I'm so 6 00:00:23,256 --> 00:00:26,559 furious right now -- because you and my father refuse to admit 7 00:00:26,626 --> 00:00:29,462 that I am an adult who has a right to live my own life 8 00:00:29,529 --> 00:00:30,830 without any interference. 9 00:00:30,897 --> 00:00:33,299 >> Nikki: I know you're looking for someone to blame. 10 00:00:33,366 --> 00:00:36,169 >> Victoria: Are you telling me that you knew nothing about Dad 11 00:00:36,236 --> 00:00:38,238 poking around in Ashland's medical records? 12 00:00:38,304 --> 00:00:41,207 And now he's claiming that my husband has been lying about his 13 00:00:41,274 --> 00:00:42,909 illness. 14 00:00:42,976 --> 00:00:45,445 >> Nikki: I found out shortly before you did. 15 00:00:45,512 --> 00:00:48,681 >> Victoria: And yet you didn't warn me? 16 00:00:48,748 --> 00:00:51,251 >> Nikki: [ Scoffs ] I was in shock. 17 00:00:51,317 --> 00:00:52,452 I-I didn't want to believe it. 18 00:00:52,519 --> 00:00:53,987 I wanted to think it was a mistake. 19 00:00:54,053 --> 00:00:56,389 >> Victoria: [ Sighs ] It shouldn't even be in 20 00:00:56,456 --> 00:00:58,358 question, Mother. 21 00:00:58,425 --> 00:01:01,027 I'm sure that Dad told you what I said when I confronted him 22 00:01:01,094 --> 00:01:02,662 yesterday, so now I need to know. 23 00:01:02,729 --> 00:01:04,397 I need to know where you stand. 24 00:01:04,464 --> 00:01:07,467 And please tell me you don't believe these hateful and 25 00:01:07,534 --> 00:01:12,071 disgusting insinuations about Ashland. 26 00:01:12,138 --> 00:01:15,041 >> Ashland: Yeah, everything seems to be under control 27 00:01:15,108 --> 00:01:16,843 finally. 28 00:01:16,910 --> 00:01:18,645 Well, yes, you're damn right I'm upset. 29 00:01:18,711 --> 00:01:20,513 Things should have never gotten this far. 30 00:01:20,580 --> 00:01:22,549 No more surprises. You hear me? 31 00:01:22,615 --> 00:01:23,783 No, no, no, no. 32 00:01:23,850 --> 00:01:25,952 You disappoint me again, it'll be your last time. 33 00:01:26,019 --> 00:01:30,623 [ Knock on door ] [ Sighs ] 34 00:01:30,690 --> 00:01:34,160 >> Nate: Got a minute? 35 00:01:34,227 --> 00:01:38,298 >> Ashland: You've spoken to Victor. 36 00:01:38,364 --> 00:01:41,100 >> Nate: Tell me he's wrong. 37 00:01:41,167 --> 00:01:44,070 Tell me you haven't been lying to me and the entire Newman 38 00:01:44,137 --> 00:01:46,172 family this whole time. 39 00:01:49,809 --> 00:02:04,691 ♪♪ ♪♪ 40 00:02:04,757 --> 00:02:05,124 ♪♪ ♪♪ 41 00:02:05,191 --> 00:02:20,073 ♪♪ ♪♪ 42 00:02:20,139 --> 00:02:27,814 ♪♪ ♪♪ 43 00:02:27,881 --> 00:02:29,883 >> Lauren: When was the last time you heard from your 44 00:02:29,949 --> 00:02:30,750 brother? 45 00:02:30,817 --> 00:02:32,218 >> Kevin: Uh, good morning to you, too. 46 00:02:32,285 --> 00:02:33,353 >> Lauren: I'm sorry. 47 00:02:33,419 --> 00:02:35,421 I just haven't been in contact with Michael for a while. 48 00:02:35,488 --> 00:02:38,057 >> Kevin: Yeah, Chloe mentioned you were a little concerned. 49 00:02:38,124 --> 00:02:39,626 Isn't he doing some kind of work for Victor? 50 00:02:39,692 --> 00:02:40,360 >> Lauren: Yeah. 51 00:02:40,426 --> 00:02:41,861 That's precisely why I'm worried. 52 00:02:41,928 --> 00:02:45,031 He hasn't called or texted in almost two days. 53 00:02:45,098 --> 00:02:47,800 >> Kevin: You know, I've done my share of work for Victor, mostly 54 00:02:47,867 --> 00:02:48,568 off the books. 55 00:02:48,635 --> 00:02:50,069 He keeps his employees very busy. 56 00:02:50,136 --> 00:02:52,872 >> Lauren: Which is why I had my reservations about this job in 57 00:02:52,939 --> 00:02:53,940 the first place. 58 00:02:54,007 --> 00:02:56,175 But Victor persuaded him, "Oh, it's only going to be 59 00:02:56,242 --> 00:02:59,145 part-time," only to ship him out of the country. 60 00:02:59,212 --> 00:03:02,248 I mean, who knows what kind of shady business Victor has him 61 00:03:02,315 --> 00:03:04,317 involved in? 62 00:03:09,923 --> 00:03:13,593 >> Victor: Ashland Locke called my bluff. 63 00:03:13,660 --> 00:03:20,133 Told Victoria everything and proclaimed his innocence. 64 00:03:20,199 --> 00:03:22,835 >> Adam: And she believed him? 65 00:03:22,902 --> 00:03:25,305 >> Victor: Every word of it. 66 00:03:25,371 --> 00:03:27,740 Now she's furious with me. 67 00:03:27,807 --> 00:03:30,944 >> Adam: [ Inhales deeply ] Well, I guess we shouldn't be 68 00:03:31,010 --> 00:03:33,880 surprised he would make a move like this, considering how much 69 00:03:33,947 --> 00:03:37,650 time and effort he put into setting up this con, convincing 70 00:03:37,717 --> 00:03:39,953 everyone that he was dying of cancer. 71 00:03:40,019 --> 00:03:41,754 >> Victor: I gave him a way out. 72 00:03:41,821 --> 00:03:45,658 I said continue lying and get the hell out of town. 73 00:03:45,725 --> 00:03:49,796 >> Adam: So, what is your next step? 74 00:03:49,862 --> 00:03:51,864 >> Victor: [ Breathes deeply ] 75 00:04:03,610 --> 00:04:07,180 >> Victor: I've been forced into the untenable position of 76 00:04:07,246 --> 00:04:12,986 telling my beloved daughter that she's married to a fraud. 77 00:04:13,052 --> 00:04:17,757 >> Adam: Well, we were aware of his reputation before he even 78 00:04:17,824 --> 00:04:19,025 proposed. 79 00:04:19,092 --> 00:04:21,461 >> Victor: Yeah, but what pisses me off is that I allowed him to 80 00:04:21,527 --> 00:04:25,298 come into our family, into our circle. 81 00:04:25,365 --> 00:04:29,102 I allowed him to spin his web of lies and deception right under 82 00:04:29,168 --> 00:04:30,336 my nose. 83 00:04:30,403 --> 00:04:31,704 >> Adam: Alright. 84 00:04:31,771 --> 00:04:34,007 It's not your fault. 85 00:04:34,073 --> 00:04:37,510 >> Victor: It will be if we allow him to sign the contract 86 00:04:37,577 --> 00:04:40,580 that makes him co-CEO of Newman/Locke. 87 00:04:40,647 --> 00:04:44,817 >> Adam: Okay, so, how do we stop him? 88 00:04:44,884 --> 00:04:46,319 >> Victor: I don't know yet. 89 00:04:46,386 --> 00:04:49,022 >> Adam: Well, he must be awfully confident that you can't 90 00:04:49,088 --> 00:04:51,557 produce anything to convince Victoria that he's lying. 91 00:04:51,624 --> 00:04:53,960 You think he's got someone helping him? 92 00:04:54,027 --> 00:04:57,797 >> Victor: Oh, yeah. No doubt. 93 00:04:57,864 --> 00:05:01,834 As soon as he found out that I was onto him, he began to cover 94 00:05:01,901 --> 00:05:03,469 his behind. 