At Spencer, Steffy figured that Liam didn't want to hear what she had to say, but she believed Bill regretted what had happened. Pointing at the wound on his face, Liam said to let Bill live with the regret. Steffy didn't think Liam could write his father off. Liam replied that he could. He was done being a doormat and wouldn't look the other way anymore.

Steffy asked if Liam would accomplish it through blackmail. Liam said he was done being Mr. Nice Guy, and he thought she'd appreciate that. She replied that she liked Mr. Nice Guy, and that had been who she'd married. She didn't want him to go away.

Steffy didn't want Liam to lose his sense of decency. Liam claimed that he was restoring decency to the company, and for once, Spencer might be respected for more than its bottom line. He believed he could use his power to do good, the way Bill never had. Liam didn't care if Bill called it blackmail. In Liam's view, Bill didn't deserve the chair, and Liam wouldn't give it back.

Liam was glad to be the one to stand up to Bill. Steffy didn't know why Liam cared so much about Sally. Liam claimed that it wasn't about Sally, and all Liam cared about was the truth. Steffy replied that all his father cared about was him. Liam claimed that his bruise told a different story. He asked her not to plead his father's case. Liam didn't want to hear it.

Steffy claimed that she could be just as stubborn and determined as he was, but Liam told her that she was wasting her time. Liam asked why he'd want peace with the most greedy, self-absorbed man he'd ever met. Liam asked if he was supposed to look the other way because Bill had impregnated his mother.

Liam stated that Kelly had shielded him from Bill's influence, and it had been the right thing to do, just like keeping the company from Bill was the right thing for Liam to do. Liam said Bill didn't deserve to run the place, but someone had to. Liam would "be damned" if it wasn't him.

At Forrester, Quinn and Ridge finished up a meeting. She promised to have some pieces by the end of the week, but he didn't want her to overextend herself. He preferred if she spent more time at home, making sure that she and Eric were on track. Quinn replied that she and Eric were on track, especially with Sheila out of their lives for good.

Ridge urged Quinn to head home because Eric was probably waiting with a kiss. Quinn felt guilty that she had Eric, but Ridge didn't have Brooke. Ridge claimed to be fine with being a bachelor. Quinn believed that Brooke missed Ridge as much as he missed her. Ridge doubted it could be true because Brooke had found happily ever after with Bill Spencer.

Quinn said Brooke and Ridge had been through worse, and all Ridge had to do was wait for Bill to just be himself and push Brooke away. Quinn figured that all would be forgiven between Ridge and Brooke, whose relationship had improved a lot since the fallout in Australia. Quinn told him not to give up because Brooke would find her way back to him. Quinn hugged him.

In the corridor, Charlie and Pam had a tiff about Charlie ruining one of her dishes by adding an ingredient. She said it would take all night to stir, and she needed his muscles. She told Charlie that she'd be ready to leave after she dropped something off in the mailroom.

At her hotel, Sheila snuggled herself in Eric's embroidered robe. She looked at a cell phone picture of Ridge and Quinn sitting on the elevator floor. Sheila said that Quinn would hurt Eric, and Sheila would be there when it happened.

Sheila called her "partner" to see how things were going. On the other end of the call, Charlie told her not to call him her partner. She wanted to know if there were any developments with the couple that he was supposed to be watching for her. Sheila said that, with her brains and his brawn, they'd take Quinn down and eliminate Quinn for good.

Later, Quinn was packing up alone in the CEO's office when Charlie entered to talk to her. He was upset and said he was caught between the lesser of two evils. Quinn asked him to get to the point because she was headed home. "Sheila," he said. He conveyed that Sheila was still in town, and Quinn asked how he knew it.

As Charlie stammered that he'd done his research to protect Forrester, Quinn grabbed her purse. Hurrying out of the office, she ordered him to text-message Sheila's address to her.

Later, Pam located Charlie at her desk. He was in a somber mood, and she apologized for the earlier argument. Charlie said it wasn't the issue. She asked what the matter was. He claimed he'd just written up an incident. She asked if it was serious. "Let's hope not," he responded.

Back at the hotel, Sheila was telling her partially completed portrait that it would only be a matter of time before it would hang at the estate. She sniffed Eric's robe and grinned because she could still smell him. Sheila flashed back on moments with Eric, but Quinn pounding on the door snapped Sheila out of it. Quinn demanded that Sheila open the door.

Sheila scurried to hide her portrait and Eric's robe in the bathroom. Sheila answered the door, and Quinn demanded to know why Sheila hadn't left town yet. Quinn was sure Sheila was sitting around, plotting to ruin Quinn's marriage, but Quinn had decided that Sheila was leaving town that night. Sheila said Quinn couldn't tell Sheila where to live. Quinn didn't care where Sheila lived, as long as it wasn't in Quinn's time zone.

