The Perfect In-Laws (2023) Movie Script
- Mrs. Whitfield?
I'm turning in for the night.
I have some fresh towels.
Mrs. Whitfield?
Xander!
It's your mother. Call 911!
- Hello.
- Hi, xander, handsome man.
- How are you doing?
- Good.
Just checked into the hotel.
You at your dad's yet?
- Not yet. Almost there.
I can only imagine
what surprises
He has in store for the family.
- I know.
I wish I could be
there with you.
Sounds kind of important.
- Ah, don't worry about it, hon.
I know that you are slammed
With your research for
the charleston article.
- Well,
I'm almost done
with that, actually.
Cindy's about to call me
with my next assignment.
You know...
I am a little curious
about how your family
Is going to react to
our whirlwind romance.
- Oh, sweetheart.
They are going to be
Just as crazy about you as I am.
And we'll set up the time soon
where we can all get together.
- Okay.
- Well, anyway. I got to go.
I'll talk to you soon, okay?
I love you.
- Okay.
I love you. Bye.
- Xander! Oh, it's
wonderful to see you.
- Thanks, mrs. Harper.
I'm sorry I'm late.
I know you were
expecting me earlier.
- Ah, mrs. Whitfield
just now appeared
To supervise the cooking.
- Of course, she did.
My lovely stepmother loves to
keep everyone on their toes.
- Sonny!
Get mr. Whitfield's
bag out of the car.
Come on in!
- You're kidding me.
Stan approved the
article idea?
I thought he was
done with profiles
On small quaint towns.
no, that's great.
And no, I don't
need any more time.
I just found my contact
At the local
chamber of commerce.
Yup.
Xander's going to so excited
when I show up tonight.
Thank you, thank
you, thank you again!
Alright, bye.
I'll be in touch.
Can I get you something
to eat or drink?
- No, I'm fine
right now. Thanks.
- Hello, xander.
- Marlena.
- Mrs. Harper, can you
please check on dinner?
I don't want lionel to have
Something else to
complain about.
- Yes, ma'am.
- So where's this beautiful
new wife of yours?
I've been dying to see her.
Must of been love
at first sight.
Running off to get married
in las vegas so fast.
- She's busy with work.
- You wouldn't be
hiding her from us,
Would you, xander?
Well, your father is
anxious to speak with you
Before this big announcement.
Which better be a good one,
Considering all the trouble
that he's putting us through.
- Xander!
- Hey, hey, little sis!
- I'm hardly little
any more, xander.
- Nicole, the grad student.
Ah, I'm so proud of you.
Creative writing, right?
- Hmm-hmm.
- Such a practical
field of study.
So...
This ashley must make
quite an impression on you.
- Audrey.
- Right.
- And I guess you just know
when you meet the right one.
- Oh, I can't wait to meet her.
Xander mentioned
she's a travel writer
And plans to start
work on a book.
- How interesting.
And how long are you going
to be staying exactly?
Just so I can let mrs. Harper
know how to prepare, of course.
- I guess it depends on what
dad's got cooked up for us.
- Well, your father's
downstairs playing pool.
So why don't you go down and try
to figure out what he's up to
With calling this
big family meeting.
- I'll see you in a bit.
- Why don't you...
Find something more
flattering to wear?
Thanks.
- Father.
- About time you arrived.
I assume you brought
this new wife of yours.
- Next time.
- Come on. Let's
play some pool,
Maybe you'll win for once.
- You know when
she does make it,
I really hope meeting everyone
doesn't scare her off.
- We'll try and be
on our best behaviour
Just for you.
- Can you tell me what
this is all about?
- You want to play or not?
look...
I know the company
took a financial hit.
It's depressing,
given where we stood.
- Let's just say
tonight's announcement
Will be life changing.
For all of us.
- You are a beautiful
young woman, nicole.
Always know that.
- Not as beautiful
as my mother though.
She never lets me forget it.
Do you remember the
charity launching
For the hospital board she
dragged me to last month?
- Go on.
- A guy I've had a crush
on since middle school
Attended with his mother.
I was having
This great
conversation with him.
We were really connecting.
And then, mother walked over,
Said she was ready to leave,
Laughed...
And said, "oh, nicole.
Leave clayton alone.
I'm sure there are many
beautiful young women
He'd like to speak to
here this afternoon."
She did this right
in front of him.
Why does she treat me like this?
- I think that it's hard
for a woman like your mother
To see her youth slipping away.
She looks at you and she sees
that the years have passed by.
This does not
excuse her behavior
But I think it's
at the root of it.
- Well, I've given
up on my mother
Ever understanding me.
- We need to stop.
I have to upstairs for dinner.
- If you were
worried about dinner,
You'd be up there.
Not here with me.
- Listen, you have your charms,
But I needed a moment
To forget about
everybody up there.
And you are very good
at making me forget.
Zip me up.
- So when are you going
to leave the old bastard?
- You know I can't do that.
I've worked too hard
to become this person.
I've just been worried
we're getting too reckless.
You know? We need
to be more careful.
People could come
in at any time.
- Again, you were the
one that came here.
- Yes, I did.
- Oh, no, no, no. Not a flat.
No, no, no.
- Oh, teresa...
You're here too.
- Good to see you too, xander.
- Dad didn't mention you
were coming for dinner.
Warren.
- Xander.
Looks like the gang's
all gathered, huh?
- So if you're here...
- Must be something interesting.
- Hmm.
- How's audrey?
- Good. She's busy with work
- I'm sure she is.
As a globe-trotting journalist?
- Yeah.
- Very impressive.
And so is her family.
- Look, it's a
good match for me.
- Well, my husband here is
about to head to hawaii soon
For a three-week golf retreat.
- Look at you.
- I do it every year now. I
disconnect the entire time.
- It's pricey is what it is.
- Lucky guy.
- Well, dinner should
be really intriguing.
- Hmm-hmm.
- Shall we?
- Let's.
- There you go. All set.
- Really, can't
thank you enough.
I don't I could've fixed
that flat on my own.
- Yeah, look like you
punctured it on a nail.
- Ooh...
There's not really much
out here, is there?
- Yeah... It's
pretty desolate.
Where are you headed?
- Camellia falls.
that's where I'm from.
We'll be there in about an hour.
- I heard it's really
beautiful. Picturesque even.
- It is. So what
brings you to our town?
- The whitefield
estate. Do you know it?
yeah, I know it.
- Oh, well, I just
married xander whitfield.
- Xander whitfield.
- Uh-huh.
- You know? It's
getting pretty late,
And I think the
weather's about to turn.
So it's time for
us to head back.
- Right. Thank you.
- Watch out for those nails.
- I thought now
would be a good time
To inform all of you
Of a consequential
decision I've made.
I decided to sell the company.
And all of its holdings
to another developer.
Ward enterprises.
- Yeah, you can't do that.
- As the majority shareholder,
I sure as hell can.
Sick and tired of all
the day-to-day stress.
So I'm cashing my
chips as they say.
Of course, that
means all of you...
Who was used to living
off of my generosity
Will have some big
changes coming your way.
Big changes!
- You can't sell my
mother's company.
- Teresa, I'm going to need
to meet with you tomorrow
To draw up the new contracts.
- Yes, sir.
- And young lady...
You're finally going
to have to make
Some serious choices
in your life.
I want you to learn
How to stand on
your own two feet.
Big changes.
I'm going to my study. You
all enjoy your desserts.
- Well, that was fun. Can't
wait to see what's next.
- It certainly puts
a kink in our plans.
- Yes, it does.
- Found your glasses, babe.
- Thank you.
- I'll walk you guys to the car.
- Thanks.
- For you.
where did you get these?
- They were a gift.
From a friend.
Imagine all of those
hospital board members
Whose opinions you
value so much...
If they saw those.
I really doubt you'd
still receive that award
For your charitable
fundraising. Don't you?
- Lionel, this meant nothing.
I never meant to hurt you.
It was a mistake.
It's not like you never
did the same thing to me.
Remember?
Only I forgave you, right?
And we moved past it.
- That was different.
- How?
- It just is!
Don't forget where
you were in life
When you first met me.
And how far you've
come since marrying me.
I take that away.
You go right back
where you came from.
Literally and figuratively.
- What are you going to do?
- What would be the fun in
telling you that in advance?
- Please, lionel.
Don't do this.
- I made you.
And I can destroy you.
- You're not going to get rid
of me that easily, lionel.
- We'll see about
that, won't we?
Now get the hell
out of my sight.
Now!
- I am so glad that
my sissy is home.
- I know. It's been forever.
- You know you can
home more often, right?
- Yeah.
- Door's always open.
- You know this town just
holds too many memories for me.
yeah, it does.
Speaking of,
I met this nice
young lady earlier.
I helped her change
a spare tire.
She said she was coming here
To go to the whitfield
mansion for the first time.
And...
Xander's her new husband.
- Did you tell her that
you know the family?
Or about my connection to them?
- No.
- Well, those people
are going to get
What they have coming to
them one of these days.
- Teresa. I want you to start
Divorce proceedings
against marlena.
I'm going to leave that
bitch as penniless as she was
When she first arrived.
Don't worry!
You'll get your five
percent of the company.
As promised, just do it.
- May I help you?
- Let me guess.
Mrs. Harper, the
house manager?
- Yes, and you are?
- I'm audrey. Xander's wife.
- Oh! Oh! How
wonderful! Come in!
I didn't realize
you were visiting.
- Dad? Dad!
Somebody call 911!
Oh my god! What happened?
Is he okay?
- Dad, dad! Wake up!
Come on, come on, come on!
- Oh my god, mr. Whitfield!
- Audrey?
- What happened?
- Call 911!
okay.
- Thank you, detective.
- Xander.
What exactly did
you tell the police?
- I told them what happened.
That he slipped on the
stairs and hit his head.
so awful.
- I mean, he was always
three sheets to the wind.
It's no surprise he would
head first down the stairs.
- Mother, how
could you say that?
- Because it's true.
- I'm sorry, nicole.
- The detective said to call
if we think of anything else.
- What else is there?
It's cut and dry.
I'm going back inside.
- Xander.
Nicole called me. What
happened to uncle lionel?
- He slipped down the stairs.
He died before the
paramedics even got here.
They just took his body.
- What can we do to help?
- Nothing.
- Audrey was coming
to surprise me.
- Damn.
What an introduction.
- Oh, hi.
I just came down
for some water too.
Is there anything I
can do for you, nicole?
Such a sad day for the family.
- I'm so sorry you came here.
This place has been
And always will be
full of secrets.
(
- Well,
This service was much
smaller than I expected.
I guess because it was thrown
together so fast, right?
- Dad left strict
instructions to be cremated
And have a small family
service the day after he died.
Not one for
sentimentality, I guess.
- Oh, xander.
How are you, really?
- We weren't close, you know?
But he was still my father.
- Yeah, of course, he was.
I'm just happy I
can be here for you.
- You're the best thing
that's ever happened to me.
- It's just all that
carefully orchestrated drama
At dinner.
Then, the man falls on
the stairs that night
And dies.
It's ironic, right?
Some people might
say he got exactly
What was coming to him.
How are you, nicole?
- I don't even know, honestly.
I just feel numb.
- That's pretty normal,
given the circumstances.
- Sometimes, I didn't even
think he cared about me.
He never asked about my
day or my dreams, or...
Well, anything.
- He was a complex man.
- Yeah. It's amazing
How many long-distance relatives
Have been calling
With their heartfelt
condolences.
- Yeah.
- People interested in hearing
Who's going to be taking
the reigns of the company.
- I'm simply worn
out from the day.
Please let mrs. Harper
know if you need anything.
- Actually, hold on a second.
As uncle lionel's
personal attorney,
It is my duty to carry
out his final wishes.
And that includes the reading
of his last will and testament.
He specifically stated
that he wanted the reading
To take place at exactly 8:30
the morning after this funeral.
- Of course, he did.
This is ridiculous.
He's not even here.
- He also made it a
part of his wishes
That anyone who does
not attend the reading
At exactly that time should
be left out completely.
- We get it. We
meet in the morning.
Can I help you?
- Oh, hi!
