In Madison's hotel room, Madison announced that she had changed her mind about sabotaging Kate's company. Sami was incredulous, and she urged Madison to reconsider.

"You asked me to earn Kate's trust, and I earned Kate's trust. You asked me to spy on her, and I have reported everything that she has done back to you. If Kate finds out that I have been spying -- I mean, she invented the word 'revenge,' and now she is married to Stefano DiMera," Sami said. Madison promised that she would protect Sami.

Madison explained that she had already developed an exit strategy, and that she was just going to have to put that plan into action sooner than she had originally planned. Madison revealed the details of her plan, but Sami wasn't impressed. Sami felt that she was being double-crossed. Sami pointed out that she had broken a few laws for Madison, and she refused to suffer the consequences alone.

Madison said that she would accept full responsibility for the scheme, but Sami was still worried. "We are talking about a woman who was willing to send me to death row for a crime she knew I didn't commit. Have you not been listening? If she finds out what I've done, a horde of dragons won't stop her from getting revenge on me!" Sami insisted.

Madison claimed that Sami was letting her emotions cloud her judgment. Madison noted that Sami had probably enjoyed messing with Kate's life. Madison added that Sami had been enjoying the extra paycheck, too. Sami insisted that Madison was the one who was being emotional. Sami theorized that Madison had decided to end the scheme because she wanted to appease Brady.

Madison admitted that Brady had told her some important things about Kate's past. Madison added that Sami should have told her about those things. "I mean, come on -- I knew she was a bitch, but I didn't know she was a murderer," Madison said. Madison added that she wasn't ashamed about taking Brady's advice, because he was a shrewd businessman.

Madison said that her relationship with Brady was more important than her competition with Countess Wilhelmina. Madison added that her decision was final. Sami claimed that Madison had lost her nerve, but Madison insisted that she was more concerned about protecting her heart.

Madison firmly stated that she didn't want Sami to continue to trick Kate. Sami reluctantly agreed, but she refused to resign from Countess Wilhelmina. Madison ordered Sami to quit working for Kate. "Well, I would have to take that order...if I still worked for you. I'm sorry, Madison, but this is my official resignation. My family needs me," Sami replied.

Madison pointed out that Kate had tried to have Sami killed. Sami shrugged, and she cheerfully stated that she and Kate had gotten past that. "Madison, I would love to say that it's been a pleasure working with you, but I can't. Oh, and one more thing -- Countess W. is gonna drive Mad World into the ground. Good luck," Sami added, then she exited the hotel room.

Later, Madison anxiously waited for her mysterious friend to call her. Meanwhile, at London's Heathrow airport, a gloved figure noticed one missed call from Madison.

At the bank, Bo and Hope waited for Stefano to arrive. Hope wondered if she was making the right decision. "You know, part of me just wants to call this whole thing off -- give that damn safe deposit box back to the bank manager, and then walk out and throw this key into the river," Hope told Bo. Hope added that she couldn't really do that, because then she would wonder what was in the box for the rest of her life.

Stefano entered the room, and he wondered if Hope had made a decision. Stefano warned Hope to give the matter some serious consideration. Bo sarcastically noted that Stefano's concern was touching and selfless. Stefano shrugged, and he conceded that he did have a personal stake in the matter. Hope theorized that the box contained incriminating evidence that could put Stefano behind bars for the rest of his life.

"That's so foolish -- do you really think that your grandmother would let me get away with something like, let's say, murder? Hmm? And any lesser crime certainly has been taken care of years ago. But I'll tell you what -- let's forget about talking about me, huh? Let's talk about you...and your family. Now, I know that whatever she has on me could hurt me, but I also know that I could take it. You, on the other hand, have no idea what family member is going to be hit when you open that box, or what is going to happen to them," Stefano said.

Hope noted that Stefano had resorted to threats, and she took that as a sign that she was making the right decision. Hope announced that she was ready to proceed. Stefano shrugged, and he reminded Bo and Hope that they would not be able to look at the envelope that Alice had left for Stefano. Bo observed that Stefano seemed scared about the contents of the second envelope.