Quinn grabbed the hotel phone, and Sheila asked what Quinn was doing. "You are leaving town tonight -- bitch!" Quinn said. Sheila ripped the phone out of Quinn's hands and out of the wall. Quinn shoved Sheila. "I told you never to touch me," Sheila said and shoved Quinn back.

The women began throwing things at each other, and Quinn knocked Sheila onto the bed. Hopping on Sheila, Quinn choked Sheila and told her to get out of town. Sheila flipped Quinn over, and choking Quinn, Sheila told her to get out of Eric's life.

The door opened. A cleaning person pushed a vacuum cleaner into the room. With one look at the brawl, she said, "I'll come back later." She put the "do not disturb" sign on the door and left.

Sheila and Quinn resumed the fight and wound up on the floor. Sheila grabbed Quinn's head and uttered that it would be so easy. Sheila let Quinn go, and the women stood up. Sheila stated that she'd get rid of Quinn, but it wouldn't be that way. Quinn yelled that Sheila had tried her best and failed, but Quinn's marriage would always survive Sheila.

Quinn left. Laughing, Sheila stated that Quinn hadn't seen Sheila's best, but Quinn would.

At Bill's house, Bill stopped Brooke at the door to their bedroom. He regretted that what he'd done would cost him his son, but he implored Brooke not to let him lose her, too. He yanked her back into the room. Closing the door, he said he wouldn't let her leave, and he'd make it right.

Brooke asked herself what she'd done. She hadn't wanted that kind of life. "The way that you live, the way that you treat people. No regard for others. No consequences!" she exclaimed. It wasn't her, and she couldn't continue to live that way. She asked if he knew what she'd given up for him. Bill asked what she was talking about.

Brooke stated that she'd had a whole life planned, but she'd tossed it aside to make a commitment to Bill. Bill replied that it was indeed a commitment, and she'd done it because she loved him. Brooke said she loved the idea of him, the fantasy of a big, strong man by her side, loving her without divided loyalties.

Bill asserted that she didn't have to worry about loyalties with him. Brooke replied that she just had to worry if he'd end up in jail or punch someone. Bill yelled that he'd said he regretted it, and he was sorry. "If you can hit your own son, how do I know you're not going to hit me next?" Brooke yelled. Finding it ridiculous, Bill said he'd never do it. He asked her to stop it. She decided that she might very well need to stop it, to stop "us."

Bill asked Brooke not to talk that way and said they'd fought way too hard to get there. Brooke asked where that was. Holding a picture and pointing to Bill in it, she stated that she'd married a man who had no qualms about lying to his wife. He stated that he'd told her the truth. She smashed the picture, and glass broke. "You didn't!" she argued.

Brooke said Bill had lied about the leave of absence. He explained it was because he'd known she'd have that reaction. Brooke felt justified in her anger and told him that there would be consequences. Bill replied that he was already paying consequences. He promised he'd right his wrongs and reminded her that she was supposed to stand by him for better or worse. He said they were supposed to stand by each other.

Brooke murmured that it was true unless she and Bill shouldn't have done it in the first place. Bill was shocked that she'd say that about them getting married. She decided that she needed time to think about it. She needed to think about who he was and who she was if she supported his behavior. She screamed, asking when enough would be enough. "God damn it!" Brooke cursed. She grabbed her clothes and rushed out of the room.

Back at Forrester, Ridge worked in the design office and flashed back on times with Brooke. He entered the CEO's office, where he saw Brooke sobbing into the arm of the settee. He sat down with her and said that he was there for whatever the problem was. Brooke looked at him and leaned into his embrace. Ridge hugged her and said he'd always be right there.

At Forrester Creations, Brooke and Ridge embraced, and Brooke cried. She shared that Bill had done something horrible. "I'm not going back there. I need some space," she said. Ridge noted that Bill "must have really messed up." He added, "Maybe it's for the best."

Brooke reminded Ridge that she hadn't said she was leaving for good. Ridge acknowledged that she'd had high hopes, but he added that she'd had to know Bill would disappoint her. Brooke disagreed. She said she had thought it was going to work because they had the same values. "I hate seeing you like this," Ridge said. He and Brooke hugged again, and R.J. opened the door and saw them, but he left before they saw him.

"I'm here for you," Ridge said. Brooke smiled and nodded. She left, and R.J. returned. R.J. said that he'd reorganized the photo studio, and Ridge thanked him for staying late. R.J. asked if his dad had plans for the evening, and Ridge asked if R.J. wanted to have dinner.

