Eric fires Ridge from the company after finding out he’s marrying Taylor
In the heart of Los Angeles, Forester Creations stood as a beacon of fashion and legacy, a dynasty built on creativity, ambition, and the intricate web of personal relationships that often blurred the lines between business and emotion. The morning Eric Forester called an executive meeting, the atmosphere shifted palpably. The staff sensed the tension, designers exchanged nervous glances, and whispers filled the hallways. This was not just another routine meeting; it was a reckoning.
As Eric stood at the head of the table, flanked by Ridge, Stephy, Thomas, Hope, Brooke, and Carter, his expression was resolute. He was not merely the founder of the company; he was its backbone, its legacy. Today, however, he was ready to make a bold move. “If Ridge cannot clarify his future with Brooke, with Taylor, or alone,” he declared, his voice cutting through the silence, “then I can no longer allow him to remain at the center of this company’s leadership. His indecision is infecting every part of this business.” The room fell silent, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. “Effective immediately, I’m appointing Stephy as acting CEO of Forester Creations.”
The shock was palpable. Ridge’s mouth opened, but no words came out. Stephy, initially stunned, quickly collected herself, stepping into her new role with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Thomas leaned forward, intrigued by the implications of this shift, while Hope turned her gaze toward Ridge, half-expecting him to object. But he didn’t. That was the crux of the problem—Ridge had never truly taken a stand.
Eric continued, “This company is a dynasty, but it’s also a business, and we’ve let it become a stage for personal drama. That ends today. Stephy knows what this brand needs. Until Ridge can decide who he is outside of Brooke Logan or Taylor Hayes, he’ll be better off with fewer responsibilities.” The impact of Eric’s decision rippled through the company, igniting a fierce competition between Thomas and Hope for the coveted position of creative director.
Thomas, confident in his lineage and experience, believed the role was rightfully his. He had poured his heart into the collections, proving himself time and again. Hope, however, had a different perspective. “I’ve co-led the most profitable brand in the company for the last five years,” she reminded Stephy privately. “If anyone is going to lead creatively, it should be me.” Stephy, however, offered no promises. “Impress me. Convince me,” she challenged, igniting a creative war within the walls of Forester Creations.
As the days passed, the tension escalated. Thomas leaned into tradition, crafting designs that echoed the elegance of Forester’s past, while Hope embraced innovation, integrating modern fabrics and sustainable practices into her vision. The design rooms became battlegrounds, with interns whispering about which side was rising, and models caught in the crossfire of competing visions. Ridge, meanwhile, spiraled, watching his daughter rise and feeling the sting of his own inaction.
Brooke, observing from a distance, had not returned to Ridge’s side. Instead, she focused on her work, consulting with international partners and organizing brand partnerships without drama. This newfound clarity drove Ridge mad. Stephy, now fully in command, held a closed-door meeting with Thomas and Hope, issuing an ultimatum: “You have one week, one mini collection, three looks each. We’ll present them side by side, and the board will vote on which vision will lead our next season.”
The announcement sent shockwaves through the company. Thomas isolated himself in his studio, working late nights, while Hope brought in external collaborators, aiming to disrupt the status quo. As the presentation day approached, tensions reached a boiling point. Accusations flew, and Ridge attempted to mediate, but his voice no longer held authority. Stephy realized that leadership required decisiveness, not sentiment.
The day of the presentation arrived, and the showroom buzzed with anticipation. Thomas’s collection, dramatic and architectural, received polite applause, but it was Hope’s collection that stole the show. Models of all shapes and genders walked the runway, embodying inclusion and evolution. The applause was thunderous, and younger executives nodded in approval. After both collections were showcased, Stephy took the floor, acknowledging the merit in both visions but ultimately declaring, “Effective immediately, Hope Logan will take the lead as creative director for the Hope for the Future division.”
Gasps filled the room. Thomas had won the technical skill war, but Hope had won the room. Later that evening, Ridge found Eric standing on the showroom floor, gazing at a decades-old photo of the original Forester team. “You were right,” Ridge admitted quietly. “I didn’t choose, and the company chose without me.” Eric nodded, understanding the weight of Ridge’s realization.
Across town, Brooke stood on her balcony, champagne in hand, reading the breaking news. “Hope Logan named creative director after Forester powers shift.” A smile crept across her face. She had gained something Ridge hadn’t expected—clarity. In an unannounced press appearance, Brooke stepped up to a microphone, declaring her commitment to empowering women over 50. “I believe it’s time women are seen as leaders, creators, and voices of change,” she proclaimed, leaving Ridge to watch in stunned silence.
As Brooke’s confidence grew, Ridge felt a gaping emptiness in his chest. For the first time, she wasn’t chasing him, and he didn’t like the feeling. Stephy, who had fought to reinforce her mother’s position beside Ridge, found herself disarmed. Without Brooke in the spotlight, there was no target, no opponent to contrast Taylor’s grace. Ridge began to navigate his emotions without external noise, and the truth became harder to deny.
Meanwhile, Nick Marone, misreading the moment, saw an opportunity. He sent flowers and letters, hoping to step into the space Ridge had left vacant. But Brooke’s transformation was undeniable. She wasn’t looking to be saved; she was empowered. When Nick asked if she saw a future for them, Brooke smiled kindly and said, “I don’t know yet. Maybe, but I’m not going to fill one empty place with another.”
As Ridge continued to wander through his uncertainty, one memory kept returning to him—a moment of Brooke laughing in his arms during a thunderstorm. That moment had never left him, and now that she was truly gone, he realized she wasn’t waiting for him anymore. She was inviting him to grow, to become worthy, not by default, but by design.
In the world of Forester Creations, nothing could have been more destabilizing than that. Brooke didn’t just walk away from Ridge; she redefined the entire board. Now, everyone—Ridge, Stephy, Nick—was left scrambling to catch up. The legacy of Forester Creations was shifting, and at its center was a woman who had found her voice, her power, and her purpose.
