>> Steffy: Here you go, Kayla. If you can take this down
to legal that would be great. >> Kayla: Will do.
>> Steffy: Thanks.
>> Hope: So, did Eric and Carter really have to leave?
>> Steffy: We were wrapping up our meeting and they wanted
to give us some time alone to speak.
>> Hope: Why is that? Do they know something
that I don't? I mean, you said we were
supposed to talk about Hope for the Future. So...
What's really going on here? ♪♪
>> Deacon: Hey. >> Liam: Hey.
Well, now I'm confused. Are you my father-in-law
or my bartender, which is it? >> Deacon: You get the best
of both worlds with me. [ Liam chuckles ]
>> Liam: What's up? Why did you wanna see me?
>> Deacon: Uh...
Worried about Hope. You know, with Douglas
living at Steffy's? >> Liam: Oh... Well,
yeah, this-- this whole thing has not been easy
on your daughter. >> Deacon: I don't
understand it, he's her son. What the hell
was Thomas thinking? Letting a kid decide
where he's gonna live? >> Liam: I-- I know, I know.
In retrospect... stupid, stupid idea. We never
should've agreed to it. >> Deacon: Well,
don't feel too badly 'cause it could've been worse.
Douglas could be living with Thomas.
>> Liam: Really, he's the last person on Earth who should be
entrusted with anything, let alone, you know, a human.
>> Thomas: You know, I wanna be around my son as much
as I possibly can, so I'm glad to be
semi-welcome here again.
>> Taylor: You and your sister are gonna be just fine.
>> Thomas: Thanks to all your meddling.
>> Taylor: Oh, yeah.
I'm so good at that, aren't I? >> Thomas: You really are.
>> Taylor: Give yourself some credit for all the work
you're doing on yourself. >> Thomas: Yeah. Going to
therapy and I'm trying to win back everybody's trust.
>> Taylor: And you will. You will.
You and Steffy love each other so much.
It's never gonna change.
Steffy is not your enemy and you are not hers.
The only enemy lurking around this family is Sheila Carter.
♪♪
>> Sheila: You sure are quiet today.
>> Bill: Am I?
>> Sheila: Everything okay?
>> Bill: Yeah. Yeah, just...
a lot on my mind. Sorry.
>> Sheila: Don't be sorry.
Just means I have to try a lot harder to keep your attention.
♪♪
>> Sheila: We had fun this morning.
>> Bill: Yes, we did. >> Sheila: You ready
for another round? >> Bill: I'm always ready.
But I have a few meetings. >> Sheila: Oh...
you and your meetings. Now, see, that's why
you're so distracted. Work is taking all your energy.
>> Bill: Oh, I've got plenty of energy for you.
I'm glad you feel so safe in this space.
Free.
You can be open with me.
♪♪
I'm all yours, Sheila.
And you're all mine. ♪♪
>> Deacon: I've been thinking a lot about her lately.
>> Liam: Well, for what it's worth, Hope knows that.
She does, she really feels your support, and by
the way, she's really excited for you that you're getting
this place off the ground. >> Deacon: I just wish
I could do something for her.
>> Liam: You and me both. She's really torn up about it.
As if the Douglas thing weren't enough, now she's
worried about her line. ♪♪
>> Thomas: I really appreciate your support, Mom.
>> Taylor: You always have it.
I just love seeing how focused you are and...
understanding yourself better. >> Thomas: Well...
You don't have to be so forgiving.
I mean, I did some pretty terrible things,
the last of which was making that stupid CPS call.
>> Taylor: Okay,
but I will never give up on you.
Ever.
Neither will Steffy. [ Thomas chuckles ]
>> Thomas: Oh, her allowing me to be here around Douglas
as much as I am... [ text message alert ]
...it's a pretty big step.
>> Taylor: Yeah.
And she wants to see us both at Forrester Creations.
♪♪
>> Hope: Steffy, this is a transitional period for us
and-- and we will get the line back on track.
>> Steffy: Nothing against my grandfather or Zende,
but their specialty is couture. That needs to be their focus.
Hope, it's been months now. We can't go on
like this any longer.
>> Hope: What does that mean?
>> Steffy: As co-CEO it's my responsibility to watch over
the company finances. Therefore, I'm considering
pausing your line. ♪♪
>> Sheila: What are
you thinking about?
>> Bill: How pretty you are.
[ Sheila chuckles]
>> Sheila: I'm serious. >> Bill: You think I'm not?
>> Sheila: It's just sometimes you are so hard to read.