I was just heading
to the kitchen
To see if there
was any herbal tea.
I'm having a little
trouble sleeping.
- I believe mrs.
Harper keeps them
In the cabinet above
the coffee maker.
- Thanks!
Oh, I'll just head
down there then.
- I got all your texts.
Why do you need to see me?
- What's going to happen
to us now that he's dead?
- Oh, please. Stop
being so dramatic.
- Why do you have
to be so mean, mary?
- I told you,
Never to call me that
name in this house.
Mary doesn't exist
any more, mother.
- But that's the name I
gave you when you were born.
- Please. You act like you've
been mother of the year.
You haven't been a mother
to me in what, 30 years?
No, you were too busy
Bouncing from man to
man when I was a kid.
You changed men faster
then you did bedsheets.
And don't ever forget that
you've only been allowed
To live here as house manager
because of my generosity.
- But only if I
don't tell anybody
Who you are or
where you came from.
- Exactly.
- Do you have any idea how
much pain this causes me?
Why are you so cruel?
- Says the woman
Who let her boyfriend
have his way with me
When I was 15.
I spent years running
from that memory
And remaking myself.
And you had the nerve to
show up on my doorstep
Asking for help.
You're lucky I've
allowed you this much.
Don't make me regret
letting you stay here
More than I already do.
- Oh! Oh my god,
you scared me.
I didn't see you there.
- I just want to make sure you
found everything you needed.
- I did. Thanks.
- You know, I've
never seen xander
Move faster in a relationship
than he has with you.
Not even with brianna. He...
Well, that's neither
here nor there.
I'm sure you know all
about his previous fiance.
- Uh...
Yeah. Of course, I
know all about brianna.
- I'm sure you do.
Well, you have a
good night, dear.
Sleep well. I hope
the tea helps.
- Good morning.
- Good morning, beautiful.
- Oh my god, how long
have you been up?
You could have woken me.
- Oh, no. You
needed your rest.
About ready for breakfast
before my dad's last big show.
- Right.
Let me jump in the
shower real quick.
- Great.
- Hey...
You know you can tell
me anything, right?
- You know, I...
I know...
I know you have to wonder
How I can so cold about
my father's death.
- No, I'm not
judging you at all.
Families can be
complicated. I know that.
- Yeah, mine takes that
to a whole new level.
When I told you
That my mother died
from an accident,
I didn't tell you
the whole story.
- What do you mean?
- So my father's
overbearing personality
And philandering...
It drove her to drink.
And one night,
She self-medicated
enough to the point
Where I found her
dead in the bathtub.
- No, xander, that's so awful.
I'm sorry.
- What's up?
- Ah, well...
I ran into marlena.
On my way to the kitchen, and...
I don't
know, I just...
She didn't really seem
happy for me to be here.
- Marlena can have a
temper when she's stressed.
- I know, but...
I mean she came into
the kitchen later.
And then, she
brought up brianna.
- Brianna?
Hon, that ended ages ago.
- I know, I know.
- I think marlena just likes
to push people's buttons
For fun sometimes.
- Good morning!
- Hey, sis. Blueberry muffin.
- Blueberry muffin,
your favourite.
coffee everyone?
- You read my mind.
- Not sure I'm ready
for what's next.
- None of us are.
Thank you all so much
for being up and ready
For uncle lionel's final wishes.
I really appreciate that.
- So audrey, you and xander...
- You all met at an
art auction, right?
- In la?
- We did.
I guess you could say it
was love at first sight.
- We were bidding
on the same piece
And she won, of course.
But I was the real winner
when she agreed on a date.
aw...
- Um, mrs. Harper, has
marlena come down yet?
- My mother is always
on her own clock.
- Pull yourself together.
- Isn't it about time we begin?
- She's got about
one more minute
Until she's written
out of the will.
- You all wouldn't start
without me, would you?
- Of course not.
- Well, are you going to
keep us in suspense all day?
- "I, lionel whitfield, being
of sound mind and body..."
- Do we really need to go
through this whole part, teresa?
- Seems like patience is in
short supply this morning,
So I'm going to skip
ahead a little bit
- Thank you.
- "for my devoted employee,
Agnes harper, I leave a
sum of 50000 dollars."
- I wasn't expecting that.
- It's more than fair.
- "for my niece,
teresa whitfield,
I leave a 10 percent
share in my company
For her loyal service
over the years."
- He left you 10
percent of the company?
why?
- Teresa's been working
exclusively for dad for years.
It's what she deserves.
- Fine.
Fine, just continue.
- "and for my wife,
marlena whitfield...
For a total of three-years,
she may stay in the house
And receive a yearly
allowance of 150 000 dollars.
At the end of the
three-year term,
She must leave the house
And shall receive nothing
further from my estate.
By the end of those
three years..."
- What?
What did he say?
- "I'm sure by the
end of that time,
She will have met
another rich millionaire
To take care of her."
Ungrateful
bastard.
Gave him the best
years of my life.
This is insane. I mean what?
Is he trying to
leave me for broke?
- I'd hardly say
That amount of money
was "broke", marlena.
- I don't remember asking your
opinion about any of this.
why are you here?
Why is audrey here?
- She's my wife.
I asked her to be here.
- Can I continue, please?
- Please.
- "my son, xander,
and daughter, nicole
Shall equally split
The remaining 90% of
the company shares.
While xander
oversees the company,
Nicole's share will
be kept in a trust
Until the age of 35
With a generous
yearly allowance."
- What about the rest?
The cash, the
investments, the house.
- That's in the next part.
- And...
- "I leave the rest of
my estate in its entirety
To my daughter,
nicole whitfield."
- Me?
- Uh-huh.
- Nicole knows
absolutely nothing
About taking care of an estate.
- Well, that's the reason
for the next provision.
"until nicole's 35th birthday
as mentioned earlier,
Her brother xander,
as part of his duties,
Shall serve as guardian over
her finances and trusts."
- May as well have
cut me off completely.
This will never
stand up in court.
I mean, I was his
wife, after all.
I'm entitled to so much more.
- I'm very sorry.
I'm not the one who
made these decisions.
Your husband did.
- Yeah, well, we'll
just see about this.
Enjoy.
Let me know if
you need anything, okay?
- Yeah, will do.
- Ready to go?
- Coming, babe.
Arrivederci.
- Hey, don't worry.
We're going to figure
this out, okay?
- I'm going to need your
help with this, xander.
None of this was part
of my plan for life.
- I know. We'll talk
about it later, okay?
- Okay.
- Come here.
- How are you?
- I'm good.
To be honest,
I'm just surprised dad was as
generous with me as he was.
I'm sorry, I need to go
talk to teresa for a minute.
- Sure, sure.
- Thanks.
Hey, wait up!
- Our plan...
- Worked perfectly.
- We're all finally going
to get what we deserve.
- Yeah.
Is it done?
- The bastard never even noticed
That I switched
the wills on him.
- So how much time
does lionel have?
- A few months.
Cancer is untreatable now.
I had to pay that
doctor handsomely
To get the real
information on his health,
But it was worth it, obviously.
Marlena still has no
clue he's even sick.
She'd probably throw a
dinner party to celebrate
If she did.
- And of course,
He said nothing to his own kids.
- That man has probably
Walked drunk up and
down those stairs
A million times.
- I know.
- How did we get so lucky?
- Maybe karma finally
caught up to him.
- Hey, do you think you can
convince audrey's family
To invest enough money
So we can get this
company back on track?
- I'm working on it. It's
going to be a lot easier
Now that we're married, alright?
This time next year,
Everything is going
to be different.
I'm finding I have a lot
more feelings for audrey
Than I even thought I could.
- Okay.
- Alright, loverboy.
- Ma'am.
- That will be all
for now, thank you.
- Hello, mrs. Whitfield.
I'm andrew from
the funeral home.
- I assumed as much
Since you have the
urn in your hands.
- I wanted to personally
deliver to you
Mr. Whitfield's remains
after you left them behind.
It's understandable.
When you're grieving, it's
easy to get distracted.
So please,
Accept my condolences
during your difficult times.
- I'm sorry, what
was your name again?
-Andre, ma'am.
- Can you do me
a favour, andrew,
In my time of need?
- Of course. Name it.
We strive to help
all of our families
In anyway we can.
- Perfect.
And I want you to take
the remains of my husband
And dispose of them.
I'm sorry, what?
- Oh, was I not clear?
Let me be more specific.
I want you to take these ashes
and flush them down the toilet.
- But ma'am...
- Please, andrew.
Do a widow a favour
And get rid of whatever remains
of my husband permanently.
Okay?
Since the fall down the
stairs didn't do it.
And don't worry.
You'll be properly compensated
for the... Disposal.
- Ma'am, I don't think
that's ethical on my part.
andrew, andrew, andrew.
Ethical and my husband
have never gone together.
So why start now?
You may see yourself out.
It's me. I need to
see you right away.
Well, make time!
- Are you okay?
- Far from it!
- What are you going to do?
- I have an important meeting.
And if this doesn't work,
Then I have another trump card
that I may be forced to play.
Ah! Even in death, this
man wants to torture me
By keeping me
chained to this house
And putting me on
a measly allowance.
As if I was a five-year-old!
- Okay. So what do
you want to do now?
- Sonny... So young, so naive.
Don't you know by now
that I get what I want,
When I want it? I have a plan.
- I thought you didn't like
it when I got this sweaty.
- I don't care today.
I don't mind sweat.
- Oh, hi!
- Hey.
Sorry, I've got to
get to dad's office.
Start figuring things out.
- Have you thought about
Maybe where you want to
run the company from?
- We got a lot of
decisions to make.
Got to think about
your career too.
Actually,
I was thinking we
could go to chicago,
Spend some time
with your family.
- Really?
- Yeah.
I can work remotely.
Get to know them better.
- My dad would love that.
And I know he would love
to talk business with you.
- Hmm-hmm.
- Have a good day, babe.
- I'll see you tonight.
- See you tonight.
- Audrey!
- Oh, hi, nicole.
How are you?
- I was wondering
What your plans are for the day
If maybe you would
want to go for a walk?
- I would love that.
Let me just make a
quick phone call first
And I'll meet you out back.
- Okay, great.
- Hello, chamber of
commerce. Charles speaking.
- Hi, charles. My name
is audrey sinclair.
I'm a writer for see
the world magazine.
I sent you an email earlier
Regarding setting up an
informational meeting.
I just arrived in
town a few days ago,
And I'm considering
writing an article
On what your town has
to offer for visitors.
- Of course.
I'm sorry, but
this may sound odd.
But your voice
sounds very familiar.
Are you the audrey that I
helped change a spare tire?
What? Chip?
- Yup, that's me.
They call me charles
in the office.
- Oh my gosh.
You really saved the day
the other night, chip.
- Are you still at
the whitfield's?
- Yes, I am.
I am. Um...
I don't know if you heard
but my father-in-law, he...
- Lionel whitfield, he died.
It's a small town.
- Right, of course.
um, so...
Would you still be open
to having that meeting?
- Of course! How
about later today?
Just come by my office.
We'll take it from there.
- That works perfect.
Thanks so much.
- See you soon.
- I'm so glad
xander found someone
Wonderful like you
to have in his life.
He's really been the only
person I can count on.
- Well, you mean
a lot to him too.
- I wasn't close to
my father and xande
R since he's so
much older than me.
Always trying to make up
for our dad's shortcomings.
- Were you able to visit
him in los angeles?
- Not yet.
I tried to plan a trip
two summers ago, but...
- What happened?
- I don't think his
girlfriend at the time,
Brianna, liked me very much,
So I never made it to la.
- Oh, yeah.
Brianna, yeah...
Um, xander did tell
me a little bit
About his relationship
with brianna.
- She wasn't good for him.
- Yeah? In what way?
- I feel like she tried
to keep him all to herself
And away from his family.
- Does she live around here?
- Yeah, she grew up nearby,
But I don't know
where she is now.
Her brother, chip,
Runs the local
chamber of commerce.
I'm surprised he didn't
tell you more about her.
What is it? Is
everything okay?
- Yeah, nothing.
um...
