At Chancellor-Winters, Esther listens as Devon and Billy argue about a potential deal. Devon likes it and Billy doesn’t. Esther interrupts and tells them she doesn’t understand why they’re arguing about wasting time and energy when that’s exactly what they’re doing. They could be doing so many great things for the company instead.
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Billy and Devon deny that they’re bickering. Esther tells them this company is important to her and she’s good at reading emotions. There was often a lot of tension in the air, which she sees happening here. She realizes they resent each other and asks that they please take a minute to think of how upset their fathers would be about this petty conflict. She trots out and Billy says, “She’s not wrong.” Devon agrees. Their fathers would probably say that’s enough and they should get on with it. Billy asks, “So, what do you say? Should we get on with it?”
They reach an agreement on the deal they were arguing about just as Nate and Chance walk in. Nate explains they stopped by to blow their minds. “Chance has a new idea I think you’re both going to be as impressed with as I am.” Chance takes the floor and makes his pitch for the music festival. Devon tells him it was a great presentation. Chance asks if he wants to pursue it. Devon thinks it’s finally the right timing — they should fast-track the idea. Billy wouldn’t go that far; he thinks there’s something there but it needs work. Devon gets called away and Billy tells Chance and Nate there’s still a lot of work to be done. He leaves for a meeting. Chance has no idea what just happened. Nate thinks Billy is trying to retain his mentorship position and Devon is trying to prove he’s not an autonomous control freak after all. Chance felt blind-sided. Billy’s been great until whatever the hell that just was… it seems he can rely on Nate more than his mentor.
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At the GCAC, Tucker asks why Audra assumes there’s something he’s not telling her. Why is she looking for trouble? Audra knows something has changed with him and is anticipating the other shoe to drop… it’s a pump in whatever size Ashley Abbott wears. Tucker resists discussing Ashley, but Audra won’t let it go. “Do you swear that you had no more contact with Ashley Abbott in the last 24 hours…” Tucker dodges the question by saying she’s more obsessed with her than he ever was. If this is going to keep happening, she can count him out.
Audra apologizes to Tucker when he threatens to leave the table. She admits she’s feeling a little insecure right now, which is unfamiliar territory. Tucker promises her things won’t change. Audra says it’s not him she’s doubting; it’s Ashley. Something has definitely changed with her. Tucker chortles, “I know exactly what’s changed. She realized she was wrong.” Audra leans forward and levels, “So, you did talk to her last night, didn’t you?” She warns Tucker to be careful how he answers. Whatever it is, she can handle it… what she can’t handle is him lying about it. Tucker muses, “We really are alike, aren’t we?” He admits Ashley was in his suite last night when he went up there to make calls. She was there to tell him that she had an epiphany about Paris and to apologize. Audra sneers about this. Tucker says it has something to do with a fender-bender. Audra snarks that maybe she should get hit by a car more often. She wonders what Ashley’s agenda is, but Tucker doesn’t care. It’s over between them. “There’s no going back. It’s finished.” Audra wants to believe that, but she saw last night that Ashley wants him back and will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Tucker smirks, “Bring it on.”
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At the Abbott house, Jack and Traci agonize over Ashley going to talk to Tucker. Traci explains she rescinded all accusations against him. Jack doesn’t understand this total change of heart. What worries him more is that Tucker’s influence may be continuing over her. Traci thinks they may have something far worse to worry about — she has the distinct impression Ashley may forgive Tucker and maybe even try with him again. Just then, Ashley comes down the stairs and smiles knowingly.
Ashley joins Jack and Traci and tells her brother she exaggerated everything that happened in Paris. She now sees it from a different perspective. Traci reminds her there was an argument and she was terrified. Ash says Tucker had nothing to gain from making her doubt her sanity. Jack notices she seems much more at ease. Traci thinks she can now put Tucker behind her once and for all. Jack agrees; a clean break. Ashley shakes her head, “No. If only it was that easy.” Jack can’t understand why Ashley can’t just end the story with McCall. Ashley has to do this her way. Jack worries she’s about to give Tucker another chance. Ashley doesn’t deny and snaps that she’s perfectly capable of deciding what’s best for her. “I’m not going to fall into those traps.”
