Author's Note: For anyone not keeping up with the show currently, Cyrus Renault, had been in prison for running drugs and got transferred to Pentonville. Commissioner Jordan Ashford and Taggert had been the ones to put him in prison by framing him when they were undercover investigating him and couldn't get actual Renault arranged for his men to kidnap Trina (Taggert's daughter) and Cameron to draw out Taggert. Renault also kidnapped Jordan's son, TJ, and blackmailed her and Taggert into admitting to the cover-up and he was released from prison. Renault has continued to blackmail Jordan into looking the other way when it comes to his activities and moving in on Sonny and Jason's territory. Renault also had Brad stabbed as part of blackmailing Julian into planting the bomb at the Floating Rib. That all still happened in this universe prior to this point. I'm bringing up Renault's history on the show because without it, it feels like this scene with Kellie comes out of nowhere since this is the first interaction we see her have with him.
Kellie kept walking as if she didn't hear Cyrus.
"How long do you think we can ignore him?" Kellie asked Johnny quietly.
"Unfortunately, not long," Johnny replied.
"Mrs. Morgan or it is Corinthos-Morgan, I'm not sure," Cyrus said, catching up to them, "I was hoping we could discuss something very important to both of us."
Kellie stopped and slowly turned to look at Cyrus.
"Mr. Renault," Kellie said, finally answered, "I'm not entirely sure what that would be. I really don't have a lot of time at the moment."
"I've been looking for some community service programs to donate to," Cyrus said, "I've heard wonderful things about the work Crossing Into Dawn does. I had approached some of the board members and staff at your foundation about making donations and becoming more of partner in your cause. There seems to be some hesitation and I was hoping you could put in a good word for me. Ease their concerns."
"You know I'm no longer involved in the day to day operations or those kinds of decisions at Crossing Into Dawn right?" Kellie replied.
"I am aware, Mrs. Morgan," Cyrus answered, "I would assume that as the founder, you'd have pull with the board. Not to mention your uncle and father-in-law are actively involved in running the foundation."
"I don't have as much pull as you might think," Kellie said, "Obviously, I'm free to offer my opinions and suggestions. I also try to be mindful of fact that the team my uncle and father-in-law have put together are very capable and that any interference on my part actually may do more harm than good. If they have concerns about a partnership with you or feel that it's not a good fit, I'm not going to question that."
"But imagine the additional good your foundation could do by expanding the partnership it already has with General Hospital," Cyrus said, "As for any concerns about me if based those baseless accusations that sent me to prison, I'd say the concerns are unfounded."
"I'm sure if you've done your research on Crossing Into Dawn, then you're well aware of the embezzlement that occurred last year," Kellie said, "I know that decisions were made to be much more cautious in hiring, working with volunteers, and other organizations. Considering that I needed to step back in order ensure the foundation can withstand public scrutiny, I wouldn't be surprised if board and the staff found those accusations and allegations against you concerning."
"It doesn't seem right that you should be shut out of your own foundation," Cyrus started to say.
"Mr. Renault," Kellie interrupted, "I chose to remove myself from actively working with the foundation. I understood that I was a PR nightmare and a liability to the foundation given the allegations and rumors that surround myself, my father, and my husband. The foundation can continue to do the work it does because I understand that."
"Yes, but I think the benefits of my assistance far outweigh the risk," Cyrus interrupted, "Would you really deprive the less fortunate of that assistance?"
"As far as I can tell, the foundation doesn't feel a partnership with you is the way to go at this time," Kellie said, "However if you're serious about giving back to the community, that doesn't mean you aren't free to offer that assistance to other community service programs. Some of which may actually need that assistance more so than Crossing Into Dawn."
Cyrus looked like he was struggling to choke back his anger.
"Kellie," Johnny said, "We need to get moving or you'll be late for your next meeting."
"I really can't be more assistance to you, Mr. Renault," Kellie said, "As Johnny said, I really do need to get going."
"You know, it would be a shame if some of the more baseless accusations about you turned out not to be so baseless now would it," Cyrus said.
"Are you referring to specific baseless accusations?" Kellie replied, "Or just in general? There are a lot of them out there."
"You know how the gossip travels in the prisons," Cyrus said, "What's to say that news of a witness with knowledge of Sonny and Jason's involvement or maybe even your involvement in ordering a hit on Garrett Esoterra wouldn't catch the attention of the cops, maybe even the Feds?"
