The aftermath of Forester Creations’ fashion show fiasco continues to ripple outward, threatening to unravel not just the business, but Ridge Forrester’s already fragile love life. Caught between two formidable women — Brooke Logan and Taylor Hayes — Ridge feels the pressure mounting. Every day, tensions sharpen between the two women, and this time, the consequences can’t be swept under the rug.

Brooke, energized by her recent success on the runway and simmering resentment, refuses to allow Taylor’s past mistakes to fade away quietly. She storms into the Forester offices, demanding that Ridge finally draw a clear line between himself and Taylor. Her tone is cool but unyielding as she warns him: if Taylor stays, the company’s future could be at risk.

Though Ridge initially tries to defend Taylor — arguing that the disastrous lock-in incident wasn’t intentional — Brooke’s words gnaw at him. Doubts creep in. Could Taylor’s continued presence jeopardize everything? Weighed down by guilt and fear, Ridge caves to Brooke’s demands.

Later, he calls Taylor into his office. His face is lined with regret, but his decision is firm. “Maybe it’s best if you stay away from Forester for a while,” Ridge says, five words that hit Taylor like a dagger. Staggered, she realizes she isn’t Ridge’s first choice — maybe she never was.

“You’re choosing her,” Taylor whispers, her heart cracking. Ridge tries to reach for her, tries to reassure her, but it’s too late. Taylor sees the truth: no matter how much Ridge claims to love her, Brooke will always hold a bigger piece of his heart.

As Taylor walks away from him — and possibly their future together — Ridge is left alone, drowning in regret. The big question now: will Taylor fight for him, or finally let him go?