Episode 19: Rise of the Titans

Previously

-David told Mark that Julia had employed Morgan to seduce him.
-The Delta Group planted a bomb which exploded in the Wheeler building.
-Lauren discovered Julia was paying the Delta Group money from the Wheeler foundation.
-Stephanie was angry when Mark left for Los Angeles.
-Jessica and Tommy were reconciled.
-Stephanie made threats to David and refused a divorce.
-Jake warned Guy to stay away from Cassie.

San Francisco International Airport: San Francisco

Putting on a pair of sunglasses to protect herself from the bright morning sun, a woman follows her chauffeur out of the airport to a waiting limousine. She smiles at the gleaming black surface of the car, proud to be back in America.

"Where to ma’am?" the handsome, middle-aged chauffeur asks as the woman settles into her leather seat.

"The Wheeler estate in the Napa Valley."

"For the wedding?" The limousine pulls away from the outside of the airport and joins the queue of traffic waiting to leave.

"Yes." The woman smiles contentedly. "I’m going to surprise them."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Good morning." John kisses Lauren’s forehead as she wriggles in his arms.

She smiles, "It is isn’t it. Very sunny for winter."

"You know this is the last day you’ll be a single woman. You sure you don’t want to change your mind about the wedding tomorrow?"

"Positive." Lauren moves up and kisses John on the lips before jumping out of bed. She grabs a robe to cover her body.

"Uh uh." John pulls it away from her. "This is our naked morning."

Lauren shrugs, "Fine." She saunters into the bathroom and turns on the water, bracing herself as she steps into the shower and the cold stream envelopes her body. Through the mottled glass, she can see someone approaching and the door opens.

"Need to heat things up a little?" John grins and steps in beside her, reaching over to turn up the temperature of the water.

"You’re beginning to make a habit of this. John, I was taking a cold shower deliberately you know."

"Who needs cold showers…" he tilts her head ready for a kiss, "when you’ve got the real thing?"

Elliott House: San Francisco

"Hey." Tommy collapses into a chair at the kitchen table but Stephanie fails to reply, her hands shaking as she grips onto a small plastic bottle by the kitchen sink. "Mom?"

"Yes?" She looks over, her eyes seemingly glazed over.

"What are you doing?" He gets up and walks over to her to see.

"Oh I was just…" Pills from the bottle continue to fall into the sink and Stephanie uses her finger to push them down the plug hole.

"I thought you were supposed to be taking these." Tommy grabs the bottle from her hand and looks at the label. "Mom? What the hell are you doing? You need to take these pills."

"No." Stephanie turns round and walks over to the towel rail where she dries her hands. "No I don’t. I think more clearly when I’m not taking them. I know what I have to do…I know what I have to do…"

"What are you talking about? You’re not making any sense."

"I have to get rid of her. All of them. They’re all laughing at me."

"I’m going to call the doctor."

"No! Don’t!" Stephanie runs over to the phone and pulls it out of the socket. "He’ll put me back on the medication. I told you I don’t need it."

"Then what do you need mom?" Tommy stays very still, afraid that she might lash out.

"Revenge."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

In the stables, Guy looks up as he sees a limousine heading towards the house and drops his pitchfork to the ground. Julia, also intrigued, stands on the front steps with her morning coffee.

The car pulls to a halt and Guy continues to glare as a woman steps out. She is slim and blonde with a very commanding presence and must be in her early sixties. Her slender figure is covered by an expensive Italian suit.

"Oh my god." Julia gasps and drops her cup onto the steps. It smashes at her feet.

"Nice to see you too Julia." Isabelle looks at the mess on the ground. "Are you going to clear that up or should I get a maid to do it?"

"What are you doing here?" Julia clasps her hands together tightly, her nails digging into the flesh.

"The wedding of course. What else?" She turns and looks at the chauffeur. "Blake? Would you bring my bags inside please?"

"Of course Mrs Wheeler."

Julia stands deathly still, stunned as Isabelle and her chauffeur invade the house.

* * *

"Mother?" Lauren whispers as she walks out of her bedroom. "Why are you here?" Her eyes are averted to the chauffeur who carries luggage down the hallway towards Julia’s bedroom.

"Is everyone going to ask me that question? The wedding. Your wedding." Isabelle hugs an unresponsive Lauren and smiles, "I think I shocked Julia on the way in."

"I’m not surprised." Lauren pulls away, her body tense from the embrace.

Isabelle moves down the hallway and enters Julia’s bedroom with Lauren following closely behind her. "Empty the closets Blake. This is my bedroom now."