R.J. said he wanted to have dinner as long as his mother accompanied them. Ridge said it sounded good, but it wasn't a good night. R.J. admitted that he had seen Ridge and Brooke in an embrace earlier. Ridge teased that R.J. hadn't said anything earlier. R.J. admitted that it had looked like an intense moment.

Ridge shared that Brooke had been upset with Spencer, and she had left him. Ridge added that he didn't know what Bill had done, but it had clearly upset Brooke. R.J. was elated that Brooke had left Bill, and R.J. saw it as an opportunity for Brooke to return to Ridge. R.J. added that his parents had "crazy chemistry" and always had. R.J. said he was rooting for his dad and hoped his mother could break free of Spencer.

At home, Bill met with Steffy, and she told him the bad news that she had tried to broker a truce with Liam regarding Bill, but Liam was too upset. "I screwed up," Bill admitted. Steffy noted that Bill had crossed a line, and she believed there could be peace again between Bill and Liam, but it wouldn't be soon because Liam had no intention of stepping down. Bill was anxious and nervous.

Steffy asked if Bill was all right. Bill admitted that Brooke had left him. "I can't believe you told Brooke," Steffy said. Bill acknowledged that he'd known she wouldn't take it well, but he hadn't expected her to walk out on him.

Steffy reminded Bill that a lot of people could have been hurt at Spectra. Bill shouted that he had made sure the building was empty before anything had happened. But Steffy countered that firefighters and people outside could have been hurt.

Bill shook his head and said he had always sworn he would never be that guy who treated his kid the way his father had mistreated him. He said he would take it all back to have his family back. Bill added that he didn't know how to live his life any other way.

Bill wanted to make things right with Liam and Brooke. He knew he had become obsessed "with that damned building." He said he'd give up ten skyscrapers to have Brooke back. "I can't lose Brooke," he said. "She'll be back, Bill," Steffy said.

Bill lamented that everything he had done had cost him his family. Steffy agreed, but she promised to help. "Look at me. I'm going to help you get through this," Steffy said. She added that she had never seen him so distraught.

"It's embarrassing," Bill said, but Steffy said he was human -- and was actually the most human she had ever seen him. She caressed his shoulder. Bill called Steffy "an exceptional woman." "I've always known that. Liam's lucky to have you after all he put you through," Bill said. He wondered if Liam deserved Steffy. Bill caressed Steffy's hair. She looked surprised.

At Spencer, Wyatt entered Liam's office and chastised him for "demanding" that Wyatt return to work. Wyatt called Liam "your highness." Liam countered that Wyatt hadn't been at work all week. Liam inquired where Wyatt had been. Wyatt answered that he'd had a pleasant day and refused to be interrogated by his brother. "How'd you get Dad to agree to all of this?" Wyatt asked. Wyatt shouted that their father never took time off, and he ranted that Liam had taken over.

"Enough. I am CEO now. Get over it," Liam advised. He added that someday Wyatt would be in charge, but until then, Liam would operate the company the way he wanted to. Liam announced several of his decisions including raises for employees and better benefits. Wyatt argued, and Liam reminded him that they had loyal employees who had families. "We need to thank them for putting up with Dad," Liam said. Wyatt agreed but said there wasn't enough money for that.

Liam also said he was donating money to research, and Wyatt said he needed to run it by their dad because he wasn't a big fan of giving away money. Liam said he needed no approvals.

Liam added that the skyscraper was not happening. "It turns out Spectra is no longer available," Liam announced. Wyatt countered there was "no chance in hell" that Bill would put up with that, and Wyatt warned that their father would get back at him. "Don't piss him off," Wyatt warned.

Later, after Wyatt had left, Brooke entered Liam's office. "Your father told me everything. I'm sorry for what my husband's done," Brooke said. She added that Liam had the moral compass of the family.

Liam was suspicious. He wondered if Bill had sent Brooke to talk to him. Brooke said she'd left Bill. "For the record, I get it. I see why you had to walk way," Liam said.

Brooke said she was stunned. She still believed in Bill, and she always saw the best in him. Liam countered that his father was a criminal. "It kills me to say that out loud," Liam said. He added that Bill had shown how scary, ruthless, and reckless he had become. Liam wanted to protect the family and the company.

Liam advised Brooke to leave his father because she deserved much better. Brooke was surprised, but she warned that Liam had created a very dangerous situation. She worried that Bill took revenge very seriously and would fight back because he could lose everything he cared about. Brooke expected Bill would be vengeful toward Liam. "Let him. There's nothing more he can do to me," Liam said.

