Billy doesn’t hold a grudge because Jill picked Lily to run Chancellor – he’s excited about what they’re building. Don’t compare yourself to anyone – you’re the smartest, sexiest, savviest CEO this company has ever seen. Lily rewards Billy’s pep talk with a kiss.
Nikki comes home to tell Victor that she had a productive lunch with Vikki (Ashland’s improved health has removed a cloud of worry over her head) She also ran into Lily – Jill was smart to hire her. Swearing Nikki to secrecy, Victor confides why he’s summoned Ashland over. He didn’t just stumble upon this clinic – he’s been funding it for years – as a tax dodging scheme. Nikki doesn’t think Vikki knows anything about this. When Ashland arrives, she discreetly leaves them to it. Victor pours them a drink and remarks that it’s miraculous that he found this clinic in the nick of time. It was more than just luck, Ashland admits.
Adam returns to the office to find Sally fresh from an irritating run-in with Billy. Adam came from seeing Vikki – he lets her assume that Vikki won’t let him hire her. Oh well, she appreciates the effort. Maybe there’s a lower position? Adam finally congratulates Sally – the job’s yours.
Sharing dessert, Billy confides that he never felt he lived up to John or Jack – if my Dad was still around, he’d give you the same advice – do you – you have everything to succeed. He’s baffled as to why Lily lacks confidence. Lily changes the subject – what’s going on with this insomnia?
Ashland was aware of the clinic before he got sick. He became a benefactor after a colleague got sick and was treated there. They were at risk of losing their funding. His accountant had to be creative in getting the funds down there. Karma, Victor agrees – Vikki never told him about this. That’s because she doesn’t know. Technically, it wasn’t ethical for Ashland to jump to the head of the line. He didn’t want to give Vikki more to worry about. We want to protect Vikki her above all else, Victor smiles.
Adam thought Sally might be so excited about the job that she’d throw her arms around him (like she did the other day) You said we shouldn’t think along those lines, she reminds. Yes – forget I said anything, Adam seems taken aback by how quickly Sally says ‘Forgotten’.
You already have helped, Billy tells Lily – partnering with Hamilton Winters on these podcasts has his creative juices flowing. He can’t stop thinking about all his ideas.
Nikki rejoins Victor after Ashland leaves – what’s the verdict? He had an answer for everything – but something’s off, Victor’s suspicious. His answers were too glib, too polished. It troubles me.
Ashland wrenches off is tie to order Scotch at Society. He answers a call – an American is asking questions about me in Peru? Journalist? Private Investigator? What does he want to know? No. no, this doesn’t change anything – stick to the plan. He ends the call to take a big swig of Scotch.