Victor Lays Out His Plans For a Hostile Takeover — and Devon Proposes to Abby

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In the park, Mariah calls out for Tessa and wonders where she is. Suddenly, she spots a picnic basket with her name on it and giggles as she pulls out a stuffed squid. “Oh, you remembered.” Tessa joins her and tells her it’s their anniversary lunch… the anniversary of their first real date that was a few weeks ago. Mariah recalls they had to cancel it three times. “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” They recall the movie Kyle set up on the roof of the Athletic Club to get them together and flash back. Mariah teases, “Nothing screams romance like a 60-foot squid.” They get to lunch, which is themed to the movie as well.

In Victor’s office he remarks on his entire family being speechless. Victor explains that he sees a means of acquiring it and that Nikki will run it. Nikki doesn’t know what to say. Adam suggests, “Thank you.” Victor says no thanks are necessary. She’s earned her position, just as all of them have earned their positions in the family business. Nick says if he pulls this off, the Newman family business will truly be cemented as an empire. Victor says it’s when, not if. Victoria asks how Jill would allow this. Victor explains that she gave control to Billy Boy. Nick muses that Billy pushed for Chancellor-Winters to break up. Victor says, “Of course.” He has disgraced Katherine’s memory, “And I’m going to make it right.”

Adam points out any takeover of Chancellor will have to be hostile. Nikki asks how Victor will make this happen… he can’t buy up the stock. Victoria says she’s right… it’s a privately held company and he sold his investment in it. Victor says he bought it back. Victoria says that still doesn’t give him a majority. Victor assures that the devil lies in the detail. “I have things under control, who do you think I am?” He recaps that Nikki will run the company that belonged to her good friend Katherine… and Billy Boy can choke on his hubris.

Billy and Lily arrive at Society for takeout. At the bar, Abby tells Devon that she gave Tessa time off to plan a surprise for Mariah. Devon thinks that makes couples strong. “Like the little fuzzy socks we wear together in bed.” Abby whispers in his ear and they canoodle and kiss. Devon spots Lily and Billy at the door and the mood shifts. Abby is sure Lily’s only stringing Billy along until she comes back to Winters. Devon doesn’t think Billy is the one she’s stringing along… he’s sure she’ll stay with Chancellor.

Billy and Lily approach and Abby suggests they join them, but Devon nixes the idea. Billy says they have to get back to the office. Devon snarks and Billy says he thought he’d be less tense. Devon’s relieved that they don’t have to work together anymore… it’s interesting that his sister doesn’t seem to have the same issues. He asks to speak to Lily alone and they walk off.

Billy questions Abby about Devon still being pissed off about the new arrangement. Abby says he wants to work with his sister. Billy doesn’t understand why he can’t see that she doesn’t want to walk away from the company she was running before he got involved. Abby can’t speak for Devon. Billy chuckles that Devon has no problem telling anyone how he feels.

Outside, Devon tells Lily he was tired of sitting there listening to her and Billy talk like they’re some perfect little team. Lily reminds him that was the plan… their plan. Devon understands, but he’s given her plenty of time. He wants to know if she’s decided to stay with Chancellor or come and work with him at Winters. Lily sighs that she’s decided to stay with Billy at Chancellor. Devon asks if she came to this decision on her own or did Billy convince her?

Lily asks if her brother is really suggesting she doesn’t have a mind of her own. He thinks the hits in her personal life has pulled her back into Billy’s orbit. Lily says this is business and she’s excited about Chancellor. Devon grumps, “You’re not excited about Winters?” Lily says Winters is his. She’s excited for him too. Devon wanted to do it with her. Lily reminds him he likes working alone… this is best for him. “You’re a lone wolf.” She recalls him making deals without her when they played Monopoly as kids. They’re not playing a game anymore. Devon is just happy to know where she stands. Lily pleads with him not to be mad. He’s disappointed and points out it’s what Dad would have wanted. Lily can’t live her life for anyone else and has to o what’s right for her. Devon crabs that going off with Billy is what’s best for her. Lily fumes, “This isn’t about Billy!” Devon insists he would have listened to her at Winters and says he knows she’s making a mistake. Billy only wants her around because she knows the company better. He may later kick her to the curb because he’s always only about Billy.

In the park, Mariah tells Tessa how good the food is, and she says the chef at Society helped her. It’s a perk. Mariah says working with Sharon she gets to make her own hours. She texts her to let her know she surprised her for their anniversary. Tessa asks how she’s doing. Mariah thinks she’s good. “I did have to cover for her this morning because she missed a meeting.” She claimed she was going over financials. Tessa knows she’s worried about her. Mariah says when she and Nick were going over their love story, it was nice to see her eyes light up at the good parts. She wishes she had gotten her happy ending. Tessa shrugs that maybe that only happens in movies. Mariah says, “It happened in Beneath the Sea.” It isn’t always that simple, but it was for them.

Tessa gives Mariah gummy worms for dessert and asks her to share. Mariah will share everything with her, always. She reflects that the one thing that would make this date perfect is if they could see the stars and constellations. They recall making up names for them in a field one night. “If only we could see them.” Tessa says they can see them… all they have to do is look in each other’s eyes. They giggle. Mariah has a surprise for her too. She pulls out two giant squid hats and they put them on. Tessa tells her she’s the only person she would put it on for. Mariah teases, “You look hot. Radioactive even.” They kiss.