95 00:05:03,536 --> 00:05:07,040 >> Adam: Have you talked to Michael? 96 00:05:07,106 --> 00:05:09,442 >> Victor: To be frank with you, that's another thing that 97 00:05:09,509 --> 00:05:10,610 bothers me terribly. 98 00:05:10,677 --> 00:05:12,779 I have not hear from Michael ever since he left that hotel 99 00:05:12,845 --> 00:05:14,614 in Lima. 100 00:05:14,681 --> 00:05:17,350 Hopefully he's gone into hiding and is protecting himself. 101 00:05:17,417 --> 00:05:20,053 >> Adam: Okay, then we need to seriously consider the 102 00:05:20,119 --> 00:05:22,789 possibility that Ashland countered our move and he had 103 00:05:22,855 --> 00:05:25,491 his people stop Michael from doing his investigation. 104 00:05:25,558 --> 00:05:30,930 So, either he has ice in his veins, or he knows something 105 00:05:30,997 --> 00:05:33,833 that we don't, which would explain why he felt so confident 106 00:05:33,900 --> 00:05:35,068 in calling your bluff. 107 00:05:35,134 --> 00:05:37,937 >> Victor: Well, whatever the case, the burden of proof is on 108 00:05:38,004 --> 00:05:40,339 my shoulders, you know? 109 00:05:40,406 --> 00:05:43,342 In order to convince my daughter to listen to me and not to her 110 00:05:43,409 --> 00:05:49,082 husband, I need irrefutable proof. 111 00:05:49,148 --> 00:05:53,219 And I ain't got any right now. 112 00:05:53,286 --> 00:05:58,624 Which makes Ashland Locke be in the driver's seat. 113 00:05:58,691 --> 00:06:02,195 And I don't like that. 114 00:06:02,261 --> 00:06:05,832 >> Ashland: Look, I swear to you, this is the work of someone 115 00:06:05,898 --> 00:06:07,266 who is out for revenge. 116 00:06:07,333 --> 00:06:11,370 It's payback by some enemy I must have made along the way. 117 00:06:11,437 --> 00:06:14,173 >> Nate: Do you really think someone would do something so 118 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:14,941 awful to you? 119 00:06:15,007 --> 00:06:17,043 Who hates you that much? 120 00:06:17,110 --> 00:06:19,378 >> Ashland: Well, it would certainly be a lot easier for me 121 00:06:19,445 --> 00:06:22,248 to name the number of people who don't want to see my head on a 122 00:06:22,315 --> 00:06:23,583 platter. 123 00:06:23,649 --> 00:06:26,619 Look, they -- You were with me during the worst parts of my 124 00:06:26,686 --> 00:06:27,787 illness. 125 00:06:27,854 --> 00:06:30,189 You stood beside me when I married the woman who's changed 126 00:06:30,256 --> 00:06:31,390 my life. 127 00:06:31,457 --> 00:06:33,860 It's surreal to me that we're even having this conversation. 128 00:06:33,926 --> 00:06:37,463 You really believe that I would create this ruse, that I've been 129 00:06:37,530 --> 00:06:41,834 lying to Victoria this entire time, the woman I love? 130 00:06:41,901 --> 00:06:45,738 I mean, I -- [ Sighs ] I can understand why Victor 131 00:06:45,805 --> 00:06:47,173 might think this way. 132 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:48,674 He's protecting his daughter. 133 00:06:48,741 --> 00:06:50,409 I get that. 134 00:06:50,476 --> 00:06:53,379 I mean, assuming that's all it is. 135 00:06:53,446 --> 00:06:54,480 >> Nate: Meaning what? 136 00:06:54,547 --> 00:06:56,849 >> Ashland: Meaning it was one thing when I was getting 137 00:06:56,916 --> 00:06:59,352 involved in his company and he thought I was on death's 138 00:06:59,418 --> 00:07:01,387 doorstep, but now it's a whole other thing. 139 00:07:01,454 --> 00:07:04,690 Look, I-I-I -- I can't make sense of this. 140 00:07:04,757 --> 00:07:05,825 I just can't. 141 00:07:05,892 --> 00:07:09,762 What I need from you now is to know that you believe me. 142 00:07:09,829 --> 00:07:10,696 >> Nate: Why? 143 00:07:10,763 --> 00:07:13,733 >> Ashland: Because I value our friendship. 144 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:16,536 It's one of the reasons that I offered you the job. 145 00:07:16,602 --> 00:07:21,107 I just hate to think that you're buying into this. 146 00:07:21,174 --> 00:07:25,011 >> Nate: [ Sighs ] Of course I want to believe that 147 00:07:25,077 --> 00:07:28,815 you're telling me the truth... 148 00:07:28,881 --> 00:07:32,118 because you would have to be a pretty awful person to lie about 149 00:07:32,185 --> 00:07:37,123 having a fatal illness just to get what you wanted. 150 00:07:37,190 --> 00:07:40,426 >> Ashland: I couldn't agree with you more. 151 00:07:40,493 --> 00:07:45,898 >> Nikki: [ Sighs ] To be perfectly honest, I'm not 152 00:07:45,965 --> 00:07:47,733 sure what to believe. 153 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:51,804 I mean, I keep asking myself if -- if Ashland is capable of 154 00:07:51,871 --> 00:07:53,906 doing something so repugnant. 155 00:07:53,973 --> 00:07:55,541 >> Victoria: And your answer? 156 00:07:55,608 --> 00:07:57,176 >> Nikki: I don't know. 157 00:07:57,243 --> 00:07:59,679 I mean, I can't ignore his past. 158 00:07:59,745 --> 00:08:02,682 And he did lie about his history, and it seems like the 159 00:08:02,748 --> 00:08:03,883 lies keep coming. 160 00:08:03,950 --> 00:08:07,253 After he swore to you that he would never keep anything from 161 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:10,790 you again, then he pretended that he just happened upon this 162 00:08:10,857 --> 00:08:11,891 clinic in Peru. 163 00:08:11,958 --> 00:08:15,761 Then we find out that he's been funding it for years. 164 00:08:15,828 --> 00:08:19,165 >> Victoria: Well, perhaps I find it easier to forgive his 165 00:08:19,232 --> 00:08:22,535 transgressions because I've had to do the same thing for Dad so 166 00:08:22,602 --> 00:08:24,036 many times. 167 00:08:24,103 --> 00:08:28,774 >> Nikki: Darling, all your father has done his entire life 168 00:08:28,841 --> 00:08:30,476 is try to protect you. 169 00:08:30,543 --> 00:08:34,046 Now, his methods may not have been perfect, but the only 170 00:08:34,113 --> 00:08:37,984 thing that's important to him is your happiness, and that's why 171 00:08:38,050 --> 00:08:39,485 he's doing this. 172 00:08:39,552 --> 00:08:44,323 Even if he is wrong, he is just trying to protect you. 173 00:08:44,390 --> 00:08:49,395 >> Victoria: By going after my husband, he's already lost me. 174 00:08:57,236 --> 00:08:59,772 >> Kevin: There are a million logical reasons to explain why 175 00:08:59,839 --> 00:09:02,208 Michael's been out of touch. 176 00:09:02,275 --> 00:09:04,243 >> Lauren: I'm all ears. 177 00:09:04,310 --> 00:09:05,878 >> Kevin: His phone died. 178 00:09:05,945 --> 00:09:08,848 Or it's -- he dropped it and it's broken. 