Olivia walked down the corridors of the Liberty, determined to find out what AJ was up to as she bumped into Jude who was heading in the same direction.
"Olivia! Hey, It's nice to see you."
"Is it?" She was dry.
"How are you, how is Gregory, I heard he is home?" He asked friendly.
"Everything's just fine. As usual." She continued walking as Jude hurried to keep the pace.
"Where are you heading to?" Jude asked.
"To the conference room."
"To the conference room? Why?" He was startled as she stopped to turn around to him.
"Well, Jude. When you and AJ organized this board meeting today, it must have slipped your minds to inform me and Ben. So I thought I'd catch up. See what you are up to!" She hissed.
"Olivia...it's not what it looks like."
"Oh? Well what does it look like? Does it happen to look like you and AJ are up to something now that Gregory is having his trail starting tomorrow?" She observed.
"That not what this is." He tried.
"Look Jude, I don't know what you think AJ can offer you for your future, but things are not what they seem!" She hinted.
"Sure they're not! Look, I know you are probably mad at me for keeping from you that Gregory was Tobias all along, but I had a job to do. Please understand."
"A job?" She laughed. "The FBI had a job to catch my husband for embezzling money? Seriously? Don't you have anything better to do than that, like catch some serial killers or observe ufo's and stuff?" She was bitchy and making fun of the job.
Jude sighed: "Gregory also killed someone if you remember."
"Still, nothing the police here couldn't have handled. Your involvement goes deeper than this and you know it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a board meeting to attend." She finished making her way to the conference room.
Bette was frantically running around Baxter's office, searching his drawers and his desk.
"Ooou, where could it be? Tha! What am I even looking for? ...something with Gregory's name on it! Pfff!" She mumbled appalled, mimicking Olivia's accent.
Flashback: "Bette, I need you to do this for me, please!"
"Livvy, what is going on? Why?"
"I'll explain everything to you later! Trust me! Please go and search Baxter's office, there must be something!"
"Well what am I even looking for?"
"I...I don't know, anything that has Gregory's name on it! Please..."
"Oh toots! Oh okay! Just make sure you keep that board meeting running!"
"Damn it, what is even going on?" She continued as she searched for papers. Nothing.
Bette noticed a little Statue of Liberty on Baxter's desk and picked it up.
"Oh you're cute. Liberty...pah!" She joked around as a key fell on the floor out of the bottom of the statue.
"While hello? Who are you?" She tried to figure out where the key belonged to as she found one of the drawers was locked. She hurried to unlock the drawer and pulled it open.
"Now talk about skeletons in a closet!" She smirked going trough his things finding a little tape with the name Richards on it.
"Good morning gentlemen!" Olivia greeted throwing her purse on the long table that dominated the room.
AJ and Baxter were already comfortably sitting in the huge chairs. AJ stood up from Gregory's chair, as he wondered what Olivia was doing there.
"Olivia! What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought this was a board meeting. I am a board member so, you know...you do the math AJ." She retorted.
"Well...it's not quite of a board meeting I'm afraid." AJ gave back looking at Jude who was posted behind Olivia.
She walked around the room, taking AJ's place in Gregory's chair and let herself be swung by it.
"I'm sure you'll tell me what this is, then?"
"Olivia...we are meeting today to discuss the future of the Liberty considering that Gregory's trial starts tomorrow." AJ explained.
"Oh, well then it's perfect that I'm here. The future of the Liberty is what I'm interested in. And so is Ben." She stated as Ben walked trough the door angry.
"What the hell is going on here?" He demanded.
Bette pushed the tape in the memo recorder and pressed play, dying to know what was on it.
Note to self: remember to finalize the papers for Gregory Richards, to finally get my hands on that house and that money. Hahahahaha
Bette listened as her face crumbled. oh man this is going to be great! Silly silly man, breaking the law for his lovely wife. If only she knew I know all about her participation to stealing AJ Deschanel's son, she wouldn't be so nice to me. Good thing nobody knows, good thing Gregory wants to keep that a secret. Hahahaha
Bette paused the tape as she was horrified of what she was listening to.
"Oh man, I guess I found what I was looking for..." she said putting the tape into her pocket. She locked the drawer, put the key back into the little statue and made her way out of Baxter's office shaking her head.
"Ben," Olivia started, "it's so nice you've got my message and made it on time." She greeted smirking.
"Yes well what is going on here? What board meeting is this?" He demanded.
"Ben, look, it's not exactly a board meeting. Dave and I want to discuss the future of the Liberty with Gregory's...situation."
"I would say this concerns me the same it concerns you, AJ."
