"Still at the bar at The Valley Inn, Braden relaxed with a glass of liquor. His moment of solitude crashed when Palmer approached and angrily accused him of slacking off on the job. Braden didn't respond immediately, instead taking a swig of his drink to increase the suspense. He then turned towards Palmer and assured him that he was working. Not only was he working, but he was doing his typical bag of wheeling and dealing. Braden bragged that he'd landed a huge deal for Cortlandt Electronics. Palmer was unimpressed. The protege then accused his master of being jealous of his success. Braden took great pleasure in informing Palmer that all of their key business contacts wanted to deal with him instead of Palmer. Palmer didn't show the slightest bit of interest---until, that is, Braden mentioned that he was headed out of the country to handle a business deal with the son of a major businessman. Palmer accused Braden of wanting to leave the country, but Braden laughed off the accusation. Palmer again warned Braden that he could be dismissed if he violated the morals clause of his contract. "Morals clauses don't apply to saints," smirked Braden. Palmer walked out of the bar and Braden turned his attention back to his liquor. After taking another mouthful of his drink, Braden muttered, "Score one for the kid."
Hospital rooms are usually plain and even somewhat boring. Not Erica's. Yards of fabric and gardens of flowers lit up Erica's room. The patient, who patiently awaited her release, worked on the script for her upcoming television special. "Beauty," said Erica in the script, is best defined with one word: Erica. Janet entered the room toting some goodies for her friend. She looked around and marveled at the spectacle before her. Erica sat Janet down and asked her to help her pick a dress whose color would best show off her complexion. Janet swallowed hard and nervously did her best to help. After the color choosing was out of the way, Janet laid out a wonderful spread of food for Erica to nibble on. Erica enjoyed every bite, but she was still not well enough to clear her plate. Janet urged Erica to use her time in the hospital to rest. Worrying about a new television special was hardly restful. Erica smiled and suggested that she use the down time to write a new book. Janet chuckled, perhaps not believing that Erica was serious. Erica marveled at the wonderful way she's been treated since the accident. Dimitri, Jack, and Adam had all been to visit her---and they were not exactly on the best of terms. She wasn't quite sure why everyone was so concerned. Janet smiled slightly and informed Erica that everyone wants to see her get better.
Following up on the developments in Kit's assault, Brooke dropped by the prison to offer Ryan some advice. She told Ryan that she knew someone at the Statesville Prison who offered counseling to men convicted of sex crimes. "Sex crime," Ryan repeated under his breath, obviously trouble by the label. Brooke was encouraged by Ryan's uneasiness. She explained that it showed that Ryan had not become indifferent to what he'd done. Ryan said nothing and seemed very irritated by the label Brooke has placed upon him. Convinced that Ryan didn't really want help, Brooke started to walk away. Ryan called her back. Ryan told Brooke that she was wrong about him. He went on to say that he wanted to know more about the program at the prison. Ryan chalked up his current day problems to his rough childhood. Brooke was sympathetic to the prisoner's rough upbringing, but she clearly did not approve of the way Ryan blamed his past for attacking Kit. Ryan drifted off, saying that he would do anything to go back in time and change what had happened to Kit. Brooke asked Ryan why he hadn't confessed sooner. Ryan shook his head and commented that he was upset by the way Kit had been hurt. When he remarked that he'd also hurt many other people, Brooke feared that Ryan had also raped other women. Ryan realized that Brooke was thinking and immediately claimed that he'd never raped anyone. He stumbled for his words, eventually saying, "Except for Kit." Brooke looked on in bewilderment, but Ryan's bizarre behavior was just beginning. Ryan became a prisoner of past memories, recalling one of the many beatings Braden had taken on his behalf. Ryan remembered, just as Braden had done earlier, that Braden had always confessed to Ryan's misdoings so that their father would be him---and Ryan would be spared. Ryan refused to tell Brooke what he was thinking about, so she thought he was avoiding talking about his crime. Brooke was again about to leave until Ryan asked her to pass on a message for him. Ryan asked Brooke to tell Kit that he was very sorry about what had happened. Never did Ryan say that he was sorry for what he did to her. It wasn't clear if Brooke picked up on this, but she told Ryan to have Trevor call her if he was interested in the counseling program.