In Victor’s office, Adam marvels at his father’s ability to mete out karmic justice, “Billy’s going to get his and he won’t even see it coming.” Victoria asks if he considered Katie and Johnny in any of this. Victor says it’s business. Billy can always go crawling back to Jabot. Adam says he can take Kyle’s spot. Victoria notices Adam seems happy about this. Adam thinks they all should be since the musical chairs will start. Nick thinks this sounds like its far from a done deal. “Jill may have given Billy her power, but it’s still her company. She’s not going to let you have it without a fight.” Nikki knows business is always personal for her husband. “So, what is your real reason for doing this?”

Victor reminds them that Katherine handed the company to him. He gave it to Jill, who didn’t do a good job and handed it to Billy. Victoria points out Chancellor is making record profits. Victor says it’s not about money, it’s about a woman’s legacy. Katherine trusted him to look out for the company and he’s taking it back. He’s doing it for her and for Nikki. Adam finds it a bit audacious, but supports it. Victoria snarks that it’s because he gets to keep Newman Media. Adam volleys that she gets to keep steering the mother ship. Victor wants to hear what Nikki thinks.

Nikki is grateful for his vote of confidence and admits she worried she was about to be pushed aside. She thanks Victor for believing in her. Victor thinks this means that she’ll accept the position. Nikki still has questions and asks if he really wants to go to war with Jill and Billy. Victor thinks Jill is ready to retire and enjoy her life. Victoria thinks Billy deserves a little grace. Victor says it’s not about Billy, it’s about their family. Nick asks, “What about Lily? Any idea where she lands in this?” Victor says that’s up to Nikki. He thinks she’s a valuable asset.

At Society, Devon asks Abby if she’s ready to take off. Billy says he’ll see them around. Devon mutters that it looks like he doesn’t have a choice in that. Lily rejoins Billy and tells him Devon is upset she’s staying at Chancellor and thinks Billy is using her. Billy feels they make a good team. He’s glad Devon is looking out for her, but he thinks Devon doesn’t like that the company didn’t split on his terms. Why isn’t he happy for her? Why is he questioning her? Lily says maybe that’s because she really hasn’t been honest with Devon, or Billy, about her intentions.

Lily tells Billy his suspicions were correct. She and Devon had a plan to dupe him into dividing the companies. Once the deal was done, she was going to jump ship and join him at Winters and leave him high and dry. Billy is glad she’s being honest with him now. He asks what changed her mind. Lily says his passion for the company and his vision for the company did. Billy feels she’s laid the groundwork for them to do great things. Lily doesn’t think Devon understands the power of collaboration. It’s just in his nature to go it alone.

At the park, Devon thanks Abby for talking him into coming there to look at the view. She knew he needed to take some deep breaths. Abby asks what he and Lily talked about. Devon mentions Monopoly and says it was Lily’s way of telling him that he’s not someone she thinks she can work with. Abby is sorry it didn’t work out the way he wanted them too. He’s just happy to have an answer. “Now that Lily’s make it clear where she stands, I can move forward. I can take Winters to where it needs to be.”

In Victor’s office, Nikki doesn’t see any point in deciding Lily’s future until she decides. If she doesn’t want it, will he give up this idea of is he determined to rip Chancellor out of Billy’s hands no matter what. Adam pipes up that he’d run it. Victoria snarks at him. Nikki asks Victor her question again.

At Society, Billy teases Lily that it’s good to know that his paranoid conspiracy theory was correct. He asks if this is real and they’re in this together. She confirms it is. They agree to move forward with a clean slate and full transparency. After a golf joke, they walk out with their food.

In Victor’s office, Nikki tells him she’ll try to make her decision quickly. Victor warns everyone, “No leaks.” Nikki walks out and Victoria follows. She tells her daughter, “I didn’t see that coming.” She has no idea what she’s going to do.

Back in the office, Victor asks for Nick and Adam’s thoughts. Nick doesn’t share his confidence in taking over Chancellor. Adam agrees; he may be underestimating Billy. Victor declares that Chancellor will be his and Nikki will run it. It’s what Katherine would have wanted.In the park, Abby knows how badly Devon wanted Lily to work with him at Winters. Devon sighs that he thought she wanted that too, but he was wrong. He thanks Abby for always having his back and asks her to join him at Winters. Abby reminds him he has Nate. Devon wants her too. She’s proven herself on the board and knows the company. Abby doesn’t think she wants a day-to-day position, but agrees to at least think about it. Devon says Lily called him a lone wolf today. “Do you agree with that?” Abby says he likes to be in control. Devon muses, “Maybe it is what’s best for me when it comes to business.” But he doesn’t want to call all the shots all them time. That’s not fun. He wants someone to wear matching fuzzy socks with in bed and someone who whispers incredible things in his ear. She laughs, “That is me.” Devon asks, “Will you do something for me?” She asks, “What?” Devon says, “Marry me.” He’ll get her any ring in the world. He won’t do the whole get down on one ring thing, but he’d really love to hear her say yes to that. Abby doesn’t need to think about it. “Yes, yes! I will marry you, Devon Winters.” They kiss.