At Spencer, Liam and Steffy argued about Liam's relationship with Bill. They agreed they knew what not to discuss: Bill. Steffy tried to remind Liam that Bill was his dad, and they needed to maintain family. Liam said there was no compromising. Steffy seemed miffed. She left.

At her old house, Brooke checked her phone messages, and Bill had texted that he wanted to work things out. Brooke's phone rang, and it was Bill. She refused to answer.

Steffy entered and asked if Brooke didn't love Bill anymore. Brooke was curious as to why Steffy was there. Brooke added that she couldn't get past Bill punching Liam.

Brooke added that she couldn't believe that Steffy was quizzing her about saving Bill rather than defending Liam. Steffy answered that it was a complicated relationship, but she didn't want to see Bill and Liam part as enemies. She was trying to keep the family together. Steffy couldn't believe that Brooke would allow Bill to lose his company, his son, and his wife.

Brooke reminded Steffy that what Bill had done was criminal. Steffy countered that Bill viewed what Liam had done as blackmail, and she could not disagree. Brooke was shocked.

Steffy quizzed Brooke about what had happened with Bill. Brooke said that Bill had been completely out of control. Steffy said that Brooke should have known what she was in for. Steffy argued that Brooke couldn't say she didn't love Bill anymore. Brooke was surprised and countered that she wondered why Steffy hadn't pressured Brooke to get back with Ridge rather than Bill. Steffy said she felt the families were on the verge of a war. "And I intend to avert it," Steffy said.

Later, after Steffy had left, Brooke looked at her wedding and engagement rings. She sat down and looked at a picture of Bill and flashed back to their happier times together. She cried and held the photo to her chest.

At Katie's, Wyatt and Katie kissed, but Wyatt seemed distracted. He worried that the gardener would enter the house and see him with Katie. He also worried that the housekeeper would see them. Katie assured Wyatt that no one would be in the house, but she noted that he seemed paranoid.

Wyatt admitted that he needed to be discreet because Bill had put Liam in charge, and it had shaken him up a little bit. Wyatt said he wanted to spend time with Katie, but he didn't want his dad to find out yet. Wyatt worried that something was going on at Spencer, and it involved more than what Liam or Bill was sharing.

Katie told Wyatt to calm down and noted that he would soon find out what was going on at Spencer. Wyatt said he was working for Liam Spencer. Katie couldn't believe it had changed that much, but Wyatt said that his nonprofit brother was running the company. Katie embraced Wyatt and said he would figure it out.

At Spectra Fashions, Sally supervised construction and looked around. She flashed back to when fire had engulfed the building. Shirley, Coco, Saul, and Darlita entered the room, and Sally returned to reality. The Spectra employees were thrilled that the place was returning to life. Shirley said she had known that Thomas would pull through. Sally corrected her grandmother, explaining that Thomas was gone and had nothing to do with it. Sally said she had a silent partner.

The gang guessed that Aunt Sally was behind the generosity, but Sally told them it wasn't her namesake. Coco said it didn't matter. She was proud of Sally, and they needed designs. An electrician entered, and Saul demanded the best wiring available. Sally agreed, but she said they needed to finish one office completely so they had a place to work.

At Bill's, Bill met with Justin, and Bill admitted that Brooke had left him. Justin was surprised that Bill had told her about the fire, but Bill answered that they didn't keep secrets in their marriage. Bill took a sip of scotch. Justin suggested that Bill always worked out his problems. Justin warned that drastic measures were underway at Spencer.

At Spencer, Liam met with Jarrett and Alison. He asked Alison to get rid of the skyscraper model in the office. He suggested she send it to his dad. Some additional employees entered and sat down. Liam said he had some announcements.

Liam planned changes to benefits and updated health care coverage. He offered a six-month paid maternity and paternity leave program, and one employee said she couldn't afford it. He replied that he planned to pay them for it.

Liam discussed the impending retirement of one employee but asked if the employee wanted to leave. The employee said the Spencer rule regarding mandatory age of retirement was what was sending him packing. Liam said he could stay as long as he wanted. He was a valuable employee.

Liam asked another employee about his daughter's plans for college, but the employee answered that the family could not afford it. Liam announced that he was prepared to offer $100,000 grants to employee offspring who were giving back to the community. Liam said the employee's daughter was perfect for the grant. Everyone was happy, and Alison and Jarrett left with the employees.

After employees left, Sally entered. She thanked Liam and said she had overheard the employee meeting. Liam admitted that Bill had left the bar pretty low, so it was easy to improve relationships with his dedicated employees.

Sally handed Liam her first design sketch, and she thanked him because he had offered new life to Spectra. Wyatt entered and interrupted. He wanted answers about why his father had given Liam control.