"I know, but this wasn't official. We would have invited you to an official meeting, Ben! Besides, Olivia, these are decisions that are concerning the holders of the majority, it's nothing for you to worry about." AJ was being a jerk.
"Oh, is that so? Well if that's the case, I'm afraid I will have to ask you and Dave to leave the room." She stated easy going.
"What?!" AJ was confused.
"Well, you said it only concerns the holders of the majority. That would be Ben and... me." She eyed Ben who smirked happy that Olivia seemed to follow Gregory's request in being executor.
"What are you talking about? You don't have the majority."
"Oh, AJ, but you see, I do. I am the executor of Gregory's shares. That makes me in charge of the majority. Now, will you please start with the meeting, you're stealing my time!" She made herself clear.
AJ and Baxter eyed each other worried since they didn't expect this to happen. Jude was following the conversation interested as he stared to realize something was terribly wrong in the picture. What the hell was going on?
"Well, Olivia..." AJ gave in, "we wanted to discuss the investment with the Resort. Now that Gregory is being prosecuted, a lot of investors have a difficult time to trust this company...since Gregory did such a great job to ruin its reputation." He affirmed confident while Olivia and Ben eyed each other knowing the truth. "That's why we want to stop the construction and the whole action until we are able to clear all this." AJ explained.
"That is out of the question!" Ben jumped in. "We've all put so much work in this, Maria finished all the designs, this is decided! We're continuing!" He shouted.
"I'm afraid I can't agree." AJ insisted.
"Well it's quite easy to handle it. Let's vote." Olivia laughed looking at AJ who knew he was going to lose this round.
Jude looked confused at the two party's battling each other: Ben and Olivia on the one side and AJ and Baxter on the other.
"Olivia I don't think you understand the nature of this problem." Dave got into it.
"You think? I'm sorry you don't seem to know exactly what you're talking about. I think this is the best time to continue with our work and prove to all of our clients and investors that we are trustworthy. And working hard to repair the damage done!" She affirmed. "I am for continuing the construction." She made her vote.
"So am I." Ben joined her.
"I guess this is decided then." Olivia made an attempt to leave.
"This is not over yet, Olivia!" AJ predicted.
"You're right! Not by a long shot!" She said picking up her purse and exiting the room leaving AJ and Baxter wondering if she found anything out.
"Gentlemen." Ben followed her on her way out. "Jude, I need to talk to you. In my office."
"Sure!" Jude said curious what that was all about.
"What the hell was that?" Baxter was wondering out loud.
"I have no idea...I have never seen Olivia like this ever before." AJ whispered.
"Do you think she suspects anything?"
"There is no way she knows. Gregory's lawyer would be up and running if they knew." AJ tried to reassure Baxter. "Excuse me, I have to go and see Ben."
"One more thing AJ," Dave Baxter interrupted. "Why is it that you want to put the Resort project on hold anyway? I think Olivia is right saying that it would be a great opportunity to show everyone this company is still trustworthy." Baxter was unsure.
"I'll tell you why, because this project is a Richards/Evans cooperation, that's why! When I take over this place, there will be no room for any projects that has a Richards involved!"
"And just how do you plan to do that? Obviously Gregory took precautions and you just saw Olivia. She'll fight this to the bitter end. Plus, she has Ben on her side. How are you ever going to take over?"
"I don't know yet but I will!" AJ shouted. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to see Ben." He made his way out heading towards Bens office.
"What was that all about, man? Olivia took over Gregory's shares?" Jude was curious.
"Never mind that, what the hell was with you allowing this board meeting to take place without me?" Ben shouted.
"Hey, Ben slow down. I can explain."
"I'm looking forward to it..."
"Look, AJ asked me to keep quiet. He said that you have so many problems with Maria at the moment and you can't be bothered with insignificant matters."
"Insignificant? Putting the Resort on hold is very well significant. We could lose everything we worked so hard for." Ben explained. "Besides, my private matters have nothing to do with business."
"Well, you brought your private matters into the office the day you decided to have Maria work on the project." Jude made his opinion clear.
"That is still no reason for this! Wich side are you actually on Jude?" Ben asked angry.
"I wasn't aware there were sides around here in the first place! You should all be interested in making this company bloom. Instead, you run around arguing about stuff that's most likely coming from more private matters. Am I right?" Jude made a point.
"Well I guess you weren't a FBI agent for nothing..." Ben replied pouring himself a glass of water. "There certainly is more to this than you might think, Jude."
"What? Tell me so that I can do the right thing in the future." Jude begged.
"All I can say is that AJ is not who he pretends to be. His motives are hate driven. He is on a mission to take this place down. Or at least Gregory and potentially me as well. You cannot trust him." Ben advised.
