The driveway is filled with cars and caterers as the sun begins to set and Donna is speechless. She pulls her black silk wrap around her as Michael jumps down the front steps and walks in her direction. Seeing him in a tuxedo comes as a shock.

"It looks like your mother has gone all out for this one!" Donna laughs and glancing around the side of the house, she can see smoke rising from a row of gas barbecues. "Isabelle is a virtual Martha Stewart."

Michael rolls his eyes, "My mother is so much better than Martha Stewart."

Donna laughs as Michael puts an arm around her before leading her across the driveway towards the house. As soon as they step inside, Isabelle notices them and turns her head from the caterer she is dealing with to give them a wink.

"How do you think she will react when we tell her the news?" Donna steps into the drawing room where a whole tray of drinks is waiting.

"It should make her night."

"As long as my father hasn't followed us here."

"Hey, you can't keep worrying about that. Just have one night without thinking about him."

"I'll try." The conversation causes Donna to down her cocktail in one and an uncomfortable silence is broken when Isabelle appears in the doorway.

"Michael." She beckons her son who immediately rushes to her. "I need help directing the caterers. I hate to split you two up but I can't handle it on my own."

"It's no problem." Donna waves a hand. "Take him."

"Thanks." Without letting Michael say a word, Isabelle pulls him out of the room by his arm leaving Donna alone.

She thinks to herself that it would be a good idea to leave the drinking until later and decides to go and help the cause outside. As she walks down the hallway, she hears shuffling in the kitchen and steps inside.

"Hello?"

"Oh. Donna." Lauren looks up. She is seated by the kitchen counter, moving her wedding band up and down her finger. Pushing hair out of her eyes allows Donna to see how pale and drawn she is looking.

"Are you okay? You don't look so good."

"Uh huh." She moves self-consciously, as if trying to escape the confinement of her tight black dress.

"Michael told me you've been having problems recently."

"Problems?" Lauren laughs wryly. "It's more than problems Donna. I think my marriage is over."

As she prepares herself to come up with a suitable reply, Donna hears a noise behind her and turns to find John standing in the doorway.

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

In the dimly lit parking garage, Julia drops her attaché case to the ground and searches her purse for her car keys. "Come out come out wherever you are…" She says to herself before finally pulling out the remote control for the car lock.

Having changed in her office into a characteristically revealing maroon cocktail dress, Julia opens the car door with precision so as not to stain the material. She throws her attaché case onto the passenger seat but hesitates from getting in herself when a black limousine makes its way across the garage towards her.

"May I help you?" She asks sharply as the limousine door opens.

"You already have my dear." Bobby Santadio steps out in a tuxedo and smiles widely before kissing her hand.

"You cut quite a dashing figure Bobby. Going somewhere?"

"I was hoping to. You see my evening was turning out to be so dull and I thought…why not take a beautiful woman out to dinner?"

"That would be me I suppose." Julia grins, deciding against false modesty.

"Of course. So…would you like to come with me?" He keeps her hand in his, waiting for a response.

"That sounds delightful Bobby but unfortunately I have a party to gatecrash. Of course…you could always come with me…"

"What party is it?"

"A Wheeler family gathering in Napa. I'm looking forward to whatever histrionics I'll be treated to this time. The whole family should be there."

Bobby stares into her eyes pensively, "Including Michael?"

"Yes including Michael. You have quite an interest in him don't you?"

"It's purely business, I can assure you."

Julia's eyes sparkle, "With a man as dull as Michael, I don't doubt it."

"You're a very wicked woman Julia."

"I try to be."

"Hmm." Bobby eyes her up and down and nods in agreement. "I'll drive up in my car and meet you at the house."

"Okay. See you there."

Bobby returns to his limousine and waits for Julia to drive out before following. As they head off down the street, the chauffeur speaks. "She's very beautiful Mr Santadio. Do you have plans for her?"

Glancing through his window, Bobby looks up at the magnificent Wheeler building reaching into the night sky. "I always have plans Antonio. And I get the feeling that my relationship with Julia Wheeler is going to be business and pleasure."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Talking about me?" John enters the kitchen and walks past Donna towards his wife.