"Yes ma’am."

Blake expertly pulls gowns out of the closet and folds them meticulously.

Isabelle frowns, "Blake, you needn’t take so long with them. Just throw them in a bag or something. They’re only Julia’s."

"You’re moving back in here? This is my house now mother…"

"If you remember rightly, your father did grant me occupancy for as long as the house stayed in the family. I thought you’d want me here for your wedding anyway."

Lauren crosses her arms, "Well you thought wrong."

"Excuse me?" Julia bursts into the room, her arms flailing. "What the hell is going on here? This is my private bedroom."

"Not anymore." Isabelle grabs one of the full bags from the bed and tosses it over to Julia. "This is the master bedroom…and I’m having it. Feel free to take one down the hallway."

Julia drops the bag to the ground and rages over to her former mother-in-law. "You listen to me Isabelle. I’m not going to let you just waltz in here and take over…"

Isabelle raises her voice and booms back at Julia. "This is not your house and I will do as I like!"

"Please!" Lauren screams at the two warring women. "That is enough! Julia, you can take one of the guest bedrooms. And as for you mother, I think we need to talk."

Bay Café: San Francisco

"Why did you bring me here?" Cassie demands as she settles in her seat. She hangs her jacket over the back of the chair.

"To have breakfast."

"Well we never go out for breakfast…and it’s too damn early."

Jake rolls his eyes, "All I ever hear from you is complaining. Waiter." He snaps his fingers, unaccustomed to the waiting rule in the café and Cassie hides her face in embarrassment.

"Jake!" Cassie hisses. "Someone will be here in a minute. Just shut up."

"Fine." Jake leans forward. "Actually…there was something I came here to talk to you about."

"I knew you had to have an ulterior motive. What other excuse is there for taking me out in public. Lauren wanted me at home to discuss the wedding…"

"Screw the wedding!" Jake bangs his fist on the table. "There are more important things in the world than the latest Wheeler marriage you know."

Cassie swallows hard, disturbed by the outburst. "Well? What is it?"

"I’ve been waiting for a long time to tell you about this. I just hope you’re ready. I know what you’ve been up to."

Cassie tosses her hair back, "Sorry?"

"I know that you have been having an affair with Guy Richardson."

The unpredicted statement makes Cassie laugh nervously. "The stable hand? You really have got an overactive imagination."

Jake leans forward and grabs Cassie’s arm in a vice-like grip causing her to gasp. "I saw you two in bed the night we got married. Why do you think I got drunk in that bar in Napa City? Because when I turned up to drop off Guy’s paycheck, I found out he was servicing more than the Wheeler stables."

"Don’t be so disgusting."

"You’re not denying it."

"Because I don’t see why I should dignify the accusation."

"Dignity is not something you need to worry about sweetheart. Especially after what I saw you doing."

"Get off me!" Cassie yanks backwards, causing a thump on the table, which she tries to cover up from other customers.

"I just want to hear you admit it."

"Okay. Fine! Everything you accused me of is absolutely true. I slept with Guy Richardson. I’m still sleeping with him and you know what?" She leans forwards, "It’s the best damn sex I’ve ever had!"

"Shut up."

"Oh come on Jake. I thought you’d want to hear every detail." Cassie smiles smugly. "You going to throw me out onto the streets now?"

"You’d love that wouldn’t you. Then you could go running off with Guy and be happy together. It makes me sick. You are staying at the mansion and giving birth to my child. When it is born, I will pay you one million dollars to leave town and never come back again."

Cassie waits for a few moments to take this in. Her husband wants to bribe her into leaving her baby. She wonders how she managed to get herself into this mess and for the first time in months, she is able to admit to herself honestly that marrying Jake was the worst decision she ever made. "You think I will abandon my child for one million dollars?"

"You want more?"

"No! I don’t want anything. There is no way I’m agreeing to this."

"If you don’t, then we’ll have to fight for custody. Now, who do you think is going to win? A member of the Wheeler family…or an adulterous slutty gold digger?"

"How can you do this to me?" The shock and emotion causes Cassie’s eyes to fill with tears and they begin to fall down her cheeks.

"Cut the waterworks babe. I think I’ve been pretty generous considering."

"You don’t even know if the child is yours." Cassie states frankly. She never thought that would be something she’d admit to.

"Which is why I’ll arrange for a paternity test when the baby is born. Don’t try and find any loopholes honey. I’ve got everything planned."