179 00:09:08,915 --> 00:09:11,550 Or he's off the grid and there's no cell service. 180 00:09:11,617 --> 00:09:14,487 Or maybe he got on a plane, turned it off, forget to turn it 181 00:09:14,553 --> 00:09:15,688 back on. 182 00:09:15,755 --> 00:09:17,657 >> Lauren: Yeah, I've thought about all those excuses, too, 183 00:09:17,723 --> 00:09:20,326 and Chloe tried to convince me that any one of them could be 184 00:09:20,393 --> 00:09:21,360 true. 185 00:09:21,427 --> 00:09:24,330 >> Kevin: So, what's stopping you from believing? 186 00:09:24,397 --> 00:09:26,399 >> Lauren: Two days? 187 00:09:26,465 --> 00:09:30,469 My husband, who knows me better than anyone, who knows how I'm 188 00:09:30,536 --> 00:09:34,340 gonna react in any given situation, would know how scared 189 00:09:34,407 --> 00:09:36,542 I would be not to hear from him. 190 00:09:36,609 --> 00:09:40,613 He would find a way to let me know that he is okay. 191 00:09:40,680 --> 00:09:44,050 Something's not right. 192 00:09:44,116 --> 00:09:46,819 >> Kevin: What did Michael tell you about his plans? 193 00:09:46,886 --> 00:09:48,020 >> Lauren: Not much. 194 00:09:48,087 --> 00:09:49,855 He's been playing it pretty close to the vest. 195 00:09:49,922 --> 00:09:52,625 Just that it was going to be a very short trip. 196 00:09:52,692 --> 00:09:56,662 But [sighs ] I can't shake this feeling that Victor has gotten 197 00:09:56,729 --> 00:09:58,531 him involved in something bad. 198 00:09:58,597 --> 00:10:00,232 >> Kevin: Well, he's Victor's lawyer. 199 00:10:00,299 --> 00:10:02,835 Maybe this is something Victor wants kept quiet. 200 00:10:02,902 --> 00:10:03,669 >> Lauren: Right. 201 00:10:03,736 --> 00:10:06,038 This is precisely why he hired Michael. 202 00:10:06,105 --> 00:10:09,709 You don't need a keen legal mind to do estate planning or to 203 00:10:09,775 --> 00:10:12,078 set up a charity. 204 00:10:12,144 --> 00:10:14,680 He needed him on retainer. 205 00:10:14,747 --> 00:10:18,351 He needed someone he could trust with his secret dealings and 206 00:10:18,417 --> 00:10:21,821 then he could absolutely claim attorney-client privilege. 207 00:10:21,887 --> 00:10:24,023 >> Kevin: Victor is a complicated man. 208 00:10:24,090 --> 00:10:27,626 >> Lauren: And Michael loved the idea of handling his special 209 00:10:27,693 --> 00:10:28,427 projects. 210 00:10:28,494 --> 00:10:29,862 It invigorated him. 211 00:10:29,929 --> 00:10:31,497 He was inspired by it. 212 00:10:31,564 --> 00:10:33,466 He was hungry for it. 213 00:10:33,532 --> 00:10:37,703 And now I'm worried he's paying the price for it. 214 00:10:37,770 --> 00:10:41,240 >> Nikki: Victoria, it breaks my heart to hear you talk about 215 00:10:41,307 --> 00:10:44,944 your situation with your father as irreparable. 216 00:10:45,011 --> 00:10:47,947 >> Victoria: I just don't see how we move past this. 217 00:10:48,014 --> 00:10:50,583 >> Nikki: Do you really think that Victor could make something 218 00:10:50,649 --> 00:10:52,451 like this up? 219 00:10:52,518 --> 00:10:55,321 >> Victoria: My father has been known to use underhanded 220 00:10:55,388 --> 00:10:58,157 maneuvers in the name of business. 221 00:10:58,224 --> 00:11:01,627 Perhaps you recall how he got Ashland to close the deal on 222 00:11:01,694 --> 00:11:03,929 what is now Newman Media. 223 00:11:03,996 --> 00:11:06,899 My husband was having a heart attack, and he refused to call 224 00:11:06,966 --> 00:11:09,902 for medical help until he signed the contract. 225 00:11:09,969 --> 00:11:13,172 Or was my husband supposed to be faking that, as well? 226 00:11:13,239 --> 00:11:18,511 Is Dad claiming that that was part of this elaborate plan? 227 00:11:18,577 --> 00:11:21,447 >> Nikki: I don't know. 228 00:11:21,514 --> 00:11:24,050 But what if these accusations are true? 229 00:11:24,116 --> 00:11:26,819 >> Victoria: How dare you, Mother? 230 00:11:26,886 --> 00:11:27,686 How dare you? 231 00:11:27,753 --> 00:11:30,356 Of course I don't think they're true. 232 00:11:30,423 --> 00:11:33,993 Has Ashland been a ruthless businessman his entire career? 233 00:11:34,060 --> 00:11:36,128 Absolutely. 234 00:11:36,195 --> 00:11:38,664 Just like my father has. 235 00:11:38,731 --> 00:11:42,768 But this, what you're suggesting -- it's a different 236 00:11:42,835 --> 00:11:44,770 level of deception. 237 00:11:44,837 --> 00:11:47,907 It means he would have had to have been lying to me since the 238 00:11:47,973 --> 00:11:49,442 minute he met me. 239 00:11:49,508 --> 00:11:52,178 >> Nikki: All I'm saying is -- >> Victoria: You're saying that 240 00:11:52,244 --> 00:11:54,713 the man that I adore doesn't love me. 241 00:11:54,780 --> 00:11:57,650 You're saying that he's evil and conniving and that I have been a 242 00:11:57,716 --> 00:11:58,451 fool all along. 243 00:11:58,517 --> 00:11:59,685 That's what you're saying. 244 00:11:59,752 --> 00:12:03,656 >> Nikki: Darling, nobody wants to see you hurt. 245 00:12:03,722 --> 00:12:07,726 But what if this was a plan that Ashland set in motion before he 246 00:12:07,793 --> 00:12:08,894 ever met you? 247 00:12:08,961 --> 00:12:12,531 I mean, he could have had this charade all set up before he 248 00:12:12,598 --> 00:12:13,866 came to Genoa City. 249 00:12:13,933 --> 00:12:18,838 All I am asking is for you to please talk to Michael and 250 00:12:18,904 --> 00:12:22,408 listen to what he says because he is the one who found the 251 00:12:22,475 --> 00:12:24,176 evidence of Ashland's guilt. 252 00:12:24,243 --> 00:12:25,711 >> Victoria: I've heard enough. 253 00:12:25,778 --> 00:12:28,714 I've heard enough! 254 00:12:28,781 --> 00:12:31,450 I thought that you of all people would be on our side. 255 00:12:31,517 --> 00:12:37,790 >> Nikki: I am on your side, as your mother, your COO, 256 00:12:37,857 --> 00:12:38,858 and your friend. 257 00:12:44,430 --> 00:12:47,533 >> Ashland: I'm not gonna spend any more time trying to figure 258 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:48,701 out Victor's motives. 259 00:12:48,767 --> 00:12:50,736 You are my primary concern right now. 260 00:12:50,803 --> 00:12:53,272 You came in here. 261 00:12:53,339 --> 00:12:55,374 You asked me about a story you've heard. 262 00:12:55,441 --> 00:12:58,410 You -- You -- You're asking me if I've been playing you. 263 00:12:58,477 --> 00:13:00,112 >> Nate: And I'm still waiting for an answer. 