Kellie choked back a laugh, "Seriously? Garrett died in a prison brawl. That is a well-established fact and supported by the subsequent investigation. An investigation which addressed the very baseless accusations you just mentioned."
"They could have been afraid to talk then," Renault said.
"I highly doubt that," Kellie said, "Even if some so-called witness comes forward, my attorneys will have field day setting the record straight in court. Then they'll have an even bigger field day if they find grounds for libel and slander as a result. I'm pretty sure someone trying to successfully reform their image really doesn't want that reputation attached to themselves."
"I understand if you need some time to think about my offer, the foundation," Cyrus said, "and what it would mean for your children to grow up without their mother, not to mention their fathers."
"I don't need time to think about it, Mr. Renault," Kellie said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than to discuss your little conspiracy theory."
Kellie turned on her heels and walked away.
Lulu's Hospital Room
"Mom," Lulu's voice cracked, "Dustin….He..He didn't…."
"No, honey, he didn't make it," Laura said, wrapping her arms around Lulu.
"He asked me to marry him," Lulu sobbed.
"I know, honey," Laura said, stroking Lulu's hair as she sobbed.
Dante watched awkwardly from the doorway. He pulled out his phone to read text messages from Kellie.
"Dante," Lulu said, realizing he was standing at the door.
"Hey," Dante said, "Kellie was texting me. She said offered to take Rocco for sleep over this weekend."
"I'm sure he'd love that," Lulu said.
"I thought Kellie was coming back here," Laura said.
"She said something came up and she has to go," Dante said, "Something about a meeting her guard reminded her about."
"That's strange," Laura asked, "Did she even see her father-in-law?"
"Says he'll be released tomorrow," Dante said, checking his phone again, "And she says to tell you Cyrus Renault's lurking around."
"That's the last thing anyone needs," Laura said, motioning for Dante to come in and shut the door.
"Dante, if I'm not here, can you make sure that stays away from Lulu," Laura asked, "Cyrus seems to think because he's chairman of the board he can invade patients privacy."
"Of course," Dante said.
"He's up to something if Kellie's warning us he's around," Lulu said, "It wouldn't surprise me if Kellie's guard made up the meeting to get her away from him."
"I'm going to go see if I can catch her before she leaves," Dante said.
"I wouldn't do that," Laura said, "We don't know for sure that your sister did have a run in with Cyrus. Even if she did, if she wanted you to know, she would have stopped by before she left. If you go after Kellie now to check on her, it could be a reaction that Cyrus is looking for depending on what his intent is."
"Mom's right, Dante," Lulu said.
"But if he's harassing her," Dante said, "She should go to the cops."
"With what?" Lulu asked.
"I doubt Cyrus gave her anything she could take to the cops," Laura said, "It's still a big if. She may have actually had a meeting. Yes, it's doubtful, but I think you have to trust your sister here."
"Kellie shouldn't have to deal with this," Dante said, "I know she's married to Jason, but.."
"But she does, Dante," Lulu said, "It doesn't matter whether she's married to Jason or not. She's also Sonny daughter and she ran the business way back when. She's always going to look over her shoulder whether it's fair or not. There's always going to Cyrus looking to get at Sonny or Jason through her. Even when she lived in California, Olivia Jerome targeted her and her family."
Dante sighed in frustration. Laura's phone went off.
"I have to take this," Laura said, "I'll just be outside the room."
Laura left the room.
"You want to be the protective big brother. That's admirable," Lulu said to Dante, "But the truth is if Cyrus threatened Kellie in any way, I'd put my money on Kellie any day of the week. She won't react the way he thinks she will. Not to mention, she put more resources towards investigating him. You know based her history if she can bring it to law enforcement she will."
"It doesn't mean I like any of this," Dante finally said.
"You'll get more used to idea," Lulu said, "Maybe not comfortable with it, but used to it."
"Aren't I supposed to be the one making you feel better?" Dante asked.
"Talking about Kellie is helping me take my mind off things," Lulu said, "I don't even…I just… can't believe one minute Dustin was proposing and now he's gone…."
"I'm sorry," Dante said, sitting in the chair next to the bed, "Just tell me what you need. I can always sneak in coffee and cinnamon rolls."
Lulu laughed, then sobered up.
"Just you being here's enough," Lulu said, taking Dante's hand.