"With the help of your bitch mother no doubt."

"She has nothing to do with this. Actually, I have another little surprise waiting for this evening. You’re still planning on joining in the wedding celebrations aren’t you? And you’re staying at the mansion?"

"Yes I’m staying at the mansion for now. You’re not going to force me out yet. And I’ll even keep up the charade of a happy marriage. But as soon as the baby’s born…it’s war."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Hi Grandma." Jessica exclaims as Isabelle steps out onto the patio. "Shall I get Pilar to fix you some lunch?"

"No. It’s okay. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. You look so pretty."

Jessica tilts her head, "Thank you. But I think you’re a little biased. Are you settling in okay?"

"Yes. I upset your mother but…"

Jessica puts a piece of grapefruit into her mouth with a fork. "She’ll get over it. What about…you and Lauren. Is everything okay there?"

Isabelle crosses her arms and looks out at the view. That’s about the only thing she’s missed being in London. "Why shouldn’t it be?"

"You two haven’t seen each other in years. There’s a reason for it."

"I really don’t think we should discuss this. You wouldn’t understand." Isabelle replies, keeping her eyes fixed on the lush green valley.

"I know the truth." Jessica blurts out.

"What?" Isabelle spins round in response. How could she know?

"Lauren told me about the rape. How a man named Ian Sanderson raped her when she was fifteen. She also told me…how you reacted to it."

"She had no right to tell you anything. There were circumstances involved that were just too difficult to work around. I did what I could."

"That’s not what I heard. Look, I don’t want to argue with you on your first day back and you’re right. I don’t know the facts. But perhaps you should discuss this with Lauren and try and mend the rift between you two."

"You’re right. Of course you are." Isabelle places a hand on Jessica’s shoulder. "That’s what I should do."

Elliott House: San Francisco

Keeping a close eye on Stephanie as she sits quietly watching the television, Tommy checks her address book for the number of Mark’s hotel in Los Angeles. He dials it carefully and asks to be put through to Mark’s room.

There is a cough as Mark answers. "Hello?"

"Mark, it’s me Tommy."

"Oh hey. Is there something wrong?"

"Mom’s going crazy. I think you need to get back here."

"Tommy, I don’t want to sound cruel but I’ve only been out here for a few days. I’m sure whatever your mother’s problem is can be sorted out easily. Is it your father again?"

"Kind of." Tommy looks over at Stephanie but she doesn’t seem to be listening into the conversation. "She’s talking about revenge. Against Julia Wheeler."

The words hit Mark like a thunderbolt. Has he caused this? "I don’t know whether I can get a plane. It’s too late to get one today. I can try and be in San Francisco by tomorrow morning."

"Good. I just hope it’s not too late."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

"Lauren?" Isabelle calls out. As she strolls through the house and up the grand staircase, she uses the opportunity to take in her surroundings. Everything is the same. The décor…even the smell reminds her of her life with Martin. A life that she doesn’t want to be reminded of.

"I’m in here mother." Comes a voice from Lauren and John’s bedroom. Isabelle follows the noise and stands in the doorway, waiting to be invited in.

"Come and sit down. Was there something you wanted to talk about?" Lauren is writing on a notepad. It is the seating arrangements for the rehearsal dinner.

"Yes." Isabelle responds matter-of-factly. "I was just outside with Jessica. She told me you confided in her about the…"

"Rape?" Lauren snaps. She stands up straight paying Isabelle her full attention. "You still can’t say it can you? It happened almost sixteen years ago and you still refuse to acknowledge the fact that I was raped by your lover."

"That’s not true." Isabelle shouts. "I more than acknowledged it. You’ll never know what I did for you. You ran away before you could find out."

Lauren laughs bitterly, "You accused me of making the whole thing up. Am I supposed to be grateful for that? I can’t believe you even brought the subject up. You know how angry it makes me."

Outside of the bedroom, Guy approaches the door to consult Lauren about the rehearsal dinner but stops when he hears raised voices.

"You’ll never know just how far I went for you."

"Then why don’t you tell me." Lauren throws her arms in the air dramatically. "Huh mom? Tell me what you did for me that I should be so damn grateful for."

"I killed him!"

"No!" Lauren falls backwards and finds herself sitting on the bed, staring at the floor.

Guy’s eyes widen and he pushes the door open a little more so he can hear the whole story.

"Yes." Isabelle runs over and crouches down in front of her daughter. "The night you ran away…I invited him to the house. Everybody was out. It was just me and him…"

"Would you like something to drink?" Isabelle asks as Ian makes himself comfortable in a leather chair.