Billy arrives at the Abbott mansion, and Ashley hugs him. She’s sure Jack and Traci will fill him in and grabs her coat and leaves. Jack asks, “What the hell was that?!” He and Traci fill Billy in on Ashley’s change of heart and explain they’re worrying about the fallout. Billy thinks maybe she’s trying to escape over-protective siblings. Jack says they tried to get Ashley to swear that Tucker’s out of her life for good, but she wouldn’t do it. They would love to just trust her, but they can’t trust anything when it comes to Tucker McCall.
Billy gets that they’re worried about Ashley, but this doesn’t automatically mean she wants Tucker back. He thinks they have to have confidence that she can take back control on her own. Jack thinks there’s enormous risk. Billy insists they need to trust her. “This is her journey.”
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Ashley arrives at Society, where Tessa greets her and explains she’s the new manager. Abby appears and says her mom always gets special treatment. She and Ashley sit down and Abby explains that she is joining the board at Chancellor-Winters. Ashley gawps, “What?!” and says she is so happy for her. Abby tells her mother she had a conversation with Aunt Traci about her trip to Paris and she’s worried about her. Ashley grimaces.
At the hostess stand, someone demands that Tessa seat her immediately. Tessa tries to put off the pushy customer… who turns out to be Mariah. They share a laugh and banter as Mariah claims she can now make outlandish requests since her wife’s the manager. She asks if Tessa is truly alright with this job. Tessa loves interacting with the staff and patrons.
At their table, Ashley informs Abby she doesn’t need to be worried about her. She’s more in control than she has been in a long time. Devon joins them and Ashley tells them about her trip to Paris and her epiphany regarding Tucker. “Apparently my mind exaggerated everything that happened.” Devon doesn’t think the details matter, but Ashley disagrees. She put a huge stain on Tucker’s reputation. If what she did has contributed to Devon shutting his father out of his life, she really needs him to reconsider. Devon has plenty of other reasons not to want him in his life, or their son’s life. Ashley argues the point. She won’t tell him what to do, but she owes him an apology and is asking her to give Tucker another chance. Devon appreciates her honesty and for giving a damn. Ashley just wants him to think about what she said and take it to heart. She walks out and Devon and Abby gawp at each other.
Devon say he didn’t see that coming at all. Abby didn’t either, but feels Devon is right that he has many reasons to keep Tucker at arm’s lengths. He’s not her dad and she won’t be able to forgive and forget. She doesn’t know what to make of her mom’s change of heart, but something must be going on with her.
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In Tucker’s suite, Audra challenges him to book their trip right now, “No more stalling.” Tucker dials his assistant and asks her to book two first-class seats to Paris as soon as possible. Audra thanks him and they kiss. He unbuttons her blouse and carries her to the bed for make up sex. Afterward, Audra dresses and sneaks out while McCall’s sleeping.
Chance walks into the GCAC to meet Summer. She asks how his pitch meeting went and he’s not sure how to answer her. He says Devon and Nate loved it, “Billy, not so much.” Summer thinks two out of three is good. Chance complains that Billy did everything but pat him on the head and tell him, “Better luck next time.” It’s almost like he had an agenda with Chancellor-Winters. There was underlying tension between him and Devon that had nothing to do with the pitch.
Summer understands how Chance is feeling. Working in business can make you paranoid. She notes that things didn’t go smoothly when Devon and Billy worked together before. Billy always felt like an outsider there. Now that he’s back, it may take time to adjust. Chance admits it felt like Billy’s problem was that Devon was into his pitch. He doesn’t want to have to pick sides.
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At the Abbott mansion, Billy thinks they should let Ashley handle her own business. Traci agrees with Billy. They should watch and see how this plays out. She’s calmer and more in control, which is a positive sign.
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Later, Ashley enters the mansion and the living room is empty. The doorbell rings — it’s Audra, who informs her that she’s had her say and now it’s her turn to set some things straight. Ashley smirks.
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Next on The Young and the Restless: Audra settles unfinished business with Ashley, Phyllis reconnects with Amanda, and Jack gives Tucker an ultimatum.
See Ashley (and many more!) in our gallery of below.
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