Nick returned to Ian’s motel room and found Chance, who informed him he’d requested a search warrant. Nick updated him on his progress: he’d knocked on every door and showed Sharon’s photo to everyone he could find, but no one had seen her. The manager mentioned he had spotted a woman with long blonde hair in Ian’s room. “That’s pretty vague,” Chance said. Nick then shared that he’d nearly caught the woman earlier. “When I was leaving the office, I saw a woman running across the parking lot. She had long blonde hair and was wearing glasses. I yelled at her to stop, but she got into a black pickup truck and drove off before I could get a good look at her face.”
Chance had the lab check the fingerprints he’d collected, hoping for answers. Nick believed the woman he saw was the same one in the surveillance videos. He mentioned something about the way she moved, like she didn’t want to be seen, almost like a rat in the shadows. “Does that sound crazy?” Nick asked. He also noted that the truck had no plates at the front or back, which Chance thought was suspicious. He quickly put out an APB for the truck. Nick reminded him that Phyllis had described a blonde woman in a dark pickup truck who had run her off the road. “We need to find her before she hurts Sharon—or anyone else,” Nick said.
The lab soon notified Chance that the fingerprints belonged to Jordan Howard. While the prison confirmed she was still in her cell, they sent over a picture of her, and Nick quickly dismissed it, saying the woman in the photo wasn’t Jordan. They realized Jordan was on the loose and working with Ian. “I need to tell my father. My whole family is in danger,” Nick said urgently.
Meanwhile, Sharon, still trapped in the sewer, heard Nick’s voice calling her name. As she regained consciousness, she weakly spoke, “You’re here to save me… again.” But Nick’s vision reassured her that this time, she had to fight her way out on her own. “You’re stronger than you think,” Nick encouraged her. Despite her drugged state and weakness, Sharon was reluctant to move, but Nick urged her on, offering his hand to help her stand. Before she could take it, Nick vanished, leaving Sharon pleading for him not to leave her. She fell back into unconsciousness.
Back at the ranch, Claire confided in Nikki and Victoria that she had lied to Jordan, telling her that she was planning to kill
Victoria for her inheritance. Claire explained that Jordan wanted Nikki and Victor to experience the same pain and loss. Jordan called, concerned that “Detective Chancellor” was investigating her motel room and wondered if Claire had tipped him off. Claire assured her that wasn’t the case, but Jordan feared that the DNA and fingerprints left behind would identify her. Claire suggested she hide out at the ranch since no one would expect her there. Nikki was opposed to the idea, but Claire argued it was the best move to keep control over Jordan.
Victoria, still shocked by Claire’s cold demeanor, acknowledged that Claire was only doing what needed to be done, though it was hard for her to accept. Claire was focused, believing that Jordan had to be eliminated before she took anyone else’s life. Nikki, reluctantly agreeing, understood that as long as Jordan was alive, everyone they cared about was at risk.
With the decision made, Claire and Jordan met in the park, where Claire reassured her that she had no involvement in the detective’s investigation. Jordan initially suspected Ian, but Claire insisted that it was Jordan’s responsibility to handle things properly. Claire also warned Jordan not to jeopardize her plans, as she had done before. Jordan reluctantly admitted that Ian had been distracted by Mariah, but Claire reminded her that Mariah had no interest in Ian.
At the ranch house, Victor was on the phone with his security team, trying to locate Ian. Nick and Chance arrived, revealing that Ian was working with Jordan and that they had an imposter in Jordan’s cell. Nick also relayed that Jordan was likely the person seen in the security footage kidnapping Sharon. They had an APB out on her, and it seemed that Ian’s return to Genoa City was to pursue Mariah, while Jordan was after Claire. Victor was concerned about the Newmans’ actions and warned that they needed to be prepared for what was coming next.
Claire and Jordan, meanwhile, were in the tack house, where Claire prepared tea and reassured Jordan that she was safe there. But as they sat down, Claire began asking probing questions. When she tried to inquire about Heather Stevens’ murder, Jordan’s defenses went up. Claire maintained that her questions were to ensure there were no surprises. Eventually, Jordan admitted that Ian had killed Heather and framed Sharon to create an opening with Mariah. Claire guessed that Ian had been using Mariah’s grief to reconnect with her. When Claire asked where Sharon was, Jordan revealed that Sharon was in a “safe place,” but refused to give her the location. Claire insisted on knowing, but Jordan remained firm, telling her to trust her.
As Claire pressed further, she grew suspicious, urging Jordan to stop being so guarded. Just as Jordan took a sip of tea, Claire stopped her, signaling the tense nature of their conversation was far from over.
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