The Newmans Celebrate a Major Victory as Phyllis Unleashes on Christine

At Society, Victoria informs her mother they’re not waiting… they are going to take care of this right now. Nikki argues that she’s learned to live with the headaches and she doesn’t want to go to see a doctor right now… it’s just stress.

Victoria tells her mother that Nick’s going to get treatment and Phyllis is verging on giving the company back, so they’ll have less stress. Nikki wonders, if all of that happened, whether she and Victor might get back together.

Victoria makes excuses for Victor’s behavior and argues that they’ve always found their way back to one another. When Daddy gets the company back, she’s certain that door will open again. Nikki’s not so sure Phyllis will cave.

As they concede that Phyllis saved Nick’s life, he walks in and starts eating his sister’s fruit bowl. He had his first session at the treatment center and is optimistic. Victoria sniffs that they’ve heard this before… how do they know he’s not lying this time?

Nick knows he messed up but he’s making sobriety his priority. Nikki warns it won’t be easy and reveals that Jack has offered to help. Nick will take him up on that. Talk turns to Phyllis, and he says he gave her an ultimatum. Saving his life doesn’t absolve the past and she’s out of option. “It’s game over.”

Off the Hook

Michael finds Phyllis in Crimson Lights and questions her about handing over Summers Conglomerate. Phyllis changed her mind. Giving up her company is not her best strategy. She’s rethinking her position. They bicker and it turns out she’s worried that Victor will have her black-balled all over town.

Michael tries talking her into throwing in the towel, but she doesn’t trust Victor… or Christine. Michael asks, “What do you need?” If she gave the company back, Christine would have to drop all of the charges so she’s free and clear.

Michael warns that Victor isn’t likely to get her off the hook until he gets the company back and reminds her that Nick promised to have her back. He urges her to stop painting herself as the victim… she made a power play that didn’t work out. She needs to take the only option that doesn’t include an orange jumpsuit.

After some more debate, Phyllis declares that she won’t hand back the company without assurances in writing. It’s the only way she’ll consider it. Michael suggests they go get assurances in person… together. Phyllis thanks him for not quitting on her and they embrace.

A Tense Negotiation

Phyllis, Michael and Christine arrive at the ranch, where Victor notes his surprise. Christine says she’s as in the dark as he is. Nick appears and hopes Phyllis is taking his advice. The redhead urges Victor to tell Christine he set her up. If he does, she’ll give him Newman Enterprises back. “You won.”

When Victor remains silent, Phyllis asks what he’s waiting for. He sits as she rambles. Christine interjects. She hasn’t agreed to drop the charges against anyone and the evidence is compelling. Unless someone can convince her otherwise, the charges stand.

Phyllis erupts and Michael tries to negotiate an agreement. Victor grunts that if he admits he fabricated the emails, he could be charged. Michael’s sure the D.A. would let it slide under the circumstances. Nick approaches Christine to explain that this has taken a toll on everyone. They want to bury the hatchet. He tells her Phyllis helped save his life. Victor still won’t implicate himself, so Nick urges him to “give a little.” Christine needs Victor to be honest with her.

Everyone appeals to Victor to admit to fabricating the emails. Just then, Victoria comes in, asking what’s going on. Nick brings her into the loop. Christine can’t fathom that the emails are fake, but if that’s true, she needs to hear it from Victor.

Victor won’t budge, so Christine heads for the door. Victor finally barks that he did what he felt was necessary. Christine feels used and is angry with herself. She won’t trust him and Victoria again. He tells her he’ll provide the evidence once she drops the charges against Phyllis. Christine snaps that she has no choice and leaves. Phyllis says, “Thank you,” and she and Michael exit. Overcome with emotion, Victor closes his eyes in relief, and then tells his kids, “We won.”

Blindsided

In Crimson Lights, Adam and Chelsea talk about – what else? – Connor. They enthuse about him signing up for a baseball team on his own and landing a girlfriend. They’re chuffed about being great parents, which prompts Adam to ask a stunned Chelsea if she’s thought about having another child.

As one might expect, Chelsea is taken aback and asks if he wants a baby because Sally’s having one with Billy. Adam, of course, denies it, but the timing is suspect. Jus’ sayin’. Chelsea, in any case, lets Adam down gently… she doesn’t want to go through another pregnancy. Adam back tracks and apologizes for dropping it on her.

Chelsea’s convinced that Sally’s pregnancy affected Adam more than he let on. He denies it. Chelsea understands that it was Ava he was thinking of. She feels he’s triggered and should share the emotions before they fester. Adam admits hearing Sally was pregnant opened up old wounds. He says he talks to his daughter sometimes and imagines her laugh. Adam wasn’t trying to bring her back by asking her to have another child. Adam’s phone rings… it’s Victor summoning him to the ranch.

The Final Scenes

At the Club, Michael and Phyllis debrief. He reminds her she has her freedom. She feels she failed Lauren. Michael thinks she’ll be relieved. Phyllis deflates… she’s lost everything.

Phyllis carries on with her “lost everything” theme, reminding Michael she doesn’t have her children and her life sucks. Michael protests, pointing out she played with the big boys and won. She sighs, “Yeah, and then I lost.” Michael is sure her kids will forgive her now. Christine appears and rolls her eyes when she sees them.

At the ranch, Victor, Nick, Victoria, Adam and Chelsea toast over the ownership papers for Newman Enterprises coming through. Victoria credits their dad for never giving up or faltering. Nick calls him a great CEO and a better father. Adam adds, “To Pops.” Victor tells them what their loyalty means to him. They drink to Newman being back where it belongs.

Aside from the others, Victor tells Victoria he never lost hope. She points out the celebration isn’t the same without her mom. She appeals to him to find his way back together. Victor strokes her hair.

Back at the Club, Michael tries to stop Phyllis from accosting Christine, but he’s not able to do so. Phyllis rants at the blonde about the emails being fake, which he told her from the beginning. She deferred to Victor and pulled her through a humiliating and painful experience. She’s sure she enjoyed it. “You just showed everybody that you’re Victor’s puppet.” Phyllis loves seeing the case blow up in her face!