264 00:13:00,179 --> 00:13:02,882 >> Ashland: Oh, come on. 265 00:13:02,948 --> 00:13:05,017 Nate, I... 266 00:13:05,084 --> 00:13:07,086 I have very few friends in this world. 267 00:13:07,153 --> 00:13:10,222 The more money I've made, the more power I've gained, the more 268 00:13:10,289 --> 00:13:11,357 isolated I've become. 269 00:13:11,423 --> 00:13:13,926 There are very few people I trust. 270 00:13:13,993 --> 00:13:21,467 You -- Aside from Victoria, you have become one of my most 271 00:13:21,534 --> 00:13:23,836 trusted friends. 272 00:13:23,903 --> 00:13:27,039 You are someone I can confide in and be honest with, and I 273 00:13:27,106 --> 00:13:31,277 haven't had that kind of friendship in a very long time. 274 00:13:31,343 --> 00:13:34,813 It's also part of the reason that I made the impulsive 275 00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:40,186 decision to ask you to be my best man, even though we had not 276 00:13:40,252 --> 00:13:44,190 known each other for a very long time. 277 00:13:44,256 --> 00:13:49,628 Look, I'm -- I'm -- I'm not gonna try to convince 278 00:13:49,695 --> 00:13:51,764 you of anything, okay? 279 00:13:51,830 --> 00:13:56,202 I just want to know if you truly believe that I could be as 280 00:13:56,268 --> 00:14:00,773 cunning and calculating, so much so that I would make up some 281 00:14:00,839 --> 00:14:03,809 kind of a story like this one. 282 00:14:03,876 --> 00:14:07,713 >> Nate: It's, uh -- It's difficult to imagine. 283 00:14:07,780 --> 00:14:11,450 >> Ashland: People have been coming after me my entire life 284 00:14:11,517 --> 00:14:13,285 in a hundred different ways. 285 00:14:13,352 --> 00:14:16,155 It comes with the territory. 286 00:14:16,222 --> 00:14:18,290 >> Nate: This seems a bit extreme. 287 00:14:18,357 --> 00:14:19,925 >> Ashland: I agree. 288 00:14:19,992 --> 00:14:24,096 This is a carefully calculated plot that Victor has bought 289 00:14:24,163 --> 00:14:28,000 into, I think because he has never really trusted me in the 290 00:14:28,067 --> 00:14:29,768 first place. 291 00:14:29,835 --> 00:14:33,772 >> Nate: [ Sighs ] I've known Victor for a long time. 292 00:14:33,839 --> 00:14:36,742 And while he's done some things that I've hated, that I've 293 00:14:36,809 --> 00:14:41,780 questioned, he's a smart and careful man, thorough. 294 00:14:41,847 --> 00:14:43,782 >> Ashland: I agree. 295 00:14:43,849 --> 00:14:46,819 >> Nate: And he would never make an accusation like this if he 296 00:14:46,885 --> 00:14:48,420 didn't have proof to back it up. 297 00:14:48,487 --> 00:14:53,459 >> Ashland: And that's exactly what my enemies expected. 298 00:14:53,525 --> 00:14:58,097 This trap has been carefully laid. 299 00:14:58,163 --> 00:15:02,568 But I am not going to stand idly by and allow these people to 300 00:15:02,635 --> 00:15:06,038 dismantle all the accomplishments I have made 301 00:15:06,105 --> 00:15:09,108 with the Newmans. 302 00:15:09,174 --> 00:15:13,112 >> Nate: Is that how you see your marriage to Victoria? 303 00:15:13,178 --> 00:15:15,180 As an accomplishment? 304 00:15:23,222 --> 00:15:26,025 >> Lauren: I think the reason that Michael has been so cagey 305 00:15:26,091 --> 00:15:29,028 about this trip to Peru is that he's doing the type of job that 306 00:15:29,094 --> 00:15:31,130 should be done by a private investigator. 307 00:15:31,196 --> 00:15:33,432 >> Kevin: You know he can take care of himself. 308 00:15:33,499 --> 00:15:36,001 >> Lauren: I do, and that's why I'm so worried. 309 00:15:36,068 --> 00:15:41,307 What if something has gone wrong? 310 00:15:41,373 --> 00:15:43,342 >> Kevin: I'm gonna do some digging around. 311 00:15:43,409 --> 00:15:45,044 >> Lauren: [ Sighs ] Thank you. 312 00:15:45,110 --> 00:15:47,046 Will you find out what may have happened to him? 313 00:15:47,112 --> 00:15:48,580 >> Kevin: Yeah, I'll look into it. 314 00:15:48,647 --> 00:15:49,148 >> Lauren: Alright. 315 00:15:49,214 --> 00:15:50,015 Thank you so much. 316 00:15:50,082 --> 00:15:51,016 Look, I got to go. 317 00:15:51,083 --> 00:15:53,352 I can't just sit around and hope for the best. 318 00:15:53,419 --> 00:15:54,953 >> Kevin: What are you gonna do? 319 00:15:55,020 --> 00:15:57,856 >> Lauren: Well -- >> Chloe: Hi, guys! 320 00:15:57,923 --> 00:15:59,892 Lauren, I'm so glad that you're here. 321 00:15:59,958 --> 00:16:02,561 Um, I can update you on Chelsea's trip to New York. 322 00:16:02,628 --> 00:16:03,562 >> Lauren: Uh, yeah. 323 00:16:03,629 --> 00:16:05,798 I got to go, uh, but I do want to hear about it. 324 00:16:05,864 --> 00:16:07,099 Just later. 325 00:16:07,166 --> 00:16:08,133 >> Chloe: Sure. Okay. 326 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:09,335 >> Lauren: Kevin? 327 00:16:09,401 --> 00:16:10,035 >> Kevin: I'll be in touch. 328 00:16:10,102 --> 00:16:13,539 >> Lauren: Thanks. Bye. 329 00:16:13,605 --> 00:16:16,975 >> Chloe: Um...what did I just walk in on? 330 00:16:17,042 --> 00:16:19,778 >> Kevin: She still hasn't heard from Michael. 331 00:16:19,845 --> 00:16:20,979 I'm worried. 332 00:16:21,046 --> 00:16:23,015 I knew him going back to work for Victor would only lead to 333 00:16:23,082 --> 00:16:23,515 trouble. 334 00:16:23,582 --> 00:16:25,617 >> Chloe: Hold on. 335 00:16:25,684 --> 00:16:39,832 You don't know that he's in trouble. 336 00:16:39,898 --> 00:16:42,801 >> Victoria: Michael. 337 00:16:42,868 --> 00:16:43,969 It's Victoria. 338 00:16:44,036 --> 00:16:46,105 Call me as soon as you can. 339 00:16:46,171 --> 00:16:48,173 It's important. 340 00:16:51,243 --> 00:16:53,579 >> Ashland: Oh, my God. 341 00:16:53,645 --> 00:16:58,951 I do not consider my marriage to Victoria an accomplishment. 342 00:16:59,017 --> 00:17:01,487 >> Nate: Then feel free to clarify. 343 00:17:01,553 --> 00:17:04,189 >> Ashland: Marrying Victoria was the best thing that ever 344 00:17:04,256 --> 00:17:05,891 happened to me in my entire life. 345 00:17:05,958 --> 00:17:07,226 You know that. 346 00:17:07,292 --> 00:17:09,194 She is the true love of my life. 347 00:17:09,261 --> 00:17:12,464 She stood by me through so many tribulations. 348 00:17:12,531 --> 00:17:14,133 >> Nate: And the accomplishment? 349 00:17:14,199 --> 00:17:17,703 >> Ashland: I was talking about the merger, obviously, which, by 350 00:17:17,770 --> 00:17:19,872 the way, is the crowning achievement in Victoria's 351 00:17:19,938 --> 00:17:20,539 career. 