"I was just…" Lauren stammers.

"I heard what you were doing. You think our marriage is over. And whose fault would it be if it was?"

"Not mine!" Lauren jumps up from her seat and slams a hand down onto the kitchen counter. "It's not my fault that you're allowing Mindy to manipulate you."

"Mindy is not manipulating me!" John shouts at his wife in frustration.

Lauren glances at an uncomfortable Donna. "Do you really have to embarrass me in front of my friend?"

"Friend?" John scoffs. "She probably knows just as much as I do, how sick you are."

"I am not sick!" Lauren screams.

"I think I should leave." Donna edges towards the door but John stops her.

"No it's okay Donna. I'll go. The state she's in at the moment I can't even bear to look at her."

"I have done everything I can to help you John. It's not my fault if you're blind to that woman!" Lauren's voice breaks from screaming when she sees John about to exit. "Don't walk out on me!"

The door slams making her jolt. Crossing her arms, she moves towards the French windows and stares out at the garden. Luckily none of the caterers seem to have heard the debacle. Donna follows her, unsure of what to say. "It will all blow over…"

"Don't patronize me." Lauren snaps and spins round. "The only way to get rid of the tension between us is to get rid of Mindy."

"You're being irrational. I'm concerned about you. Michael is too."

"Huh." Lauren laughs. "At least someone gives a damn."

"We all do. There are a lot of people who care about you."

"John doesn't." Lauren retorts, walking away. "He doesn't care at all thanks to Mindy. I wonder why I ever married him."

"You don't mean that."

Lauren rests her hands on the counter, "Yes I do. He's making my life a misery." She lifts a hand up, knocking a tray of empty glasses next to her. One of them lands on the floor and Lauren stares at it, her aggression mounting.

"Come on." Donna puts her hands on Lauren's shoulders to lead her away but they are shaken off.

"I hate them." Lauren spits and her voice wavers with uncontrollable anger. "I hate them."

Picking up one of the glasses from the tray, she hurls it with all her strength across the room. It smashes on the ground and Donna rushes to Lauren to stop her. "Lauren don't."

Grabbing another one, she throws it with just as much force, her body stiffening.

"Lauren." Donna shouts, her voice drowned out by the smashing glass. "Lauren!"

Smash

"Don't do this…"

Smash

"Lauren."

Smash

"Lauren!" Donna screams and forcefully puts an arm around her to stop her from continuing the assault. "Stop!"

"Why is this happening to me?" Lauren's voice breaks as she begins to sob. "Why?" Without warning, her body goes limp and she drops to the floor.

"Oh my God." Donna crouches down and puts a hand to her face. "Lauren can you hear me?"

Palace Hotel: San Francisco

Mindy enters her hotel room and switches on the lights. At least Adam seems to be doing okay, She thinks to herself. The strains of visiting her son in the cold, sterile hospital room seem to be drawing Mindy towards collapsing in comfort on the bed. But she knows that if she is going to get rid of Lauren once and for all, then it has to be done tonight.

Picking up the phone she asks the hotel switchboard to put her through to Barbara Sanderson in San Diego. Barbara calling Isabelle has put Mindy's whole plan in jeopardy and now it is time for damage control.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Mindy blasts the older woman as soon as she picks up the phone.

"Excuse me?"

"I warned you specifically not to contact the Wheelers. It wouldn't take long for Lauren to connect me to you and the story wouldn't have a very happy ending."

"Alright. I suppose it was a little hasty of me."

Mindy sighs and rolls her eyes. "It's too late now, I've had to change the plan. The family is having a barbecue tonight in the valley. I think it would be a good idea if you went there."

"What for?" The idea seems to strike Barbara as being a little dangerous.

If only you knew. "To finish what you started."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Come on." Her heart racing, Donna continues to gently tap on Lauren's cheek, willing her to wake up.

