We open on Doug discussing his gambling debts with Randy, whose concerns go in one ear and out the other.

Despite Randy’s insistence that Doug quit while he’s behind, the delusional doctor promises that his luck is about to change. And he’s right… but not for the better.

Randy scurries away when he spots Vanessa, who then grills Doug about what the old friends were talking about. She gives him a chance to explain, then drops the pretense: “Come on, Doug, you must know Randy works for Joey Armstrong.”

“Old BFFs or not,” Vanessa doesn’t want Doug spending any more time with Randy, a demand he counters with a concern of his own — why is she spending so much time with Joey?

“My relationship with him is squeaky clean,” she tells Doug, assuring him there’s “nothing illegal” about helping someone find a house for his aging mother.

Vanessa Confirms Her Feelings for Joey

In Doug’s defense, he has every right to worry about Vanessa’s dealings with Joey. The first thing Joey says upon seeing her at the country club is that she looks “delicious,” and she returns the compliment, calling him “yummy.” It’s… weird.

The mood gets even weirder when Vanessa mentions that she can’t wait to meet Joey’s mother someday. He appears taken aback. This whole thing has been an obvious charade from the start, but we’re starting to wonder if Joey even has a mother.

This nauseating little chat is interrupted by Nicole, who’s meeting Vanessa for a lunch date — with a side of judgment. “Joey Armstrong, really?” Nicole asks the moment Joey is out of earshot.

“I know people speculate about Joey, but he’s really a sweet guy,” Vanessa argues, admitting that she’s fully tempted by her new business associate. And she’s pretty open about having an “arrangement” with Doug, something that only makes Nicole sadder for her friend.

Then comes the bombshell we’ve been waiting for. When Nicole mentions to Ted that Vanessa is finding a home for Joey’s mother, he reveals… Joey’s mother died last year!

Naomi Takes Bill Down… Literally

Meanwhile, Naomi arrives at Bill’s law firm for another delightful father-daughter chat, kicking off with casual threats of disbarment. You know, business as usual.

Bill then reveals another trick up his sleeve, promising each of Naomi’s clients a handsome settlement, along with positions on a new anti-harassment board to prevent further incidents from occurring.

The women are understandably thrilled, but upon further review, Naomi tells them that the settlement isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. But is she telling them to reject it for their benefit, or is she letting her vendetta against Bill cloud her better judgment?

Either way, Bill and Naomi are officially going to face off in court. Naomi tells Bill that she’s just being the lawyer he raised her to be, but he’s adamant that the right thing for her clients would be to accept the settlement.

This only gets Bill more worked up, until he’s suddenly having trouble breathing… and his hand begins to tingle… and he’s sweating profusely. Is the mighty Bill Hamilton having a heart attack?

Naomi wanted to take her father down, but not like this!