How about we head
back to the house?
- Okay.
- I just spoke to
audrey, xander's wife.
She's a travel writer
And she wants to do an
article on our town.
- Okay, well, she needs to
know who she's dealing with
If she doesn't already.
- Are you sure you
want to talk to her?
I mean, do you really
want to get involved
In that mess of a family again?
- Look...
If I can save someone
from what I went through,
Then it'll be worth it.
- Okay, sis.
Your call.
- What a crazy couple of days.
- Don't worry.
I've been taking
care of things here.
And now, we finally
have a chance
To do things our way.
- I've made sure I
tied up all loose ends
And paid all the
bills before I leave.
- Thank you. That was
very sweet of you.
- Well, it's the least I can do
Since you two are
going to make us rich.
- I'll try to get home before
you leave for the airport, okay?
- Please do.
- Alright.
- I love you.
- I love you as well, baby.
- Let's get to work.
- Yes, sir.
- Look, you can come and visit
Me and xander anytime you like.
No matter where we are.
- Yeah, I need to out of here.
Too many memories,
And my mother and
I are not close.
- I'm sorry, nicole.
Hey, you okay?
- So much as I
disliked my father...
I cannot say this out loud,
You're going to think
that I am crazy.
- No, you can trust me.
- Something seems off.
About his death. I mean,
That man walked up
and down those stairs
All of the time and never fell
Even when he was drinking.
- Accidents happen?
I don't know, maybe he tripped.
- I was in my room
when I heard him fall.
And then, I went
out into the hall...
- And?
- And I saw my mother.
Looking down at my father's
body at the bottom of the stairs
And she looked so calm.
You can't tell anyone, okay?
- Of course.
I promise.
- I think my mother might have
pushed him down the stairs.
I mean, she can
be downright evil.
- What do you mean, "evil?"
- She locked me in the attic
Overnight without food or
water when I was six years old.
She said I had disobeyed her.
Our maid at the time
heard my screams
The next morning and let me out.
Ever since then, I
knew she wasn't capable
Of loving me the
way a mother should.
And she hasn't been
faithful to my father
When I caught her
with another man...
She threatened me
not to tell anyone.
And when she gets mad,
She gets furious.
- Oh, nicole.
That's so much for you to hold.
- Yeah.
I wonder if karma will
ever come for my mother.
- He's expecting me.
Zach.
Thanks for fitting
me in so quickly.
- Yeah, sure.
Look, I don't have much time,
I'm doing court in an hour.
- Well, I was hoping that
perhaps you could help me
Due to our special friendship.
- Why don't you tell
me what you need?
- Aren't you going to
offer me your condolences?
I mean there's no
way you haven't heard
About lionel's death
in this one night town.
- Somehow I didn't imagine you
were too broken up about it.
- Well, son of a bitch try
to cut me out of his will
And I am not going
to stand for it.
- And you want me to...
- Help me fight it.
Even if we have to go to court.
You must have some sort
of sway with the system.
- Marlena, contesting a will
can take quite a long time.
It's litigation, we're
talking depositions,
Gathering evidence.
Not too much mention the
courts are backed up.
A trial could take up to a year
and a half just to schedule.
And it's very rare to win.
- Well, what am I supposed
to do in the meantime?
You know what? If
you don't help me,
Then I might be forced
to tell your wife
What the two of us did
in your guest bedroom
The night of her
40th birthday party.
- Look, I was drunk, okay?
I didn't know what I was
doing.
- I beg to differ.
You knew exactly
what you were doing.
So if I were you,
I would find a way
to speed things up.
- Well, well.
Finally, it's about
time you called me.
I don't know,
You tell me what my
silence is worth?
You don't want me to
tell my wife or xander
About our little side deal,
Nor do you want me to
tell them what you did?
Trust me.
You do not want
to call my bluff.
I'm hoping that we can reach
some sort of an agreement.
Perfect. I'll see you then.
- Hey!
- No one saw you, did they?
- No, of course not.
I was extra careful.
Hey.
Look, I love you so much,
And I hate that we need
to sneak around in secret.
How much longer do
we have to do this?
I want the entire world to
know how much I love you.
- Soon.
We can finally get out
of here, be together,
And start our lives anew.
What's wrong?
- Do I have to sleep
with your mother again?
I mean, marlena is
going to be beyond angry
When this all plays out.
She'll probably try to kill me.
- I have to play this perfectly
If I'm going to destroy my
mother's social standing,
Get her out of this town
And my life.
Okay?
So it's scheduled to go
out before she receives
That bogus humanitarian
of the year award
And before the
interview is published.
All she did was write a check.
I want my mother to
think long and hard
About how she locked
me in the attic.
I want to see the
beginning of the video.
- What? Why would you want...
- Not the whole thing
just the beginning.
My father would
have never dreamed
That I was the one who
sent him this video.
Oh, this is going to
ruin her reputation.
god,
she'll be horrified.
When we leave here...
We can finally start
our lives over.
Did you mean it?
When you said you
would do anything
Because of how
much you loved me?
you know I did.
I mean, look at everything
I've already done.
You're the first person
that ever saw me.
The real me.
Not just some guy from
the wrong side of town.
- Oh, I totally forgot.
I told xander I'd grab
a late lunch with him.
But you'll never betray
me, right, sonny?
- Of course not.
I love you more than anything.
- Dad had so many deals going on
That I didn't even know about.
I had to move the overflow
to the conference room.
How's it going over there?
- Uh, fine.
Fine.
You're family sure
is interesting.
- Oh, no. What happened?
- Nothing. I mean...
Nothing to worry about.
I don't think.
We'll talk about it
later tonight, okay?
- Alright.
Well, I got to go. I love you.
- Yeah, I love you too.
- Things are coming along
wonderfully, aren't they?
- Yeah.
- I will admit,
I was more than a little
worried about nicole
And if she could
really play that part
During the will reading.
- She did it though.
- Uh-huh.
- But if she hadn't
overheard us...
- I know.
- Is it done?
- Yeah.
The bastard never even noticed
That I switched
the wills on him.
Babe...
You're a genius for
pulling this off.
- Do you guys want to clue me in
On exactly what's going on here?
- I had my doubts
If we could bring nicole
in on the plan, but...
- Oh, speaking of which.
All's well that
ends well though.
- It all happened
quicker than expected.
- Thanks to booze
and steep stairs.
- Hey!
- Hi.
- Hello.
- So did I do a good
job at the will reading?
Did I act surprised enough?
- You were brilliant.
You played the surprise
beneficiary perfectly.
- So did I make you proud?
- Of course. You always do.
And now, we can focus
On getting mom's company
back to the glory days.
- Yes.
- Audrey. Nice
to see you again.
- Well, chip, if it isn't
my roadside saviour.
What are the odds?
- I must admit. I had
to do my research,
But I absolutely loved
your travel articles.
- Thank you.
- I can't thank you enough
For doing this article on
our quaint little town.
- No, thank you for meeting me
and to give me the grand tour.
- My pleasure. Let's go.
Camellia falls'
primary economic driver
Was a paper factory.
It closed down a while back.
- Interesting, and
when did you start
Developing your tourism here?
- About ten years ago.
We transformed an empty downtown
Into a vibrant and
bustling shop industry.
- Well, I can see why it would
make a perfect weekend getaway.
- That's exactly what I'm hoping
that you're going to write.
So, how has it been
staying at the whitfields?
- Oh, well, it's...
It's been incredibly
hard for my husband
After his father's death.
Which brings me to
my next question.
I know your sister has
a past with the family.
- Yeah.
I'm a little bit more
acquainted with whitfield's
Than I would like.
So what do you know
about my sister?
not much really.
Xander's mentioned
her in passing,
But all I gathered was that
it really didn't end well.
- Watch out for that family.
- What happened to her?
- That's brianna's
story to tell.
- Well, do you think I
could speak with her?
Please.
- Look, I'm very
protective of my sister,
But she wants to
talk to you too.
- Great.
Do you think we could
set something up?
- Are you worried about
something in particular?
- No, uh... No, not really.
Just call it a reporter's
gut feeling, I guess.
I think I should get
her side of the story.
- Please.
Do not let my sister get
involved with that family again.
No one can know that
you're meeting with her
Because she wants nothing
to do with them again.
- Of course. You have my word.
- Hey. Where are you?
I have a flight to catch
in a couple of hours.
I came to hear your offer,
but you're not here.
You've got five minutes.
Oh, there you are.
- Yeah, yeah, ash, I know.
I know how it used to be.
Things are different now.
Yeah, we'll figure it out.
It's not a big...
I got to go. Can
I call you back?
Marlena.
I wasn't expecting you today.
- We need to talk.
And I thought here was a
better place than the house.
- Marlena, I'm
really busy today.
- There's something you
have to have wondered about.
- Yeah, I don't have
time for your riddles.
What are you talking about?
- Nicole.
She's your daughter.
You remember that night.
You were 18
And you were mad at your
father for not paying
For your european vacation
with your friends.
And I had just
recently married lionel
And he was away on
a business trip.
- I don't want to
talk about this.
- And you had gotten
into the liquor cabinet
And you found me out by the
pool taking an evening swim.
Oh, you were so
handsome. And virile.
- Shut up.
- Just because we never
spoke about it afterwards,
Doesn't mean it didn't happen.
- Are you sure nicole
is my daughter?
- Hmm.
Lionel was having issues
in the bedroom at the time
So we were rarely intimate.
And I had to lie and pretend
nicole was a month early
Just to avoid his suspicions.
- Why are you telling
me this right now?
- You are aware of my current
unfortunate financial situation.
I'm going to need you
to help me with that,
Permanently.
- You're blackmailing me.
- One person's blackmail is
Another person's
business arrangement.
And if you don't,
Then I will have to
throw your relationship
With that dear audrey
into possible chaos
By telling her and
nicole the truth.
- You know what? Fine.
I call your bluff.
Audrey loves me.
She'll stand by me.
- Perhaps, but still,
That is a bitter
pill to swallow.
I mean, it might just
give her enough pause
To think about staying
in your marriage.
And what would her family
think of this bombshell?
I bet you want to get your hands
On her family's
money, don't you?
Not to mention the
emotionally fragile nicole
And her future reputation.
And think about the scandal
that it might cause the company
Just as you're revamping things.
shut up!
God, I hate you!
How can you do this
to your own daughter?
Don't you know the town is
going to turn against you?
You'd be destroyed socially.
- I'll do whatever
it takes to survive.
I'll give you 24 hours
to think it over.
- Hey.
I got your message
to meet, what's up?
What's wrong?
You're not having
second thoughts
About what we did with
the will, are you?
- No, no, no. I...
- okay.
- Look... Our family
is a lot right now.
I'm worried.
- That audrey is going
to get scared off.
- Yeah.
- And there go our chances
to get her family to invest.
- I can't help but think...
- What happened with
brianna, I know.
- We both know how that went.
And I can tell audrey
is starting to dig in.
I can tell.
But it's not just that.
- Okay?
look,
Marlena is threatening
to reveal something
That I haven't told you.
- That is?
- Apparently,
I'm nicole's father.
- Xander, how the
hell did that happen?
- It's a long story.
But if marlena tells her,
Who knows what audrey
is going to do?
- Thank you for agreeing
to me on such short notice.
- Yeah, sure.
I mean, I just
happened to be in town.
Honestly, I don't
really talk that much
About what happened
between xander and me.
Does he know?
That you're meeting
me here today.
- No, he doesn't actually.
- Well,
My relationship with xander
started off wonderful.
A fairytale even,
but I don't know,
Then it took a dark turn.
- Can I ask how long
you two were together?
- A little over a year.
Yeah, we met here in town.
We were both here
visiting our families
And I knew of his
family, of course.
But I guess our social
scenes never overlapped.
And then, things kind
of moved really quickly.
We got an apartment
out in los angeles
And got engaged only a
few months after dating.
And I had started this new
job at a marketing firm.
But then, I met the
rest of his family,
Of course.
And...
Let's just say the
whitfields were
Aloof towards me
right from the start.
- Well...
You know marlena didn't really
Roll out the red
carpet for me either.