352 00:17:20,606 --> 00:17:21,507 She's the one who imagined it. 353 00:17:21,573 --> 00:17:23,008 She's the one who made it happen. 354 00:17:23,075 --> 00:17:26,645 I couldn't be happier for her and more proud of her for that. 355 00:17:26,712 --> 00:17:29,014 Marrying her was a gift. 356 00:17:29,081 --> 00:17:31,950 She gave me the kind of happiness that I never believed 357 00:17:32,017 --> 00:17:34,953 I deserved in my own life, and I've made her happy, too, 358 00:17:35,020 --> 00:17:39,124 happier, she says, than she's ever been. 359 00:17:39,191 --> 00:17:46,064 Nate, I -- I don't know how much time I 360 00:17:46,131 --> 00:17:51,003 have left with her in this life. 361 00:17:51,069 --> 00:17:55,474 But I am not gonna let anyone take away one single second of 362 00:17:55,541 --> 00:17:57,209 that time. 363 00:18:00,813 --> 00:18:04,349 >> Adam: Victoria will only see these accusations as an 364 00:18:04,416 --> 00:18:08,053 unwarranted attack unless we have something solid to back 365 00:18:08,120 --> 00:18:08,787 them up. 366 00:18:08,854 --> 00:18:11,323 >> Victor: Yep. 367 00:18:11,390 --> 00:18:14,059 And time is running out. 368 00:18:14,126 --> 00:18:17,162 Ashland Locke is about to sign a contract that will make him 369 00:18:17,229 --> 00:18:18,397 co-CEO of the company. 370 00:18:18,464 --> 00:18:21,400 >> Adam: Yeah, and if he does, he's gonna be as equally 371 00:18:21,467 --> 00:18:22,601 powerful as Victoria. 372 00:18:22,668 --> 00:18:25,337 >> Victor: I got a text from Michael Baldwin just before he 373 00:18:25,404 --> 00:18:27,639 went missing. 374 00:18:27,706 --> 00:18:30,676 He told me that he was gathering all the dirt he could find on 375 00:18:30,742 --> 00:18:33,445 Ashland Locke and send it to me. 376 00:18:33,512 --> 00:18:35,914 >> Adam: And you still haven't gotten it? 377 00:18:35,981 --> 00:18:38,050 >> Victor: Nothing. 378 00:18:38,116 --> 00:18:40,486 >> Adam: Well, until you do, there's no way that you're gonna 379 00:18:40,552 --> 00:18:41,720 be able to convince Victoria. 380 00:18:41,787 --> 00:18:48,727 >> Victor: [ Exhales heavily ] And Victoria tells me that I've 381 00:18:48,794 --> 00:18:54,132 crossed a line from which it is very difficult to come back. 382 00:18:54,199 --> 00:18:56,401 >> Adam: Well, that had to hurt. 383 00:18:56,468 --> 00:18:59,771 >> Victor: Yeah. 384 00:18:59,838 --> 00:19:06,378 That really hurts, to think that I would lose her love and trust. 385 00:19:06,445 --> 00:19:09,681 [ Knock on door ] >> Nikki: I've just come from 386 00:19:09,748 --> 00:19:10,716 seeing Victoria. 387 00:19:10,782 --> 00:19:11,950 >> Victor: How's she doing? 388 00:19:12,017 --> 00:19:13,085 >> Nikki: Furious. 389 00:19:13,151 --> 00:19:18,090 And, underneath the anger, heartbroken. 390 00:19:18,156 --> 00:19:21,093 >> Victor: Boy, do I wish I could make all this stuff go 391 00:19:21,159 --> 00:19:22,194 away. 392 00:19:22,261 --> 00:19:23,962 >> Nikki: I'm worried about how all of this will end. 393 00:19:24,029 --> 00:19:26,565 What if you're wrong, Victor? 394 00:19:26,632 --> 00:19:29,601 How will you and Victoria ever recover from this? 395 00:19:29,668 --> 00:19:31,737 >> Adam: Look, there's only one way that's gonna happen. 396 00:19:31,803 --> 00:19:34,473 We need that evidence. 397 00:19:34,540 --> 00:19:38,076 It's clear we can't count on Michael to save the day, so what 398 00:19:38,143 --> 00:19:44,316 we need to -- >> Lauren: Oh. Go on. 399 00:19:44,383 --> 00:19:46,818 IF you have something to say about my husband, I'd like to 400 00:19:46,885 --> 00:19:47,886 hear it, too. 401 00:20:02,568 --> 00:20:04,570 >> "The Young and the Restless" will continue. 402 00:20:23,956 --> 00:20:26,625 >> Chloe: Do not let yourself get pulled into Lauren's fears 403 00:20:26,692 --> 00:20:27,392 about Michael. 404 00:20:27,459 --> 00:20:28,560 >> Kevin: What if she's right? 405 00:20:28,627 --> 00:20:29,761 What if he really is in trouble? 406 00:20:29,828 --> 00:20:31,697 >> Chloe: What if the sky is falling? 407 00:20:31,763 --> 00:20:33,665 What if there is a zombie apocalypse? 408 00:20:33,732 --> 00:20:34,366 >> Kevin: Oh, come on. 409 00:20:34,433 --> 00:20:35,601 Just because there's no proof? 410 00:20:35,667 --> 00:20:38,003 >> Chloe: There are a zillion reasons why Michael could be out 411 00:20:38,070 --> 00:20:38,670 of touch. 412 00:20:38,737 --> 00:20:40,539 He's busy. He lost his phone. 413 00:20:40,606 --> 00:20:42,507 He likes being off the grid. 414 00:20:42,574 --> 00:20:43,709 His phone's dead. 415 00:20:43,775 --> 00:20:45,944 >> Kevin: Yeah, I went through the same list with Lauren, but 416 00:20:46,011 --> 00:20:49,648 she insists something about this feels off, and she's right. 417 00:20:49,715 --> 00:20:52,117 If Victor just needed a couple of contracts red-lined, there's 418 00:20:52,184 --> 00:20:54,119 a million other attorneys he could have gone to. 419 00:20:54,186 --> 00:20:55,621 But he chose Michael. 420 00:20:55,687 --> 00:20:57,823 >> Chloe: Because he is the best. 421 00:20:57,889 --> 00:21:00,659 >> Kevin: [ Sighs ] Chances are Victor needed help 422 00:21:00,726 --> 00:21:05,697 with something top-secret, something private and delicate. 423 00:21:05,764 --> 00:21:07,432 But what if something has gone wrong? 424 00:21:07,499 --> 00:21:09,001 What if my brother is in trouble? 425 00:21:09,067 --> 00:21:12,371 He's got nobody there, nobody to help get him out. 426 00:21:12,437 --> 00:21:16,575 I think we owe it to him to at least investigate. 427 00:21:16,642 --> 00:21:18,410 >> Victor: Lauren. My goodness. 428 00:21:18,477 --> 00:21:19,911 How nice to see you. 429 00:21:19,978 --> 00:21:21,346 How can I help you? 430 00:21:21,413 --> 00:21:24,149 >> Lauren: I need answers about Michael. 431 00:21:24,216 --> 00:21:27,119 And we can do this with an audience, but I need to talk to 432 00:21:27,185 --> 00:21:28,654 you now. 433 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:30,522 >> Victor: Alright. 434 00:21:30,589 --> 00:21:33,325 Sweetheart, we can pick this up later, okay? 435 00:21:33,392 --> 00:21:34,793 >> Nikki: Are you sure? 436 00:21:34,860 --> 00:21:35,494 >> Victor: Yeah. 437 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:37,396 I'll let you know when I'm done. 438 00:21:49,775 --> 00:21:52,744 >> Lauren: When was the last time you heard from Michael? 439 00:21:52,811 --> 00:21:55,113 >> Victor: I don't recall exactly. 