Wyatt wondered what Sally and Liam had been discussing. Wyatt stated that he'd thought Sally had planned to leave town. She answered that she had, but she wanted to check in with Liam about the piece he had planned to run on Sally and Spectra before the fire.

Wyatt was critical of Liam and felt that their dad would never treat Wyatt poorly. Liam agreed. Wyatt was determined to find out what had happened between Liam and Bill. Wyatt left.

Sally told Liam that she knew he had thought she would blow their cover, but she would never out his secret generosity. She hugged him, and Steffy opened the door. She looked angry that Liam was embracing Sally.

At Spencer, Steffy listened outside the office door as Sally was inside, telling Liam that she hadn't hugged a CEO before, yet she'd hugged him twice. Liam asked if he'd seen her fake-hug his wife in Monte Carlo. Steffy strode away from the door. Liam thanked Sally for the drawing, and she said she'd never thought anything good would happen to her in that office.

Later, Sally had gone, and Liam was ending a call about a confusing incident. Steffy entered. He said he'd just heard that she'd been there and had gone. Steffy explained that Sally Spectra had been in there, squeezing Liam like a tube of toothpaste. Liam replied that Sally could be effusive, and Steffy asked what Sally had to effuse about.

Liam revealed that he'd spent fifty million to buy the Spectra building. Steffy thought that was a hefty price for some smoking bricks. She said Bill would be pleased, but she didn't know what Sally had to be happy about. "Because I gave it to her," Liam responded.

Steffy huffed, and Liam asked her to say she saw the justice in it. What Steffy saw was a forty percent tax liability, for one thing. Liam asserted that the building belonged to the Spectra family, and Bill had destroyed it. Steffy contended that if justice was the goal, then the Spectras should be in jail. Liam asked why Steffy hadn't taken the chance to put Sally there.

"Wow," Steffy replied. She asked what Liam's need was to save Sally Spectra. Liam claimed that he was saving Bill's hide. Steffy didn't believe Bill would see it that way. Liam responded that people knew about it and asked what would happen the next time the guy hired to start the fire got arrested. Liam speculated that the guy would trade on the information, and when the truth was out, the gift to Sally would be a powerful denial for Bill.

Liam claimed to be doing what a loyal son would. "It's a bit of a stretch," Steffy replied. He agreed and said Sally had indicated that she'd pay him back. Steffy asked if he seriously believed it. He replied that he was skeptical, too, but Sally believed it. Steffy thought he was rationalizing a mile a minute and asked why he hadn't just let the Spectras leave.

Liam replied that it wouldn't have been right. Steffy quipped that there was always someone there to help Sally. Liam asked Steffy why she cared. "Excuse me?" she asked. He reasoned that it was his family's company and asked how the decisions he made there affected her. Steffy couldn't believe he'd seriously asked what Spectra had to do with her or her family.

Steffy's voice rose as she asked if it had occurred to him to talk to her before gifting Sally a fifty-million-dollar building. Liam stated that Steffy's relationship with Spectra hadn't changed from the previous month. "This isn't a month ago!" Steffy yelled. Liam said he knew Steffy wasn't suggesting that "we" take advantage of a criminal act to put Sally out of business.

Steffy contended that Sally was a criminal act and asked if Liam had forgotten all the things Sally had done to Steffy and her family. Liam said it wasn't his place to address it. Steffy sighed. He stated that he had an ethical obligation to make up for the damage his father had done to Sally. Liam couldn't reverse all of Bill's ill-gotten gains, but he could that one.

Steffy pointed out that Liam's new office and title were ill-gotten gains. "You don't want to say it's blackmail. Then what is it?" asked Steffy. Liam replied that he was sorry she felt that way and saw him that way. She tried to explain herself, but he interjected that it was done. The money had been paid and the deed recorded. He didn't know what else to tell her.

In another office, Justin and Wyatt were going over the books. Wyatt didn't get where a fifty-million-dollar debit had gone. Justin said it was what happened when people without accounting backgrounds looked at the books. Wyatt replied that they'd bought something for fifty million, and all they had as a reference for it was the letter "G." Based on the date of the transaction, Wyatt believed it had been Liam, not Bill.

Justin and Wyatt traced the wire transfer to an account belonging to C.J. Garrison. Wyatt asked if Spencer had waited for Spectra to burn down in order to pay top dollar for it. To Wyatt, that didn't make any sense. Wyatt didn't know why Liam, who'd rolled his eyes at Bill's building plans, had bought a burned building.