"Oh God." Lauren forces the words out incoherently and slowly opens her eyes. At first they dart about to ascertain exactly where she is but it doesn't take her long to remember when she sees the smashed glass spread all over the floor like a pool of water.

"Have you hurt yourself?"

"No. I'm fine." Ignoring the dizziness which has returned, Lauren clutches at Donna to pull herself up off the ground.

"Maybe I should take you to the hospital. I can't do much for you here."

"Absolutely not." Lauren snaps irritably. "I don't want to ruin this party for my mother any more than I already have. Just take me outside. The air might do me good."

Fighting back the urge to slam Lauren for being so cavalier about the incident, Donna grasps her arm tightly and leads her through the French window onto the patio where Michael turns to face them.

"What's going on?" He panics, noticing the glazed look in his sister's eyes.

"Lauren had a little fall in the kitchen. There's some smashed glass. Perhaps you could get someone to…"

"Yeah." Michael cuts her off and calls out to get the maid's attention. "Pilar could you check out the kitchen. Some glasses have been broken."

"Course Mr Wheeler." Pilar obediently strides inside and shakes her head at the mess.

"Do you want to go to bed Lauren? I'm sure mother won't mind."

"Oh for God's sake I'm fine! Stop trying to be my nanny, both of you. I just need air."

Michael forcefully grabs his sister from Donna. "If you want air you can come for a walk with me. I'm sorry." He turns to Donna with a pained expression in his eyes and she shrugs.

Slightly annoyed, she watches them walk off towards the pool but her attention is quickly stolen when she hears shouting.

"What is this? Couldn't you stay away?" Isabelle hisses at Julia.

"I have a guest. Could you try to show some class?"

Isabelle narrows her eyes and diverts her gaze to the handsome man standing at Julia's side. His looks are dark but the wide smile he is showing has the desired effect. "Please forgive me Mrs Masters. If you'd like me to leave…"

"No it's fine."

"This is Bobby Santadio." Julia beams. "Donna's father."

Taken aback, Isabelle shakes his hand. "I…I never knew her father was in town. It's very nice to meet you Mr Santadio."

"Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here."

"Father." Donna steps up behind the group and shows blatant discomfort at his arrival.

"Donella!" He cries which is mixed with bemused expressions from Greg and Isabelle. "I bet you thought you'd never see me here."

"I hoped I wouldn't." She retorts and sensing the tension Greg leaves to fix some drinks. He takes Donna and Isabelle's glasses but neither seem to notice.

Deciding to allow the father and daughter to talk in private, Isabelle moves round to Julia's side and appraises her attire. Through a fixed smile she mutters her conclusion. "Oh you're dressed like a hooker. What a surprise."

Julia turns to face her and grins widely not wanting people to notice the argument. "Jealous old woman? You probably should be. It worked wonders for Greg after all." She eyes Isabelle up and down. "So what look are you going for? Barbara Bush?"

Before a speechless Isabelle can find the words to reply, Julia steps away laughing and Greg returns drink in hand. "What was that all about?" He asks.

"Just Julia being Julia." Isabelle accepts her champagne flute from Greg and takes a sip before muttering under her breath, "Bitch."

* * *

"What do you want?" Donna keeps her voice steady.

Bobby chuckles, "Among other things…Julia. And teaching your beau a lesson would please me too." He glances over at Michael and Lauren who are greeting Guy and Cassie at the other end of the patio.

"Jake put Lucas to sleep upstairs." Isabelle looks down suspiciously at the video camera Guy is holding.

"Good." Cassie replies. "I know he was tired."

As Isabelle turns to address Lauren, Guy and Cassie spot Jake lurking by the French windows into the kitchen. He doesn't notice them but Cassie smiles contentedly. "You know the plan right?"

"Yeah. I know the plan." Guy holds the video camera up to his eye and moves it around. "Home videos with a twist."

* * *

An hour has passed and as the family is seated in various places on the lawn, basking in the moonlight, Michael takes Donna's hand and pulls her up from their table. He feels guilty leaving Lauren there alone with John but as neither seem to be speaking, it doesn't seem too dangerous.