440 00:21:55,180 --> 00:21:57,149 >> Lauren: Well, I can, down to the minute. 441 00:21:57,215 --> 00:22:00,052 It has been the longest two days of my life. 442 00:22:00,118 --> 00:22:04,589 >> Victor: Lauren, I understand, but he's on a very delicate 443 00:22:04,656 --> 00:22:06,224 mission, you know? 444 00:22:06,291 --> 00:22:09,327 And I'm sure he is wrapping things up and will come home as 445 00:22:09,394 --> 00:22:10,362 soon as he can. 446 00:22:10,429 --> 00:22:14,666 >> Lauren: Don't give me these vague reassurances. 447 00:22:14,733 --> 00:22:18,036 >> Victor: I have no more answers. 448 00:22:18,103 --> 00:22:19,504 >> Lauren: You know something? 449 00:22:19,571 --> 00:22:22,474 Either you're covering something up or you don't want to admit 450 00:22:22,541 --> 00:22:25,277 that you've lost contact with Michael. 451 00:22:25,343 --> 00:22:29,047 Now tell me the truth now. 452 00:22:34,920 --> 00:22:37,823 >> Ashland: So, now you've gotten a window into how rough 453 00:22:37,889 --> 00:22:41,093 and tumble the business world can be when you operate at the 454 00:22:41,159 --> 00:22:43,562 level I do. 455 00:22:43,628 --> 00:22:47,165 But I want to reassure you this kind of thing does not happen 456 00:22:47,232 --> 00:22:50,635 every day, and I intend to expose this sham for what it is 457 00:22:50,702 --> 00:22:54,039 and put an end to it so we can all focus on the future, a 458 00:22:54,106 --> 00:22:57,843 future that includes you in a new position at Newman/Locke. 459 00:22:57,909 --> 00:23:03,415 [ Door opens ] >> Victoria: Nate. 460 00:23:03,482 --> 00:23:07,152 I wasn't expecting to find you here. 461 00:23:07,219 --> 00:23:10,956 Is everything alright? 462 00:23:11,022 --> 00:23:15,193 >> Ashland: Just an unexpected conversation between friends. 463 00:23:15,260 --> 00:23:17,796 >> Victoria: Are you talking about Nate's new position? 464 00:23:17,863 --> 00:23:19,397 >> Nate: Not yet. 465 00:23:19,464 --> 00:23:23,135 >> Ashland: Nate has heard about all the accusations made against 466 00:23:23,201 --> 00:23:25,604 me, and he understandably has questions. 467 00:23:25,670 --> 00:23:29,341 >> Victoria: From my family. 468 00:23:29,407 --> 00:23:33,612 It's humiliating that they're spreading this rumor. 469 00:23:33,678 --> 00:23:36,882 I mean, I can't imagine how they would think that Ashland could 470 00:23:36,948 --> 00:23:39,351 possibly be lying about his cancer diagnosis. 471 00:23:39,417 --> 00:23:42,387 >> Nate: It was the last thing I expected to hear. 472 00:23:42,454 --> 00:23:45,590 >> Victoria: You don't actually believe them, do you? 473 00:23:45,657 --> 00:23:49,161 I mean, you've -- you've seen Ashland's medical records. 474 00:23:49,227 --> 00:23:52,597 You've -- You've witnessed the toll that this has taken on him. 475 00:23:52,664 --> 00:23:58,403 It's absurd, the idea that he's never had cancer. 476 00:23:58,470 --> 00:24:04,009 >> Nate: Everything I've seen supports his diagnosis, yes. 477 00:24:04,075 --> 00:24:06,444 >> Victoria: Will you go to my father? 478 00:24:06,511 --> 00:24:08,280 He trusts you. 479 00:24:08,346 --> 00:24:12,350 Tell him how insane this is and the only thing that he is going 480 00:24:12,417 --> 00:24:17,455 to accomplish by pursuing this ridiculous accusation is it's 481 00:24:17,522 --> 00:24:20,125 just gonna cause irreparable damage. 482 00:24:20,192 --> 00:24:23,061 And when the truth does come out and we find out who's really 483 00:24:23,128 --> 00:24:25,630 behind it and why, his embarrassing claims that he's 484 00:24:25,697 --> 00:24:28,400 doing this to protect me -- it's just not gonna amount to 485 00:24:28,466 --> 00:24:29,768 anything. 486 00:24:29,835 --> 00:24:34,172 It's hurting Ashland and it's hurting me and it needs to stop. 487 00:24:34,239 --> 00:24:37,809 >> Nate: I hope for all your sakes that the truth comes out 488 00:24:37,876 --> 00:24:40,846 sooner than later. 489 00:24:40,912 --> 00:24:42,147 >> Victoria: Thank you, Nate. 490 00:24:42,214 --> 00:24:44,883 Thank you so much. 491 00:24:44,950 --> 00:24:49,221 >> Ashland: We're lucky to have you as a friend, Nate. 492 00:24:49,287 --> 00:24:52,190 And I appreciate that you've come here to hear my side of the 493 00:24:52,257 --> 00:24:54,626 story. 494 00:24:54,693 --> 00:24:58,797 >> Nate: Of course. 495 00:24:58,864 --> 00:25:03,201 >> Ashland: Nate. 496 00:25:03,268 --> 00:25:05,670 I'm looking forward to sitting with you and talking about your 497 00:25:05,737 --> 00:25:07,739 future at Newman/Locke. 498 00:25:10,942 --> 00:25:12,944 >> Nate: Take care. 499 00:25:19,117 --> 00:25:22,954 >> Victoria: [ Exhales sharply ] It is such a relief that he is 500 00:25:23,021 --> 00:25:24,689 not buying into this nonsense. 501 00:25:30,061 --> 00:25:32,564 You have the chief of surgery in your corner. 502 00:25:32,631 --> 00:25:34,633 Why don't you look happier? 503 00:25:44,843 --> 00:25:45,944 >> Nate: Hey, you. 504 00:25:46,011 --> 00:25:47,812 I am sorry I am late. 505 00:25:47,879 --> 00:25:49,881 [ Smooches ] I hope I didn't have you waiting too long. 506 00:25:49,948 --> 00:25:53,418 >> Elena: I won't hold it against you...too much. 507 00:25:53,485 --> 00:25:55,520 >> Nate: [ Chuckles ] >> Elena: What held you up? 508 00:25:55,587 --> 00:25:57,222 Something exciting happen at Memorial? 509 00:25:57,289 --> 00:26:01,459 >> Nate: Uh, if there's anything exciting about doing paperwork, 510 00:26:01,526 --> 00:26:03,962 I wish someone would share the secret. 511 00:26:04,029 --> 00:26:05,463 [ Chuckles ] No. 512 00:26:05,530 --> 00:26:09,100 Uh, some Newman family drama. 513 00:26:09,167 --> 00:26:10,502 >> Elena: Shocking. 514 00:26:10,568 --> 00:26:11,636 >> Nate: Yeah. 515 00:26:11,703 --> 00:26:14,439 It's not just your garden-variety business intrigue 516 00:26:14,506 --> 00:26:15,540 or sibling rivalry. 517 00:26:15,607 --> 00:26:17,842 This is some next-level stuff. 518 00:26:17,909 --> 00:26:20,412 >> Elena: Interesting. Go on. 519 00:26:20,478 --> 00:26:21,646 >> Nate: Hmm. 520 00:26:21,713 --> 00:26:25,016 All I can say is Ashland's at the center of it, which is why I 521 00:26:25,083 --> 00:26:26,284 got dragged into it. 522 00:26:26,351 --> 00:26:29,721 Someone's making some pretty scandalous accusations about 523 00:26:29,788 --> 00:26:30,488 him. 524 00:26:30,555 --> 00:26:32,557 >> Elena: Well, Ashland's no angel. 