- Suzan, darling, how
wonderful to hear from you.
Yeah, I was just going
to reach out to you today
About the charity
launching at the hospital.
Wait, what? What are
you talking about?
What mass email
that was sent out?
- How could you
send that video out
Without telling me first?
Your mother is literally
going to throttle me.
What were you thinking?
- It was simply the perfect time
Once I learned the
newspaper article
About her charitable ways
was set to run tomorrow.
- None of them seemed
to be a fan of mine.
I guess because I came from
a working-class family,
They didn't think I was
a right fit for xander.
And then, you know,
I started to wonder
What happens if we
decide to have children.
How would they treat them?
- Of course.
- And then, I had
the night from hell.
- What happened?
- So xander and I
flew in for a visit
And the second day here
He had to go on some
emergency business trip.
So I decided to wait for
him at the whitfield estate.
That night, at dinner,
Marlena and lionel were
arguing about something.
I can't even remember what.
But you wouldn't believe
The hateful words they
were saying to each other.
I mean, it scared me.
And then, lionel threw
plates at marlena.
- Oh my god. What did you do?
- I thought they were
crazy, so I went to my room.
And then later,
Lionel confronted
me and threatened me
By saying he can make
my life unbearable
If I didn't get in line
With what he expected
of xander's wife.
- Gosh.
I couldn't even imagine.
- Yeah, I just knew I had
To get out of there for
the night, you know?
And maybe even forever.
But in my rush to get away,
I crashed my car into a tree.
Completely totalled it.
Gave myself a concussion
and this scar.
It's something I
have to deal with
For the rest of my life.
- I'm so sorry that
happened to you.
- You know, to xander's credit,
He said he would
make it up to me
And protect me from them.
But...
- But you broke
things off anyway.
- Yeah.
It was just all
too much, you know?
- Yeah, I know.
- Audrey.
Please be careful. Okay?
There is something
really dangerous
Going on with that family.
And inside that house.
Sonny,
where the hell are you?
- I guess she checked her email.
- Oh, man. This is
going to be very bad.
I got to get the
hell out of here.
hey, hon,
I'm just about to
go into a meeting,
Can I call you right back?
- We need to talk,
okay, tonight.
It's important.
- Sure. Is something wrong?
- I met brianna today.
- What did she tell you?
- It was unsettling.
- Look,
I'll be available in
just a couple of hours.
Just, please, don't
jump to conclusions.
- We'll talk about
it tonight, okay?
Just try to make it
home as soon as you can.
- Damn it.
- Where do you
think you're going?
- Mrs. Whitfield.
- No. Don't "mrs.
Whitefield" me.
Tell me who you're working with.
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
- Who had you tape us having sex
And then sent that email to
every person that I know?
- I have no idea who
you're referring to.
- Tell me who's
trying to destroy me.
Was it my dead husband?
Is he haunting me
from the grave?
Did he pay you to do all this?
- Nothing like that happened.
- I'm going to kill you
if you don't tell me.
- Sonny!
Sonny! Stop!
- I need to leave, nicole.
- Please.
Please, don't let my
mother run you out.
I'm almost at the
end of my plan.
Please, sonny,
you're the only one
Who's on my side.
- You know how much I love you,
But your mother is going to...
Oh, what the hell is that?
- I need you to hide this in
my mother's room immediately.
Please, sonny, please
don't abandon me now.
- Xander. I need to see you.
I just saw something
very disturbing.
No, let's not talk
here at the house.
I'm coming to you.
- Hey, hon.
- Are you almost home yet?
- Not yet.
I'm trying to get out of
here as soon as possible.
Something strange has happened.
I just got off a
call with teresa,
She said warren
never got to hawaii.
She's really worried.
She has no idea
where he could be.
- That's odd.
- Can you ask
people at the house
If they've heard
from him or anything?
- Sure, of course.
- Okay, and I promise,
I'm going to get home
as fast as I can.
I know we've got
a lot to discuss.
Okay.
- How can we not
know where warren is?
Where can he be?
- I don't know.
But maybe we should let
everyone know just in case...
- Oh my god...
- What?
- From my upstairs window,
I saw warren walking down
to the gazebo yesterday.
And I was surprised
because I thought
He was in hawaii already, and...
- What is it, nicole?
- Audrey, remember
when I told you
I walked in on my mother
with someone in the gazebo?
- Yes, and?
- It was warren.
I think they've been
having an affair
For quite some time now.
- Yes, yes.
- I'm going to need it tomorrow.
- Xander.
- One second.
- Okay, but it's
extremely important.
- Okay.
Sorry.
Yeah, so I need you to
bring in the reports
Tomorrow morning, okay?
First thing in the morning,
we'll deal with it then.
Yes. Thank you.
What's so important?
- Your father's death
was no accident.
- What do you mean?
He got drunk and
fell down the stairs.
- No, no, he didn't.
And we need to save
the person who did it
Before it's too late.
- So who did it?
- Nicole killed mr. Whitfield.
And earlier today, I saw
her hand sonny a knife.
Something else dreadful
is going to happen,
I just know it.
- Why would nicole
want to hurt dad?
That's crazy.
- Don't you think I know that?
You are the only person I
can trust with this, xander.
- How can you be sure?
- I saw it, nicole.
- I would never do
something like that.
- Here's the thing.
Teresa sent me to
pick up some files
That she needed
from your father.
And just as I was approaching
that rear glass sliding door,
I looked in the window
and there you were.
Pushing your drunk-ass
daddy down those stairs.
- He was going to ruin our plans
By selling the company
before he died.
And I just...
- I get it.
Lionel was an awful, awful man.
But that doesn't give you
the right to murder him.
- What do you want from me?
- We can keep this between us...
For a little extra
cash.
I mean you would not
want your big brother
To see some murderer
everything he looks at you.
- Are you positive
you heard correctly?
- Absolutely.
- Then, I got to get
home and talk to nicole.
- Nicole is my
granddaughter, xander.
I'm marlena's mother.
- Okay, well, I hope
you hear something
About warren soon, teresa.
Okay. Hmm-hmm. Talk soon.
- Nothing new on teresa's end?
- No. She's definitely
panicking also.
How could warren just up
and disappear like that?
I don't get it.
- Maybe we should
check the gazebo,
Make sure nothing
happened to him.
- Yeah.
- And then mary,
I mean, marlena,
Made me swear never to
reveal who I am or our past.
Living hand-to-mouth
through her childhood...
Oh, she was so
embarrassed by that.
- Are you sure nicole
doesn't know anything
About your relationship?
- I'm sure.
- It's ironic. We have
something in common.
- What?
- Nicole's my daughter.
I have to go.
oh my god!
Oh my god, he's
dead. He's dead!
- He's cold.
He must have been here a while.
- Oh my god.
- We have to call 911.
- The signal is spotty here
we have to up by the house.
- What in the hell are
you doing now, sonny?
- Whoa! Marlena!
- She did this.
- What?
- Mother.
I overheard her and
warren the other night.
She kept saying she was
going to make him pay
If he revealed the affair.
My mother killed
warren. What do we do?
- Look, we need to get back to
the house and get help, okay?
Come on, let's go.
- Okay.
- I asked you a question.
What did you put in my cabinet?
Do you know who's behind
the whole nightmare?
- Look, okay,
I'll tell you
everything. Okay?
Just...
Just please, put the
gun down, marlena.
Do I look like an idiot?
I'm not going to
put this gun down
Until you tell me every
single thing you know.
- Around here.
- You're good?
- Okay...
Okay! I have service!
We need the police!
Someone's been killed.
- Tic-toc, sonny.
Details.
Now!
- Can't you see?
I never meant to get
mixed up in all of this.
Look, just please,
just let me go.
Look, I'll leave the house
And you'll never see me again.
Man, I'm done. I'm
done, I'm done,
I'm done with this crazy family.
Just, please, put the
gun down, marlena.
Okay, it was nicole.
nicole?
- Nicole was the one
that sent the video out.
Look, I think she's trying to
make your life a living hell.
little bitch.
- And I think she's behind
the death of her father too.
The night he died,
She came to me and she seemed...
Happy.
- What did she have
you put in the cabinet?
A bloody knife.
I think she's trying to
frame you for something.
Hey, look, we can work this out.
- Oh, yeah, no.
The only thing that's
going to happen here
Is that the two of you
are going to prison.
- How long do you think
before the police get here?
- As far as we are, maybe...
- Ah...
- Marlena, what happened?
- Why do you have a gun, mother?
- This is all your fault.
I caught sonny in my bedroom
trying to plant a knife.
To frame me for some crime you
obviously committed, nicole.
Marlena,
Why don't you just put
the gun down, okay?
- I took the gun
out of my nightstand
Just to protect myself,
And he tried to take it from me.
And we struggled and it
accidentally went off.
- Where is he?
- Don't even think about moving!
What have the two
of you been up to?
nicole!
- Sonny, are you okay?
- He wants nothing to
do with you any more.
He's tired of being
your henchman.
- Marlena...
Did you kill warren?
- Kill warren?
Why would I waste my
time on that hanger-on?
- Because you had an
affair, and you killed him
Because he threatened
to expose you!
- Hardly.
Unless...
You killed warren, didn't you?
And you tried to pin it on me.
That's why sonny had the knife.
Why would you kill warren?
- Is that true, nicole?
Is your mom right?
Did you have something to do
with what happened to warren?
- Don't you get it,
audrey? All of this,
Everything I've done
has been for xander.
- Okay.
I think everybody just needs
to take a breath and calm down.
The police will be
here any moment.
- What's going on? What?
What's happening?
Marlena, put the gun down.
I know what you
did to dad, nicole.
We're going to figure this out.
- Dad was a bad, bad man.
- I'm here to protect you.
Just like I always said I would
since you were a little girl.
Everything's going
to be alright.
I need you to trust me.
- Xander, listen to
me. Warren is dead.
Okay? He was killed.
We found his body
over by the gazebo.
- What?
- No!
I have worked too hard for
everything to go wrong now.
I mean, why do you think
I had to kill warren?
Don't you get it?
He saw me push dad
down the stairs
And then, he demanded
I give him money.
Or else he would tell
you I was a murderer.
I couldn't let you
think that about me.
- You pushed lionel
down the stairs.
- Marlena, enough!
- Oh!
- No, stop, stop!
Nicole!
no!
- We need to fix this, xander.
I can't go to prison, please!
- Okay, look, look, we
will help you, okay?
Just give us the
gun. It will be okay.
- No one else needs
to get hurt, nicole.
- Audrey, if something
happened to you,
Xander would inherit your money,
And you won't have to wait
For her dad to invest
in your company.
- Nicole.
- Look what you've done.
- No, audrey, no!
- Xander!
- What have I done?
- Okay. Just hang on, alright?
Hang on just a little bit
more. Help's on the way.
- Xander, I'm so sorry.
I didn't mean to, I swear.
Not my brother.
- I wish I could give
you a better life.
You served us.
Nicole...
You're my daughter.
- What?
How? That doesn't
make any sense.
- Marlena and I...
It was a mistake.
- Why didn't you tell me sooner?
- I didn't know.
I'm so sorry.
- Xander?
- Xander?
Xander...
- Thank you so much for coming.
hi!
Alright. Thank you for coming.
And who do I make it out to?
Marlena.
What a surprise!
- I saw the announcement of
your book signing in the news
And I just had to swing by.
Why don't you make
it out to marlena,
One of your inspirations.
- Certainly been a long time.
How are you?
- I'm good.
I recently engaged with the ceo
of a bank on the west coast.
I always land on my feet.
- You do, don't you?
Congratulations.
- Thanks.
- And how's nicole?
- Well, they tell me that
she still hasn't accepted
The fact that xander is dead.
But apparently, she's
a model prisoner.
And she's even taking
up watercolour painting.
They tell me that she paints
one picture of me after another.
I'm usually dead in her
pictures though, but...
Oh, well. I have
a plane to catch.
I'm meeting my fiance in aruba.
I can't wait to read this.
Take care of yourself, audrey.
okay.
- Just remember
That nicole could possibly
get out in 25 years
With good behaviour.
Just something for us to
keep in mind in our old age.
