At Chancellor-Winters, Devon recapped that there were two votes in favor and two against naming Nate to the board. Devon turned to Lily, who complained that the topic hadn't been on the agenda. Devon apologized for springing it on her, but he thought Nate had earned the spot. Lily suggested that they discuss it first, but Jill protested that the vote was already in process. Abby empathized that it was hard being caught between family, and she shared her own experience with sometimes needing to abstain.

Lily refused to abstain, and Jill grumbled that it was hardly a nail-biter. Nate assumed that he'd still have a job even if he wasn't a board member, and he didn't want Lily to feel pressured. He added that they were still family, and he was happy to be contributing to the company. Lily was glad he felt that way, and she announced that she had to vote no. Jill's eyes widened in surprise.

Lily explained that while Nate had been doing great work, she felt that he hadn't yet earned a place back on the board, but she was open to revisiting the idea in the future. Nate said he looked forward to the opportunity to continue to prove himself, and he excused himself. Lily testily stated that if there were no more surprises, they could proceed with the actual agenda. Devon requested to speak with Lily privately, but she snapped that they were behind schedule. She opted to get back to why they were there -- to discuss Daniel's lawsuit.

Jill recognized that the matter was very personal for Lily. Lily stood by her decision to terminate Daniel and Heather, since it was what was best for company productivity. Jill said she understood if Lily wanted payback, but she cited the potential legal issues and stressed that the decision needed to be professional, not personal. Lily bristled at the implication that she was putting the company's welfare at stake because her feelings had been hurt.

Lily argued that Daniel's contract was ironclad, and Chancellor-Winters owned all the intellectual property related to Omega Sphere. Billy warned that their legal team had already informed them that Heather was exploiting a loophole that could blow the whole thing up. Jill contemplated offering Daniel a payout to avoid going to court. Abby anticipated that it would offend Daniel, and he would take an even stronger stance because it wasn't about the money. Lily recalled that they'd already given Daniel a generous severance package, so more cash wasn't the answer.

Jill proposed that they let Daniel have his games and walk away. Lily protested that they'd funded the entire project, and it would take too much time and money to start over from scratch. Jill envisioned that a lawsuit could get nasty, with Lily's personal life getting dragged through the courts. Lily declared that she had nothing to hide, and she thought Daniel and Heather would be the ones embarrassed to have their dirty laundry aired while trying to play victim.

Billy observed that Devon had been quiet, and Devon responded that everyone knew where he stood. Jill called for a vote, and she voted against going to court. Jill explained that she understood and respected Lily's point of view, but she thought the company would suffer less if they let Daniel take his toys and go home. Billy sided with Jill. Lily was determined to fight to keep Omega Sphere, and Abby agreed with Lily. "Well, now. Look who's the tiebreaker," Billy said, eyeing Devon.

Devon voted to fight the lawsuit, and Lily thought everyone would eventually see it was the best decision for the company. Lily hurried out to get to a meeting, but Jill asked Devon to stay. Billy followed Lily into the corridor and thanked her for not urging the board to give him the boot, especially when she thought he was "a power-hungry ass." Lily warned that it wasn't off the table, but Billy thought maybe he could change her mind. She wondered if he'd followed her to try to change her mind about the lawsuit.

Billy expressed his appreciation that Lily had voted against adding Nate to the board, and he assumed she'd thought about what he'd said earlier about who to trust and not to trust. He hoped it meant she was ready to join him in taking over Chancellor-Winters. Lily clarified that while she didn't agree with what Devon had done, it didn't mean she would betray her family. Billy believed Lily knew what she wanted, who she was, and what she was capable of, and he told her not to be afraid to go for it.

Billy commended Lily for not caving to the pressure when Devon had surprised her with the vote about Nate. Lily informed him that she hadn't voted against it because of Devon's tactics but because of her history with Nate. She reiterated that it hadn't been a signal that she was ready to follow Billy's dream of the two of them running the company. Billy pictured turning Chancellor-Winters into a powerhouse together, but Lily said she wasn't convinced that was the direction she wanted to take. Billy found it to be an interesting choice of words, since it meant she could be convinced. He refused to give up.

Meanwhile, Jill asked how Devon really thought Lily was doing after her breakup. Devon confirmed that Lily was hurt but solid, and Jill bemoaned that it hadn't been the first time Lily had dealt with a cheating jerk. Devon believed Lily had done what was best for the morale of the company, and he trusted her judgment about being able to beat Daniel in court. Abby echoed the sentiment, and Jill told them to give Dominic hugs from her. After Jill signed off, Abby told Devon he could drop the act because she knew Lily had thrown him a curve.