"That's what Olivia said: things are not the way they seem."
"Exactly. Please keep your eyes and ears open. AJ and Baxter are up to no good. Now Olivia and I have the hope that this is all going to be revealed during the trial." Ben explained the situation to Jude as AJ listened from behind the door.
"So what are you saying? Gregory was manipulated, by AJ?"
"You're a smart young man. I knew Gregory would never, ever jeopardize this company we both fought for all these years. To think he would steal money, hell from a charity event! That's not Gregory Richards!" Ben made it clear.
"But all the trails, they all led to him. I searched for a long time until I found the transactions but eventually I found out it was Gregory's bank account."
"Well you didn't search good enough. Did it ever occur to you to investigate the other side? The man who made the payment?" Ben asked.
"No, why would I? That man payed for the house. Period." Jude explained.
"Well you see Jude, things are never so easy around here and definitely not around Gregory's persona."
"Ben this is all so unbelievable! I...I can't even begin to understand." Jude explained.
"It's alright. Everything will be revealed starting tomorrow." Ben was positive.
"Oh Bette did you find anything?" Olivia asked terrified looking at her friend grinning up to her ears.
"Why do you think I'm called the queen of the night? Hm?"
"Stop it, now tell me, did you?"
"Oh boy, I did...and I am dying for you to explain this to me!"
"Let's get out of here!" Olivia said pulling Bette on her sleeve wanting to get out of the company as soon as possible. "We'll go to my office, we can speak privately there!" She offered.
AJ rushed into Baxter's office in rage.
"Damn it! Ben and Olivia figured things out! And now Jude knows too!" He hit the desk with both fists.
"But how?" Baxter was scared.
"I don't know. But that doesn't matter how...what matters is they did and they plan to reveal it during the trial." AJ raged.
"What? You know what this means, to me to my family! I have a wife and children at home!" Baxter started to lose his composure.
"Quick, find me that tape and the papers. I need to destroy the evidence!"
"Relax okay! Here..." Dave took the little key out of the Statue of Liberty and unlocked the drawer. "It's here...I...I had it locked!..." he said feeling trough the stuff in the drawer.
"What's wrong?"
"It's...it's gone! The tape is gone!" Dave was frightened as AJ was losing it.
"What do you mean it's gone?!"
"Gone, as in away! Dammit I had it right here! Locked! The key was hidden!"
"Maybe you've put it someplace else! Search dammit!" AJ shouted.
"Goood what a horrible day!" Olivia lamented herself into the office.
"Tell me about it, and the day ain't over yet toots, now what the hell is going on?"
"What did you find, Bette? Please show me..."
"Oh...you know...a tape...saying that Baxter knows about your involvement in Coles Kidnapping that my brother dearest planned all those years ago!"
"Oh Bette! Oh thank god!"
"Thank God?! You're happy Baxter knows about this?" Bette wasn't understanding.
"No, no, of course not but it's proof!"
"Proof for what?"
"Give it to me!" Olivia seemed overjoyed.
"Not so fast..." Bette pulled the tape back.
"What?"
"First, you explain. Then you get the goodies." She teased.
"Ahah! Bette, don't be ridiculous, of course I'll explain!"
"Well then go ahead."
"Oh sweetheart..."
"Sweetheart? You never call me that...what's wrong?"
"I think you should sit down. Come on." Olivia invited Bette to sit on the sofa as she started to explain everything.
"Richards, I guess this means you're ready to get trough with the trial tomorrow." Ricardo stated while Gregory buttoned his shirt after the consultation with Tyus.
"Sure does." He said almost looking forward to it.
Ricardo had his handcuffs ready to put back on Gregory.
"Ricardo, you don't have to do this. I am not running away!"
"I'm just doing my job Gregory. You killed a woman and ran away, just think of the explaining I'll have to do if you escaped because I decided to trust my feelings with you." He explained while Gregory stretched his arms to Ricardo. "Look, I'm sorry. I don't like this either." Ricardo emphasized.
"Yeah, well. You're just doing your job." Gregory understood.
"Look, you must think I'm hating you...but..." Ricardo began.
"But?"
"As an officer hired in the name of this state, I do. You broke the law and you know it. As a family man...I think I know what made you do those things..." he finished.
"This is odd coming from you. Why the sudden change of heart?" Gregory laughed as he continued, "please don't treat me like this just because you think I had the stroke provoked by you. It wasn't. You are not to blame for anything." He finished.
"Thank you, Gregory. But it's not that...for weeks now I'm observing my family...we all do things..." he found it hard to express what was going on, "we make choices sometimes...to protect our loved ones..."