Difuze
I'm turning in for the night.
I have some fresh towels.
Mrs. Whitfield?
Xander!
It's your mother. Call 911!
- Hello.
- Hi, xander, handsome man.
- How are you doing?
- Good.
Just checked into the hotel.
You at your dad's yet?
- Not yet. Almost there.
I can only imagine
what surprises
He has in store for the family.
- I know.
I wish I could be
there with you.
Sounds kind of important.
- Ah, don't worry about it, hon.
I know that you are slammed
With your research for
the charleston article.
- Well,
I'm almost done
with that, actually.
Cindy's about to call me
with my next assignment.
You know...
I am a little curious
about how your family
Is going to react to
our whirlwind romance.
- Oh, sweetheart.
They are going to be
Just as crazy about you as I am.
And we'll set up the time soon
where we can all get together.
- Okay.
- Well, anyway. I got to go.
I'll talk to you soon, okay?
I love you.
- Okay.
I love you. Bye.
- Xander! Oh, it's
wonderful to see you.
- Thanks, mrs. Harper.
I'm sorry I'm late.
I know you were
expecting me earlier.
- Ah, mrs. Whitfield
just now appeared
To supervise the cooking.
- Of course, she did.
My lovely stepmother loves to
keep everyone on their toes.
- Sonny!
Get mr. Whitfield's
bag out of the car.
Come on in!
- You're kidding me.
Stan approved the
article idea?
I thought he was
done with profiles
On small quaint towns.
no, that's great.
And no, I don't
need any more time.
I just found my contact
At the local
chamber of commerce.
Yup.
Xander's going to so excited
when I show up tonight.
Thank you, thank
you, thank you again!
Alright, bye.
I'll be in touch.
Can I get you something
to eat or drink?
- No, I'm fine
right now. Thanks.
- Hello, xander.
- Marlena.
- Mrs. Harper, can you
please check on dinner?
I don't want lionel to have
Something else to
complain about.
- Yes, ma'am.
- So where's this beautiful
new wife of yours?
I've been dying to see her.
Must of been love
at first sight.
Running off to get married
in las vegas so fast.
- She's busy with work.
- You wouldn't be
hiding her from us,
Would you, xander?
Well, your father is
anxious to speak with you
Before this big announcement.
Which better be a good one,
Considering all the trouble
that he's putting us through.
- Xander!
- Hey, hey, little sis!
- I'm hardly little
any more, xander.
- Nicole, the grad student.
Ah, I'm so proud of you.
Creative writing, right?
- Hmm-hmm.
- Such a practical
field of study.
So...
This ashley must make
quite an impression on you.
- Audrey.
- Right.
- And I guess you just know
when you meet the right one.
- Oh, I can't wait to meet her.
Xander mentioned
she's a travel writer
And plans to start
work on a book.
- How interesting.
And how long are you going
to be staying exactly?
Just so I can let mrs. Harper
know how to prepare, of course.
- I guess it depends on what
dad's got cooked up for us.
- Well, your father's
downstairs playing pool.
So why don't you go down and try
to figure out what he's up to
With calling this
big family meeting.
- I'll see you in a bit.
- Why don't you...
Find something more
flattering to wear?
Thanks.
- Father.
- About time you arrived.
I assume you brought
this new wife of yours.
- Next time.
- Come on. Let's
play some pool,
Maybe you'll win for once.
- You know when
she does make it,
I really hope meeting everyone
doesn't scare her off.
- We'll try and be
on our best behaviour
Just for you.
- Can you tell me what
this is all about?
- You want to play or not?
look...
I know the company
took a financial hit.
It's depressing,
given where we stood.
- Let's just say
tonight's announcement
Will be life changing.
For all of us.
- You are a beautiful
young woman, nicole.
Always know that.
- Not as beautiful
as my mother though.
She never lets me forget it.
Do you remember the
charity launching
For the hospital board she
dragged me to last month?
- Go on.
- A guy I've had a crush
on since middle school
Attended with his mother.
I was having
This great
conversation with him.
We were really connecting.
And then, mother walked over,
Said she was ready to leave,
Laughed...
And said, "oh, nicole.
Leave clayton alone.
I'm sure there are many
beautiful young women
He'd like to speak to
here this afternoon."
She did this right
in front of him.
Why does she treat me like this?
- I think that it's hard
for a woman like your mother
To see her youth slipping away.
She looks at you and she sees
that the years have passed by.
This does not
excuse her behavior
But I think it's
at the root of it.
- Well, I've given
up on my mother
Ever understanding me.
- We need to stop.
I have to upstairs for dinner.
- If you were
worried about dinner,
You'd be up there.
Not here with me.
- Listen, you have your charms,
But I needed a moment
To forget about
everybody up there.
And you are very good
at making me forget.
Zip me up.
- So when are you going
to leave the old bastard?
- You know I can't do that.
I've worked too hard
to become this person.
I've just been worried
we're getting too reckless.
You know? We need
to be more careful.
People could come
in at any time.
- Again, you were the
one that came here.
- Yes, I did.
- Oh, no, no, no. Not a flat.
No, no, no.
- Oh, teresa...
You're here too.
- Good to see you too, xander.
- Dad didn't mention you
were coming for dinner.
Warren.
- Xander.
Looks like the gang's
all gathered, huh?
- So if you're here...
- Must be something interesting.
- Hmm.
- How's audrey?
- Good. She's busy with work
- I'm sure she is.
As a globe-trotting journalist?
- Yeah.
- Very impressive.
And so is her family.
- Look, it's a
good match for me.
- Well, my husband here is
about to head to hawaii soon
For a three-week golf retreat.
- Look at you.
- I do it every year now. I
disconnect the entire time.
- It's pricey is what it is.
- Lucky guy.
- Well, dinner should
be really intriguing.
- Hmm-hmm.
- Shall we?
- Let's.
- There you go. All set.
- Really, can't
thank you enough.
I don't I could've fixed
that flat on my own.
- Yeah, look like you
punctured it on a nail.
- Ooh...
There's not really much
out here, is there?
- Yeah... It's
pretty desolate.
Where are you headed?
- Camellia falls.
that's where I'm from.
We'll be there in about an hour.
- I heard it's really
beautiful. Picturesque even.
- It is. So what
brings you to our town?
- The whitefield
estate. Do you know it?
yeah, I know it.
- Oh, well, I just
married xander whitfield.
- Xander whitfield.
- Uh-huh.
- You know? It's
getting pretty late,
And I think the
weather's about to turn.
So it's time for
us to head back.
- Right. Thank you.
- Watch out for those nails.
- I thought now
would be a good time
To inform all of you
Of a consequential
decision I've made.
I decided to sell the company.
And all of its holdings
to another developer.
Ward enterprises.
- Yeah, you can't do that.
- As the majority shareholder,
I sure as hell can.
Sick and tired of all
the day-to-day stress.
So I'm cashing my
chips as they say.
Of course, that
means all of you...
Who was used to living
off of my generosity
Will have some big
changes coming your way.
Big changes!
- You can't sell my
mother's company.
- Teresa, I'm going to need
to meet with you tomorrow
To draw up the new contracts.
- Yes, sir.
- And young lady...
You're finally going
to have to make
Some serious choices
in your life.
I want you to learn
How to stand on
your own two feet.
Big changes.
I'm going to my study. You
all enjoy your desserts.
- Well, that was fun. Can't
wait to see what's next.
- It certainly puts
a kink in our plans.
- Yes, it does.
- Found your glasses, babe.
- Thank you.
- I'll walk you guys to the car.
- Thanks.
- For you.
where did you get these?
- They were a gift.
From a friend.
Imagine all of those
hospital board members
Whose opinions you
value so much...
If they saw those.
I really doubt you'd
still receive that award
For your charitable
fundraising. Don't you?
- Lionel, this meant nothing.
I never meant to hurt you.
It was a mistake.
It's not like you never
did the same thing to me.
Remember?
Only I forgave you, right?
And we moved past it.
- That was different.
- How?
- It just is!
Don't forget where
you were in life
When you first met me.
And how far you've
come since marrying me.
I take that away.
You go right back
where you came from.
Literally and figuratively.
- What are you going to do?
- What would be the fun in
telling you that in advance?
- Please, lionel.
Don't do this.
- I made you.
And I can destroy you.
- You're not going to get rid
of me that easily, lionel.
- We'll see about
that, won't we?
Now get the hell
out of my sight.
Now!
- I am so glad that
my sissy is home.
- I know. It's been forever.
- You know you can
home more often, right?
- Yeah.
- Door's always open.
- You know this town just
holds too many memories for me.
yeah, it does.
Speaking of,
I met this nice
young lady earlier.
I helped her change
a spare tire.
She said she was coming here
To go to the whitfield
mansion for the first time.
And...
Xander's her new husband.
- Did you tell her that
you know the family?
Or about my connection to them?
- No.
- Well, those people
are going to get
What they have coming to
them one of these days.
- Teresa. I want you to start
Divorce proceedings
against marlena.
I'm going to leave that
bitch as penniless as she was
When she first arrived.
Don't worry!
You'll get your five
percent of the company.
As promised, just do it.
- May I help you?
- Let me guess.
Mrs. Harper, the
house manager?
- Yes, and you are?
- I'm audrey. Xander's wife.
- Oh! Oh! How
wonderful! Come in!
I didn't realize
you were visiting.
- Dad? Dad!
Somebody call 911!
Oh my god! What happened?
Is he okay?
- Dad, dad! Wake up!
Come on, come on, come on!
- Oh my god, mr. Whitfield!
- Audrey?
- What happened?
- Call 911!
okay.
- Thank you, detective.
- Xander.
What exactly did
you tell the police?
- I told them what happened.
That he slipped on the
stairs and hit his head.
so awful.
- I mean, he was always
three sheets to the wind.
It's no surprise he would
head first down the stairs.
- Mother, how
could you say that?
- Because it's true.
- I'm sorry, nicole.
- The detective said to call
if we think of anything else.
- What else is there?
It's cut and dry.
I'm going back inside.
- Xander.
Nicole called me. What
happened to uncle lionel?
- He slipped down the stairs.
He died before the
paramedics even got here.
They just took his body.
- What can we do to help?
- Nothing.
- Audrey was coming
to surprise me.
- Damn.
What an introduction.
- Oh, hi.
I just came down
for some water too.
Is there anything I
can do for you, nicole?
Such a sad day for the family.
- I'm so sorry you came here.
This place has been
And always will be
full of secrets.
(
- Well,
This service was much
smaller than I expected.
I guess because it was thrown
together so fast, right?
- Dad left strict
instructions to be cremated
And have a small family
service the day after he died.
Not one for
sentimentality, I guess.
- Oh, xander.
How are you, really?
- We weren't close, you know?
But he was still my father.
- Yeah, of course, he was.
I'm just happy I
can be here for you.
- You're the best thing
that's ever happened to me.
- It's just all that
carefully orchestrated drama
At dinner.
Then, the man falls on
the stairs that night
And dies.
It's ironic, right?
Some people might
say he got exactly
What was coming to him.
How are you, nicole?
- I don't even know, honestly.
I just feel numb.
- That's pretty normal,
given the circumstances.
- Sometimes, I didn't even
think he cared about me.
He never asked about my
day or my dreams, or...
Well, anything.
- He was a complex man.
- Yeah. It's amazing
How many long-distance relatives
Have been calling
With their heartfelt
condolences.
- Yeah.
- People interested in hearing
Who's going to be taking
the reigns of the company.
- I'm simply worn
out from the day.
Please let mrs. Harper
know if you need anything.
- Actually, hold on a second.
As uncle lionel's
personal attorney,
It is my duty to carry
out his final wishes.
And that includes the reading
of his last will and testament.
He specifically stated
that he wanted the reading
To take place at exactly 8:30
the morning after this funeral.
- Of course, he did.
This is ridiculous.
He's not even here.
- He also made it a
part of his wishes
That anyone who does
not attend the reading
At exactly that time should
be left out completely.
- We get it. We
meet in the morning.
Can I help you?
- Oh, hi!
I was just heading
to the kitchen
To see if there
was any herbal tea.
