The calm at Forester Creations is shattered when Douglas, now an adult with full legal autonomy, uncovers a buried clause in his late mother Caroline Spencer’s will. This clause names him the rightful heir to her significant share in the company—shares that had remained hidden due to legal technicalities and the silence of those with vested interests. The revelation ignites a storm. Douglas is no longer a sidelined child; he’s a major shareholder whose very presence threatens the foundation of the company. His father, Thomas—long dismissed and distrusted for past instability—seizes the moment, determined to reclaim power and punish those who wronged him, especially Hope Logan.

Thomas wastes no time and files a lawsuit on Douglas’s behalf, accusing Forester Creations of violating Caroline’s final wishes. He claims Logan influence has tainted the legacy of the company and demands that Douglas receive full control of the shares and that Logan-affiliated members, especially Hope, be removed from power. The backlash is instant and violent. Ridge is torn between his son and the company. Brooke retaliates fiercely, accusing Thomas of manipulating Douglas for revenge. Eric tries to play peacemaker, but Thomas, finally holding the legal upper hand, refuses to back down.

Hope, once hailed as a maternal savior, is exposed in the lawsuit. Her custody battle with Thomas is scrutinized, with damning evidence showing how she used his past mental health issues to win custody. Douglas, no longer a pawn, speaks publicly. His stunning interview confession—“Hope raised me, but she never asked what I wanted. She just took me”—sways public sentiment. The media turns, and the Logans face growing public distrust.

As the courtroom battle looms, the Forester empire fractures. Stephie is politically outflanked. Brooke launches a smear campaign, but her attacks backfire. An internal audit requested by Douglas’s legal team uncovers unapproved financial moves linked to Hope, further discrediting her. Ridge tries diplomacy by offering Douglas a board seat, but Thomas wants total victory.

As the trial begins, Hope isolates herself in shame and loss, her relationship with Liam and Beth collapsing. The court ultimately rules in Douglas’s favor. He wins full control of Caroline’s shares and a seat on the board. In a powerful moment, he promises not to destroy the company but to rebuild it “the way my mother wanted.” Thomas stands beside his son, vindicated but changed. Though they win the war, the cost is high. The Forester family is permanently divided, and a new chapter—one of legacy, reckoning, and power—begins.