Ashley and Tony are on one side of the table; Jack and Mike on the other. The arbitrator sits at the head of the table to hear Ashley make her case – Jack reacted to her concerns (about caring for their Mother) by acting on impulse, ego and bad judgment. That lead to her calling a board meeting and the no-confidence vote. Jack refused to concede and brought out the ‘no blood’ clause. John Abbott’s name is on my birth certificate – he raised me, loved me, Ashley concludes.
Jack’s known about Ashley’s paternity for years and will always consider her an Abbott (but her attempt to unseat me is misguided). Tony asks about the amendment. It’s legally binding, Jack claims. Ashley’s Father is Brent Davis. Yes, Jack had the board’s support in adding the amendment. No, he didn’t tell Ashley. Jack didn’t need to. It wasn’t about her. Yes, he appointed Ashley as CEO but it was temporary. Tony wonders why Jack went back to work instead of taking care of his Mother. Ashley did what was best for the company but you did everything you could to push her out. No further questions. Mike stands to take his turn – reminding Ashley that she’s under oath.
Finding Hilary on her laptop at the club’s bar, Devon assumes that she’s looking at a dating site. No, it’s a sperm donor site, she surprises him.
At CL’s, Chelsea updates Sharon on the renos and admits that she’s upset because a bottle of perfume that Adam bought her broke (and it’s discontinued) No, she didn’t tell Nick. Sharon doesn’t think Chelsea needs to unless she’s ready. Chelsea feels she should be ready – she’s so proud of what Nick’s doing – he’s like the perfect guy. He’s not perfect (and Sharon should know) Nick’s good and calm, Chelsea continues; nothing like Adam. Yes, he was difficult – nothing was every easy. Do you wish Nick were more like Adam? Sharon gently asks.
As Hilary goes over her choices online, Devon knows (from experience) that a male role model is important. What if there’s someone suitable out there? You once said you wanted kids with me, he reminds. Good thing we didn’t – look what we’d have put him/her through, Hilary points out. Devon can’t disagree.
Back in the boardroom, Mike asks Ashley to list the times Jack treated her badly because of her paternity. Now recall good times with Dina (she doesn’t have much for either) They then move on to Jack explaining that he had the clause added because he was going through a divorce – it had nothing to do with Ashley. Dina needed help; more than I could give her, Jack then admits. Traci lives in New York and Ashley can’t forgive Dina (for several things) She wants me to put my Mother in a home. Ashley turned her back on my Mother and now she’s attacking me – she wants to cause as much pain for this family as she can! You think I want to do this?! You forced this on me! Jack barks at Ashley.