Philip Wakes Up with Gabi, But Spends the Day with Belle — And Stephanie Urges Her Father to Stay Quiet!

After getting ISA information from Paul over the phone, Steve says to himself, “Philip, you are a bad, bad boy.” He texts Stephanie to come to his office. However, she’s with Xander to discuss her PR strategy in case Philip’s fraud (that Steve just found out about) is made public. She’ll obviously try to prevent that from happening, but suggests Xander draw up legal papers officially naming Philip as co-CEO. Xander obviously hates that idea, but Stephanie thinks it'll help bolster Xander’s defense of the takeover. Plus, if the truth does come out and Xander’s done nothing to secure Philip’s position in the company, Philip could retaliate by going to the police about the brutal beating Xander gave him. Then, Xander would lose everything.

After Stephanie’s left, Alex waltzes into Xander’s office to get an earful about her plan. Alex thinks it’s a solid strategy, but Xander calls hiring her a waste of time and money. Alex vehemently defends his girlfriend and suggests that his cousin go to those anger management sessions with Marlena.

As Xander strolls with Victoria outside the Pub, he cryptically tells his daughter that, despite what everyone else thinks, Philip’s cheating and swindling should not be rewarded with kindness. He gets a message from Marlena confirming his appointment for tomorrow.

Stephanie comes to her papa’s office and learns Steve discovered Philip’s fraud. He also knows she knows and wants to know more of what she knows. After Stephanie fills him in, she urges Steve to keep this quiet. He agrees to let it go because he’ll choose her over a client every time. However, he warns that a secret like this won’t stay under wraps forever.

Philip and Gabi and Philip and Belle

Philip wakes up to Gabi in his Salem Inn bed. They rehash how their lunch turned into dinner, which turned into a nightcap, which turned into, “Well…” After putting his foot in his mouth a couple of times, she suggests he put his mouth to better use and passionately kisses him.

As Gabi gets dressed, she marvels over them connecting like this and seductively kisses him again. As she heads out, she opens the door to a surprised Belle. Gabi scurries off and Philip gets dressed. He’s prepared to explain himself, but Belle doesn’t need details on his sex life. She’s there to warn him that someone is snooping into the Titan-DiMera merger, but she can’t tell him who, which leads Philip to throw a brief tantrum.

When he calms down, Belle grows emotional. She feels untethered with no distraction from her breakup and John’s death. Philip promises her it will get better and that he’ll help her get through it. She tightly embraces him. Belle plans to go home and hide under her covers, but Philip suggests they play hooky together. The head out for a horseback ride just like they did when they cut class in high school.

Ari Catches Her Mother

Gabi slinks into the Hernandez house to a worried Ari, who demands to know why she didn’t come home last night or answer her frantic texts. However, her outrage turns to mortification when she realizes her mother was out having sex.

After they awkwardly clear that up, Ari tells her mother she’s staying in Salem for school, which thrills Gabi. Ari calls her supportive dads to break the news (did you expect anything less from Sonny and Will?), and then tells her disappointed mother she’ll be moving into the dorms. Ari quips that at least now Gabi won’t have to sneak into the house when she sleeps with a rando.

Stephanie finds Alex working at her place and tells him the person looking into the Titan-DiMera deal agreed to drop it. She can’t give him details but assures him it’s all over. At the same time, Steve returns Gabi’s retainer and urges her to leave well enough alone. But since this is Gabi we’re talking about, after Steve leaves, she says, “Like Hell I will.”

One Stormy Night's All the Rage

Perusing books displayed in the Square, Paulina becomes engrossed in One Stormy Night. Abe interrupts, and she notes she hasn’t been this sweaty since Chanel dragged her to hot yoga. She puts the book down and heads off to meet with Jada about bolstering the P.D.’s A.I. detection skills and to rehash Kristen’s confession.

When Paulina returns to Abe in the Square, he gets a call from Theo, who’s still upset over his breakup with Claire. When Abe hangs up, he gifts her with a copy of One Stormy Night. She cheekily suggests they read it together in bed. Meanwhile, Jada finds Ari reading the same book at the Pub. Ari gushes over the writing and takes an interest in the author.