BREAKING NEWS: Steffy Shares Her Suspicions — and Brooke Interrogates Hope and Carter

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In Forrester’s design office, Brooke walks in and catches Carter bending over Hope, who is on the desk. She gasps, “Oh my God! Hope!” Closing the door, she asks, “You and Carter?!” Hope tells her mother there’s more to this than what it seems. They aren’t just fooling around. Brooke gawps, “Wait… you two are involved?” She realizes this is why they’ve been backing each other. Hope tells her no one can know about this, “Especially not Ridge.”

In the main office, Steffy, Ridge, and Eric discuss Carter’s push for expansion, which she thinks has come out of nowhere. Eric’s amused by how fired up Carter was, but says it’s never going to happen. Ridge likes his initiative. Steffy and Eric agree, but it’s too much. They establish that they’re a family company that doesn’t have to answer to shareholders or investment firms. Eric says Carter’s plan would change all that. Ridge wonders why he wants to take such a risk now. “What’s Carter thinking?!”

They wonder why Carter kept this to himself and then sprung it on them now. This is uncharted territory. Eric thinks it would change the company into a brand name and it would no longer be a fashion house. “I don’t want to do this.” Ridge points out it would bring in a lot of money. They’re reached the apex as a fashion house. He and Eric debate the taking on of debt and Steffy interjects they’d have to give up control. Ridge feels Carter knows what he’s doing, “But why now? Why do it right now?”

Steffy doesn’t know if Carter’s plan is right for them. Ridge says, “Or the right time for us.” She’s all about innovation; there’s a reason why they’re so successful. They go over their past risks. Steffy says this is the House of Forrester, they don’t need investment bankers looking over their shoulders. Eric and Ridge agree. Eric says they don’t follow trends, they set them. Steffy loves that. She questions taking the risk now. Ridge does too. Eric thinks something is going on here. “Why this sudden desire for change?”

In the design office, Hope does up her buttons as Brooke asks Carter what about her sister, Katie? “Hope’s aunt.” Carter says they’ve been over for a while now. Brooke asks if she knows about this. Hope says they don’t want anyone to know. Brooke asks why… because it’s a fling, a rebound? Hope says no; they’re just giving themselves time to see how it goes. They’re enjoying seeing each other. Brooke squints, “In secret.” Carter says it’s because of what’s going on at the office with Hope’s line. She asks her mother to promise not to say anything.

In the main office, Ridge says Carter’s never steered them wrong before. Steffy says, lately, it feels out of sync. Eric thinks he wants to pursue profits, but they’ve never been about that. He wants this company to be here for his great-grandchildren, and he’s afraid if won’t be if they take on debt. Steffy has another concern. Carter’s had a lot to say about the Logans. He doesn’t like her stance on Hope’s line. He thinks she has a personal beef that she’s allowing to influence her business decisions. Eric thinks she’s been very patient with Hope For the Future. Steffy thanks her grandfather. Talk turns to him springing Ivy and her jewelry line on Steffy. She thinks he should have consulted with them first before inviting Ivy to her office. Ridge shrugs that it was just an idea. Steffy says it’s the timing of it all at once. It makes her wonder if Hope is getting into Carter’s head somehow.

In the design office, Hope tells Brooke they won’t be able to take their time if everyone chimes in. Carter says Hope shouldn’t have to defend her feelings or actions. Brooke asks, “What about you, Carter?” Carter says Hope encouraged him to share his vision for Forrester. “She inspires me. Brings out the best in me.” Hope says Carter brings out the best in her too. She reminds her mom how he defended her and her line. Brooke says that’s wonderful, but it’s business. Hope argues it’s about respect. Carter and Hope want the same things, including ending the Forrester and Logan war. That’s not going to happen the way things are… and they’re having a little fun in the process. Carter’s sorry she had to walk in on it. Brooke says they’re both consenting adults, “But I do have my concerns, and you’re going to hear them.”

In the main office, Ridge tells Steffy she has every reason to be guarded where Hope is concerned. Eric agrees. Steffy says she kissed her husband; she doesn’t trust her. She’s starting to think she might be manipulating Carter. That would explain why he’s her ally. Ridge says his loyalty is to the company. Steffy reminds him it wasn’t that long ago, that Carter agreed with her about cutting the line. Ridge says it doesn’t matter. She gave her enough time to turn things around. If Hope doesn’t come up with the numbers, they have to make a change, “It doesn’t matter what Carter says.” Eric agrees, “Exactly. This is our company. We know what’s best for Forrester.”

In the design office, Brooke asks Carter to be completely honest with her. “You’re no longer involved with Katie?” Carter says they’re still friends. Brooke points out he’s Ridge’s best friend and a top-level executive there. Hope asks if she’s implying they shouldn’t be involved with each other because they work together. She reminds her that Carter’s not her boss. Brooke is relieved she has someone in her corner. There’s a lot of tension around there and she doesn’t want it to impact them. Hope says they want to take their time with this and see how it goes. She tells her mom that Carter knows about the mess with Finn. Carter understands what it’s like to be drawn to the wrong person. They thank Brooke for her support, and for keeping this to herself. Steffy walks in and asks if she’s interrupting something. Carter says they were discussing work. Steffy says, “Oh, OK. If you were discussing work, then you can tell me what’s going on.”