"No, no -- I'm not scared. I think I've been pretty honest with myself throughout my life, and, uh, to tell you the truth, I don't particularly give a damn what anybody thinks about me in the world -- outside of my family, of course -- so I really don't think there's anything very...threatening in there," Stefano said. Stefano added that he wasn't willing to negotiate, because Bo and Hope needed his help.

Hope warned Stefano that the contents of the second envelope could destroy his family, too. "What, are they going to find out that I did something bad? No, they can't find out anything worse than what they already know. I had a great deal of respect for your grandmother, but I must say, by the end of the day, I don't really think that she was a match for me," Stefano replied.

Hope insisted that Stefano wasn't smarter, or better at protecting his family, than Alice had been. Hope reluctantly admitted that she and Stefano had something in common -- they both wanted to know what was in the box so that they could protect their respective families. Stefano continued to act indifferent, and he claimed that he could have easily ignored the box for the rest of his life.

Bo wondered why Stefano hadn't gotten rid of the key. Stefano admitted that he probably should have, and he added that Alice should have, too. Stefano pointed out that it wasn't too late to do that. Hope insisted that Alice had kept the key because she had wanted someone to learn the truth. Hope noted that the key had literally fallen into her hands, and that it had happened for a reason.

Hope inserted her key into one of the key slots. Stefano sighed, then he reluctantly inserted his key into the remaining slot. Stefano and Hope opened the safe deposit box, and Stefano quickly retrieved his envelope. A familiar wax seal was visible on one side of the other envelope. Hope looked at the envelope apprehensively.

"If you've gotten cold feet again, I suppose we could lock the box up, you know? But it would seem like it's very anticlimactic, after all the...drama," Stefano said. Hope grabbed the envelope, and Bo told Stefano to leave.

"I'll give you your privacy, but as I warned you, your grandmother went to great lengths to make sure what's in that envelope never sees the light of day, 'cause she didn't want you to see it, or anyone else, and since we agreed that your grandmother was a very intelligent woman, and did whatever she could to help her family...perhaps you should try to be a little bit like her," Stefano suggested.

Hope quietly stated that she had spent her entire life trying to emulate Alice. Stefano assured Hope that she would never be able to forget about the contents of her envelope. Before Hope could respond, Stefano abruptly exited the room. After Stefano left, Bo pointed out that Hope didn't have to open the envelope right away -- or ever. Meanwhile, outside, Stefano sighed as he clutched his envelope.

At the DiMera mansion, E.J. noted that Nicole had transferred a large sum of money into Will's bank account. Nicole started to explain, but E.J. stopped her, and he claimed that he already knew why she had paid Will. E.J. added that he would write a check to cover the cost of Nicole's failed bribe. E.J. reminded Nicole that he knew her very well, and he assured her that he wasn't upset.

Nicole wondered why Will had told E.J. about the bribe. Will shrugged, and he reminded Nicole that he wasn't her employee. "Well, since you have your pretty little intern here, I guess you won't miss me...because I quit. E.J., if I'm not part of your inner little circle here, then I'm leaving," Nicole defiantly stated. Nicole added that E.J. was just protecting himself, and she demanded to know why.

E.J. insisted that Nicole was wrong, and he told her that he was protecting, and blackmailing, Will. E.J. quickly told Nicole about the shooting, as Will listened intently. Nicole realized that Lucas had just wanted everyone to believe that he had been the shooter. "Oh, and they did -- they just sort of skipped over the fact that Lucas has never really been successful at anything that he ever attempted," E.J. dryly stated.

The expression on Will's face assured Nicole that E.J. was telling the truth. Will warned E.J. to back off. E.J. conceded that he had gone too far, and he added that the move had been one of Lucas' finest moments. "You are a son of a bitch," Will snapped. E.J. shrugged, and he replied that Will was a poor shooter.

Nicole said that Will looked like he might want to take another shot at E.J., but E.J. wasn't concerned. E.J. said that Will had been an agitated kid back then, and that he had been upset about E.J.'s plans to marry Sami. E.J. added that those days were in the past. Will smirked at Nicole mischievously, and he wondered if those days were really in the past.