Wyatt didn't think Bill had gone through all the spreadsheets, either. Justin said Bill preferred flow charts because Bill was always in the top box. Wyatt grumbled that Liam had taken that box, and Wyatt was in the second-best box, as always.

Justin got frustrated while in the county web files, looking for title transfers. The system was asking for information Justin didn't have. Wyatt figured out he was locked out of some Spencer financial files and asked if Justin had the accounting password.

Justin asked what "UTF8" was, and Wyatt said it was an encoding number. Abandoning his laptop, Wyatt stood over Justin's shoulder and instructed Justin to enter the Spencer name into the county system. Justin thought it would be more efficient to use the lot and parcel numbers.

"Oh, that's messed up," Wyatt said, looking at the results on Justin's screen. It said that the property belonged to Sally. "We spent fifty million dollars on a property, and we don't even own it?" Wyatt asked.

Justin assumed the website hadn't been updated from the original Sally's ownership, but Wyatt noticed that the new filing date matched the money withdrawal date. Studying the history of the title, they discovered that Sally Spectra was listed twice with different social security numbers. Wyatt asked how it had gone from one Sally to the next when Spencer had paid for it.

Justin asked Wyatt to look into the "G" situation, and after a little research, Wyatt found something that said G, plus forty percent. Wyatt said the land had been a gift. Groaning, Justin believed Bill would freak out. Wyatt was shocked that Liam had bought the property and then had just given it to Sally.

Later, Wyatt strode into the CEO's office, where Liam was working alone. "Uh, hey, bro," Liam said as if offended that Wyatt had just walked in. "Don't bro me," Wyatt quipped. Liam advised Wyatt to check with Alison first if he needed to see Liam.

Wyatt was offended that Liam was saying Wyatt had to make an appointment to see Liam. Wyatt hadn't done it with Bill, and Wyatt certainly wasn't doing it with Liam. Liam apologized and decided he should have said it more tactfully.

Wyatt asked if Liam had taken to reading management textbooks or something. "I don't work for you. I'm your brother, remember?" Wyatt asked. Liam asserted that Wyatt was his brother, and Wyatt did work for Liam. Liam said that it was fine if Wyatt wanted to get a beer after work, "But if you have a reason to see me -- "

Wyatt cut Liam off and said Wyatt had fifty million of them. Liam looked surprised, and Wyatt asked if the number meant something to Liam. In response, Liam claimed that a lot of big numbers crossed that desk. Wyatt informed Liam that Wyatt and Justin had gone over some quarterly numbers, and the fifty million one had stood out to Wyatt.

Liam quietly said it hadn't been illegal or embezzled. Wyatt replied that it had been worse; it had been thrown away. "You bought Spectra Fashions' building, and then you just gave it away to Sally?" Wyatt angrily asked.

At Spectra, Sally arrived and talked with some of the construction workers. She was surprised to see her sister in her tarped office and asked why Coco hadn't gone to the taco truck. Coco said Grams had wanted Coco to watch the workers. Coco was reading a real estate magazine, and she joked that she was hoping someone would buy her a building.

"Is that what happened?" Coco asked. Sally replied that it kind of had happened that way, but then it kind of hadn't. Coco asked if Sally had done something that would get them in trouble. Sally replied that she hadn't. "No one died and gave you a building in downtown L.A.," Coco concluded. Sally responded that she'd found an angel, or rather, an angel had found her.

Later, Sally was alone with the construction workers, discussing the old vents, which had been too narrow for the building. Steffy arrived, and the workers exited. Steffy noted that when she'd arrived downstairs, she'd seen that the fire had been really bad. Sally said they didn't have air conditioning, but it was so smoked out that no one noticed that they were swimming in sweat.

Steffy remarked that she'd thought Sally had been leaving town. Sally claimed her aunt's spunk had inspired her to give it one last shot. "With my husband's help," Steffy added. Sally was glad Liam had told Steffy. Sally called Steffy the luckiest woman on earth to have a man like that.

Steffy asked how Sally could accept that kind of gift. Sally said Liam had insisted, and she would pay him back. "Right, right," Steffy snickered. Sally noted that there were some people who believed in her. Steffy indicated that she was well aware of it. She cited that Thomas had given Sally money, "and look what happened there."

Sally didn't want to fight. Steffy clarified that she was giving facts. Steffy said Sally had proven again and again that Steffy couldn't let her guard down with Sally. Steffy warned that if there was any more stealing from Steffy's family or sponging off them, Steffy would prosecute. Steffy asserted that Sally would have to answer to Steffy, and the next time, Sally would pay.

