Brooke Swears Deacon to Secrecy — and Steffy Goes Ballistic When Ridge Proposes Brooke Become Co-CEO

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At Il Giardino, Sheila listens as Deacon expresses disbelief to Brooke, who has just told him that Hope has feelings for Finn. Brooke says it’s eating her up inside and isn’t something she’s proud of. Deacon muses, “Hope’s got the hots for Steffy’s husband.” Sheila looks thoughtful.

Brooke warns Deacon she has to keep this to himself. There’s nothing going on with them, Hope’s just starting to have feelings for Finn. Deacon guesses she wants him to keep an eye on them. Brooke says if it was up to Steffy, she’d never let Finn in here ever again. Sheila rolls her eyes. Brooke repeats that Deacon cannot tell anyone his daughter has an attraction for the doctor. “Anyone at all.” Sheila makes a face.

In the main office at Forrester, Steffy sighs and flashes to her last conversation in which Finn assured her Hope wouldn’t be a problem for them. Hope comes in. She thought Ridge called a meeting. Steffy says he did. Hope asks what it’s about. Steffy doesn’t know, but the way things are going she’s prepared for anything. Hope turns to leave, but Steffy wants to talk to her alone. “It’s about my husband.”

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Hope doesn’t think Finn’s a good topic for them. Steffy agrees, and hopes this is the last time they discuss him. She says they had a conversation about her and she needs to know what they talked about. Steffy can’t tell her what to feel about her father or Sheila. If she wants to put her family in harm’s way, that’s up to her. What she doesn’t expect is for her to try to encourage her husband to feel the same way. “You need to keep your distance from Finn.” Ridge walks in and says, “Alright. What’s going on here?”

Hope thinks Steffy is over-reacting a little bit. Steffy asks, “Because I’m questioning your judgment?” Hope doesn’t think it’s fair to her or Finn. Steffy asks Ridge if he sees what’s going on here. “Why are you telling me about my husband?” Hope says she’s not doing that. Steffy says she is, and she’s been doing it a lot lately. Ridge tells Hope he knows she means well, but Steffy’s explained why Finn can’t be around his Birth Mother™. Steffy tells Hope if she disagrees with that, she shouldn’t be around her husband. He understands the gravity of this and always puts his family first. Carter comes in and Steffy asks what the meeting is about. Ridge says they’re waiting for one more person. “Brooke.”

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At Il Giardino, Brooke tells Deacon he needs to handle what she told him carefully. It’s complicated because of Steffy, Ridge, and the company. “It could affect so much.” Deacon is just concerned about Hope. Sheila continues to listen as Brooke tells Deacon that Hope feels Steffy doesn’t appreciate her husband enough and that she’s being controlling of Finn, especially where Sheila’s concerned. Deacon sees where Hope’s coming from. Brooke tells him that’s not helpful. Deacon argues that Sheila is Finn’s Birth Mother™ and Steffy has nothing to worry about. Brooke shoots him a look. Deacon’s just glad that Hope’s keeping an open mind. Brooke says Hope has concerns about Sheila too. She has to get back to the office. Deacon thanks her for telling him. Brooke reminds him to keep mum. She thinks she got through to her, and hopes she’ll put an end to her feelings for Steffy’s husband. Sheila shakes her head.

Later, Deacon takes a call from Hollis and assures him he’ll check the temperature of the fridge. He then wonders where Sheila is before flashing back to their wedding. Sheila appears and greets her “handsome husband”. They canoodle and he asks where she’s been. Sheila shrugs, “Nowhere, really,” and asks if she missed something. Deacon says she didn’t. The flirt but Sheila thinks he has something on his mind. Deacon says it’s just work. Sheila can’t stop thinking about Finn stopping by earlier. She knows he wants to know her. She could be a big part of his life if not for Steffy.

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At Forrester, they’re still waiting for Brooke and Hope asks for a showing for her line. Steffy says it’s not a good idea and Ridge says Carter will look at the numbers. Brooke arrives and apologizes for losing track of time. There was someone she had to see. Ridge says it’s time to change gears. “This is important. It has to do with the future of Forrester Creations.”

At Il Giardino, Sheila tells Deacon it’s so painful knowing that her son would accept her but Steffy keeps pulling him away. Deacon argues, “She’s his wife, babe.” Sheila rants that there’s no reasoning with Steffy, who is so unforgiving. She refuses to acknowledge that she’s changed. Deacon and Finn have seen it, even Hope is willing to show her some understanding. Deacon warns his kid isn’t exactly joining the Sheila Carter Fan Club. Sheila argues she came to their wedding. Deacon warns her against trying to muscle into Finn and Steffy’s family. Sheila wonders what her life would be like if her son was with a woman who was willing to give her a chance.

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At Forrester, Steffy asks Ridge if this is a new issue. Ridge says it’s something they need to re-evaluate. It’s him, and who he is in this company. He needs to focus on design. Especially with Thomas and his dad out of the picture. Ridge loves working with Steffy, and he can’t wait to see how she leads this company forward. Hope asks if he’s stepping down as CEO. Ridge is stepping up and will still be there if they need something. Steffy says the company needs his leadership. Ridge argues if they don’t have something to sell, they don’t have a company. He tells his daughter that he doesn’t want to put her in a position where she drowns, not if they have someone who can help who has been at the company for years. He took the liberty of talking to their biggest buyers, and to International, and spoke to them about the bedroom line. They were all very excited. Not just about the line, but also the icon behind the line.

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Brooke gasps, “Ridge, you didn’t have to do that.” He’s glad he did because it reminded him of how important she is to Forrester and how happy he’d be if she’d just say yes. Steffy asks, “Say yes to what?” Ridge tells Brooke, “I can’t let this go.” He tells the table, “I want Brooke to be on the executive team.” Steffy gawps, “What?” She thinks he can’t be serious, “You want Brooke to be our co-CEO?” Ridge doesn’t care about titles and neither does Brooke. Hope thinks it’s a wonderful idea. Carter says the clientele would love it. Steffy asks her father, “Did you think I’d be OK with this? Why didn’t you come to me in private? We’re a team. Brooke and I… we definitely aren’t. She’s not going to listen to me, and I’m not going to listen to her. I am not running our family business, Forrester Creations, with Brooke Logan!”

Preview! Brooke’s corporate move vexes Steffy

Next on The Bold and the Beautiful: Katie confesses her mixed emotions to Bill about his sudden family, and Brooke’s corporate decision vexes Steffy.