Nikki gets a text message with a photo of her while being held captive. that causes her to run to the bar to chugalugs vodka from the bottle.
At CL’s, Adam asks where everyone is – all the Newmans have gone AWOL. It’s a personal matter, Nick says. Things get awkward when Sally hurtles through the door and makes Nick wince in pain. What’s wrong? she asks.
Good morning darling, Nikki welcomes Vikki when she drops by the ranch. Her make up done, she’s working towards moving past what happened. and going to AA meetings. She won’t let those two women destroy her. What were you thinking? Visiting that woman? Vikki (with Cole) learned a lot. Victor appears – he’s astonished to hear that Mike’s been hired to represent Claire.
Who are you? Claire asks in the visiting room. I’m your best shot at a normal life, Mike Baldwin introduces himself. Claire’s grateful for any help she can get – what do I need to do?
You just startled me, Nick lies. Adam can see he’s injured but gets no answers. Have a good morning, Nick flees. With a straight face, Sally wonders what that was about. Something’s up, Adam relays his chat with Nick. He’ll find out what’s going on soon enough. He’s been thinking about Sally – a lot.
Nikki and Victor have doubts about Claire being brainwashed by her Aunt. At Mike’s suggestion, Cole went to Oregon looking for a DNA sample. Nikki can’t see Claire as anything but the monster she is.
Mike demands Claire be honest with him – has Jordan tried to contact you? After hearing her full story, he’ll decide whether to represent her or not. Claire was raised to hate the Newmans.
Yes, Vikki will feel as kindly towards Claire if she’s not her and Cole’s daughter? Nick arrives to pile on. None of us wants to be back on Jordan’s radar. This could be my firstborn child, Vikki can’t just let it go. Nick gets it. Victor chimes in to say that he’s very proud of Nikki for beating this attack on her sobriety.
Claire tells Mike how Jordan convinced her that they needed to get revenge for the way the Newmans treated her sister. Claire had no reason to believe her parents didn’t abandon; Aunt Jordan knew she was special. She was trained to break down the Newmans defenses. Yes, she followed Jordan’s instructions without hesitation. Looking her real Mom in the eye, she wanted Vikki to know it instinctively – for her parents to say they loved her and were sorry. But they didn’t and they never will.
Nikki declines Nick and Vikki’s offer to cover for her at Newman Media. After he and Victor head to work, Nikki asks her Mom if she needs extra help; someone trained to help her. She can only imagine how Nikki’s feeling. When her phone pings, Nikki grabs it and clutches it. Nothing I can’t handle, she alarms her daughter.
Has Sally come to any conclusions? Not on what that night with Adam meant. It changed things, but is it right or smart to get back together? The stakes are high. Adam agrees – but the thing is, we might succeed this time.
Adam’s willing to take a leap with Sally – maybe fate will be with us this time. How about dinner? Sure, she agrees.
Claire continues – turns out Jordan lied to her. My parents didn’t abandon me; she blurted it out in front of everyone, she weeps. I spent so much of my life wanting to hurt my parents – but then wanted a connection. Jordan robbed them and me. I saved their lives but they’ll never forgive me – I want to leave them and all this behind. So, Mr Baldwin, will you help me?
Jordan talks to her photo album – the high and mighty will fall and never get back up. All for you my sister (she looks at a framed photo of Eve)
Confiding in Vikki, Nikki shows her the text she got (which she assumes is from Jordan) That’s insane – we have to find and stop her! Vikki’s outraged.