Alex comes home to a work-stressed Stephanie with her first royalty check for One Stormy Night. Her mouth drops at the biggest paycheck she’s ever received. However, she’s less thrilled with the news that she’s expected to go on a massive book tour. He promises he’ll make it as short as possible and accommodate her PR business responsibilities. Besides, the book tour will create some space between her and Jeremy. She agrees that is a silver lining. Later, as Alex inspects his pumpkin-stained Halloween costume, he finds a tear. Stephanie counters that it looks more like it was sliced.

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Everything’s In Place

After toasting with and then comforting EJ over the grandson he’s sure he’ll never meet, Gwen pivots to her own family woes. Namely, that a wave of Hortons is coming to town, not to mention the Bradys and Blacks. She expects a maudlin tribute to John, while EJ anticipates an “influx of holier than thou dullards.” However, the more PR for the hospital, the better, he says. Gwen counters that inviting the dullards was his excuse to lure Sami back to town.

EJ scoffs at the very idea, but Gwen doesn’t buy his protests. Noting the many ways EJ wronged his ex-wife, she expresses admiration for Sami’s ability to hold a grudge. EJ tells her that’s none of her damn business and changes the subject to their shady dealings at the hospital. Does she have a plan to smuggle in their supplies away from prying eyes? She assures him they have everything they need.

Cone of Silence

After meeting with Theo (who wanted to go back on the deal to divest Gabi Chic, but seemingly circled back to the original agreement with paperwork forthcoming), Gabi finds a somber Javi at home. After she comforts him over Little T, she bursts at the seams to confide in someone.

Invoking the cone of silence, she confesses she only got Gabi Chic back as a consolation prize from Tony. He screwed her out of the DiMera CEO spot after she helped him get DiMera back from Titan. She also confesses she is seeing Philip, but he’d drop her like a hot rock if he found out what she did. He suggests she tell Philip the truth, but Gabi calls that a terrible idea. No one can find out.

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The Mystery Deepens

After calling the businessman Tony met in Athens, Theo pays EJ a visit. The man relayed that their meeting didn’t go long, which Anna cited as the reason Tony didn’t make it back to their cruise ship. He had plenty of time. EJ wonders where his brother could be, but expresses confidence that Tony will meet the ship when it docks in Mykonos. However, he will contact the authorities with the update. EJ again offers his assistance should Theo need help at DiMera in Tony’s absence. Theo assures EJ he has it under control and moves a chess piece on the board. “Your move, Unc.” EJ appears impressed as he watches his nephew leave.

Carver Family Turmoil

At the Pub, Paulina shows Roman and Abe photos of Johnny and Chanel’s son, Trey. They toast to their new family member and look forward to more family coming home for the gala. After Abe gets snarky with his wife, he leaves to tutor Liam. Paulina confides in Roman about Abe’s anger over her supporting Theo working at DiMera. Having firsthand experience with Stefano’s clan, Roman sides with Abe.

After Liam stands him up, Abe buys Trey a gift in the Square and then bumps into Theo. Theo updates him on the latest with Tony, as well as EJ’s offer to help him with DiMera. He assures his troubled father he turned EJ down, but Abe doesn’t appear comforted.

A Long Suspected Reveal

Back at the mansion, Gwen notes EJ doesn’t seem concerned about Tony’s disappearance, assuming he has ulterior motives when it comes to Theo and DiMera. EJ insists he’s not interested in the family business, but Gwen wonders if he had something to do with Tony’s disappearance. “You and I did such a bang-up job of making Dimitri vanish into thin air (!!!) that I wouldn’t be surprised if you did the same bang-up job of making your own brother disappear.”