525 00:26:32,624 --> 00:26:34,793 Everyone knows that. 526 00:26:34,859 --> 00:26:37,595 But I guess I've been a hopeless romantic because I thought 527 00:26:37,662 --> 00:26:40,165 falling in love with Victoria would have changed him. 528 00:26:40,231 --> 00:26:43,134 >> Nate: You really think love can change someone? 529 00:26:43,201 --> 00:26:46,104 >> Elena: I think love from the right person, sure. 530 00:26:46,171 --> 00:26:48,473 But I don't know Ashland like you do. 531 00:26:48,540 --> 00:26:51,576 Do you think the allegations are true? 532 00:26:51,643 --> 00:26:56,648 >> Nate: [ Sighs ] I don't want to believe them. 533 00:26:56,715 --> 00:26:58,516 >> Elena: But you're not sure. 534 00:26:58,583 --> 00:27:01,086 >> Nate: It'd be one thing if Victor was the one who 535 00:27:01,152 --> 00:27:04,789 approached me about all of this, but it was Nick. 536 00:27:04,856 --> 00:27:07,759 >> Elena: Oh, boy. 537 00:27:07,826 --> 00:27:08,994 The Newman with a heart of gold. 538 00:27:09,060 --> 00:27:11,896 >> Nate: He knows Ashland and I are close friends. 539 00:27:11,963 --> 00:27:14,933 He wants my help in confirming his suspicions. 540 00:27:15,000 --> 00:27:18,069 >> Elena: So he's basically asking you to betray your 541 00:27:18,136 --> 00:27:19,270 friend. 542 00:27:19,337 --> 00:27:22,007 >> Nate: I told him and Victor that I didn't want any part of 543 00:27:22,073 --> 00:27:23,408 it. 544 00:27:23,475 --> 00:27:27,545 But when I left, I had a ton of questions. 545 00:27:27,612 --> 00:27:30,382 So I went to see Ashland, heard his side of the story. 546 00:27:30,448 --> 00:27:31,616 >> Elena: What did he say? 547 00:27:31,683 --> 00:27:34,252 >> Nate: He claims it was all lies, that someone's setting him 548 00:27:34,319 --> 00:27:36,321 up. 549 00:27:36,388 --> 00:27:37,989 He was very convincing. 550 00:27:38,056 --> 00:27:39,124 >> Elena: Yeah. 551 00:27:39,190 --> 00:27:42,427 I know how persuasive Ashland can be. 552 00:27:42,494 --> 00:27:46,664 >> Nate: I was ready to leave Memorial to go work for him. 553 00:27:46,731 --> 00:27:51,236 >> Elena: Wait, you "were" ready? 554 00:27:51,302 --> 00:27:53,938 >> Nate: I told Ashland I was leaning towards accepting his 555 00:27:54,005 --> 00:27:56,374 offer. 556 00:27:56,441 --> 00:28:01,980 But I'm having doubts now about taking that leap... 557 00:28:02,047 --> 00:28:04,582 and about Locke himself. 558 00:28:04,649 --> 00:28:07,519 >> Ashland: Victor's protecting his daughter. 559 00:28:07,585 --> 00:28:10,955 I can understand that. 560 00:28:11,022 --> 00:28:15,093 But why he felt the need to go to my friend, poison him against 561 00:28:15,160 --> 00:28:16,694 me, I, uh... 562 00:28:16,761 --> 00:28:17,996 >> Victor: I'm so sorry. 563 00:28:18,063 --> 00:28:20,198 >> Ashland: Yeah. 564 00:28:20,265 --> 00:28:22,767 Well, maybe it's better that everything's out in the open 565 00:28:22,834 --> 00:28:23,935 with Nate. 566 00:28:24,002 --> 00:28:28,640 I'm just glad he had the chance to hear the truth from me. 567 00:28:28,706 --> 00:28:34,813 But, Victoria, I'm gonna find out who's behind these attacks, 568 00:28:34,879 --> 00:28:38,750 prove these disgusting allegations are just lies. 569 00:28:38,817 --> 00:28:41,653 >> Victoria: That is the fastest way to get my father to back 570 00:28:41,719 --> 00:28:42,620 off. 571 00:28:42,687 --> 00:28:44,322 >> Ashland: No, I want more than that, though. 572 00:28:44,389 --> 00:28:50,228 I want to remove any shred of doubt from Victor's mind... 573 00:28:50,295 --> 00:28:52,297 or anyone else's. 574 00:28:54,833 --> 00:28:56,701 >> Victor: I don't like seeing you this upset. 575 00:28:56,768 --> 00:28:59,804 >> Lauren: What have you gotten Michael involved in? 576 00:28:59,871 --> 00:29:02,607 >> Victor: Sweetheart, it was a delicate mission that I knew he 577 00:29:02,674 --> 00:29:03,842 could handle. 578 00:29:03,908 --> 00:29:06,878 >> Lauren: It was supposed to be a short fact-finding mission! 579 00:29:06,945 --> 00:29:09,247 The secrecy, the intrigue. 580 00:29:09,314 --> 00:29:11,983 You made it sound like an adventure, and Michael ate it 581 00:29:12,050 --> 00:29:12,484 up. 582 00:29:12,550 --> 00:29:13,685 He was eager to go. 583 00:29:13,751 --> 00:29:17,255 The one thing you forgot to tell him is how dangerous it was. 584 00:29:17,322 --> 00:29:20,358 >> Victor: I would never put him in a dangerous situation. 585 00:29:20,425 --> 00:29:24,829 >> Lauren: This trip to Peru has dragged on, and Michael is now 586 00:29:24,896 --> 00:29:25,997 off the radar. 587 00:29:26,064 --> 00:29:31,336 My gut is telling me that something is very wrong. 588 00:29:31,402 --> 00:29:33,238 >> Victor: Michael is not only a great lawyer. 589 00:29:33,304 --> 00:29:35,740 He's a good friend of mine. 590 00:29:35,807 --> 00:29:38,710 If anything goes wrong, I will move heaven and Earth to get him 591 00:29:38,776 --> 00:29:39,711 back here, alright? 592 00:29:39,777 --> 00:29:40,545 >> Lauren: Right. 593 00:29:40,612 --> 00:29:42,580 And we need to do that now. 594 00:29:42,647 --> 00:29:44,149 We need to find him. 595 00:29:44,215 --> 00:29:47,752 >> Victor: We don't even know if anything is amiss. 596 00:29:47,819 --> 00:29:49,154 We don't. 597 00:29:49,220 --> 00:29:52,624 I don't want you to have your imagination run amuck with you. 598 00:29:52,690 --> 00:29:55,860 >> Lauren: What if you had lost contact with Nikki and she was 599 00:29:55,927 --> 00:29:56,961 out of the country? 600 00:29:57,028 --> 00:29:58,062 What would you do? 601 00:29:58,129 --> 00:30:00,298 >> Victor: I would do the same thing you're doing now. 602 00:30:00,365 --> 00:30:03,301 And if she walked back in and she was alright, she would tell 603 00:30:03,368 --> 00:30:06,371 me, "Listen, why were you so worried?" 604 00:30:06,437 --> 00:30:10,141 >> Lauren: I really hope you're telling me the truth. 605 00:30:10,208 --> 00:30:14,345 Because if anything happens to Michael, I will never forgive 606 00:30:14,412 --> 00:30:15,413 you. 607 00:30:19,984 --> 00:30:24,989 [ Door slams ] >> Victor: [ Breathes deeply ] 608 00:30:32,797 --> 00:30:34,065 >> Kevin: Hi. 609 00:30:34,132 --> 00:30:35,833 Thanks for meeting us. 610 00:30:35,900 --> 00:30:38,203 >> Lauren: Well, I'm glad you're taking my concerns about Michael 611 00:30:38,269 --> 00:30:39,837 seriously. 