At Forrester, Bill arrived in the CEO's office, and Ridge said Bill could go to human resources if it was a job he was looking for. Bill wondered if anyone had ever laughed at Ridge's attempts at jokes. Ridge asked if "this" was funny. He said Brooke wasn't there and wouldn't want to see Bill if she was. Bill assumed Ridge had talked to Brooke.

"We talk," Ridge informed Bill. Ridge said he'd known Brooke would see Bill's true colors and leave him. Acknowledging that he and Brooke were going through a rough patch, Bill reminded Ridge that Bill and Brooke were married. Bill expected Ridge to respect it. Ridge asked how the marriage was going for Bill. Bill said he'd meant it when he'd said to stay away from his wife.

Ridge stated that it was too late for that. He'd already seen Brooke, and she'd told him everything. Bill said it was a lie. Ridge admitted to it and said Brooke hadn't wanted to talk about it, but he knew her so well that she didn't have to tell him anything. "I know she's done with you," Ridge concluded. Bill said taking relationship advice from Ridge was like boarding the Titanic.

Ridge asked if Bill had stepped down because he'd needed an extended vacation. Bill grew agitated. He didn't know who'd said it was extended. He said it was just a leave of absence, an indefinite one. Ridge didn't see the difference. He was surprised Bill had found the confidence in Liam to let Liam take over. "There's more to that kid than meets the eye," Bill mumbled.

Ridge sensed that things were complicated for Bill, but he didn't want Bill to worry about Brooke. Ridge said she had a shoulder to lean on -- indefinitely.

At Brooke's house, R.J. arrived downstairs, and Brooke joked that it was a good thing she was there to check up on him because he'd slept until midday. She said she might stay a few days. He revealed that he knew she'd walked out on Bill. "Welcome home," R.J. said and hugged her.

Brooke wasn't ready to talk about it. R.J. stated that while growing in a family full of scandal, no one had told him anything; however, he'd heard and seen things, anyway. "Like the other night when I saw dad holding you," R.J. explained. He hadn't seen his parents look so close in a long time. Brooke replied that it was fair to say something had changed.

R.J. asked if there was any chance, but Brooke warned him not to ask questions that she didn't have answers to. He asked what she'd do next, and she replied that it would come to her. He was ready to go to Bill's house to get her stuff, but she told him that it was the wrong time to be impulsive. He pointed out that she'd returned home.

Brooke replied that it was what one did when one didn't know what to do. Home for R.J. was Brooke, Ridge, and himself. R.J. knew she missed it and that she still loved his father. R.J. promised that he wasn't trying to match-make, but he knew of the time when she'd been the happiest. It had been when Ridge had been there.

At Spectra, Steffy wanted to know if Sally understood that if she took advantage of Liam's kindness, she'd have "hell to pay." Sally reasoned that the fire had been an accident, not a way to take advantage of Liam. She described Steffy as a princess who'd married a prince. Sally insisted she'd repay every penny. Steffy asked why she should believe it.

Sally said she'd changed. Steffy warned Sally not to lie, cheat, or steal. She said Liam might not go after Sally for disappointing him, but Steffy would.

Later, Sally was alone when Coco arrived. Coco had seen Steffy stomp out of the building. Coco noted that Sally still hadn't said who'd helped Sally with the building. Sally said that it had been a guardian angel, and that was all Coco would get out of Sally.

After Coco had gone, Sally flashed back on Liam giving her the property, and she smiled.

At Spencer, Liam asserted that he didn't have to answer to Wyatt. Wyatt yelled that Liam had spent fifty million dollars. "And what do we have to show for it? Absolutely nothing!" Wyatt raged. Wyatt said that Spencer had to assume the debt and asked if their father knew about it. Liam claimed that he was in charge, not Bill. Wyatt warned that Liam was digging a bigger hole for himself for when Bill returned.

Liam claimed to be able to handle Bill. Wyatt asked how Steffy would take it. Liam replied that she already knew about it. Wyatt readily figured out that Steffy wasn't happy that her husband had bought a fifty-million-dollar gift for another woman who had done nothing but torment Steffy. Wyatt insisted that it didn't make sense.

Liam told Wyatt that the deal was confidential, and Liam wasn't at liberty to discuss it. Wyatt asked why all the secrecy with the vice president of Spencer. Liam asserted that he was in control, and Wyatt just had to deal with what Liam was saying if Wyatt wanted to continue at Spencer. Wyatt asked who Liam was. He didn't know what Liam had turned into, but Liam wasn't acting like Wyatt's brother.

Liam asked Wyatt if he understood that Liam was trying to take the company in a more responsible direction. Wyatt said Liam had gone way beyond it, and he'd become a vigilante do-gooder who'd given the keys to the kingdom to "these people." Liam berated Wyatt for thinking "these people" about anyone not born with a silver spoon in their mouths.