Devon expressed dismay that Lily hadn't supported Nate joining the board. Abby pointed out that Devon had blindsided Lily with the vote, but Devon suspected that Lily and Billy had something going on based on the looks they'd been exchanging. Devon theorized that Billy was working Lily to convince her that Devon and Nate were causing all the tension at the company. Abby questioned what Billy's endgame could possibly be. Devon groused that Billy liked playing the victim card and that Lily bought into it because she had a soft spot for Billy.

Lily arrived at Crimson Lights and apologized to Mamie for being late. Mamie inquired about the board meeting, and Lily revealed that it had been full of surprises. Lily asked if Mamie had known Devon wanted to put Nate back on the board. Mamie exclaimed that it was wonderful, since it would give more power to the Winters family. Lily informed her that the motion hadn't passed because she'd voted against Nate. Mamie questioned why Lily had done it.

Lily acknowledged that Nate had been doing a good job, but he'd also broken their trust, and she didn't think he'd earned the seat yet. Mamie huffed that it sounded more like an excuse than a reason, and she didn't understand how Lily could have done that to her family. Lily defended that she hadn't done anything but make a sound business decision. Mamie ranted that Jill had stacked the board against them, and they needed to have reinforcements before Jill made her next move.

Lily demanded that the fighting between Mamie and Jill stop. Mamie recognized that Daniel had broken Lily's heart, and the last thing Lily needed was a war at work. Mamie suggested that the breakup had distracted Lily from what was most important at work. "You did not just say that!" Lily blurted out.

Lily asserted that she ran the company separately from dealing with personal issues. Mamie conceded that there was nothing easy about helming a company as fractious as Chancellor-Winters had become. Lily bitterly questioned who'd contributed to that. Mamie asked if Lily had given more thought to the idea of buying back their share of the company. Lily recalled that it had been her idea to merge the two companies, and dividing them would go against her vision.

Mamie clucked that there was nothing wrong with changing the vision, since they had an opportunity to create a true family legacy, and Billy, Jill, and Chance could get in the way. Lily maintained that she wouldn't split the company. Mamie lectured that Lily needed to pay attention before it was too late, starting with Billy. Mamie warned that they couldn't trust him, and the sooner Lily realized it, the better. "You know, maybe I shouldn't trust you," Lily retorted.

At the tack house, Nikki pressed Victoria to give her Claire's phone number so Nikki could call Jordan. Victoria balked at putting her mother in danger, and Nikki swore that she'd let the police and security teams handle it once she made contact. Nikki reasoned that Jordan was desperate and cornered with very few escape routes, and Nikki had the best chance to lure Jordan out of hiding and give her no choice but to hand over Claire and Harrison. Nikki cautioned that they didn't have the time to debate, and she questioned whether Victoria would do what needed to be done.

Nikki hoped Cole could convince Victoria it was the right thing to do, and she stepped out to get some air. Victoria groaned that she'd never forgive herself if anything happened to Nikki. Cole figured that they were only talking about one phone call, and then they could pull back and go in a different direction once Nikki made contact. Cole argued that the authorities' leads had gone nowhere, and Nikki's plan would take the guesswork out of it by taking them directly to Jordan.

Cole opined that Nikki's plan might be the best shot to find Harrison and Claire. Victoria worried that Jordan was a wild card, and she hesitated to take the chance that Jordan would hurt either of her captives. Cole urged Victoria to have faith, since he was sure Claire would do everything she could to protect Harrison. Cole reiterated that Nikki's plan might get them closer to getting Claire and Harrison back home. Victoria marveled at how Cole made her feel like everything would be okay.

Nikki pocketed her flask and headed back inside. She asked if Victoria had made a decision, and Victoria reluctantly provided Claire's number. Nikki took a deep breath, dialed, and got voicemail. Nikki left Jordan a message, stating that she knew Jordan had kidnapped Claire and Harrison, but she knew what Jordan really wanted -- to punish Nikki because Jordan hated her.

Nikki recounted that Jordan had lured her to Oregon and pumped her full of alcohol, hoping to make her watch as Jordan killed her family, all because Jordan thought her twisted sister would have ended up with Victor if he hadn't been with Nikki. Nikki proclaimed that she was giving Jordan the opportunity of a lifetime to let Harrison and Claire go and take Nikki in their place. Nikki promised that Victor would agree to any deal to get his wife back, and she gave the address of an alley and requested that Jordan meet her there in an hour. "Let's end this one way or another," Nikki coldly stated, and she hung up.

Victoria asked if Nikki was all right, and Cole applauded Nikki for standing up to Jordan. Victoria declared that Nikki's part in it was done, and she insisted that they let Victor and his team handle it. Nikki prepared to go up to the main house to tell Victor what was going on, and Victoria and Cole thanked her. After Nikki exited, Victoria fretted that her mom had put on a brave front, but Nikki was fragile. Victoria recognized that Nikki still blamed herself for letting Jordan live, and she was afraid Nikki wouldn't be able to bear it. Outside, Nikki resisted the urge to drink.