I'm having a little
trouble sleeping.
- I believe mrs.
Harper keeps them
In the cabinet above
the coffee maker.
- Thanks!
Oh, I'll just head
down there then.
- I got all your texts.
Why do you need to see me?
- What's going to happen
to us now that he's dead?
- Oh, please. Stop
being so dramatic.
- Why do you have
to be so mean, mary?
- I told you,
Never to call me that
name in this house.
Mary doesn't exist
any more, mother.
- But that's the name I
gave you when you were born.
- Please. You act like you've
been mother of the year.
You haven't been a mother
to me in what, 30 years?
No, you were too busy
Bouncing from man to
man when I was a kid.
You changed men faster
then you did bedsheets.
And don't ever forget that
you've only been allowed
To live here as house manager
because of my generosity.
- But only if I
don't tell anybody
Who you are or
where you came from.
- Exactly.
- Do you have any idea how
much pain this causes me?
Why are you so cruel?
- Says the woman
Who let her boyfriend
have his way with me
When I was 15.
I spent years running
from that memory
And remaking myself.
And you had the nerve to
show up on my doorstep
Asking for help.
You're lucky I've
allowed you this much.
Don't make me regret
letting you stay here
More than I already do.
- Oh! Oh my god,
you scared me.
I didn't see you there.
- I just want to make sure you
found everything you needed.
- I did. Thanks.
- You know, I've
never seen xander
Move faster in a relationship
than he has with you.
Not even with brianna. He...
Well, that's neither
here nor there.
I'm sure you know all
about his previous fiance.
- Uh...
Yeah. Of course, I
know all about brianna.
- I'm sure you do.
Well, you have a
good night, dear.
Sleep well. I hope
the tea helps.
- Good morning.
- Good morning, beautiful.
- Oh my god, how long
have you been up?
You could have woken me.
- Oh, no. You
needed your rest.
About ready for breakfast
before my dad's last big show.
- Right.
Let me jump in the
shower real quick.
- Great.
- Hey...
You know you can tell
me anything, right?
- You know, I...
I know...
I know you have to wonder
How I can so cold about
my father's death.
- No, I'm not
judging you at all.
Families can be
complicated. I know that.
- Yeah, mine takes that
to a whole new level.
When I told you
That my mother died
from an accident,
I didn't tell you
the whole story.
- What do you mean?
- So my father's
overbearing personality
And philandering...
It drove her to drink.
And one night,
She self-medicated
enough to the point
Where I found her
dead in the bathtub.
- No, xander, that's so awful.
I'm sorry.
- What's up?
- Ah, well...
I ran into marlena.
On my way to the kitchen, and...
I don't
know, I just...
She didn't really seem
happy for me to be here.
- Marlena can have a
temper when she's stressed.
- I know, but...
I mean she came into
the kitchen later.
And then, she
brought up brianna.
- Brianna?
Hon, that ended ages ago.
- I know, I know.
- I think marlena just likes
to push people's buttons
For fun sometimes.
- Good morning!
- Hey, sis. Blueberry muffin.
- Blueberry muffin,
your favourite.
coffee everyone?
- You read my mind.
- Not sure I'm ready
for what's next.
- None of us are.
Thank you all so much
for being up and ready
For uncle lionel's final wishes.
I really appreciate that.
- So audrey, you and xander...
- You all met at an
art auction, right?
- In la?
- We did.
I guess you could say it
was love at first sight.
- We were bidding
on the same piece
And she won, of course.
But I was the real winner
when she agreed on a date.
aw...
- Um, mrs. Harper, has
marlena come down yet?
- My mother is always
on her own clock.
- Pull yourself together.
- Isn't it about time we begin?
- She's got about
one more minute
Until she's written
out of the will.
- You all wouldn't start
without me, would you?
- Of course not.
- Well, are you going to
keep us in suspense all day?
- "I, lionel whitfield, being
of sound mind and body..."
- Do we really need to go
through this whole part, teresa?
- Seems like patience is in
short supply this morning,
So I'm going to skip
ahead a little bit
- Thank you.
- "for my devoted employee,
Agnes harper, I leave a
sum of 50000 dollars."
- I wasn't expecting that.
- It's more than fair.
- "for my niece,
teresa whitfield,
I leave a 10 percent
share in my company
For her loyal service
over the years."
- He left you 10
percent of the company?
why?
- Teresa's been working
exclusively for dad for years.
It's what she deserves.
- Fine.
Fine, just continue.
- "and for my wife,
marlena whitfield...
For a total of three-years,
she may stay in the house
And receive a yearly
allowance of 150 000 dollars.
At the end of the
three-year term,
She must leave the house
And shall receive nothing
further from my estate.
By the end of those
three years..."
- What?
What did he say?
- "I'm sure by the
end of that time,
She will have met
another rich millionaire
To take care of her."
Ungrateful
bastard.
Gave him the best
years of my life.
This is insane. I mean what?
Is he trying to
leave me for broke?
- I'd hardly say
That amount of money
was "broke", marlena.
- I don't remember asking your
opinion about any of this.
why are you here?
Why is audrey here?
- She's my wife.
I asked her to be here.
- Can I continue, please?
- Please.
- "my son, xander,
and daughter, nicole
Shall equally split
The remaining 90% of
the company shares.
While xander
oversees the company,
Nicole's share will
be kept in a trust
Until the age of 35
With a generous
yearly allowance."
- What about the rest?
The cash, the
investments, the house.
- That's in the next part.
- And...
- "I leave the rest of
my estate in its entirety
To my daughter,
nicole whitfield."
- Me?
- Uh-huh.
- Nicole knows
absolutely nothing
About taking care of an estate.
- Well, that's the reason
for the next provision.
"until nicole's 35th birthday
as mentioned earlier,
Her brother xander,
as part of his duties,
Shall serve as guardian over
her finances and trusts."
- May as well have
cut me off completely.
This will never
stand up in court.
I mean, I was his
wife, after all.
I'm entitled to so much more.
- I'm very sorry.
I'm not the one who
made these decisions.
Your husband did.
- Yeah, well, we'll
just see about this.
Enjoy.
Let me know if
you need anything, okay?
- Yeah, will do.
- Ready to go?
- Coming, babe.
Arrivederci.
- Hey, don't worry.
We're going to figure
this out, okay?
- I'm going to need your
help with this, xander.
None of this was part
of my plan for life.
- I know. We'll talk
about it later, okay?
- Okay.
- Come here.
- How are you?
- I'm good.
To be honest,
I'm just surprised dad was as
generous with me as he was.
I'm sorry, I need to go
talk to teresa for a minute.
- Sure, sure.
- Thanks.
Hey, wait up!
- Our plan...
- Worked perfectly.
- We're all finally going
to get what we deserve.
- Yeah.
Is it done?
- The bastard never even noticed
That I switched
the wills on him.
- So how much time
does lionel have?
- A few months.
Cancer is untreatable now.
I had to pay that
doctor handsomely
To get the real
information on his health,
But it was worth it, obviously.
Marlena still has no
clue he's even sick.
She'd probably throw a
dinner party to celebrate
If she did.
- And of course,
He said nothing to his own kids.
- That man has probably
Walked drunk up and
down those stairs
A million times.
- I know.
- How did we get so lucky?
- Maybe karma finally
caught up to him.
- Hey, do you think you can
convince audrey's family
To invest enough money
So we can get this
company back on track?
- I'm working on it. It's
going to be a lot easier
Now that we're married, alright?
This time next year,
Everything is going
to be different.
I'm finding I have a lot
more feelings for audrey
Than I even thought I could.
- Okay.
- Alright, loverboy.
- Ma'am.
- That will be all
for now, thank you.
- Hello, mrs. Whitfield.
I'm andrew from
the funeral home.
- I assumed as much
Since you have the
urn in your hands.
- I wanted to personally
deliver to you
Mr. Whitfield's remains
after you left them behind.
It's understandable.
When you're grieving, it's
easy to get distracted.
So please,
Accept my condolences
during your difficult times.
- I'm sorry, what
was your name again?
-Andre, ma'am.
- Can you do me
a favour, andrew,
In my time of need?
- Of course. Name it.
We strive to help
all of our families
In anyway we can.
- Perfect.
And I want you to take
the remains of my husband
And dispose of them.
I'm sorry, what?
- Oh, was I not clear?
Let me be more specific.
I want you to take these ashes
and flush them down the toilet.
- But ma'am...
- Please, andrew.
Do a widow a favour
And get rid of whatever remains
of my husband permanently.
Okay?
Since the fall down the
stairs didn't do it.
And don't worry.
You'll be properly compensated
for the... Disposal.
- Ma'am, I don't think
that's ethical on my part.
andrew, andrew, andrew.
Ethical and my husband
have never gone together.
So why start now?
You may see yourself out.
It's me. I need to
see you right away.
Well, make time!
- Are you okay?
- Far from it!
- What are you going to do?
- I have an important meeting.
And if this doesn't work,
Then I have another trump card
that I may be forced to play.
Ah! Even in death, this
man wants to torture me
By keeping me
chained to this house
And putting me on
a measly allowance.
As if I was a five-year-old!
- Okay. So what do
you want to do now?
- Sonny... So young, so naive.
Don't you know by now
that I get what I want,
When I want it? I have a plan.
- I thought you didn't like
it when I got this sweaty.
- I don't care today.
I don't mind sweat.
- Oh, hi!
- Hey.
Sorry, I've got to
get to dad's office.
Start figuring things out.
- Have you thought about
Maybe where you want to
run the company from?
- We got a lot of
decisions to make.
Got to think about
your career too.
Actually,
I was thinking we
could go to chicago,
Spend some time
with your family.
- Really?
- Yeah.
I can work remotely.
Get to know them better.
- My dad would love that.
And I know he would love
to talk business with you.
- Hmm-hmm.
- Have a good day, babe.
- I'll see you tonight.
- See you tonight.
- Audrey!
- Oh, hi, nicole.
How are you?
- I was wondering
What your plans are for the day
If maybe you would
want to go for a walk?
- I would love that.
Let me just make a
quick phone call first
And I'll meet you out back.
- Okay, great.
- Hello, chamber of
commerce. Charles speaking.
- Hi, charles. My name
is audrey sinclair.
I'm a writer for see
the world magazine.
I sent you an email earlier
Regarding setting up an
informational meeting.
I just arrived in
town a few days ago,
And I'm considering
writing an article
On what your town has
to offer for visitors.
- Of course.
I'm sorry, but
this may sound odd.
But your voice
sounds very familiar.
Are you the audrey that I
helped change a spare tire?
What? Chip?
- Yup, that's me.
They call me charles
in the office.
- Oh my gosh.
You really saved the day
the other night, chip.
- Are you still at
the whitfield's?
- Yes, I am.
I am. Um...
I don't know if you heard
but my father-in-law, he...
- Lionel whitfield, he died.
It's a small town.
- Right, of course.
um, so...
Would you still be open
to having that meeting?
- Of course! How
about later today?
Just come by my office.
We'll take it from there.
- That works perfect.
Thanks so much.
- See you soon.
- I'm so glad
xander found someone
Wonderful like you
to have in his life.
He's really been the only
person I can count on.
- Well, you mean
a lot to him too.
- I wasn't close to
my father and xande
R since he's so
much older than me.
Always trying to make up
for our dad's shortcomings.
- Were you able to visit
him in los angeles?
- Not yet.
I tried to plan a trip
two summers ago, but...
- What happened?
- I don't think his
girlfriend at the time,
Brianna, liked me very much,
So I never made it to la.
- Oh, yeah.
Brianna, yeah...
Um, xander did tell
me a little bit
About his relationship
with brianna.
- She wasn't good for him.
- Yeah? In what way?
- I feel like she tried
to keep him all to herself
And away from his family.
- Does she live around here?
- Yeah, she grew up nearby,
But I don't know
where she is now.
Her brother, chip,
Runs the local
chamber of commerce.
I'm surprised he didn't
tell you more about her.
What is it? Is
everything okay?
- Yeah, nothing.
um...
How about we head
back to the house?
- Okay.
- I just spoke to
audrey, xander's wife.