"Brandy?"

"Of course." Isabelle pours him a large glass and hands it to him. She watches as he drinks and he notices her eyes piercing through him.

"Is there something wrong Belle?" he grins. "Something I can take care of? We have the house to ourselves…"

"No." Isabelle holds her arms together tightly as a feeling of disgust sends a wave over her entire body. "I didn’t bring you here for that."

"Well…what for then?"

"It’s about Lauren. The reason she disappeared."

Ian stiffens and puts his drink down on the table. "I don’t think I can help you…"

"I know you can."

"What are you talking about?" Ian stands up and walks over to her. He attempts to grab hold of her but she pulls away. "I don’t know anything about Lauren disappearing. I assumed she was upset by the explosion…maybe she left town with Guy."

"No." Isabelle makes an attempt to push the words out of her mouth and be strong but she can’t make eye contact with this…monster. "She left…because you raped her."

"She told you that?" Ian replies, exasperated.

"Yes, but she didn’t need to. I saw her Ian. The bruises…the blood. The way you had hit her…and forced yourself on her. How could you do that? To a child…to my baby?"

Ian smiles, "Belle, relax. It was nothing she wasn’t asking for. She consented."

"No!" Isabelle slaps him hard around the face, her nails scratching the skin of his cheek.

"You know…she did exactly the same thing. Like mother, like daughter. You’re both the same. It was a real coup you know. Having both of you."

"You sick bastard." Isabelle edges backwards. "You’re going to pay for what you've done!"

"Oh really? And how are you going to see to that? Call me dumb, but I don’t see Lauren around here to testify."

"You are evil. You must be…"

Ian relishes the look of glazed confusion and horror which has covered Isabelle’s eyes. He smiles menacingly as he grabs her by the shoulders, his eyes twinkling in the light of the burning fire beside him. "You really know how to do it for me don’t you."

"Get off me." Isabelle vainly attempts to snap Ian’s arms of her but fails.

"Fine. You know what? I don’t even want you anyway. When you’ve tried the real thing like I tried Lauren, why go back to the poor man’s version?" Ian laughs at his joke and turns his back to Isabelle as he prepares to leave the room.

Behind him, Isabelle’s blood rages with fury and moving towards the fireplace, she grabs a poker from the rack. Lifting it high in her arms, she steps behind Ian and brings it down, crashing it into his skull…

"There was blood everywhere." Isabelle recalls as she turns her back to Lauren, unable to control the tears running down her face. "I cleaned it up. And then I took the body into the fields. I remember…how he was so heavy. I can’t forget that. I literally had to drag him outside. And then I buried him, on the grounds of the estate." She swings back round. "For years I waited for the body to be found. But it never was. And it was just easier to continue living with the secret…than try to confess."

"You did that…for me. You believed me." Lauren stifles sobs as she moves closer to her mother.

"Yes. I love you. I’ve always loved you. I knew that out of all the children…you had a good heart. It broke me inside when you left. And killing Ian Sanderson…was no more than he deserved."

"Where is the body?" Lauren wipes her face.

"In the middle field. By the old well. It was the furthest I could take the body."

Lauren takes Isabelle’s hands in hers. "Thank you." The two women fall into an embrace and shake as their tears flow freely.

* * *

I’m going to find it. Guy thinks to himself as he continues to dig the hard earth. What an opportunity. He has already shoveled over a foot of earth and the work forces him to wipe a bead of sweat from his brow.

"Come on." He says aloud. Suddenly the shovel hits something plastic and Guy bends down, clawing at the earth with his hands. He tears open the black plastic and jumps backwards involuntarily as he touches the body. Mostly bone now but some of the clothes are still in tact. "Ian Sanderson." Guy smiles. "You’ve made my day."

Red Store Restaurant: San Francisco

"Ladies and Gentlemen." John stands and holds his champagne glass high. "Thank you for coming here for the rehearsal dinner. I hope you have a good time…so start eating!"

Lauren giggles as she begins to tuck into her food. Everyone from the family is there…even Julia although she only came to cause trouble. Across the table, Isabelle winks at Lauren who smiles back.

After the dinner has finished, John stands again with his champagne glass. "I’d like to make a toast." He projects to the whole table. Julia groans and leans over to Jake. "I didn’t come here for this saccharine nonsense."

Jake grins knowingly, "It’s going to get better."