>> Bill: You should know me by now.
What you see is what you get.
>> Sheila: I really like what I see.
>> Bill: Good...
because I've given more of myself to you than anyone.
My ex-wives, my boys, my-- my family.
I have sacrificed a lot for this relationship, Sheila.
>> Sheila: I know you have
and I appreciate it, Bill. And I...
will be forever grateful for all that
you've done for me.
>> Deacon: You know, what the hell am I doing
standing around here, I own the joint. Let's grab a table.
>> Liam: [ chuckles ] Okay.
>> Deacon: You know, I know that Hope had been
dealing with a lot of challenges. Obviously Douglas,
but uh... the line? I didn't know
it was struggling. >> Liam: Honestly,
I didn't either. >> Deacon: How bad
are we talking? >> Liam: I don't know.
I mean, I can't imagine it's that terrible.
It's still Hope's line. Like, people love it.
People love the whole, you know, message of
empowerment and inclusivity. >> Deacon: Plus it's been
killing it forever. What's the problem?
>> Liam: Exactly. I just think--
I knew the line was going through an adjustment period
and you gotta think, with the change of designers,
you know, some turbulence is expected.
>> Deacon: I hate to say it, but sounds like nothing's been
the same since Thomas left. >> Liam: Nobody can deny that,
but Thomas coming back to design for Hope for the Future?
Totally out of the question.
>> Hope: You can't be serious. >> Steffy: I haven't spoken
to my father, but... the numbers aren't good.
>> Hope: Steffy, I can get the numbers back up.
>> Steffy: This isn't just about you, Hope.
>> Hope: Well, I know myself and I know the line. I mean,
I am Hope for the Future, I can do it.
>> Steffy: You already said you had issues with
the new design team. >> Hope: Look,
I believe in Zende. He's more than capable
and Eric said that he would stay involved. I mean, we are
just getting started and besides, we're already into
the next collection. I mean, have you seen the designs?
>> Steffy: I've seen some of the prototypes.
>> Hope: It's going to be beautiful.
>> Steffy: Hope, this isn't personal, this is business.
I am basing this off of declining sales
and I don't want my grandfather and Zende splitting their focus
on your line and couture. >> Hope: Hope for the Future
is more than just a clothing line, Steffy.
It is about the communities that it reaches out to.
This is about the messaging.
>> Steffy: This isn't easy for me.
>> Hope: So you're saying Hope for the Future
is on the chopping block? >> Steffy: I am not suggesting
we cancel it. >> Hope: So then what
are you proposing?
>> Taylor: We're gonna have to pump the brakes unless
we figure out a solution.
>> Hope: Like what?
>> Steffy: Yeah, could you let them in?
[ door opens ]
♪♪ >> Both: What's going on?
>> Steffy: We were just talking about Hope for the Future.
How important it's been to the success of Forrester Creations.
Unfortunately, we've hit... some crossroads.
It's time to decide what will become of
Hope for the Future. ♪♪
>> Bill: Okay, thanks. That was the guard.
Liam's here. >> Sheila: Oh, great.
Your son that despises me. But then again,
everyone despises me. >> Bill: Well, everyone
despises me so you're in great company.
Never forget that, Sheila.
[ knocking on door ]
>> Liam: Making me check in with the guard now? Oh...
Okay.
>> Sheila: Hey, Junior.
>> Bill: What? It's truth.
William. William.
>> Liam: Yeah, yeah, no, I got it. I got it.
I know my own name. Thanks. >> Sheila: You know what?
I don't want to interrupt your time with your son.
>> Bill: Where you going? >> Sheila: Um...
I'll just go run a few errands.
[ sighs ] >> Liam: Mm.
[ door opens, closes ] >> Liam: Wow. Never gonna get
used to walking in here and seeing Sheila Carter.
That is not normal.
And it's certainly not gonna get less nauseating.
>> Bill: I never said there was anything normal about it.
I'm the anti-norm.
I blaze my own trail. That shouldn't surprise you.
>> Liam: Yeah-- No. Yeah, sure. If you consider shacking up
with a psychopath blazing your own trail...
>> Bill: I do my own thing, Liam.
Always have. You should be used
to that by now. >> Liam: I'm not used to this.
I'm not. I don't even know who I'm looking at anymore,
or what version of you I'm gonna get
in a given moment. >> Bill: Unpredictability...
>> Liam: Is your motto. Yes. Unpredictability is your motto
and you wear it like a badge of honor.
Only in this case it is not a good thing, Dad.
