Steffy and Eric walked into the CEO’s office as they discussed their surprise at Carter’s pitch. Inside, Ridge agreed it was a surprise to him as well. Eric said it didn’t matter, as Carter’s idea would never happen. All three agreed that they respected Carter’s ingenuity but also thought the plan would change the company. Ridge noted that it was too much and would change Forrester from being their family company to having to answer to shareholders and investors. Ridge wondered why Carter wanted them to take such an immediate risk.
If Carter had been working on this idea for years, Ridge asked why he didn’t mention it until now. Steffy said Carter often brought up growth, but this went beyond a pitch. Eric noted the products Carter suggested they carry and said that Carter’s idea would turn Forrester into a brand name instead of a fashion house. “I don’t want to do this,” Eric clarified. They all agreed it would be an “unbelievable risk” and take a huge amount of money. Ridge especially disliked the thought of someone else telling them how to be creative. Ridge added that Carter usually knew what he was doing and again wondered why he insisted they do it immediately.
Eric firmly told Steffy and Ridge that Forrester was a family business, not a conglomerate. Eric wanted to keep it that way but noted that Steffy was more progressive. Steffy agreed that she was all for innovation and noted that they were one of the biggest fashion houses. She added that House of Forrester didn’t need bankers looking over their shoulders. Eric said Forrester's originals were pieces of art. “We don’t follow trends. We set them,” Eric said.
Ridge pointed out that Carter had never steered them wrong. Steffy said she could usually rely on Carter’s advice and felt they worked well together. Steffy noted that lately, something has felt out of sync. Eric thought Carter’s vision was about pursuing profits, but it would take too much money, and Eric didn’t want to worry about stocks and balloon rates
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Steffy acknowledged that Carter said she had a personal beef with Hope and that Steffy allowed it to interfere with her business decisions. Eric told Steffy he thought she had been very patient with Hope for the Future. Steffy wondered if Hope had been getting in Carter’s head somehow.
Ridge and Eric thought Steffy had a reason to be guarded after Hope crossed the line with Finn. Steffy said she didn’t trust Hope around her husband or at Forrester and thought Hope might be manipulating Carter. Steffy pointed out that not too long ago, Carter wanted to cut HFTF, but now he’s all about saving it and growing the line. Eric said Steffy gave HFTF time to turn around, but there was a time limit. Ridge said it didn’t matter how Carter felt about it. He agreed with Eric that it was their company and they knew what was best for Forrester.
Across the hall, Brooke was reeling from walking in on Carter and Hope about to have sex on the desk in the design office. Carter apologized, but Hope said she wasn’t sorry. “My daughter and the company COO fooling around in the office?” Brooke asked incredulously. Hope told Brooke that there was more to it than that. Brooke asked if Carter and Hope were involved and said it made sense as they have backed each other lately. Brooke warned that Steffy wasn’t going to like it. Hope begged her mom not to tell anyone, especially not Ridge.
Brooke asked Carter if he told Katie but he said he had not. Brooke said she needed to know how serious things were between Hope and Carter. They admitted they didn’t know, but they were attracted and they were trying to figure it out but wanted to do so privately.
Carter explained that office romances invite gossip, and he didn’t want that for Hope. Brooke softened as Carter said that Hope shouldn’t have to share or justify her feelings. Brooke asked what his feelings were so he listed off a bunch of reasons that he finds Hope inspirational. Hope insisted that it was more than beneficial to their business ideas. Carter and Hope told Brooke that they understood, supported, and wanted the best for each other.
Hope added that she and Carter wanted the Forrester vs. Logan war to end and didn’t think it would hurt anyone if they had a little fun along the way. Brooke said she wasn’t there to bust anyone and acknowledged they were consenting adults.
Brooke told Carter to be honest with her and level if he and Katie were nothing more than friends. Carter said they tried, but it was over. Brooke noted that Carter was Ridge’s best friend and a top-level executive. Carter insisted he wasn’t Hope’s boss, that only Ridge and Steffy were. Hope noted it was unfortunate that Carter wasn’t in charge of her line.
Brooke agreed that the Logans have felt undervalued at Forrester for a long time. Hope told her mom she wanted to take her time with Carter and see where it went. Brooke thought that sounded healthier than how she went after Finn. Hope admitted that Carter knew all about that mess. Carter said he knew what falling for the wrong person was like.
Steffy interrupted and asked why the three of them were huddled up. They all looked panicked, and Carter said it was about work. Steffy said if it was about work, she should be told what was going on.
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