Days of our Lives recap for Friday, December 13, 2024: Xander's plan to undermine Philip backfires

At the pub, Justin reviewed Shawn’s divorce papers, and he confirmed that there were no major issues. “I didn’t think there would be. But since Belle told me to have a lawyer look over it,” Shawn said with a shrug. Justin told Shawn he was clear to sign the papers when he was ready. “Now, there’s something that you can do for me,” Justin said. “Name it,” Shawn said. Justin asked Shawn to help Xander keep control of Titan.

”I know you and Philip are not particularly close, so I was hoping that you’d be willing to give a deposition declaring your belief that Xander is the best man for the job,” Justin said. Shawn declined. “I’m rooting for Philip,” Shawn explained. Shocked, Justin asked Shawn if he wanted Philip to gain full control of the company. Shawn explained that Philip had told him about Victor’s letter.

”And I know that [Philip] has got Titan in his blood. So if he has proof that Grandpa wants him to have a role with the company, then he’s got every right to fight for it,” Shawn said. With a nod, Justin said he understood.

After Justin left, Shawn stared at his divorce papers. Jada walked into the pub and said hello. “It’s been a while,” Shawn said. Jada gave Shawn her condolences about Doug. Shawn informed Jada that he was sober. “That’s good to hear,” Jada said. “I want to apologize to you for the trouble that I caused you and Rafe when I was drinking and also for what happened with Talia,” Shawn said. Shawn added that he regretted his actions.

“I appreciate you saying that. I know it was a very difficult time for you for many reasons,” Jada said. “It was, but it does not excuse my behavior,” Shawn countered. Jada told Shawn that she admired his desire to make amends for his past behavior. Jada asked Shawn about his future plans, and he admitted that he was only in town for the funeral. Jada asked Shawn if he would consider returning to the Salem PD.

Jada explained that she was the new commissioner, and Shawn congratulated her on the promotion. “I’m very proud to be the first black female commissioner in Salem’s history. But there’s a lot riding on me to do the best job possible,” Jada said. Jada explained that the police force was understaffed, especially since Rafe had left for Black Patch. “I could really use a great detective,” Jada said. Shawn noted that Bo would want him to live his life.

”So I’m thinking, that maybe it’s time for a new chapter,” Shawn said. Shawn accepted the job. “Welcome back, detective,” Jada said as she shook Shawn’s hand. Jada promised to start the paperwork, and she left for the station. Once alone, Shawn signed his divorce papers and took off his wedding ring.

Xander was working out in the Kiriakis living room when Sarah entered. “Turning this room into a gym for you, eh?” Sarah said. Xander admitted that he was “preparing for battle” with his brother. “Right. Cause the judge is more likely to rule in your favor the buffer you are,” Sarah joked. “It’s the mind-body connection,” Xander explained. Xander refused to let Philip beat him.

Sarah suggested that they go out to dinner at the Bistro. Xander agreed, but he asked Sarah to help him with the next part of his workout first. After Xander dropped to the ground to do push-ups, he asked Sarah to sit on him. Sarah worried aloud about hurting Xander. “Dumbbells weigh more than you do,” Xander said. With a giggle, Sarah sat on Xander’s back, and he continued his workout.

When Xander finished, he thanked Sarah for the help, and he swept her in his arms and kissed her. Justin walked in and apologized for interrupting. “You didn’t interrupt. Xander is preparing for battle,” Sarah said. Xander asked Justin if he had talked to Shawn. “I’m afraid Shawn won’t be going to bat for you. Turns out he’s team Philip,” Justin said. Sarah was surprised. Xander shrugged it off. Sarah asked what Xander had planned.

”Philip’s just about to have a little setback, that’s all,” Xander said. Concerned, Sarah asked Justin for a moment alone with her husband. “Maybe as your attorney, the less I know, the better,” Justin said. Justin walked out. Sarah demanded to know about Xander’s plan.

“The last time you went to war with Philip, you tried to kill him,” Sarah said. Sarah pushed Xander for details, and Xander explained that he had “incentivized” Philip’s lawyer to drop out. ”Can’t [Philip] just get another lawyer to represent him?” Sarah asked. “Well, he’s free to try, but who’s gonna take his case the night before the trial?” Xander asked.