Victoria spilled some water as she attempted to make tea, and Cole declared her officially off duty. Victoria recalled that Claire had once compared her to Athena and that she'd told their daughter that she'd been known to throw a thunderbolt or two, but she couldn't even pour tea. Cole was sure Victoria had plenty of thunderbolts left in her. Victoria reflected on the difficult things she'd gotten through in life, but that time was different because she had to be strong for her daughter.

Cole noted that Victoria had been under a lot of stress and had always known how to deal with it, but the idea of losing Claire all over again was overwhelming. He thought it made sense that Victoria was struggling, but he implored her to believe that Claire would return home to them. Cole reminded Victoria he was there if she needed help, and he wasn't going anywhere. He held her close.

At the Newman ranch, Victor, Jack, and Kyle stared down Dave, the delivery driver. Jack reminded Dave that the lives of their family members were at risk, and he ordered Dave to tell them what he knew. Victor implied that they'd simply dispense with Dave if he didn't talk. Dave pointed out that he could spill his guts, but they could still turn him in as Jordan's accomplice. Dave hesitated to trust them, but Victor assured him that they were men of their word.

Dave refused to go to jail when he hadn't done anything. Kyle barked that his child was missing, and Jack argued that the police would be there if they intended to turn Dave in. Dave swore that he'd told the authorities everything he knew, and Victor asked if that was really how he wanted to play it. Jack stressed that all they cared about was getting the people they loved home safely, and the woman who'd taken them was a murderer who was capable of anything.

Jack inquired whether Dave wanted it on his conscience if anything happened to their family members. Kyle sat down next to Dave and explained that his little boy was seven years old and thought a little brass bunny was good luck. Kyle recounted that Harrison didn't go to sleep at night until they read at least two books, but the boy didn't have his school, friends, bed, or parents. "How can you hear me say this and say silent?" Kyle bellowed.

Victor threatened to make the decision for Dave if he wouldn't make it himself. Dave swore that he hadn't had any idea what Jordan had been planning, and he "sure as hell" hadn't known she would snatch a kid. Dave recounted that out of nowhere, Jordan had sat down next to him at a bar and started talking about his gambling debts. He continued that she'd offered him $10,000 to use his truck for a few hours with no questions asked, and she'd given him half the money up front.

Jack was aghast that Dave hadn't even considered what crimes Jordan might commit with his vehicle. Dave explained that she'd paid him not to make it his business, and he was in debt up to his eyeballs. Jack asked how Dave expected to get the rest of the money, but Dave remained mum. Jack pleaded that they didn't have a lot of time, and two people they loved were in serious trouble. Jack appealed to Dave to help them.

Victor pondered rescinding the offer and instead telling Jordan that Dave had ratted her out. Dave divulged that Jordan had told him to meet her at a particular all-night diner and that she'd been wearing sweats and a ballcap. Victor, Jack, and Kyle stepped out to the foyer. Victor surmised that Jordan wanted to meet close to where she was keeping Claire and Harrison. Kyle figured that if Jordan would leave them alone, she had to be certain that Harrison wouldn't cry out or escape.

Kyle panicked that his son was locked up or incapacitated -- unless Claire was the one watching him. Victor was certain that Claire was no threat and that she would do everything in her power to keep Harrison safe. Kyle wanted to believe it, but he noted that Claire had fooled people before. Jack suggested that they stick with what they knew.

Victor instructed his team to search the area around the diner. Dave called out that he'd told them everything he knew. Jack recognized that Dave had served his purpose and would be compensated. Victor assured Dave that they would leave his name out of it, and he suggested Dave take the money and leave town. Dave protested that he liked the city, but Kyle cautioned that Jordan's last useful stranger had found his way in front of a moving car. Dave asked if the person was dead. "Dead like roadkill. You better pray we get to her first," Victor replied.

Victor reported that his team was at the diner, searching the area. Kyle prepared to go to the location where the truck had been abandoned to see if anyone in the vicinity had security footage. Jack wondered how they could string Jordan along if she started making demands. Victor doubted Jordan had shown her full hand yet, since he knew she loved theatrics. He vowed that they would "pull down the damn curtain once and for all."

Victor barked orders over the phone to keep him updated. Nikki arrived home and indicated that she'd been with Victoria and Cole. She voiced surprise to see Jack there, and Kyle headed out. Nikki wished there was something she could do, but she claimed that all any of them could do was pray. She excused herself, and Victor asked where she was going. She told him that they'd talk about it later.

Later, Nikki arrived in the alley. "Come and get me, Jordan. This is what we've both been waiting for," she dared.

• Danny asks Traci what she is trying not to talk about.

• Ashley flirts with a bartender.

• Victor says he's going to pull down the curtain on Jordan once and for all.

• Nikki tries to lure Jordan out of hiding.