MARQUETTE COVE COURTHOUSE

Robert Bale stands outside the conference room, pacing back and forth as he awaits the meeting that could quite possibly be the end of his career. On what grounds he could have his license revoked however, Robert is unaware. Though he's betting money that it has something to do with the allegations of abuse that his son has made against him.

"Robert."

He turns to find Felicia Bale behind him, a sympathetic look on her face. Rather than respond in kind, Robert scowls. "What do you want, Felicia?"

"I'm here to support you," she says. "If you need me."

"That's awfully rich," Robert says. "Hasn't everyone all but disowned me?"

"We were married," Felicia says. "I can't just forget about that."

"I really wish you would. Maybe then you'd stop jerking back and forth between feeling sorry for me, and hating me for allegedly raping our son."

The door to the conference room opens, and a secretary steps outside. She wobbles nervously in her heels. There's a large name tag, Amanda, pinned to her chest. Felicia and Robert stare at Amanda uncomfortably, not sure what to say.

"You're...you're wanted in the room, Robert," Amanda says quickly, gesturing inside.

Robert nods and follows her, making sure to slam the door shut in Felicia's face. Irritated, Felicia turns to leave, but stops dead in her tracks when she notices her brother, Michael Hanley, walking through the corridor.

"Michael? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to attend the end of Robert Bale's career as he knows it," Michael says, grinning.



EMERALD HEART

Rebecca Li feels the impact of a fist punching her in the face as soon as she opens the door to her motel room. She staggers back, caught off guard by the attack. Kyle Maddock rubs his fist and enters the room coolly, making sure to shut and lock the door.

"I am not pleased," Kyle says, glaring at Rebecca. "How could you go and fuck things up with Aaron?

"I didn't mean to!" Rebecca cries. "He followed me! He did a background check on me, and he found out that I'm not Dr. Li's husband."

"Of course he discovered my secrets," Kyle says. "But he didn't really discover all of yours, did you? About you andKane? The fact that he's not really your son? That you're only pretending he is in order to keep him in the country."

"I couldn't very well marry him if I was going through with your goddamn plans, could I?" Rebecca demands.

Kyle punches Rebecca in the face again, sending her tumbling to the floor. As he kicks her into the stomach, the front door flies open and Kane rushes inside, grabbing Kyle's arm.

"Leave her alone!" Kane cries.

"Kane! Stop it!" Rebecca says, struggling to breathe as she sits up on the floor. "Just...leave us be for now."

"But mom...I mean, Rebecca," Kane says. "He shouldn't —"

"Leave!" Rebecca shouts.

Kane releases Kyle from his grip and stares at both adults, disgusted. He turns and barrels out of the room, slamming the door shut as he does.

"Now that we're alone," Kyle says, loosening his belt and removing it from his waist. "Let's continue your punishment."

MARQUETTE COVE COURTHOUSE

"I should have known you were responsible for this judiciary meeting," Felicia says, shaking her head. "What is it that Robert has done to you this time?"

"His continued existence?" Michael offers.

"Michael," Felicia says. "Robert's going through enough without you attempting to destroy his life."

"And what about everything Robert has put me through?" Michael demands. "Slandering my name for years while under the impression I was having an affair with my own sister?"

"He didn't know that we were related at the time," Felicia says.

"No, and neither did I," Michael says softly.

"I'm sorry that I allowed you to develop feelings for me, Michael. I should have stopped them."

"It's not your fault," Michael reassures her. "It's that bastard father of ours."

"I did everything I could to keep his secret, and he all but disowned me," Felicia says softly, taking a seat outside the conference room doors.

"Perhaps not," Michael says.

Felicia raises her head. "Excuse me?"

"You want to know why I'm so intent on destroying Robert?" Michael says. "While he's been promoting the tired story of the Hanleys ruining everyone's lives, making myself and Valerie out to be Marquette Cove's very own Merteuil and Valmont, Robert has never had your best interests at heart."

"I'm well aware of the reasons my marriage dissolved."

"Are you?" Michael says. "He wasn't merely intent on sleeping with Melissa Maddock and anything else with breasts. He wanted to destroy your life, Felicia. He wanted to take away everything."

Michael slides his briefcase toward Felicia.

"Take a look."



CONFERENCE ROOM

"Hello, Robert."

Robert Bale is shocked to find Darren Reynolds seated at the large table in his conference room, along with several other prominent attorneys that made up the Marquette Cove judicial board.

"Darren?" Robert says. "What's the meaning of this?"

"You've exhibited misconduct that is unbecoming of a licensed attorney in the state of Illinois," Darren says. "Which is why I made a request to the judicial board that your conduct be reviewed, and for them to make a decision to send to the state board about the revocation of your license."

Robert is dumbfounded. "This is ridiculous!"

"Please, have a seat, Robert," Judge Anderson says, grimacing. "Things will go much easier if you remain calm."



OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM

"I can't believe this," Felicia says, gasping as she glances over her late father's will. "Robert had our father's will changed?"

"Yes," Michael says. "Obviously, those changes still lasted as he contacted Kevin in order to have Valerie prosecuted for arson. And he orchestrated me being left with nothing."

"I...I can't believe it," Felicia says. "How am I supposed to believe this? You're hardly trustworthy yourself!"

"Excuse me?"

"I don't think we need to talk about whatever it was you were doing in your basement with Sean Moore," Felicia whispers. "Like turning him into Elizabeth!"

"Yes, because what I really want in life is to have sex with Sean Moore," Michael says, rolling his eyes. "Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds? It's just more of Robert's conspiracy theories."

"But I don't —"

"And if you were really concerned, you would have told Leslie already, correct?" Michael says. "She's your best friend."

Felicia frowns. "On a good day."

"Well then. I'm glad we talked." Michael gathers his briefcase and the documents pertaining to Kevin's will, tucking them under his arm. "If you'll excuse me...I have a massacre to attend."



MARQUETTE COVE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Kyle Maddock adjusts the ID badge on his collared shirt before approaching the nurse at the hospital psychiatric ward. He leans over the desk. "Brent Zigeler, ma'am."

"Just sign in right there," the nurse says, recognizing him from his previous visits.

"Thank you kindly."

"That girl seems like a lost cause to me, but you just keep on trying. You're a true saint."

"Thanks you," Kyle says. "I appreciate that very much. But I'm no saint."

He signs his name and makes his way through the now unlocked security door. As he walks down a long corridor, he hears whistling and faint cries from the other inhabitants. He ignores them as he reaches a door on the end.

Flashing his badge once more, Kyle steps back and allows the guard to unlock the door to a patient's room. Kyle nods and steps inside, allowing the door to shut.

"Hello, darlin'."

The young woman sits up at the edge of her bed, her dark hair covering her face. She parts the hair, allowing Kyle to look upon her face. He smiles at her and she too, albeit slowly, returns the smile.

"Hello, Kyle," Alexis Lopez says.



MARQUETTE COVE COURTHOUSE

"And so it's done," Judge Anderson says. "By a unanimous vote...Robert Bale, your license to practice law in the State of Illinois has been revoked."

Robert remains seated, stunned as everyone rises and slowly files out of the room. It almost seems a blur. All he sees is Michael shaking hands with Darren after the meeting, and he knows how Michael got his hands on the evidence.

Evidence that was only a result of Valerie Holden approaching him. Taking advantage of his lust for revenge.

Unfortunately for Michael...Robert still has that lust. And now, having lost everything...no one is safe. Not even his former family.