"I guess I know what you mean, Ricardo. And I know this doesn't mean anything in the eyes of the law but... everything I ever did was for my loved ones."
"I know. I really wish you all luck tomorrow." Ricardo said in sympathy.
"Thanks detective."
Gregory and his escort of Ricardo and another two cops made his way out of the hospital and into the car. This was his last evening at home before judge Turner was to decide if he will ever spend another day in his bed or not. He was looking forward to spending his evening in the most pleasant way possible and away from Cole.
"No!"
"Bette...I'm sorry, I know how this must hurt you..." Olivia was almost crying.
"No!"
"I wish I could have told you earlier, I swear I wanted to but if you were going to tell AJ about it, he might have ruined the evidence!" She explained.
"Son of a..." Bette muttered. "Hah! Livvy, I can't believe this...he played you he played me...to think I almost made my eighth mistake in one life!" She laughed in shock.
"Oh Bette...maybe this has nothing to do with you...I'm sure he has feelings for you." Olivia tried.
"Yeah but what you just told me killed my feelings for him! How could I be so blind?" She stood up and ran around the office. "I should have known! He tried to get me out of the country so that I won't participate to the trial, he was constantly in a rage against Gregory... I should have known."
"Bette, you couldn't have. I didn't, nobody could have known. I think we all just underestimated him, he always had that charm to convince us all that he was the good guy!" Olivia stood up to grab Bettes shoulders.
"Hah... hell of a charm. Molto suave... I believe I should call him molto lying son of a..."
"Bette! Don't do this to yourself."
"God I guess karma really does exist."
"What do you mean?" Olivia asked as Bette turned around, grabbing a breath.
"This is so..." she couldn't help laughing. "It's what I deserve for all the things I did back in the day..."
"I don't understand..."
"Livvy...you know how AJ always said someone helped Gregory to get rid of him all those years ago?"
"I do, but..." Olivia began to understand what Bette was trying to say.
"Yes. Moi. No other than moi. I helped Gregory." She shook her head.
"What? Why didn't you ever tell me? How?" Olivia ran around Bette to face her again.
"I didn't tell you because I didn't know how in love you actually were with AJ, I didn't want to lose your friendship. I thought you might hate me. And after everything was fine, I thought it wouldn't matter anymore..."
"But why? Why did you team up with Gregory on this?"
"Because he was desperate! He was desperate that you'd want AJ instead of him. He spent hours yawling about it, he came to apparently see Del when all he wanted was to see me and plot against AJ. He knew we were friends and I was so sure that you two belonged together... oh Livvy..."
"Unbelievable..." Olivia couldn't proceed the information.
"So you see, I deserve it I guess..."
"Nonsense! You did what you thought was right at that time!" Olivia tried to reassure her.
"Olivia, I dig up all the dirt on his family, on the fact that his father and even he were embezzling money, how do you think they got so powerful in Sunset Beach? And then...Gregory had the chance to make him leave town or make him go to prison...and then Elaine was pregnant...and then my brother decided to interfere for the sake of the damned jewels, then you helped Del...this is so horrible...when will this all end?"
"So that's why AJ decided to give Gregory a taste of his own medicine..."Olivia concluded.
"Yeah but the difference is that AJ and his family were making a living out of it while Gregory was forced to do it."
"Because of me, Bette, to keep my secret! Oh this puts a wrap around everything!" She was worried.
"Gosh I don't know...what are we going to do about it? How am I going to face AJ tonight and pretend I don't know about this?" She asked out loud as Leo opened the door while still knocking.
"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt." He began.
"What is it Leo?" Olivia asked annoyed.
"I was wondering if you could take a look at my new publicity campaign." He searched for a reason to spend time with her. "I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself."
"Oh I've seen you before!" Bette said putting a smile on, "you're the dashing man who ran across the lobby a week ago, I didn't know you worked here." Bette said.
"Oh I was lucky my wonderful boss gave me the chance to prove myself worthy. I'm Leo. Leo Foster."
"Foster?" Bette was appalled.
"Yeah, something wrong?"
"No...no is all good. It sounded so familiar but, heh, well I know a lot of people so ...you know." Bette lied.
"Look, Leo we're in the middle of something here. I'll catch up with you later." Olivia made him understand they needed privacy as Leo nodded and left closing the door behind him.
"Oh toots..."
"What was that about Bette?"
"Leo Foster? Oh my good... if this isn't a bad joke...this guy...he's AJs contact person! He is the one who helped AJ and Baxter pull this off on Gregory!" Bette whispered as Olivia couldn't believe what she was hearing.