At the Salem Inn, Stephanie stopped in front of Philip’s door as she finished up her phone call about the Body & Soul leak. A towel-clad Philip opened the door. “I’m sorry, didn’t we have a meeting scheduled?” Stephanie asked. Philip explained that he had attempted to squeeze in a workout before the meet.

After Philip dressed, Stephanie informed Philip that her discussions with business journalists about the change in leadership had been positive. “Plus a few bloggers agreed to write up any blind items they have about dissatisfaction with Xander’s leadership,” Stephanie said. Stephanie handed Philip her report. “Great work. You’ve really gone above and beyond,” Philip said. Philip admitted he was concerned about his chances in court.

”Do you think this is enough for me to win the case and take Titan away from Xander?” Philip asked. Stephanie pointed out that the court of public opinion appeared to be on Philip’s side. “It’s going to come down to whether or not a judge believes that you have a legitimate claim on Titan,” Stephanie said. Stephanie argued that Victor’s letter proved that at the time of Victor’s death, he wanted Philip to run the company.

”It’s going to be really hard for Xander to claim that he’s Victor’s true heir,” Stephanie said. Philip furrowed his brow, and he told Stephanie that he needed to be honest with her about the letter. “It’s not,” Philip started before he lapsed into silence. “It’s not what?” Stephanie asked. Instead of confessing that the letter was a forgery, Philip said he was nervous that the letter was not enough evidence to support his claim.

”I get your concern, but Philip, what I would tell you is that no matter what is in the letter, what will really make the difference is the case that your attorney presents to the court,” Stephanie said. As Philip said, he had a great lawyer, Ned Dickerson. Ned told Philip that he quit because he had a conflict of interest with Xander. Furious, Philip ended the call and told Stephanie the news.

“Pretty convenient that he suddenly remembered that the night before trial,” Philip muttered. “You think Xander engineered this?” Stephanie asked. Philip said he was certain that Xander had forced Ned to quit. Philip thanked Stephanie for her help. With a grin, Stephanie suggested that if she determined the identity of the new Lady Whistleblower, she might be able to convince them to stop printing soap spoilers and start printing gossip about Xander. ”That would kill two birds with one stone,” Stephanie said.

In the town square cafe, Kristen talked to Li Shin on the phone about her failed attempt to acquire Titan. “It’s a minor setback. I assure you. I have so many irons in the fire; believe me, it won’t be long before Victor Kiriakis’ company is nothing more than a bitter, distant memory,” Kristen said. Ava smirked as she approached Kristen’s table. When Kristen ended her call, she glared at Ava.

Ava told Kristen that it had been rude of her to take Rachel to see “The Nutcracker” when Kristen knew that Brady had planned to take his daughter to the show. Kristen warned Ava that the matter was not her business. “It’s my business because Brady is my friend, and you have screwed him over for the millionth time,” Ava said. Kristen noted that Brady could afford to eat the cost of the ballet tickets.

”Well, don’t worry about that, honey. It’s not going to waste. He invited me. So I guess I’ve got you to thank for that,” Ava said. Kristen sneered. “I knew you were moving in on Brady,” Kristen said. “Take it easy, will you?” Ava said. Ava joked that Brady had offered her a spare ballet ticket, not a proposal. Kristen accused Ava of attempting to steal Brady from her.

”He is not yours to steal, Kristen,” Ava said. “He is the father of my child. And our child is desperately wanting her parents to be together,” Kristen argued. Ava stressed that her only interest was to hang out with a friend at the ballet. Kristen smacked Ava across the face. Ava chuckled ruefully, then slapped Kristen’s face.

”I should have known that you wouldn’t be an adult when Brady said he wanted nothing more to do with you. Actually, I did know. And I predicted this is exactly how you would react,” Ava said. “Well, then you should have ducked,” Kristen hissed. Ava told Kristen that she would not let Kristen push her around.

“I’m not afraid of you,” Ava said. “Maybe you should be,” Kristen growled. Kristen told Ava about how she had abducted Sarah and kept her brainwashed on a remote island. “And then, when she did get home, she was totally batty,” Kristen said. “And you are totally batty if you think you can mess with me, bitch,” Ava countered. Kristen laughed. After Kristen walked away, Ava texted Brady and asked to talk.

