Original subtitles

- MAN: Previously, on "Ambitions"--

- I loved that old man, Greg.

And that Eurotrash bitch killed him.

- Such a tragedy.

- What more proof do you need that the people

you're doing business with see you as expendable?

What are you doing home? Don't you have finals?

- I quit school.

- Bella, what are you saying?

- Joaquin has been kidnapped.

- The police found a dead boy about Joaquin's age.

[sobs]

- What the hell? You killed him?

- What are you talkin' about?

He's right here.

[zapping from video game]

♪

- Are you sure it wasn't him? - Yeah, it wasn't our boy.

[sobs]

- It wasn't our boy.

[sobs]

Thank you for going down there.

- It's okay.

- I couldn't bear the thought of him--[sobs]

- It's okay.

Oh, that was...

the hardest thing I've ever had to do.

[sniffs] Oh, it was just--

just walking into that morgue and...

me standing there, waiting for the technician

to pull back that sheet, just-- [sobs]

- --not knowing if it was our son under there or not?

Ugh, I wouldn't wish that kind of terror on my worst enemy.

- Imagine that poor little boy's parents.

What if we're next, Evan?

- Hey! No, you can't think like that.

We are going to bring Joaquin home safely.

[sobbing] I just hope he's okay!

- He is. He is. Okay, he is tough.

Just like his old man, huh?

And like his grandfather.

[cell phone rings]

- Hello?

- EDDIE [VOICE SCRAMBLED]: Hi, Mayor.

- I want to see Joaquin safe.

- Are you getting me the million dollars?

- Yes.

- Well, show me the money and I'll show you Joaquin.

- He's getting your money. Just please don't hurt my baby.

- EDDIE: Do exactly as I say. Joaquin will be fine.

You're gonna transfer the money electronically.

- How do I get in touch with you?

- EDDIE: You don't.

Get the money ready and wait for my phone call.

- If I don't see Joaquin alive, you don't get a dime.

- EDDIE: Tomorrow night at 6.

- Another day? No! No!

- Have the money ready.

[hang-up beep]

[sobs]

- It's okay.

It's gonna be okay.

It's gonna be okay.

[knocking at door]

- JOAQUIN: [cries]

- Took you long enough.

- Where's the kid?

- Bathroom.

- I would've called you if you had your phone.

- I told you no phones.

We don't need to communicate like that.

Phones, texts, emails-- that's how people get caught.

Face to face only until this is over.

That's why I'm good at this and you are not.

- Okay, how did the call to Bella go?

- Well, the call went fine.

They want proof the kid's alive.

- So give it to them.

Give him that kid's meal. He likes those.

- Anything to shut him up.

- When did he start crying?

- Hasn't stopped wailing since I locked him in the bathroom.

- How long has he been in there, Eddie?

- I put him in there when I knew

it was about time for you to come over.

[scoffs] - What?

I can't have him recognizing Tía Perla, can we?

- Shh!

What if he hears you, dumbass?

- Whatever, man. I am sick of that kid.

He keeps crying, and I may have to put him down...

money be damned.

- Don't talk like that.

It's been 48 hours.

So it's only a matter of time

before Bella bats her fake eyelashes

and convinces Evan to give us the cash.

She has a magical vagina, that one.

Men line up to give her what she wants.

This time, it'll be no different.

- Man, this is how you talk about your friends,

I'd hate to hear what you think about your enemies.

- I've had Bella's back since middle school.

But she only sees me as the costar in the Bella Tru show.

I'm over it! I want more out of life.

And snagging a big payday

for Joaquin's safe return is the key.

♪

- Just think...

it won't be long...

before we're 69-ing on a pile

of Mayor Evan Lancaster's cash.

- Mm.

Why, I do like the sound of that.

♪

- JOAQUIN: [cries]

[crickets chirping]

[whistles cheerfully]

♪

- Oh shit.

