Chapter 11!
Ivy steps forward, but before she can say anything, Carter interrupts her.
"Ivy, I really do hope, just because you came in here with everyone else doesn't mean you're leaving the company as well. Before you say anything, I want to point out once again the importance of you and your jewelry line for Forrester Creations. We have big plans for you and of course also for Elektra. As you may know, I plan to turn Forrester Creations into a globally recognized luxury brand and your jewelry collection is one of the most important foundations for my idea. This is your chance to become famous all over the world. I wouldn't give that up!"
"And besides…." Hope jumps to Carter's side. "We'd like to remind you, Ivy, you've signed a binding contract with Forrester Creations. Maybe you should listen to Carter. He can explain the unpleasant legal consequences for you, if you plan to withdraw from the contract now."
Hope notices the hostile stares she receives from everyone standing in front of her. But she doesn't recognise that Carter also frowns at her. Technically, Hope was right, but Carter realizes right now it wasn't wise to intermediate anyone. And at the same moment he sees how clumsy Hope's remark was, because Ivy's face twists into a very defiant expression.
"Are you trying to threaten or blackmail me, Hope? I guess you must feel really great now, like the queen of business. But I'm gonna tell you what I see in you. You're nothing but a nasty, cold witch. And Carter is nothing but your playboy who goes along with your wicked game. All this is just pure revenge and a payback to Steffy and Ridge. Because you couldn't deal with Steffy firing you and shut down Hope for the future. So you ran to Carter, because you knew he had the power and the brain to find a way to get back at them. You always blame Steffy for making things personal. But you are even worse. This takeover here has nothing to do with business."
"That is not true."
Carter jumps in and comforts Hope by taking her into his arms.
"Stop blaming Hope for what happened, okay! If you wanna be upset with someone, be angry with me. It was my idea and I signed the LLC papers. Hope only loves me and she wants to support me. And she gives me the strength and the belief in myself to go through with it. And I didn't do it to betray anyone. Okay, maybe the way it went was not ethically correct. But it was the only possible way. And I do understand when you all feel bad about it. But I can assure you, I only did it for the benefit of the company and for the benefit of all of us."
"I guess you have to repeat that all over again so you can believe it yourself. But we all know why you did it. You only had the best interest of one person in mind."
Hope recovered her strength.
"And what is wrong about if Carter wants to support me like I want to support him? We love each other. And we both share the same ideas and the same goal. And if Steffy, Ridge and Eric are not willing to go the way with us, it's them who betray the company and not us. And speaking of Steffy, you yourself Ivy said it was a mistake of Steffy firing me."
"Yeah, obviously Steffi was wrong with her assumption you were trying to seduce Finn. But on the other hand you really didn't give her much of a choice. You didn't give her one reasonable explanation why she found you on top of him. And you didn't explain to her that you were wearing the lingerie for Carter. And it was not like her idea of you going after Finn came out of the blue. I mean you crossed the line when you went after Finn and you kissed him."
"Oh my god that was one simple stupid mistake and I apologized for it a million times. But I see where this is heading to! Steffy and probably also Ridge turned you all against us. They brainwashed you!"
"That is nonsense, Hope. Of course we spoke to them and also with Eric but they only told us what happened. We all have our own opinion and we all agree, if Carter and you want to go through with this conniving and malicious coup, that's your choice, but we are not going along with it. Especially not Elektra and I. In case you forgot, we are Forresters. They are our family and we will not put a knife in their back. And we won't break Eric's heart. He and Ridge were the ones who gave us a chance in the first place, they believed in us. So now they deserve our loyalty and respect. As much as I would love to conduct the jewelry line together with Forrester Creations…under these circumstances, there is no other way for us but leaving the company. And Hope, speaking of the contract you mentioned before, I'm sure Carter will love to explain to you that like every contract, also this one contains lots of articles and small prints. And in one it says that if the situation of the company and the business relation changes, both sides get the right to determine the contract immediately. So therefore, I have every right to end our partnership. Carter, my lawyer, will get in touch with you pretty soon."
Carter turns pale. Hope looks at him anxiously, but he only nods silently to signal that there was nothing they could do. But Hope was not ready to give up.
"Wait Ivy, what are you planning to do without Forrester Creations? You and Elektra need to support your living."
"Oh, don't worry about us. We will get through it and I would rather starve than work with you. And I'm sure we all won't be unemployed for very long. Carter, you shouldn't make yourself too comfortable behind this desk because Ridge and Steffy will find a way to get the company back and then Hope you and your playboy are history. If I were you, I would start looking for some alternatives."
Hope's lips are getting very thin.
"Carter is not my playboy. He is my partner and he is a great businessman who will succeed one day with his idea."
"Oh, come on Hope, keep dreaming. Carter is only doing this to please and satisfy you. He is nothing but your well-trained puppy."
"Woof! Woof!" it comes from the background.