"It's time." He whispers in her ear and leads her to a position, which puts them in full view of the whole family.

"Okay. I'm bracing myself." Donna squeezes Michael's hand.

"Yadda yadda yadda. Chat later people. I don't want to overshadow Danielle but we've got an announcement to make." Clattering sounds can be heard as people place their cutlery down on fine bone china. When he is content that everybody is listening, Michael begins. "You all know that Donna and I have become close in the past couple of months. She did save my life after all."

Donna looks to the ground in embarrassment as Isabelle chimes in, "And we're all grateful for it."

"Are we?" Julia cuts across dryly and is met with several disguised giggles from the back of the group.

"Anyway." Donna decides to take the lead and quickly rush ahead before another infamous Wheeler war breaks out. "We both feel it is time to show just how committed we are to each other. Michael and I have decided…to get married."

"Oh! I'm so happy for you." Isabelle surges forwards and throws her arms around the couple nearly spilling the champagne she is holding.

"Congratulations buddy." John calls out but Lauren remains silent.

"I think this calls for a toast." Isabelle turns to face her family and lifts her glass. "To Michael and Donna!"

"To Michael and Donna!" The words echo across the lawn.

Donna keeps smiling but notices Bobby staring back coldly. Feeling his eyes penetrating her, she looks away.

Isabelle continues, "And we should also toast Danielle. Her return has made everything perfect."

Another toast is made and Julia gets up from her table, moving towards the smiling Wilder clan. "They're happy now. How long do you think that will last if they learn the truth?" She whispers in Danielle's ear.

"The truth?" Danielle shouts back gaining the attention of her parents who are seated beside her. Their smiles slowly fade when they see Julia harassing their daughter. "I'll give everybody the truth."

"Darling!" Adrienne jumps up from her seat and calls after Danielle who is rushing towards the front of the gathering.

"It's alright Mom. This has to be said." After apologizing to Isabelle for the interruption, Danielle fixes her eyes on a horrified Julia and begins. "The truth is everybody…that I am a lesbian."

The family falls into an uncomfortable silence and Guy switches off the camera as Adrienne rushes over to her daughter. "Honey please sit down."

"No. I think everybody should know this. You might also like to know…that Julia Wheeler found out about this. And she's been blackmailing me ever since. So there you are Julia. I beat you to it." Fighting back tears, Danielle races through the maze of tables and Adrienne follows her.

"You won't get away with this." Adrienne spits at a stunned Julia before running after her daughter.

"I…" Julia attempts to defend herself.

"Save it." Travis is quick to follow. "I never want to set eyes on you again."

"You sick piece of trash." Cassie snipes at Julia from her seat, disgusted by what she has heard.

Isabelle steps forwards and all eyes are fixed on her. "That's enough. Julia it would be best if you left."

"I don't think so. This is my house too."

"Don’t you think you've caused enough trouble Julia?" John calls out from across the lawn.

"If she won't leave then perhaps we should pay some respect to Danielle and all keep out of it for now. Let's carry on with the party." Isabelle exchanges hateful glances with Julia and steps over to the table she was seated at where Greg is holding his head in his hands.

"Isabelle…" He greets her, looking up.

"Why haven't you gone on after her?" Isabelle questions him suspiciously. "Danielle needs your support right now."

"It's simple." Greg's tone is grim. "If she really is…a lesbian...I'm not sure I can bring myself to have anything more to do with her."

* * *

"Some party huh." Jake comments as Cassie steps towards him and gives him a glass of lemonade. They are standing away from the main party on the well-lit patio.

"I feel sorry for the poor kid. Aren't you ashamed of your mother?" She watches Jake sip his drink and keeps her eyes on the glass.

He shrugs, "She obviously had a reason for doing it."

Cassie rolls her eyes, "Perhaps discussing morals with you wasn't the best way to start a conversation. I really needed to talk to you about the custody arrangements. When should we get our lawyers together?"

"You're actually going to bother hiring one? Surely you know by now that you're not going to win."