[theme music plays ]

♪

♪♪

[bird squawks]

- Good morning.

You didn't come back to bed last night.

What if Deja noticed?

- Is it mine?

♪

- Is what yours?

♪

- Where did you find that? - In the trash.

Please, Amara, answer my question

before I lose my damn mind.

Am I the father or is it Damian's?

- Negro, I know you didn't just fix your face to ask me

some bullshit question like that!

- Yeah. - DEJA: I can explain.

♪

- What?

- My period was late, so I took the test.

I got scared because I saw two lines come up, but it's faint.

So I'm not sure-- - Where are you going?

- Up to that school to beat the piss out of Razr.

- No, Daddy, please don't. - I don't wanna hear it, Deja.

- I'm just as much at fault as he is.

- Okay, okay. Everybody, let's just take a breath.

- Deja, how could this happen?

Okay, we all know how it happened.

But your mother and I have always had an open door policy

about sex.

I'm disappointed you didn't come to us.

- Honey...

did you stop taking the pill?

- I didn't like the way that they made me feel.

- And let me guess, Razr didn't like the way

condoms made his little scrawny--

- Titus! That's enough.

- I'm sorry.

I made one mistake.

♪

[sighs] Honey...

it's okay.

We all make mistakes.

You're human. It's allowed.

I'll call our OB/GYN and get you an appointment.

- What if I'm pregnant?

- Deja, you can get through anything with us.

Now, your father and I, we've--

we've had some trying times.

But together, we got through it.

- Stuff this heavy?

- Mm-hmm.

And we stayed strong.

Now, we will deal with this as a family, okay?

Won't we?

♪

[sniffs]

[sniffs]

[yawns]

[sniffs]

I didn't realize how many sexual offenders

live within a few blocks.

Any of them could've taken Joaquin.

He could be right next door and we wouldn't even know it!

- Alright, you need to stop looking at that registry.

You're gonna give yourself a nervous breakdown.

- I don't know what else to do.

- I sent my guys on this.

- Oh yeah, that makes me feel better.

Alix and Will to the rescue.

- I know they've given you some grief at times.

- Yeah, at your order. - I wouldn't keep them around

if they weren't the best at what they do.

Alix is a former CIA.

And one of Will's colleagues from the SEALs,

he runs the most sought-after

private security investigation firm in the country.

They're assisting us, okay? Trust me!

Bella, we got the best people possible looking for Joaquin.

- You told me they got the kidnapper's license plate

off the building surveillance cameras.

Why haven't they found him yet?

- The car was stolen, alright?

But they managed to track it to DeKalb County.

They are closing in, I swear.

- I'm sorry, Evan, I don't share the same faith in Alix and Will.

Why don't you just pay the damn ransom?

What's the problem?

You do have the money, right?

- I had to pull it together from a few accounts,

but yes, it's on hand.

I'm just not so sure handing over the money

to criminals is the answer.

- I can't believe you're nickel-and-diming!

Joaquin's life is at stake!

- I don't give a damn about the money!

Okay, I'll pay anything to get Joaquin back.

But there's no guarantee they'll give us him

once they have the money.

- If you don't pay the ransom, that sadistic asshole

might take his anger out on our son.

He could be torturing him right now.

- Yeah, well, we'll know at 6 o'clock,

if we haven't found him by then!

I promised you I'd get our son home safe and sound.

And that is a promise I intend to keep.

[sniffs]

[cell phone rings]

♪

[sighs]

- Give me your report.

- Purifoy delivered 52,534 documents

in response to your motion to compel.

- Is there anything there that will help us

in the class action suit?

- Most of what's here

are duplicates of files we already have--

'90s-era chain emails, calendar notices of Hunter's golf trips,

and the like.

- That's just Titus playing games.

Examine everything carefully,

particularly the so-called duplicates.

- It may take a while.

- If we have to go all the way back

to Hunter's 1865 birth certificate, so be it.