She's a travel writer
And she wants to do an
article on our town.
- Okay, well, she needs to
know who she's dealing with
If she doesn't already.
- Are you sure you
want to talk to her?
I mean, do you really
want to get involved
In that mess of a family again?
- Look...
If I can save someone
from what I went through,
Then it'll be worth it.
- Okay, sis.
Your call.
- What a crazy couple of days.
- Don't worry.
I've been taking
care of things here.
And now, we finally
have a chance
To do things our way.
- I've made sure I
tied up all loose ends
And paid all the
bills before I leave.
- Thank you. That was
very sweet of you.
- Well, it's the least I can do
Since you two are
going to make us rich.
- I'll try to get home before
you leave for the airport, okay?
- Please do.
- Alright.
- I love you.
- I love you as well, baby.
- Let's get to work.
- Yes, sir.
- Look, you can come and visit
Me and xander anytime you like.
No matter where we are.
- Yeah, I need to out of here.
Too many memories,
And my mother and
I are not close.
- I'm sorry, nicole.
Hey, you okay?
- So much as I
disliked my father...
I cannot say this out loud,
You're going to think
that I am crazy.
- No, you can trust me.
- Something seems off.
About his death. I mean,
That man walked up
and down those stairs
All of the time and never fell
Even when he was drinking.
- Accidents happen?
I don't know, maybe he tripped.
- I was in my room
when I heard him fall.
And then, I went
out into the hall...
- And?
- And I saw my mother.
Looking down at my father's
body at the bottom of the stairs
And she looked so calm.
You can't tell anyone, okay?
- Of course.
I promise.
- I think my mother might have
pushed him down the stairs.
I mean, she can
be downright evil.
- What do you mean, "evil?"
- She locked me in the attic
Overnight without food or
water when I was six years old.
She said I had disobeyed her.
Our maid at the time
heard my screams
The next morning and let me out.
Ever since then, I
knew she wasn't capable
Of loving me the
way a mother should.
And she hasn't been
faithful to my father
When I caught her
with another man...
She threatened me
not to tell anyone.
And when she gets mad,
She gets furious.
- Oh, nicole.
That's so much for you to hold.
- Yeah.
I wonder if karma will
ever come for my mother.
- He's expecting me.
Zach.
Thanks for fitting
me in so quickly.
- Yeah, sure.
Look, I don't have much time,
I'm doing court in an hour.
- Well, I was hoping that
perhaps you could help me
Due to our special friendship.
- Why don't you tell
me what you need?
- Aren't you going to
offer me your condolences?
I mean there's no
way you haven't heard
About lionel's death
in this one night town.
- Somehow I didn't imagine you
were too broken up about it.
- Well, son of a bitch try
to cut me out of his will
And I am not going
to stand for it.
- And you want me to...
- Help me fight it.
Even if we have to go to court.
You must have some sort
of sway with the system.
- Marlena, contesting a will
can take quite a long time.
It's litigation, we're
talking depositions,
Gathering evidence.
Not too much mention the
courts are backed up.
A trial could take up to a year
and a half just to schedule.
And it's very rare to win.
- Well, what am I supposed
to do in the meantime?
You know what? If
you don't help me,
Then I might be forced
to tell your wife
What the two of us did
in your guest bedroom
The night of her
40th birthday party.
- Look, I was drunk, okay?
I didn't know what I was
doing.
- I beg to differ.
You knew exactly
what you were doing.
So if I were you,
I would find a way
to speed things up.
- Well, well.
Finally, it's about
time you called me.
I don't know,
You tell me what my
silence is worth?
You don't want me to
tell my wife or xander
About our little side deal,
Nor do you want me to
tell them what you did?
Trust me.
You do not want
to call my bluff.
I'm hoping that we can reach
some sort of an agreement.
Perfect. I'll see you then.
- Hey!
- No one saw you, did they?
- No, of course not.
I was extra careful.
Hey.
Look, I love you so much,
And I hate that we need
to sneak around in secret.
How much longer do
we have to do this?
I want the entire world to
know how much I love you.
- Soon.
We can finally get out
of here, be together,
And start our lives anew.
What's wrong?
- Do I have to sleep
with your mother again?
I mean, marlena is
going to be beyond angry
When this all plays out.
She'll probably try to kill me.
- I have to play this perfectly
If I'm going to destroy my
mother's social standing,
Get her out of this town
And my life.
Okay?
So it's scheduled to go
out before she receives
That bogus humanitarian
of the year award
And before the
interview is published.
All she did was write a check.
I want my mother to
think long and hard
About how she locked
me in the attic.
I want to see the
beginning of the video.
- What? Why would you want...
- Not the whole thing
just the beginning.
My father would
have never dreamed
That I was the one who
sent him this video.
Oh, this is going to
ruin her reputation.
god,
she'll be horrified.
When we leave here...
We can finally start
our lives over.
Did you mean it?
When you said you
would do anything
Because of how
much you loved me?
you know I did.
I mean, look at everything
I've already done.
You're the first person
that ever saw me.
The real me.
Not just some guy from
the wrong side of town.
- Oh, I totally forgot.
I told xander I'd grab
a late lunch with him.
But you'll never betray
me, right, sonny?
- Of course not.
I love you more than anything.
- Dad had so many deals going on
That I didn't even know about.
I had to move the overflow
to the conference room.
How's it going over there?
- Uh, fine.
Fine.
You're family sure
is interesting.
- Oh, no. What happened?
- Nothing. I mean...
Nothing to worry about.
I don't think.
We'll talk about it
later tonight, okay?
- Alright.
Well, I got to go. I love you.
- Yeah, I love you too.
- Things are coming along
wonderfully, aren't they?
- Yeah.
- I will admit,
I was more than a little
worried about nicole
And if she could
really play that part
During the will reading.
- She did it though.
- Uh-huh.
- But if she hadn't
overheard us...
- I know.
- Is it done?
- Yeah.
The bastard never even noticed
That I switched
the wills on him.
Babe...
You're a genius for
pulling this off.
- Do you guys want to clue me in
On exactly what's going on here?
- I had my doubts
If we could bring nicole
in on the plan, but...
- Oh, speaking of which.
All's well that
ends well though.
- It all happened
quicker than expected.
- Thanks to booze
and steep stairs.
- Hey!
- Hi.
- Hello.
- So did I do a good
job at the will reading?
Did I act surprised enough?
- You were brilliant.
You played the surprise
beneficiary perfectly.
- So did I make you proud?
- Of course. You always do.
And now, we can focus
On getting mom's company
back to the glory days.
- Yes.
- Audrey. Nice
to see you again.
- Well, chip, if it isn't
my roadside saviour.
What are the odds?
- I must admit. I had
to do my research,
But I absolutely loved
your travel articles.
- Thank you.
- I can't thank you enough
For doing this article on
our quaint little town.
- No, thank you for meeting me
and to give me the grand tour.
- My pleasure. Let's go.
Camellia falls'
primary economic driver
Was a paper factory.
It closed down a while back.
- Interesting, and
when did you start
Developing your tourism here?
- About ten years ago.
We transformed an empty downtown
Into a vibrant and
bustling shop industry.
- Well, I can see why it would
make a perfect weekend getaway.
- That's exactly what I'm hoping
that you're going to write.
So, how has it been
staying at the whitfields?
- Oh, well, it's...
It's been incredibly
hard for my husband
After his father's death.
Which brings me to
my next question.
I know your sister has
a past with the family.
- Yeah.
I'm a little bit more
acquainted with whitfield's
Than I would like.
So what do you know
about my sister?
not much really.
Xander's mentioned
her in passing,
But all I gathered was that
it really didn't end well.
- Watch out for that family.
- What happened to her?
- That's brianna's
story to tell.
- Well, do you think I
could speak with her?
Please.
- Look, I'm very
protective of my sister,
But she wants to
talk to you too.
- Great.
Do you think we could
set something up?
- Are you worried about
something in particular?
- No, uh... No, not really.
Just call it a reporter's
gut feeling, I guess.
I think I should get
her side of the story.
- Please.
Do not let my sister get
involved with that family again.
No one can know that
you're meeting with her
Because she wants nothing
to do with them again.
- Of course. You have my word.
- Hey. Where are you?
I have a flight to catch
in a couple of hours.
I came to hear your offer,
but you're not here.
You've got five minutes.
Oh, there you are.
- Yeah, yeah, ash, I know.
I know how it used to be.
Things are different now.
Yeah, we'll figure it out.
It's not a big...
I got to go. Can
I call you back?
Marlena.
I wasn't expecting you today.
- We need to talk.
And I thought here was a
better place than the house.
- Marlena, I'm
really busy today.
- There's something you
have to have wondered about.
- Yeah, I don't have
time for your riddles.
What are you talking about?
- Nicole.
She's your daughter.
You remember that night.
You were 18
And you were mad at your
father for not paying
For your european vacation
with your friends.
And I had just
recently married lionel
And he was away on
a business trip.
- I don't want to
talk about this.
- And you had gotten
into the liquor cabinet
And you found me out by the
pool taking an evening swim.
Oh, you were so
handsome. And virile.
- Shut up.
- Just because we never
spoke about it afterwards,
Doesn't mean it didn't happen.
- Are you sure nicole
is my daughter?
- Hmm.
Lionel was having issues
in the bedroom at the time
So we were rarely intimate.
And I had to lie and pretend
nicole was a month early
Just to avoid his suspicions.
- Why are you telling
me this right now?
- You are aware of my current
unfortunate financial situation.
I'm going to need you
to help me with that,
Permanently.
- You're blackmailing me.
- One person's blackmail is
Another person's
business arrangement.
And if you don't,
Then I will have to
throw your relationship
With that dear audrey
into possible chaos
By telling her and
nicole the truth.
- You know what? Fine.
I call your bluff.
Audrey loves me.
She'll stand by me.
- Perhaps, but still,
That is a bitter
pill to swallow.
I mean, it might just
give her enough pause
To think about staying
in your marriage.
And what would her family
think of this bombshell?
I bet you want to get your hands
On her family's
money, don't you?
Not to mention the
emotionally fragile nicole
And her future reputation.
And think about the scandal
that it might cause the company
Just as you're revamping things.
shut up!
God, I hate you!
How can you do this
to your own daughter?
Don't you know the town is
going to turn against you?
You'd be destroyed socially.
- I'll do whatever
it takes to survive.
I'll give you 24 hours
to think it over.
- Hey.
I got your message
to meet, what's up?
What's wrong?
You're not having
second thoughts
About what we did with
the will, are you?
- No, no, no. I...
- okay.
- Look... Our family
is a lot right now.
I'm worried.
- That audrey is going
to get scared off.
- Yeah.
- And there go our chances
to get her family to invest.
- I can't help but think...
- What happened with
brianna, I know.
- We both know how that went.
And I can tell audrey
is starting to dig in.
I can tell.
But it's not just that.
- Okay?
look,
Marlena is threatening
to reveal something
That I haven't told you.
- That is?
- Apparently,
I'm nicole's father.
- Xander, how the
hell did that happen?
- It's a long story.
But if marlena tells her,
Who knows what audrey
is going to do?
- Thank you for agreeing
to me on such short notice.
- Yeah, sure.
I mean, I just
happened to be in town.
Honestly, I don't
really talk that much
About what happened
between xander and me.
Does he know?
That you're meeting
me here today.
- No, he doesn't actually.
- Well,
My relationship with xander
started off wonderful.
A fairytale even,
but I don't know,
Then it took a dark turn.
- Can I ask how long
you two were together?
- A little over a year.
Yeah, we met here in town.
We were both here
visiting our families
And I knew of his
family, of course.
But I guess our social
scenes never overlapped.
And then, things kind
of moved really quickly.
We got an apartment
out in los angeles
And got engaged only a
few months after dating.
And I had started this new
job at a marketing firm.
But then, I met the
rest of his family,
Of course.
And...
Let's just say the
whitfields were
Aloof towards me
right from the start.
- Well...
You know marlena didn't really
Roll out the red
carpet for me either.
- Suzan, darling, how
wonderful to hear from you.
