Zende Lays Down the Law to Ridge — and Hope Supports Brooke

In the main office at Forrester, Ridge tells RJ that Brooke’s at Granddad’s house. Donna left some stuff there and she’s going to go pick it up. RJ reflects that seeing Eric hooked up to ventilators must be hard on her. Ridge relays that he told her they’d be working together to finish Eric’s collection. RJ asks if he’s doing OK. He recaps the difficult situation he was in at the hospital and tells him he made the right decision. Ridge tells him they need to finish the collection.

In the design office, Zende goes on to Luna about how unfair it is that Eric’s lying in a hospital bed and can’t finish his collection. Luna hopes Zende no longer feels slighted. Zende is glad Granddad had RJ to rely on. But he was unable to finish what he started, “That’s where I come in. I am determined to work with Ridge to finish his collection.”

At the Forrester mansion, Brooke updates Hope that Eric came through surgery, but then for a few moments they lost him, “He crossed over to the other side.” Hope chooses to believe that when Eric wakes up… Brooke gasps, “You said ‘when’, not ‘if’.” She keeps telling herself the same thing, but she’s scared. How can she not be? Hope tells her tearful mother, “I’m so sorry. I know how much Eric means to you. How much he’s meant to you over the years; how much he still means to you.” She knows this isn’t easy for her, “I need you to tell me, really, how are you doing?”

Brooke has been so focused on Eric and worried about Ridge, Donna, and Bridget, she hasn’t dealt with her own emotions and feelings. They’re all going moment to moment hoping Eric has the quality of life he deserves. She’s spent a lot of her life with Eric, and it’s been incredible. She doesn’t know what she’d do it… Brooke waves her had and tears up as she looks up at Eric’s portrait.

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Brooke gets on the phone with Donna and tells her they’ll get her things together. “We’ll see you as soon as we can.” She disconnects and tells Hope that nothing has changed. The recovery will take some time. Hope says the waiting is the hardest part, especially for Donna. Brooke says Katie’s with her for comfort and support. Brooke knows Eric is trying his hardest to be there with his family who loves him so much. They agree it’s time to come together.

In the design office, Carter and Luna discuss all the calls coming in about Eric. Carter says his absence is being felt in more ways than one. It’s hard to imagine Forrester without him. He hopes it doesn’t come to that. Luna asks, if it does, who will lead the company moving forward. Carter assures her that Forrester will be in good hands with Ridge and Steffy as co-CEOs. It’s sad that no one will ever see Eric’s final designs though. Luna says Zende mentioned that he wants to wrap it up. “He’s adamant on doing it for him.” Carter’s impressed. Luna confides that Zende was hurt when he wasn’t asked to help with the collection before. When he was told why, he understood, but that’s one reason he’s so determined to finish the line. “Let’s just hope Ridge agrees.”

In the main office, RJ advocates for his dad to take a break. Ridge isn’t keen. Zende comes in and says, “Please don’t tell me there’s bad news about Granddad.” Ridge says he’s hanging in there. Zende tells Ridge he did the right thing and goes on about the outpouring from the fashion industry. They have an obligation to Granddad, “To finish his line.” Zende talks about how much Granddad means to him and says his vision was clear. What better way to honor him than to finish his line?

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Ridge agrees wholeheartedly. Zende crows, “Great! I knew that you would be as stoked about this as I am. So, when can you and I get started?” He suggests that R.J. could help out too — he’ll get to see him and his dad in action and learn from them. Ridge asks R.J. to leave for a minute. Zende goes on enthusiastically about finishing the line. Ridge asks him to slow down and tells him he’s right about finishing the collection, “I’ll find a way that you can help R.J. and me.”

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At the Forrester mansion, Hope and Brooke have gathered Donna’s things and Hope says she’s added snacks and water. Brooke wants to get back to the hospital as soon as possible, but she also wants to be there for Ridge, who is struggling with his decision while trying to keep the company going. “He is insisting on finishing Eric’s line. With R.J.” Hope and Brooke feel this is a positive thing that’s come out of the situation.

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In the design office, RJ tells Luna that Ridge wants to collaborate with him to finish his granddad’s collection. Luna hugs him but thinks about Zende telling her he’s determined to work with Ridge.

In the main office, Ridge tells Zende he’s a talented designer, but R.J. started this with Eric and he’s going to finish it. Zende gets that he wants to work with his son, but he’s green. Zende lists off his schooling and what he can bring to the table. “I want to do this for Granddad. I owe it to him for everything he’s done for me.” R.J. can help, “But you and I can’t let Granddad down.” He declares, “You will have collections with your son, but not this one. Not this time. Not with my Granddad’s final collection.”

Next on The Bold and the Beautiful: Finn admits his greatest fear to Steffy, and Zende makes a startling realization and shares it with Luna.

Gang’s all here! See the Bold & Beautiful 2023 cast photo in the gallery below.

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