612 00:30:39,904 --> 00:30:42,874 >> Chloe: Well, when you left Society, we talked about it, and 613 00:30:42,941 --> 00:30:46,010 Kevin persuaded me that this is more than just his phone running 614 00:30:46,077 --> 00:30:47,045 out of power. 615 00:30:47,111 --> 00:30:48,846 >> Lauren: [ Sighs ] >> Kevin: I've hacked into his 616 00:30:48,913 --> 00:30:49,948 devices, tried tracking him. 617 00:30:50,014 --> 00:30:51,382 >> Lauren: And what did you find? 618 00:30:51,449 --> 00:30:53,585 >> Kevin: [ Sighs ] Dead ends and brick walls. 619 00:30:53,651 --> 00:30:56,387 >> Lauren: [ Sighs ] Sounds like my meeting with 620 00:30:56,454 --> 00:30:57,655 Victor. 621 00:30:57,722 --> 00:31:00,158 >> Chloe: That's who you rushed to go see when you left Society? 622 00:31:00,225 --> 00:31:02,694 >> Lauren: Yeah, I thought it would be important to go see the 623 00:31:02,760 --> 00:31:05,530 man that sent Michael to Peru in the first place to see what was 624 00:31:05,597 --> 00:31:06,764 going on. 625 00:31:06,831 --> 00:31:10,134 But all he said is that he would move mountains to keep Michael 626 00:31:10,201 --> 00:31:11,169 safe. 627 00:31:11,236 --> 00:31:12,804 >> Chloe: Well, that's not much of an explanation. 628 00:31:12,870 --> 00:31:14,372 >> Lauren: Exactly. 629 00:31:14,439 --> 00:31:17,542 I think he's as much in the dark as we are and doesn't want to 630 00:31:17,609 --> 00:31:20,812 admit that he doesn't know what happened to Michael and why he's 631 00:31:20,878 --> 00:31:22,046 been out of contact. 632 00:31:22,113 --> 00:31:25,183 >> Kevin: I'm gonna keep digging around to see what I can find, 633 00:31:25,250 --> 00:31:28,219 but if we don't hear from our brother by morning, I'm gonna 634 00:31:28,286 --> 00:31:29,854 get my cop buddies involved. 635 00:31:33,391 --> 00:31:35,994 >> Nate: [ Sighs ] >> Elena: Okay. 636 00:31:36,060 --> 00:31:37,695 Here's what we're gonna do. 637 00:31:37,762 --> 00:31:41,633 We are gonna have brunch, where the only thing you have to 638 00:31:41,699 --> 00:31:44,569 decide is whether you want coffee or tea. 639 00:31:44,636 --> 00:31:46,704 >> Nate: Coffee. 640 00:31:46,771 --> 00:31:49,207 >> Elena: You don't have to make a decision about Newman/Locke 641 00:31:49,274 --> 00:31:49,941 just yet. 642 00:31:50,008 --> 00:31:51,509 >> Nate: I'm loving this already. 643 00:31:51,576 --> 00:31:54,379 >> Elena: And you're gonna love me more for not demanding 644 00:31:54,445 --> 00:31:57,548 details about what's going on with Ashland. 645 00:31:57,615 --> 00:31:59,784 I understand why you want to be discreet. 646 00:31:59,851 --> 00:32:02,086 >> Nate: This could affect a lot of people. 647 00:32:02,153 --> 00:32:07,058 >> Elena: But it's all gonna work out in the end -- because 648 00:32:07,125 --> 00:32:09,961 I know you're gonna be fair and you're not gonna jump to any 649 00:32:10,028 --> 00:32:11,996 conclusions. 650 00:32:12,063 --> 00:32:14,132 I trust your instincts. 651 00:32:14,198 --> 00:32:17,101 Your gut reactions have saved so many lives. 652 00:32:17,168 --> 00:32:19,270 >> Nate: [ Sighs ] >> Elena: So you should trust 653 00:32:19,337 --> 00:32:20,972 them, too. 654 00:32:21,039 --> 00:32:25,143 And if something feels wrong, it probably is. 655 00:32:25,209 --> 00:32:28,446 >> Nate: And that's what I'm afraid of. 656 00:32:28,513 --> 00:32:32,383 [ Sighs ] But I'm not sure who's behind this. 657 00:32:32,450 --> 00:32:35,119 I need to find out. 658 00:32:35,186 --> 00:32:39,123 >> Victor: Look, he's not only a good friend, but he has the 659 00:32:39,190 --> 00:32:41,793 evidence I desperately need, alright? 660 00:32:41,859 --> 00:32:45,530 So, whenever you hear anything bout him or from him, you let me 661 00:32:45,596 --> 00:32:46,497 know, alright? 662 00:32:46,564 --> 00:32:48,566 Get to work. 663 00:32:50,201 --> 00:32:53,871 [ Sighs ] >> Adam: Michael Baldwin still 664 00:32:53,938 --> 00:32:54,305 AWOL? 665 00:32:54,372 --> 00:32:55,340 >> Victor: Yeah. 666 00:32:59,243 --> 00:33:01,346 >> Adam: Well, he's a smart guy. 667 00:33:01,412 --> 00:33:06,050 He's got himself out of some tight spots before. 668 00:33:06,117 --> 00:33:10,088 >> Victor: [ Breathes deeply ] You know, I never thought that 669 00:33:10,154 --> 00:33:13,024 Ashland Locke would get the upper hand. 670 00:33:13,091 --> 00:33:16,627 >> Adam: Well, how far do you think he'd go to keep him quiet? 671 00:33:16,694 --> 00:33:18,696 >> Victor: He will do whatever he can. 672 00:33:18,763 --> 00:33:22,033 He's a desperate man. 673 00:33:22,100 --> 00:33:27,472 Especially now that he knows his entire back story is about to 674 00:33:27,538 --> 00:33:34,746 come to light and we expose him for the fraud he is. 675 00:33:34,812 --> 00:33:38,349 So he's back against the wall. 676 00:33:38,416 --> 00:33:42,487 I expect anything from him. 677 00:33:42,553 --> 00:33:47,692 >> Ashland: I am going to put all my energy into finding out 678 00:33:47,759 --> 00:33:51,162 who's trying to destroy my life and put a stop to it. 679 00:33:51,229 --> 00:33:55,199 >> Victoria: I just want this to be over. 680 00:33:55,266 --> 00:33:58,102 >> Ashland: First I need something from you. 681 00:33:58,169 --> 00:33:59,804 >> Victoria: Anything. 682 00:33:59,871 --> 00:34:03,875 You know that. 683 00:34:03,941 --> 00:34:09,080 >> Ashland: Can you look me in the eye and tell me that you 684 00:34:09,147 --> 00:34:14,652 believe I'm telling the truth? 685 00:34:14,719 --> 00:34:17,588 >> Victoria: Of course I can. 686 00:34:17,655 --> 00:34:20,658 I will always support you. 687 00:34:20,725 --> 00:34:24,028 >> Ashland: That's all I needed to hear. 688 00:34:24,095 --> 00:34:26,364 >> Victoria: We should celebrate that. 689 00:34:26,431 --> 00:34:29,434 >> Ashland: [ Chuckles ] What do you have in mind? 690 00:34:34,972 --> 00:34:35,973 >> Victoria: This. 691 00:34:40,278 --> 00:34:41,179 >> Ashland: The contract. 692 00:34:41,245 --> 00:34:42,313 >> Victoria: Yes. 693 00:34:42,380 --> 00:34:49,720 Making you my full partner, my co-CEO of Newman/Locke. 694 00:34:49,787 --> 00:34:54,826 >> Ashland: [ Exhales sharply ] I can't tell you what this means 695 00:34:54,892 --> 00:34:55,893 to me. 696 00:35:05,570 --> 00:35:07,705 [ Chuckles ] [ Stylus clatters ] 697 00:35:32,763 --> 00:35:44,709 ♪♪ 698 00:35:44,775 --> 00:35:59,657 ♪♪ ♪♪ 699 00:35:59,724 --> 00:36:01,859 ♪♪ ♪♪ 700 00:36:01,926 --> 00:36:16,807 ♪♪ ♪♪ 701 00:36:16,874 --> 00:36:24,649 ♪♪ ♪♪ 702 00:36:24,715 --> 00:36:26,717 ♪♪ >> Join us again for "The Young and the Restless."