Yeah, I was just going
to reach out to you today
About the charity
launching at the hospital.
Wait, what? What are
you talking about?
What mass email
that was sent out?
- How could you
send that video out
Without telling me first?
Your mother is literally
going to throttle me.
What were you thinking?
- It was simply the perfect time
Once I learned the
newspaper article
About her charitable ways
was set to run tomorrow.
- None of them seemed
to be a fan of mine.
I guess because I came from
a working-class family,
They didn't think I was
a right fit for xander.
And then, you know,
I started to wonder
What happens if we
decide to have children.
How would they treat them?
- Of course.
- And then, I had
the night from hell.
- What happened?
- So xander and I
flew in for a visit
And the second day here
He had to go on some
emergency business trip.
So I decided to wait for
him at the whitfield estate.
That night, at dinner,
Marlena and lionel were
arguing about something.
I can't even remember what.
But you wouldn't believe
The hateful words they
were saying to each other.
I mean, it scared me.
And then, lionel threw
plates at marlena.
- Oh my god. What did you do?
- I thought they were
crazy, so I went to my room.
And then later,
Lionel confronted
me and threatened me
By saying he can make
my life unbearable
If I didn't get in line
With what he expected
of xander's wife.
- Gosh.
I couldn't even imagine.
- Yeah, I just knew I had
To get out of there for
the night, you know?
And maybe even forever.
But in my rush to get away,
I crashed my car into a tree.
Completely totalled it.
Gave myself a concussion
and this scar.
It's something I
have to deal with
For the rest of my life.
- I'm so sorry that
happened to you.
- You know, to xander's credit,
He said he would
make it up to me
And protect me from them.
But...
- But you broke
things off anyway.
- Yeah.
It was just all
too much, you know?
- Yeah, I know.
- Audrey.
Please be careful. Okay?
There is something
really dangerous
Going on with that family.
And inside that house.
Sonny,
where the hell are you?
- I guess she checked her email.
- Oh, man. This is
going to be very bad.
I got to get the
hell out of here.
hey, hon,
I'm just about to
go into a meeting,
Can I call you right back?
- We need to talk,
okay, tonight.
It's important.
- Sure. Is something wrong?
- I met brianna today.
- What did she tell you?
- It was unsettling.
- Look,
I'll be available in
just a couple of hours.
Just, please, don't
jump to conclusions.
- We'll talk about
it tonight, okay?
Just try to make it
home as soon as you can.
- Damn it.
- Where do you
think you're going?
- Mrs. Whitfield.
- No. Don't "mrs.
Whitefield" me.
Tell me who you're working with.
- I don't know what
you're talking about.
- Who had you tape us having sex
And then sent that email to
every person that I know?
- I have no idea who
you're referring to.
- Tell me who's
trying to destroy me.
Was it my dead husband?
Is he haunting me
from the grave?
Did he pay you to do all this?
- Nothing like that happened.
- I'm going to kill you
if you don't tell me.
- Sonny!
Sonny! Stop!
- I need to leave, nicole.
- Please.
Please, don't let my
mother run you out.
I'm almost at the
end of my plan.
Please, sonny,
you're the only one
Who's on my side.
- You know how much I love you,
But your mother is going to...
Oh, what the hell is that?
- I need you to hide this in
my mother's room immediately.
Please, sonny, please
don't abandon me now.
- Xander. I need to see you.
I just saw something
very disturbing.
No, let's not talk
here at the house.
I'm coming to you.
- Hey, hon.
- Are you almost home yet?
- Not yet.
I'm trying to get out of
here as soon as possible.
Something strange has happened.
I just got off a
call with teresa,
She said warren
never got to hawaii.
She's really worried.
She has no idea
where he could be.
- That's odd.
- Can you ask
people at the house
If they've heard
from him or anything?
- Sure, of course.
- Okay, and I promise,
I'm going to get home
as fast as I can.
I know we've got
a lot to discuss.
Okay.
- How can we not
know where warren is?
Where can he be?
- I don't know.
But maybe we should let
everyone know just in case...
- Oh my god...
- What?
- From my upstairs window,
I saw warren walking down
to the gazebo yesterday.
And I was surprised
because I thought
He was in hawaii already, and...
- What is it, nicole?
- Audrey, remember
when I told you
I walked in on my mother
with someone in the gazebo?
- Yes, and?
- It was warren.
I think they've been
having an affair
For quite some time now.
- Yes, yes.
- I'm going to need it tomorrow.
- Xander.
- One second.
- Okay, but it's
extremely important.
- Okay.
Sorry.
Yeah, so I need you to
bring in the reports
Tomorrow morning, okay?
First thing in the morning,
we'll deal with it then.
Yes. Thank you.
What's so important?
- Your father's death
was no accident.
- What do you mean?
He got drunk and
fell down the stairs.
- No, no, he didn't.
And we need to save
the person who did it
Before it's too late.
- So who did it?
- Nicole killed mr. Whitfield.
And earlier today, I saw
her hand sonny a knife.
Something else dreadful
is going to happen,
I just know it.
- Why would nicole
want to hurt dad?
That's crazy.
- Don't you think I know that?
You are the only person I
can trust with this, xander.
- How can you be sure?
- I saw it, nicole.
- I would never do
something like that.
- Here's the thing.
Teresa sent me to
pick up some files
That she needed
from your father.
And just as I was approaching
that rear glass sliding door,
I looked in the window
and there you were.
Pushing your drunk-ass
daddy down those stairs.
- He was going to ruin our plans
By selling the company
before he died.
And I just...
- I get it.
Lionel was an awful, awful man.
But that doesn't give you
the right to murder him.
- What do you want from me?
- We can keep this between us...
For a little extra
cash.
I mean you would not
want your big brother
To see some murderer
everything he looks at you.
- Are you positive
you heard correctly?
- Absolutely.
- Then, I got to get
home and talk to nicole.
- Nicole is my
granddaughter, xander.
I'm marlena's mother.
- Okay, well, I hope
you hear something
About warren soon, teresa.
Okay. Hmm-hmm. Talk soon.
- Nothing new on teresa's end?
- No. She's definitely
panicking also.
How could warren just up
and disappear like that?
I don't get it.
- Maybe we should
check the gazebo,
Make sure nothing
happened to him.
- Yeah.
- And then mary,
I mean, marlena,
Made me swear never to
reveal who I am or our past.
Living hand-to-mouth
through her childhood...
Oh, she was so
embarrassed by that.
- Are you sure nicole
doesn't know anything
About your relationship?
- I'm sure.
- It's ironic. We have
something in common.
- What?
- Nicole's my daughter.
I have to go.
oh my god!
Oh my god, he's
dead. He's dead!
- He's cold.
He must have been here a while.
- Oh my god.
- We have to call 911.
- The signal is spotty here
we have to up by the house.
- What in the hell are
you doing now, sonny?
- Whoa! Marlena!
- She did this.
- What?
- Mother.
I overheard her and
warren the other night.
She kept saying she was
going to make him pay
If he revealed the affair.
My mother killed
warren. What do we do?
- Look, we need to get back to
the house and get help, okay?
Come on, let's go.
- Okay.
- I asked you a question.
What did you put in my cabinet?
Do you know who's behind
the whole nightmare?
- Look, okay,
I'll tell you
everything. Okay?
Just...
Just please, put the
gun down, marlena.
Do I look like an idiot?
I'm not going to
put this gun down
Until you tell me every
single thing you know.
- Around here.
- You're good?
- Okay...
Okay! I have service!
We need the police!
Someone's been killed.
- Tic-toc, sonny.
Details.
Now!
- Can't you see?
I never meant to get
mixed up in all of this.
Look, just please,
just let me go.
Look, I'll leave the house
And you'll never see me again.
Man, I'm done. I'm
done, I'm done,
I'm done with this crazy family.
Just, please, put the
gun down, marlena.
Okay, it was nicole.
nicole?
- Nicole was the one
that sent the video out.
Look, I think she's trying to
make your life a living hell.
little bitch.
- And I think she's behind
the death of her father too.
The night he died,
She came to me and she seemed...
Happy.
- What did she have
you put in the cabinet?
A bloody knife.
I think she's trying to
frame you for something.
Hey, look, we can work this out.
- Oh, yeah, no.
The only thing that's
going to happen here
Is that the two of you
are going to prison.
- How long do you think
before the police get here?
- As far as we are, maybe...
- Ah...
- Marlena, what happened?
- Why do you have a gun, mother?
- This is all your fault.
I caught sonny in my bedroom
trying to plant a knife.
To frame me for some crime you
obviously committed, nicole.
Marlena,
Why don't you just put
the gun down, okay?
- I took the gun
out of my nightstand
Just to protect myself,
And he tried to take it from me.
And we struggled and it
accidentally went off.
- Where is he?
- Don't even think about moving!
What have the two
of you been up to?
nicole!
- Sonny, are you okay?
- He wants nothing to
do with you any more.
He's tired of being
your henchman.
- Marlena...
Did you kill warren?
- Kill warren?
Why would I waste my
time on that hanger-on?
- Because you had an
affair, and you killed him
Because he threatened
to expose you!
- Hardly.
Unless...
You killed warren, didn't you?
And you tried to pin it on me.
That's why sonny had the knife.
Why would you kill warren?
- Is that true, nicole?
Is your mom right?
Did you have something to do
with what happened to warren?
- Don't you get it,
audrey? All of this,
Everything I've done
has been for xander.
- Okay.
I think everybody just needs
to take a breath and calm down.
The police will be
here any moment.
- What's going on? What?
What's happening?
Marlena, put the gun down.
I know what you
did to dad, nicole.
We're going to figure this out.
- Dad was a bad, bad man.
- I'm here to protect you.
Just like I always said I would
since you were a little girl.
Everything's going
to be alright.
I need you to trust me.
- Xander, listen to
me. Warren is dead.
Okay? He was killed.
We found his body
over by the gazebo.
- What?
- No!
I have worked too hard for
everything to go wrong now.
I mean, why do you think
I had to kill warren?
Don't you get it?
He saw me push dad
down the stairs
And then, he demanded
I give him money.
Or else he would tell
you I was a murderer.
I couldn't let you
think that about me.
- You pushed lionel
down the stairs.
- Marlena, enough!
- Oh!
- No, stop, stop!
Nicole!
no!
- We need to fix this, xander.
I can't go to prison, please!
- Okay, look, look, we
will help you, okay?
Just give us the
gun. It will be okay.
- No one else needs
to get hurt, nicole.
- Audrey, if something
happened to you,
Xander would inherit your money,
And you won't have to wait
For her dad to invest
in your company.
- Nicole.
- Look what you've done.
- No, audrey, no!
- Xander!
- What have I done?
- Okay. Just hang on, alright?
Hang on just a little bit
more. Help's on the way.
- Xander, I'm so sorry.
I didn't mean to, I swear.
Not my brother.
- I wish I could give
you a better life.
You served us.
Nicole...
You're my daughter.
- What?
How? That doesn't
make any sense.
- Marlena and I...
It was a mistake.
- Why didn't you tell me sooner?
- I didn't know.
I'm so sorry.
- Xander?
- Xander?
Xander...
- Thank you so much for coming.
hi!
Alright. Thank you for coming.
And who do I make it out to?
Marlena.
What a surprise!
- I saw the announcement of
your book signing in the news
And I just had to swing by.
Why don't you make
it out to marlena,
One of your inspirations.
- Certainly been a long time.
How are you?
- I'm good.
I recently engaged with the ceo
of a bank on the west coast.
I always land on my feet.
- You do, don't you?
Congratulations.
- Thanks.
- And how's nicole?
- Well, they tell me that
she still hasn't accepted
The fact that xander is dead.
But apparently, she's
a model prisoner.
And she's even taking
up watercolour painting.
They tell me that she paints
one picture of me after another.
I'm usually dead in her
pictures though, but...
Oh, well. I have
a plane to catch.
I'm meeting my fiance in aruba.
I can't wait to read this.
Take care of yourself, audrey.
okay.
- Just remember
That nicole could possibly
get out in 25 years
With good behaviour.
Just something for us to
keep in mind in our old age.
Difuze