Listening no longer sufficed; Adam had to confront Jake about his plan to sue Liza for custody of Colby. Adam stomped into Liza's office and sternly told Jake that he would act as Colby's father. Jake argued that Adam had no right to keep him away from Colby because he, not Adam, was the child's biological father. Since they all loved Colby, Liza requested that they come to some sort of agreement to minimize the potential for disarray in her life. Both Jake and Adam had their own ideas of how this could be done. Jake, of course, felt that Colby would be better without Adam. Conversely, Adam thought that Jake's presence wasn't needed. Adam stated that he wanted a "normal family life" for Colby. Since he'd been with Liza every step of the way during her pregnancy, Adam felt that it was only natural for him to assume the paternal role. Jake thanked Adam for caring for Liza, but he did not feel that the millionaire was entitled to claim the coveted role of daddy. Adam tried to lay a guilt trip on Jake. He said that as a Martin, Jake, above all others, should be expected to keep his word. Jake had promised not to interfere in Colby's life---and that is what Adam expected Jake to do. Jake admitted that he had made that commitment, but he indicated that he had no way of knowing how he'd feel about the baby. Liza begged Jake to let Adam be Colby's father. She touted Adam's sudden transformation, but Jake did not believe that Adam had changed. Adam admitted that he hadn't won many "Nice Guy Awards," be he insisted that Liza's love had made him a better man. Jake didn't budge. He pulled Liza aside and told her that he wanted her to have time to think before he took any legal action. Jake informed Liza that he was headed to California for a conference. When he returned, he expects a decision from Liza. After Jake left, Liza broke into tears. Adam quickly wrapped his arms around her and pledged to "think of something" to take care of their problems.
David returned to his hotel room and found a most unwelcome guest---Vanessa. Vanessa had been poking around some of David's confidential files, but he quickly snatched them away from her. Vanessa explained that she'd gained access to David's room by telling the housekeeping staff that she was his mother. Not only that, but she'd gotten an adjoining room. David muttered that the other side of the hotel had a better view and that he'd make sure she was moved immediately. David accused his mother of wanting to stay close to him because she'd run out of money. Vanessa tried to deny it, but David had heard otherwise from a friend of the family. Vanessa began to sob as David taunted her about the breakup of her latest relationship. David rolled his eyes and told his mother to save her fake tears. Vanessa noted that she rarely cries. Her current emotional state, she stated, had been brought on by a fear that she'd die without making peace with her son. She recalled that there was a time when she and David were very close. That, however, seemed like another lifetime. Vanessa claimed that her health was failing and that she had believed that her latest attack would be her last. David blasted his mother's attempt to gain his pity. He asked her if she used to do the same thing to his father to play with his mind. Vanessa was taken aback by the mention of her husband. It had already been made public that David's father had died. David then accused his mother of wanting to horn in on the money his father had left him. He then turned angrily towards Vanessa and asked her if she was ready to talk about what she had done to his father. For the first time, he bitterly referred to Vanessa as "mother."
As Tad and Dixie tried to figure out why Ryan had suddenly confessed, Hayley appeared at Cortlandt Manor with an idea of her own. She suggested that Ryan was somehow protecting Braden. She quizzed Dixie for more information about Palmer's mysterious helper, but Dixie didn't know all that much. She did, however, state that she thought of Braden as a friend. Adrian popped into the room talking about a government code that he'd managed to crack. When he saw Hayley, he quickly shut up. Tad introduced Adrian as "Adrian Sword." Hayley was tickled by Adrian's full name and began to giggle. Adrian, meanwhile, was somewhat amused that Hayley had no idea who he was. Asked if she reads the tabloids, Hayley replied that she avoids them like the plague. Adrian told Hayley that he was also trying to learn more about Braden. He also claimed that he was working on the case as a favor to his mother. "Who also happens to be my mother," Tad interjected. Hayley looked back and forth at the two men. "Ruth Martin?" she asked in confusion. Dixie shook her head and stated Opal's name. Again Hayley broke into hysterical laughter. She thought that they were trying to pull off a really good gag. After looking around and seeing that she was the only one laughing, Hayley realized that Adrian and Tad were really brothers. Dixie's face suddenly became quite serious. She pulled Tad aside and asked him if it was possible that they'd been overlooking a very simple explanation for Braden's interest in Ryan. Hayley headed back home, but pledged to stay on the case. Tad and Dixie grabbed their coats and told Adrian that they were headed to Ryan's hometown. Adrian didn't understand why the couple was leaving. Tad then mentioned that he may know why Ryan is protecting Braden and how the DNA match ended up at only seventy-percent."
- Soap Central