I-- I--
>> Bill: I really don't care what anyone thinks anymore.
>> Liam: Really? You just-- you don't care what I think?
Your own son? What about Wyatt? Do you care what he thinks?
What about Willie? What are you gonna say to Will
when he comes back? Do you-- Do any of our feelings
matter to you? This whole
"screw the world" mentality, it's off brand, even for you.
Yes, you've always been a renegade.
Yes, you've always thought outside the box.
It is-- it is a piece of you that I have come to respect
and maybe, maybe even admire but Dad, you're blackmailing
Steffy now.
Steffy.
We both know what she means to you.
So, why are you letting yourself be manipulated
by a criminal like Sheila? ♪♪
>> Hope: What about the future of my line?
>> Thomas: Yes, Steff. Why did you have Mom
and me come here? >> Steffy: The latest numbers.
>> Hope: We know they're disappointing.
We've been over that. >> Steffy: Looking at
the downward trajectory, it only proves what
we've already known.
That Hope for the Future excels under one condition.
>> Hope: And what's that?
>> Steffy: Hope, your fans adore you.
You are well-liked throughout the industry.
You have millions of followers on social media.
The problem isn't you. You need a decisive.
A creative genius, and you don't have that.
And don't get me wrong, what Zende
and my grandfather did, it was amazing but it just
wasn't the right fit for you. And deep down,
I think you realize that. We need a designer who--
who really knows what to do, who cannot be duplicated.
So...
here's the deal.
If we want Hope for the Future to succeed,
the lead designer of your line needs to be my brother.
♪♪ ♪♪
>> Liam: Dad... [ sighs ] You gotta-- you gotta
level with me here. Wh--
where is all this coming from?
>> Bill: It's who I am, Liam.
Maybe a side of me you haven't seen before.
>> Liam: Hey look, I...
I know you didn't have the best childhood.
>> Bill: Stop. Stop. Stop.
Be careful, son.
Don't start analyzing me. You might not like
what you find.
>> Liam: Okay, I'm not-- I'm not analyzing.
I'm not even judging.
But I can't just sit back and do nothing
because I'm scared. Do you understand?
I'm scared for you. I'm scared for me.
I'm scared for the family. I'm scared for all of us!
So-- So, tell me. You tell me.
There's gotta be some way to get Sheila Carter
out of your life. ♪♪
[ knocking on door ] ♪♪
>> Deacon: Sheila, what are you doing here?
I thought you said goodbye to me forever.
>> Sheila: Maybe I didn't mean it.
>> Taylor: Steffy, what are you saying?
>> Steffy: Thomas, it seems like you're ready
to redeem yourself.
You hurt a lot of people.
>> Thomas: I know.
>> Steffy: I know you say you, you're wanting to change.
You're seeing a therapist and I think you regret
interfering in people's lives.
I really hope that chapter is over.
>> Thomas: It is. >> Steffy: Okay.
I think you've learned your lesson.
You shouldn't be punished anymore.
And the truth is,
we're all paying the price not having Thomas here.
>> Thomas: So, does this actually mean...
>> Steffy: That you are no longer exiled.
You're welcome back to the company.
[ Taylor exclaims, chuckles ] [ Thomas chuckles in relief ]
And it's not totally up to me, but...
my professional recommendation would be...
Thomas to come back and revive Hope for the Future.
>> Thomas: As lead designer? >> Steffy: As lead designer.
>> Thomas: Steffy, I-- thank you so much. I-- I--
I've been waiting months to hear you say that.
>> Taylor: Me too.
Oh, honey, I am-- I am so happy you're
giving your brother a chance.
>> Thomas: Yeah. And I promise
I won't let you down.
I won't let any of you down. >> Hope: Okay, guys. I am--
I'm confused because I thought you two were barely speaking
and just not long ago you suggested that
we forge ahead without him. >> Taylor: I-- I might've
intervened a little.
>> Steffy: Hope, my mother forced Thomas and I to get
back together and just, um, piece things out.
>> Taylor: Okay, forced? Forced sounds
a little aggressive, but I-- I totally forced.
Now it's up to the two of you to just continue building
and growing and-- and healing and most importantly,
bringing back that trust.
>> Steffy: Ultimately, I said I'd give Thomas another chance.
This is his opportunity.
If you agree to it, Hope.
I know you may want to resist, but Thomas is the key
to saving your line.
Profits have slowed.
The designs just aren't hitting.
Thomas is your way out of this.
So, what do you say?
Will you allow Thomas to return to Hope for the Future?
♪♪