Brady returned home to the penthouse and gleefully greeted his little sister, Belle. “I go out of town for two days, and I come back and find you home,” Brady said. “It’s good to be back. I obviously didn’t plan it, but I came back for Doug’s funeral,” Belle explained. Brady apologized for having missed the funeral, and he asked about Julie. Belle told Brady about the service.

“Doug, he had such a long, good life. It was a privilege just to be part of it,” Brady said. Brady asked about Shawn. “We are getting a divorce,” Belle admitted. Belle told Brady the whole story, and she confessed that her marriage had been over for a long time. “We just hadn’t admitted it to each other,” Belle said. “I’m here for you,” Brady said. Belle asked Brady about his kids, and he gave her an update.

”Any exciting developments in your love life?” Belle asked. Brady said no but that he did have a date scheduled for the weekend. Belle asked about the lady. When Brady said Ava, Belle’s smile disappeared. “I didn’t even know you two knew each other,” Belle said. Brady explained that he had become friends with Ava. Belle noted that the upside to her divorce was that she did not have to tell Shawn that her brother was going on a date with the woman who had killed Shawn’s father.

“Her father was drugging her at the time if you recall. She wasn’t in her right mind,” Brady argued. “Well, then let’s talk about all the other horrific things she did when she wasn’t drugged,” Belle countered. With a groan, Brady said he regretted opening up to Belle. Brady said he knew that no one would approve of the relationship, but his only worry was how Kristen would take the news.

”So Kristen’s still hung up on you, huh?” Belle teased. “Staked her claim,” Brady countered. Belle asked how. Brady told Belle about how Kristen had blackmailed Xander and how he had intervened with Kristen to help Sarah. Belle was not surprised that Kristen had misunderstood the situation. “Kristen does not handle rejection well,” Belle said. Belle reminded Brady that Kristen had gone to extremes to break up his relationship with Chloe.

”But Ava, she’s gone toe-to-toe with opponents much tougher than Kristen. I think she can hold her own,” Brady said. Brady looked at his phone and groaned at the number of messages. “You heard I went back to Basic Black?” Brady said. Belle admitted that she was surprised that Brady had decided to return there. “Xander had a sudden attack of conscience after he blamed me for Sarah’s accident,” Brady said. Belle raised a suspicious eyebrow. “That’s a first,” Belle said. Brady told Belle that Xander had attempted to murder him.

After Brady told Belle the whole story, he admitted that he was not surprised that Xander had gone to extremes to protect Sarah. Belle told Brady that she hoped Xander had been generous with the salary and benefits. Brady’s phone beeped with a text from Ava asking him to meet in the square. Brady said he had to go, and he asked about Belle’s travel plans. Belle admitted that she was flying out of town that night. Brady told Belle that he missed her and made her promise to visit. After Brady left, Belle stared at her wedding rings. With a sigh, Belle removed her rings and placed them on the coffee table. Philip knocked on the door.

“It’s so good to see you,” Belle said as she hugged Philip. Philip saw Belle’s rings on the table and admitted that Shawn had told him about the divorce. “I’m sorry to hear it. For both of you,” Philip said. “I think Shawn and I both know it was the right decision. I hope he was okay when you saw him,” Belle said. Philip said Shawn was fine and that he believed Shawn also felt it was the right decision.

”I was surprised to learn that he was on my side in this case I have against Xander. Which starts tomorrow, as you may know,” Philip said. “I heard. Shouldn’t you be at home, getting ready?” Belle asked. Philip told Belle that his lawyer had quit the case. “I need to hire a new one,” Philip said. “That’s pretty short notice,” Belle said. Since Belle did not get the hint, Philip explicitly asked Belle if she would be his lawyer.

At the DiMera mansion, Kristen paced furiously in the living room. “Who the hell does she think she is? Putting her hands on me? My brother is the district attorney. Hell, I’m Kristen DiMera. God! I could have her in jail or buried with one phone call,” Kristen said. Kristen poured a drink and looked at Stefano’s portrait. “Any ideas how to get Ava Vitali out of my way?” Kristen asked.

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