E.J. realized that Will was probably concerned about the fact that E.J. had told Nicole the truth. E.J. claimed that it wasn't right to keep secrets from a soul mate, and he added that Will would eventually understand. Will shrugged, and he said that he wouldn't know anything about that. E.J. reiterated that Will would eventually understand what E.J. was talking about, and he added that it was important to put their cards on the table.

Will grinned slyly, and he wondered if E.J. wanted to put all of the cards on the table. "I, uh -- I was just curious as to, you know, how far you wanted to go with this full-disclosure thing. You know, I mean, should I...um, how'd you say it, uh...put my cards on the table?" Will asked, as he glanced at Nicole.

Will added that he didn't like being treated like a child. Will noted that E.J. was suddenly really concerned about honesty, and he suggested that E.J. would feel better if he told Nicole everything. Nicole looked at E.J. expectantly. E.J. decided to call Will's bluff, and he urged Will to tell Nicole everything.

Nicole said that she didn't care who told her, as long as someone did. Before Will could respond, E.J. claimed that he had been feeling guilty about blackmailing Will. Nicole sarcastically agreed that E.J. seemed really upset about the whole thing. E.J. explained that he had given Will a sports car as a way to make amends -- and that he had also given Will an apartment at the DiMera Complex.

Will was surprised to learn about the apartment. "Yes, you should really see it -- it's quite fantastic. You're right up on the penthouse; you have a fantastic view of the town square. It's very lovely," E.J. told Will. Nicole was still suspicious, and she noted that E.J. was being uncharacteristically generous. Before E.J. could respond, Nicole received a phone call, and she excused herself.

After Nicole left, Will noted with disbelief that E.J. had given him a car and an apartment. E.J. claimed that Will needed a taste of freedom, and that he needed to experience everything that life had to offer. Will nodded skeptically. "You should not have told Nicole about the shooting...because it kind of makes me feel like you're not, you know, trustworthy. Go figure," Will said.

E.J. admitted that he might not be trustworthy, but he added that he was very generous. Will pointed out that he wasn't a kid, and he insisted that he couldn't be bribed with a shiny toy. "If you tell Nicole about my latest indiscretion...it's going to put a rather significant kink in our relationship, William. Now, on the one hand, she and I have weathered much bigger storms than this...and on the other, you'll go to prison for the rest of your life," E.J. replied.

E.J. told Will to pack his bags and enjoy his new apartment. Will implied that he might refuse E.J.'s latest gift, but E.J. knew that wasn't going to happen. Will started to leave, but E.J. stopped him. "Oh, and William...don't ever threaten me again, okay? People have tried before. It never worked out very well for the other guy...ever," E.J. warned Will.

Later, Nicole returned, and she wondered why Will had stormed out earlier. E.J. shrugged, and he said that Will had inherited Sami's volatile disposition, but Nicole wasn't convinced. "E.J., I understand why he has to do what you tell him...but why did you have to set him up with an apartment, and give him a car? If I didn't know any better...I would think that Will is blackmailing you," Nicole said.

At Sami and Rafe's apartment, Will started to write a note for Johnny, Allie, and Sydney. Sami entered the apartment, and she noticed that there was a small pile of luggage near the front door. Will announced that he was moving out. Sami was shocked to learn that E.J. had purchased an apartment for Will.

Will grinned, and he said that was just one of the many perks of his internship. Sami guessed that Will was trying to punish her, and she insisted that Will was making the wrong decision. Will wondered if Sami was really trying to lecture him about right and wrong.

Sami struggled to think of a word to describe Will's recent behavior. Will said that he had been treating Sami with contempt, and he smirked as he assured Sami that it was a big word. Sami pointed out that Will treated everyone else the same way that he always had, and she wondered why he was treating her differently.

"So it's some character flaw in me? Of course, the problem couldn't ever, ever be you," Will replied. Sami admitted that she had made a lot of mistakes, and that she was far from perfect. Will noted with surprise that he actually agreed with Sami, and he suggested that it would be a good idea for him to leave on that positive note. Sami stopped Will, and she demanded to know what was going on.

Will smiled at Sami, and he wondered if she really wanted to know the answer to that question.