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After Steve explains Alex’s frat boy police record to Kayla at the Pub, he asks for her help on his Titan-DiMera case. Has Stephanie said anything related to Philip’s or Alex’s business dealings? All Kayla can recall is that Stephanie broke up with Philip because she saw a side to him that made her sick. A side that puts business and power above everything else, just like Victor.

Alex wishes Stephanie a happy book birthday at her apartment and presents her with a hard copy of One Stormy Night. She grows emotional and thanks her supportive boyfriend for making it happen. Alex breaks off their make-out session so he can get to the office and dig into whoever is looking into the Titan-DiMera merger. Stephanie reacts to the alias the investigator is using — Daniel Lucas — but covers with Alex. Once alone, she summons her Papa.

When Steve gets there, Stephanie asks why he’s investigating her boyfriend’s company. She knows Daniel Lucas is the name he used when he went undercover with Marcus Hunter. Steve can’t break confidentiality, and also can’t allow her to warn Alex of a potential threat. After more back and forth, Steve realizes Stephanie knows more than she’s letting on.

Gabi Makes It Official

At Titan-DiMera, Gabi and Xander agree to forget about their kiss and keep things professional. Well, not too professional. Xander needs parenting advice, specifically about what red flags to look for in a nanny that he doesn’t really want. Gabi tells him he’s the red flag (ding, ding, ding) because he’s a control freak. He can’t manage his daughter the way he does his company. Speaking of the company, Gabi has ideas for how to make it better, but Alex’s arrival takes precedence.

After Gabi leaves, Alex reports that the person looking into them is using an alias, so there’s no way to find out who they are. Xander calls his failure unacceptable. Everything about the merger was above board, but as Alex knows, their leadership structure is compromised because of Philip’s fraud. Xander wants to hire Stephanie to help them get ahead of the story, but Alex isn’t sure she’ll be up for it. Xander instructs him to make it happen. He won’t want to see what happens if he fails him again.

Marlena Needs a Break

With Marlena at home, Belle beats herself up about falling for EJ and how disappointed John would be in her. She gets a call about Johnny firing EJ as his attorney and updates Marlena on Johnny thinking EJ is behind the deepfake video of Chanel. It’s just one more wakeup call for her. She’ll never get involved with someone she doesn’t respect or who doesn’t respect her again. Marlena is so proud of her — and her dad would be too.

Later, Kayla runs into Marlena at the hospital, who declares she’s taking a leave of absence. She’ll treat a few private patients, but she can’t heal anyone until she heals herself. Kayla puts together a list of grief groups that could help her feel not so alone. Touched, Marlena knows there are so many people around who love her.

EJ’s Life Is in Ruins

Chanel comes home to Johnny, who scrutinizes the video of her threatening EJ. She orders him to stop trying to prove it’s a deepfake and focus on clearing his name. Johnny won’t let her take the heat for something she didn’t do. Chanel freaks out when she learns Johnny fired his father and plans to represent himself. Johnny assures his wife he’s got this. Everything will be okay.

After failing to stay on as Johnny’s lawyer, EJ bemoans to Tony that his life is in ruins. Tony deduces that he had the video of Chanel doctored. If EJ wants to salvage his relationship with Johnny, Tony advises he do something not in their father’s playbook: admit he was wrong and beg for forgiveness.

Later, Gabi assures Tony that she’s getting close to uncovering information that will help him undermine the Titan-DiMera takeover. But putting their agreement in writing will give her the incentive to cross the finish line. After making a few small additions (use of the DiMera jet, $500K life insurance and protections for Ari should something happen to her), Gabi signs on the dotted line.

Alone in the courtroom, Belle confronts a despondent EJ. He’s let everyone down in his life after they’ve given him chance after chance. He better get used to however he’s feeling right now.

When Chanel and Johnny arrive, Johnny lashes out at his father for destroying his wife in open court. EJ tries to defend himself, but Johnny accuses him of forcing him to choose between him and Chanel. “Guess what? I chose Chanel.”