John continues with his speech, "And even though we were separated for those years, I feel now that we are closer than ever. Some of you…" he eyes Isabelle who scowls, "may think that we are rushing into marriage. Well all I can say is that we should never have divorced in the first place. I love Lauren and I hope you can all celebrate with us tonight. Thank you."

Lauren watches John lovingly as the family extend their champagne glasses with a hearty cheer. "To John and Lauren."

As the guests begin to sip their champagne, the peace is disturbed when Jake stands up. "If this is a time for speeches…then I have one to make."

Cassie looks into her lap worriedly. Surely he wouldn’t want to risk embarrassing himself by announcing her affair like this.

"Years ago…my grandmother…Isabelle, gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. Neal." He looks at Isabelle, his eyes sparkling. "That baby was stillborn…"

"That is enough." Isabelle jumps out of her seat and points a finger at him. "I did not come here for this."

"I’m not finished yet…Grandma."

Michael pulls his mother into her seat and speaks up. "Jake, if there is a point to this, I suggest you cut to it."

"Fine. That baby was not Martin’s. He was the result of an affair. Isn’t that right? The great Martin Wheeler knew about this. And he took the baby…telling Isabelle that it was stillborn."

Isabelle is barely able to raise her voice to above a whisper. "It was stillborn." Cassie and Guy exchange worried glances that don’t go unnoticed by Jake.

"Oh but it wasn’t." Jake laughs, "Your baby, is sitting right at this table. Welcome to the family Guy." Jake raises his champagne glass in mock celebration.

"You bastard." Guy spits and jumps up from his seat ready to punch Jake in the face. Michael runs over and restrains him. "Why did you do this? Why did you have to ruin everything? I’m going to kill you Jake!"

Isabelle is paralyzed as she looks round the table at the shocked faces. She manages to get up and go to Guy. "Is it true?" she whispers.

"Yes it’s true. I’m your son."

Isabelle bites her lip, "Neal!"

"Get away from me." He pushes her away. "I don’t want to talk to you. We can discuss this after the wedding. Damn you all."

Park Valley Sematary: Napa Valley

Isabelle kneels down at Martin’s gravestone, the bracing night air sending a chill through her body.

"Why did you do it to me? Didn’t you put me through enough?" she sobs. "You were a monster. I never should have married you. Even in your grave, you’re still ruining my life. Well…I’m going to have the last laugh. I’ll make sure of that."

Delta Group Offices: San Francisco

"The information worked like a charm." Jake grins and taps at his desk with a pencil as he talks down the phone.

"Good." The computer altered voice replies. The person is sat in a leather chair, their back to a black teak desk. "The money came through fine. I hope to hear from you again." The person drops the receiver down and swivels the chair back round.

"Ling?" the person shouts out.

"Yes Mrs Wheeler? Is everything okay?" a timid looking Chinese girl approaches the desk.

"Excellent." Julia smiles, putting her hands together. "I got rid of Douglas, tore the family apart…and they don’t even know it was me. Now all I need is the Wheeler Corporation…and my life is complete."

"At least with the money you were able to defraud from the Wheeler Foundation…you have something to live off of. I’m glad it’s all working out for you Mrs Wheeler."

"So am I. Thank you Ling." Julia dismisses her assistant and picks up the phone again. She dials David’s cell phone. If only he knew just how much power I have….

"David Elliott?" he answers. Julia can hear the noise as David is standing outside the courthouse. She leans forward and pays close attention to his voice.

"Did it work?" she demands restlessly.

"Like a charm. Judge Stanley declared Douglas mentally incompetent exactly an hour ago. The contents of that brown envelope you gave me did wonders. The company should be yours within a matter of days."

Elliott House: San Francisco

Stephanie puts the morning paper down on her bed and looks at the smiling faces of the Wheeler family. The wedding day has finally come. It’s judgement day. She goes to the closet and puts her hand into the special box, pulling out the gun. It lies in her hands, gleaming and waiting to be used. She opens up the chamber to check that it is loaded and then slams it shut.

Gripping the gun tightly in her hands, Stephanie looks at Julia’s picture. "Today is the day your world comes crashing. Get ready for hell."

Next on Power and Deception

SEASON FINALE

Tommy panics when he discovers Stephanie's plan...

Stephanie heads to the mansion and faces off with Jessica...

Guy and Jake have a bitter confrontation...

Mark returns to the valley to stop his sister...

David discovers Julia's role in the Delta Group...

Isabelle is angered by Julia's wedding gift...

The happiest day of Lauren's life turns into a nightmare...

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Episode 20 

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