All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Soaps.com may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
At Forrester, Carter tells Brooke she’s the only one who can reassure her customers and employees at this critical time. He knows it’s complicated for her. Ridge and Eric stepped away, but he believes they’ll come back if they see the company thriving. He hates that he’s putting her on a collision course with Ridge, but they’ll overcome this. “Destiny, right?” He asks, “So, what do you say, Brooke? Will you do it? Will you become Forrester Creations next CEO?”
At the Forrester mansion, Eric comes through the door with Ridge and Steffy in tow and declares he needs a stiff martini. Steffy thinks they should keep clear heads. Eric bellows that no one is going to take his company from him. Ridge and Steffy worry about his stress levels. Suddenly, Taylor comes in. She realizes they have a lot to discuss and doesn’t want to interrupt. Ridge tells her she’s not interrupting, “You’re family.”
Taylor’s so sorry they’re all having to go through this. They go over the drastic change in Carter and Hope being in the driver’s seat. Eric will exhaust every legal angle to correct this travesty. Taylor marvels that they think they can run Forrester without the three of them. Steffy says they’re in for a rude awakening. Ridge says there’s no one at Forrester to help them.
In the main office, Carter tells Brooke they need to move quickly. She says Ridge will go ballistic if she accepts. Carter can’t concern himself with Ridge; he has to do what’s right for the company. They go over why they need her, and Carter says, “If you need more time…” Brooke doesn’t need more time and says, “I will do it. I accept.” Carter and Hope embrace.
In the Forrester living room, Taylor says it’s inexcusable what’s happened. Him hooking up with Hope out of the blue is almost as surprising. Steffy thinks she set her sights on Carter and he fell for it. Ridge grunts, “Look what the did to Thomas. That’s your answer right there.” Steffy says it was a subtle manipulation. Ridge can’t get over Brooke defending what they’re doing. He said he couldn’t be on the same property as Hope, and she chose Hope. “That’s why I’m here.”
More: Brooke’s moving on
In the main office, Brooke tells Hope and Carter she much prefers this didn’t happen. The Forresters were pushed out of their own company. She understands why they feel justified. Carter tells her they need someone who’s fully committed, “If that’s not you…” Brooke is committed, though it did come out of the blue. Zende knocks on the door and tells them there’s press downstairs. Rumors are swirling about the changes and they want a statement. Carter asks him to tell them they’ll make a statement through their social media channels. He asks Brooke to do it and be the voice of the company. Brooke says she’ll do it. Zende gawps, “Really?!” She says, “Talk to Katie. Set it up.” Carter beams.
More: Tanner Novlan’s favorite ‘Sinn’ scenes
In the Forrester living room, Eric tells Ridge he can stay there, but he and Brooke have weathered some pretty serious storms. Steffy doesn’t think her father can stay with someone who’s sleeping with the enemy. Taylor isn’t sure that’s a helpful way to think about it, but Steffy’s undeterred. Eric asks Ridge where things actually stand between the two of them. Ridge isn’t sure. His focus is on getting the company back. Suddenly, Steffy gets a Forrester digital alert. They’re going to go live and make an announcement. Eric wonders what they could possibly announce. Ridge figures it’s damage control. He says they can spin it any way they want, but their little world’s about to fall apart.
At Forrester, Brooke texts Ridge that she has something to tell him. Zende says they’re all set for her to give her statement. Brooke walks behind the desk and Hope fixes her hair, “You’ve got this.” Zende hits a button and Brooke begins by introducing herself before bringing up the changes in management. “COO Carter Walton will be managing the new LLC, which controls the company. And from this day forward, I will step into my old position as CEO of Forrester Creations.”
More: Where has Liam been?
Watching the announcement at the Forrester mansion, Steffy’s jaw drops and Eric exclaims, “What?!” Steffy intones, “Oh my God.” Brooke continues, “I would also like to mention that I will reinstate Hope For the Future, spearheaded by my daughter Hope Logan, of course. I would also like to announce that Ridge, Steffy, and Eric Forrester will be taking a leave of absence. I don’t want you to worry about a thing. All will be fine. The company is in good hands. My hands.” Ridge reels.
He rants, “How could she do this to me?!” Eric grumbles about the power grab and feels she should be standing with them. He thinks Carter is using Brooke to calm the waters. Steffy says this is a hostile takeover. They need to do their own press conference. Eric worries that would harm Forrester. Ridge hollers, “Dad, she stabbed us in the back!” Steffy says Brooke has shown her true colors, “She is a Logan through and through.” Sighing, she says she has to go pick up the kids. Eric has a meeting downtown. Taylor will stay with Ridge.
Taylor asks Ridge, “Are you OK?” He shakes his head. “Hope and Carter’s betrayal was awful. What Brooke just did was so much worse.”
At Forrester, Carter gushes, “Brooke, that was great!” He’s sure the media will see this as a positive sign. He gets word that more reporters are now in the lobby and says he and Hope will handle it. Once alone, Zende confronts Brooke for being all in on the takeover. Brooke says that’s not true. Zende rails that what Carter and Hope did was completely unethical. Brooke realizes that and agrees with everything he’s saying. It kills her to see Ridge hurt like this. Zende asks what she’s doing then. Brooke has a plan. A way to get Forrester Creations back to Ridge.
More: Lawrence Saint Victor explains plot hole
At the Forrester mansion, Ridge rants to Taylor, “How can Brooke to this?!” To him and his dad! Taylor says she always lets him down. The people who love him want so much better for him. Ridge says that every time this happens he goes back and it happens again. At some point, he has to realize he’s doing this to himself. “Maybe you were right, Doc. Maybe you were right all along.”
More: What Brooke’s betrayal means for Forrester Christmas
Next on The Bold and the Beautiful: Ridge and Steffy grow increasingly worried as Eric watches the empire he built unravel, and Will confronts Remy.
Updated! Don’t miss the Bold & Beautiful Christmas preview in our photo gallery below.