Liam lectured Wyatt on the fact that he and Wyatt hadn't been born that way, and they were "these people." Wyatt told Liam that it wasn't what he was saying, but Liam insisted that Wyatt was saying that the Spencer privileges made them better than everyone else. Liam believed that good, decent people deserved to be rewarded.

"Because Sally's such a good, decent person," Wyatt retorted. Liam claimed not to be saying Sally was perfect, but he insisted that she was trying to change things. Wyatt hoped Sally succeeded, but he wanted to know why Liam had given away a building.

Liam replied that Sally would pay him back. Wyatt hoped that deal was in writing. Liam didn't need it in writing because he trusted Sally. "You trust her?" Wyatt replied. Wyatt yelled that one didn't run a great corporation based upon trust and asked if Bill had taught Liam anything.

Liam asked if Wyatt meant Bill's lessons of how to lie, cheat, and steal one's way to the top on the back of the little guy and how to make conflicts of interest a way of life. After all Bill had done to sabotage Sally, Liam felt for her, and Liam insisted upon making sure the talented Sally got what she deserved.

Surprised by the way Liam was talking about Sally, Wyatt asked if Liam had a thing for the redhead. Liam denied it and said he was trying to right a wrong. Wyatt said Liam was all about righting wrongs with company policy. Liam conveyed that they could afford to be generous because of the hundreds of millions in profit.

"Not if you keep giving it away, dummy!" Wyatt yelled. Wyatt told Liam that he was more of a Robin Hood than the caped crusader that Liam probably thought he was. Wyatt went on the record with his disagreement with Liam's approach, and Wyatt warned Liam that when Bill returned, he'd make Liam pay for everything.

At Forrester, Ridge was curious about the changes in Bill's life. Ridge knew Bill didn't have much confidence in Liam; therefore, Bill stepping down and Brooke leaving Bill had to be connected. Ridge figured that whatever Bill had done had to be pretty big to make Brooke wonder if her marriage had been a mistake, and Ridge wondered where it would take her heart next.

Bill advised Ridge to take the smug look off his face because Brooke was not Ridge's destiny. Bill gleaned that Ridge didn't know what Bill had or hadn't done, and Bill believed it would be wise of Ridge to stay out of Bill and Brooke's life while they worked through it.

Later, Ridge was working alone when Steffy arrived. She said she'd been at Spectra, and Ridge expressed curiosity about how Sally would rebuild with no money or insurance. Steffy guessed Sally had found another way. Ridge asked if it had been a secret investor. "Yeah, something like that," Steffy mumbled. Ridge gave her a knowing look, and she changed the topic to Brooke.

Ridge said he'd talked to Brooke, who'd left Bill for showing his true colors. Steffy asked how Bill had done it. Ridge replied that Brooke hadn't been specific, but it was obviously enough to call it quits. Steffy wondered if Brooke had said she was leaving Bill, or if that was wishful thinking on Ridge's part. Ridge said Steffy knew how he felt about Brooke and Bill, and he had to wonder if Bill stepping down and Brooke walking out were related.

Steffy asked what it would mean for Brooke and Ridge if Brooke's marriage was over. Ridge said he'd always be there for Brooke, and he'd always love her. Steffy wasn't surprised that Ridge might want Brooke back, but Steffy couldn't help feeling sorry for Bill. Steffy figured Ridge didn't want to hear it; however, Bill loved Brooke and would do anything to get her back.

At Brooke's house, R.J. wished his mother could admit that no other man would be to her what Ridge was. Brooke didn't want her son to worry about it. R.J. didn't want to push anything, but he believed that Ridge was the man to make her happy. R.J. said she knew it, too.

Later, Brooke was alone when Bill let himself into the house. He told her that he knew that if he'd knocked on the door, she wouldn't have let him in, and he wanted her to go home. He knew that she was upset, and he was upset with himself for letting his ego and need for power get the best of him. Bill said he'd lost his head and all perspective over a skyscraper.

Bill said he would give a hundred skyscrapers to have Brooke back. He wanted his family back. He said that nothing mattered if he didn't have Brooke, and he implored her to go back to him. He'd never met a woman like Brooke before, but he'd made it impossible for her to support him. He didn't blame her for walking away, but he'd do all he could to make it right.

Losing the company and Liam and Brooke's respect had opened Bill's eyes. He couldn't be a saint, but he'd do all in his power to be worthy of his wife. He believed they'd get through it together.

Bill noticed that Brooke was quietly twisting her ring. Cupping her hand, he ordered her not to even think about taking that ring off.