Chapter 3:
As people start to arrive at Steffy's house she looks on in confusion. Why is Bill, Liam, Wyatt, Dad, Granddad with Donna in tow, Hope, Katie and Brooke all here. What can Thomas possibly be up to. Everyone is looking around in confusion, no one seems to know why they have all been summoned to Steffy's place. Just as things couldn't get anymore confusing Thomas comes in.
"I'm glad everyone could make it." Thomas says as he looks around the room at everyone. "I'm going to get straight to the point. I didn't exactly return by myself." Just as Thomas says that, Dani and Karen enter the front door with a tall, handsome, Filipino man in a well tailored designer suit, no one recognizes.
Bill's eyes widen, he doesn't know why Karen is in LA. But he knows it is probably not good for him since she is here with Thomas, "Karen! why didn't you tell me you were coming to town."
"I've been quite busy Bill," Karen says to her brother with a poker face, "See when Thomas returned to New York he reached out to Dani and I while in therapy. We had a lot of long discussions. I heard a lot of things I was very disappointed to hear." Karen says as she changes her gaze to Hope, who is starting to look uncomfortable as she gravitates closer to Brooke as Karen continues. "Thomas told me how he handled Caroline's death, needless to say Dani and I were horrified." Karen says as she takes Dani's hand as they both look at each other. "What Thomas did not know is that Caroline had a stipulation added to her will, it states that if there are any questionable decisions made in Douglas' behalf, that Dani and I as his grandmothers would be able to step in and nullify anything put into place for Douglas' best interest."
Hope's eyes widen as she turns to her mother. "Hope, Karen and I are grateful for the love you have for Douglas." Dani speaks up. "But you are NOT his mother, he needs to be able to process Caroline's death in a healthy way, and replacing her is not it. Your custody agreement is null and void."
"You can't do this!" Brooke yells taking a step towards Dani and Karen.
"Actually she can." The mysterious man finally speaks up. "Here is a copy of Miss Spencer's will," He says as he bypasses Brooke and hands the copy to Hope at the annoyance of Brooke, "As you can see everything is in order and is all legally binding, I would be happy to send a copy to your lawyer." He says as he smirks.
"Oh, how rude of me." Karen states smiling, "Allow me to introduce you all to my lawyer, this is Brandon Miranda." Everyone at this point is looking shocked.
"I also want to point out that your neighbor has put their house up for sale Steff. I bought that house, we're going to be neighbors." Thomas says to his sister.
Steffy smiles, "I'm sure Douglas, Kelly, and Hayes will love that." The siblings smile at each other.
"Ridge do something about your son!" Brooke screams.
"Thomas you are being selfish and ridiculous. Stop this nonsense at once." Ridge barks at Thomas.
Thomas stands there, arms folded and confident. "No, I have to do what is best for my son. Something you have never done for any of your children. I'm just sorry it took me so long to realize."
"Firing you was the best thing I have ever done"
"That I will agree with." Thomas says with a chuckle, "If you hadn't I might have never gotten my priorities straight. I might had always thought being like you was good enough as a father. But I see clearly now" Thomas' demeanor turns more serious, he turns to Steffy who has been quietly taking in all of this information.
"There is so much we need to discuss Steff. I had a lot to think about with my professional life while in New York too. While at a restaurant with Karen and Dani, I ran into someone from our past." Just then Massimo Marone walks in the front door. Everyone gasps, their mouths open in shock.
Eric seethes in anger. "Massimo! What are you doing here!"
Massimo smiles confidently. "Hello everyone, I'm sure your all shocked and confused."
"Massimo and I got to talking" Thomas continues, "He was shocked to see me in New York, we met up for coffee, lunch, dinners frequently."
"I've always wanted to get to know my son," Massimo says as he looks at Ridge, "And my grandchildren." Massimo says as he puts his hand on Thomas' shoulder and turns to Steffy and smiles sweetly.
"He's using you to get under my skin. To try to drive a wedge between me and Ridge!" Eric yells.
"Honestly that's what I thought at first too," Thomas confesses, "But after talking to Massimo, I realized he just wanted to get to know me, and Steffy."
"I have no desire to come between you and Ridge, Eric." Massimo says as he then turns to Ridge and looks at him in disgust, "And to be honest I have no desire to get to know you. I am extremely disappointed in you to treat your children the way you do."
"I have a business proposition for you Steffy," Thomas says to a shocked Steffy, "I have no desire to come back to Forrester, I can't handle the treatment, the Logan's everywhere calling the shots. I feel like I'm being held back, begging for scraps from Hope." Hope shifts uncomfortably. "Massimo has offered to fund our own fashion house."
Steffy's mouth drops open in shock, "This is so overwhelming," Steffy says as her head spins while she tries to process all of this information, "I've put so much work into Forrester."
"I know, and although you are the co-CEO, you still have to answer to Dad and Granddad, basically Logans." Eric and Ridge shift uncomfortably as Thomas says this with resentment in his voice.
"I think everyone needs to calm down and think things through," Brooke chims in, "Steffy, if you decide to betray your family like this, I think you need to sell your shares." Steffy stares at Brooke in disbelief as Brooke continues, "To me or Hope."
Steffy's eyes narrow, she turns her focus to Ridge and Eric, "Do you hear this? I haven't barely said one word and already she's dividing up my shares."
"Steffy," Eric quietly says thinking to himself for a minute, "If you are even entertaining this betrayal, Brooke is right."
Steffy can't believe what she is hearing. "This is betrayal! The way I and Thomas have been treated by you two!" She can feel the rage rising in her. She takes a deep breath and thinks carefully, not wanting to say the wrong thing, "I have a lot to think about that I need to discuss with my husband before I make any decisions."
"Speaking of making business decisions," Karen speaks up again, "I have heard about the way you have been conducting business Bill, and I am not liking it. As a fellow shareholder, Dani and I have decided to stay in LA and bring Spencer Publications back to being a business powerhouse."
Bill, feeling like he had been hit by a bus speaks up, "Stay all you want, but we have equal shares, so you cannot make decisions without me agreeing to anything." Liam and Wyatt exchange nervous glances.
Karen smiles smugly, "We always wondered who owned the other shares, we assumed it was our late sister Caroline, but we could not figure out what had happened to those shares, until now." Karen looks back to Brandon.
"Miss Spencer Sr, left her shares to her niece Caroline Spencer Jr. Who then passed them to her son Douglas Forrester, to be represented by his grandmother's Karen and Danielle Spencer until he comes of age." Karen and Dani smile as Bill can only just stare on in shock, he is not used to being out-smarted like this. The only other person to do this to him was Steffy Forrester.
"I think we've had enough excitement for one day," Steffy says, "Unless there is another bombshell anyone wants to drop on all of us." Steffy looks at Thomas, Massimo, Brandon, Dani, and Karen. "Ok, I think it's time for all of you to leave." Steffy says pointing to Ridge, Eric, Donna, Katie, Brooke, Hope, Liam, Bill and Wyatt.
Thomas turns to Hope and Liam, "I will be bringing my son home to my house. I'll have someone come for his things."