"Guy and I can provide Lucas with two parents and a stable family environment. That's a lot more than you can."

"Ah." Jake holds up his index finger to stop her. "But I've got money. And that wins out every time."

"Oh really? You're so smug and sure of yourself that you haven't noticed…I'm winning already."

"What are you talking about?"

"Did you enjoy your little drink at the board meeting this morning? The one you had before you got questioned by the cops? I bet it tasted really good didn't it."

Jake becomes stern. "So what?"

"It tasted good Jake because it had vodka in it…and I put it there." Cassie leans forwards and whispers in his ear, grinning. "Just like I did to the drink you're holding right now."

"What? No!" Jake drops his glass to the ground with a smash and lunges forwards locking his hands around Cassie's throat. "You bitch!"

Cassie uses her arms to try and pry him away but his overwhelming strength prevents her from being successful. She starts to choke but feels relief when she hears people rushing towards them.

"Hey!" Michael calls out and accompanied by John, he races towards Jake, his arms outstretched. Both men succeed in dragging Jake away and Cassie stumbles backwards, fighting for breath.

"He's drunk." She chokes and John rushes to her.

"Let me get you some water."

"Bitch! I'm going to kill you!" Michael's grasp begins to calm Jake down and pulling himself free he turns when he hears a clicking sound.

"Thanks for the footage Jake." Guy lowers his video camera and pulls a shaken Cassie to his side. "You were great."

* * *

"What on earth is all that noise about?" Julia cries and squinting she tries to focus her eyes on the patio. She is sitting at her table with Bobby who pulls her towards him.

"Why bother yourself when we have more pressing matters to take care of."

"We do?"

"Oh yes." Bobby takes her face in his hands and plants a delicate kiss on her lips. "How would you like to come back to my place?"

"Definitely." Julia grins at him and he kisses her again more passionately.

"Perhaps you should go up and get my limousine ready. Tell Antonio that I'll be there in a minute."

"Don't be long." Julia runs a finger across his face and her eyes sparkle as she walks across the lawn.

"Thank you." Clearing his throat, Bobby takes out a cell phone and begins to speak. "I've got a job for you…Yes the name is Julia Wheeler. Good. Take care of it."

As he gets up from his seat and snaps the phone shut, Donna steps up behind him. "What was all that about father?"

"Just business."

"That's what I'm worried about."

"Come. Don't worry yourself." Bobby takes her arm and leads her towards the rest of the guests.

* * *

"Your driver wasn't there. Is he going to show up?" Julia asks testily as she stands on the patio with Bobby. She crosses her arms without thinking, in a futile attempt to stop the family from staring at her.

"Just wait a few more minutes." Bobby seems impatient. "He should be here very soon."

"Get your hands off me!" The words reverberate across the stretch of the party area and all of the guests turn to see Lauren pushing John away from her.

"What is wrong with you? Get a grip!" John tries to grab her again but she pulls away.

"I know you don't care! You're just trying to embarrass me again."

"What is going on?" With a knitted brow, Isabelle steps out of the house onto the patio and quickens her step when she sees the unfolding scene.

"Come on Lauren. Let's get you upstairs to bed."

"No!" She screams. "I know you're all against me."

"We're not!" John pleads with her in frustration.

"Yes you are! You all want me to leave and let you…"

BANG

Lauren's words are drowned out by a deafening gunshot, which throws the party into chaos.

"Get down!" John throws himself on top of Lauren and pulls Isabelle down to the ground as another gunshot rings out.

"Guy!" Cassie screams and chokes with relief when he puts an arm around her.

As the gunfire suddenly stops, Jake turns his head and he's horrified when he sees a pool of blood forming on the hard concrete. "Oh my God! I think someone's been hit!"

Next on Power and Deception

-Find out who has been hit...

-Greg is confronted with his attitude towards Danielle...

-Jessica makes a hurtful decision...

-The game could be up for David and Adrienne...

-Mindy slips up with her plan...

-Megan attempts to make contact with Lauren...