"You can't let this happen" Rick implored his mother about the Forresters' determination to boot Rick out of the company. Brooke then asked to speak to Rick alone but Ridge urged, "Rick has to go." Rick and Brooke exited the room and Stephanie asked why Eric left the decision to Brooke. He said that he was simply trying to be fair while Donna said that Rick shouldn't be punished for making a mistake. Felicia suggested that Thorne be appointed president and his family agreed.

Steffy shared with Bridget that Rick may be fired from Forrester Creations because of their relationship. "He doesn't deserve to lose his job over this," Steffy lamented, then asked Bridget if she thought Rick was being a user. Bridget didn't think so but explained how she fell in love with the wrong guys before. She pointed out that Steffy only has one dad and that there will be many boyfriends to come.

In another room, Brooke tried to reason with Rick, who whined how his happiness has always been destroyed by Ridge. Rick explained that the position of president was his way of trying to reunite him and his parents as a family. Brooke pointed out that he blew that chance when he fell for Steffy, but she couldn't figure out if her son was being honest or manipulative. Rick insisted that being president is "all that I have left." Brooke recounted his lies and deceit, then announced that she was cutting him loose from the company. Ridge overheard and Brooke said she would tell the rest of the family. Ridge told Rick he wanted him out of the building in an hour. Rick warned that he will always be in Steffy's heart.

Brooke returned to Eric's office, where her in-laws anxiously awaited her decision. Observing Brooke's demeanor, Stephanie guessed that Rick is out and Brooke nodded her head. Later, she was crying when Ridge approached and assured her that she made the right decision. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart," Ridge declared to an obviously conflicted Brooke. Meanwhile, Steffy stopped by to see Rick, who revealed that he was fired. She was shocked when he then proposed.