I know there's a smoking gun here.

We just need to find it.

- Okay.

♪

- Hm.

[indistinct chatter]

- Sit wherever you want. I'll be right with you.

- Is that how you welcome home family?

- Darcia!

[laughs]

- Oh! - Mm.

Hey, girl!

- How are you holding up?

- I ain't gonna lie.

It's rough.

Girl, Daddy gone.

- Mm-mm-mm.

Girl, I got you, okay?

Cousin Darcia's here now.

You look tired.

- I ain't slept much since it happened.

But I'll be alright. How long you staying?

[laughs] I'm heading back to Chicago

right after Evan Sr.'s funeral.

I remember how you were at my daddy's death.

And I can just only imagine how you'd be at your own daddy's.

It's why I stopped by on the way to my hotel.

- Ain't no cousin of mine staying at no hotel.

Uh, Marlon, come get Darcia's bag

and take it up to the apartment. - Yes, ma'am.

- I don't want to impose at a time like this.

- You are family. Thank you, babe.

And I want you to stay with me.

I need you.

- Well, I guess that settles that.

- It most certainly does.

Subject closed. You're staying.

Come on upstairs! Come on!

Oh, good to see you!

- Eric, I don't give a damn if Marvin Barnes has reservations.

Yes, the city's gotten some negative press

since my father's murder and the permit clerk's suicide.

Doesn't affect our plans.

The press conference announcing BetaNu's move

proceeds as scheduled.

[knocking at door]

- Thank you.

Thank you for seeing me on such short notice.

- What do you need, AUSA Hughes?

I'm extremely busy, as you can imagine.

- Yes, I know.

And I'm sorry for the loss of your father.

I got to know Senior a bit through Rondell.

He was a very kind and loving man.

- No one knows that better than me.

But you didn't come all the way down here to pay your respects.

- I have a few questions regarding Daphne Manning

and Herschel Cooper.

- Happy to answer, though I doubt anything I have to say

will be much help.

- I'll ask anyway, since you're willing.

[sighs] Will this take long?

- I'll try to be as succinct as possible.

So here's what I know.

The city procurement officer, a member of your cabinet

and also your mistress,

was operating a pay-for-play bribery scheme.

The building permit supervisor was her accomplice.

- Well, first of all, I'm a married man.

Having a mistress would be immoral,

and would go against the vows I made to my wife.

Secondly, if you really had all that on Mrs. Manning,

you would've arrested her by now.

- Why go for a guppy when you can land a shark?

- EVAN: [chuckles] - May I continue?

- By all means.

- AMARA: I'm very close to proving

that Stephanie's top client, Greg Peters,

benefited from Daphne's malfeasance.

Did you benefit as well, Mayor Lancaster?

- Careful.

You're creeping dangerously close to slander.

- AMARA: If you have any chance

of salvaging your political career,

not to mention staying out of prison,

you'll tell me everything you know.

- Hm.

Is this the hardline tactic you used when you drove

poor Herschel Cooper to take his own life?

You're not the only one with a law degree, Mrs. Hughes.

Surely you aren't trying to hang a federal case

on the cobbling together of unsubstantiated claims

and city hall gossip.

- I'll ask you the same question I asked your wife.

Why are the Lancasters protecting Peters?

The man who most likely had your father killed?

Tell me, Evan.

What does he have on you and Stephanie?

- Greg Peters is the last person on the planet I'd protect.

In fact, I'd declare a city holiday

if you actually did your job

and prosecuted him successfully, Amara,

since we're using first names.

- I've struck a nerve.

- Well, you claim to be my sister's friend.

So you must know Peters repeatedly threatened her

because of Rondell's fight to save The Banks.

- No, I'm aware.

I'm also aware that you did precisely little to stop him.

Now, why is that?

I mean, you certainly have very strong negative opinions about

the man whose construction business has broken ground on

project after project after you have been elected mayor--

all fast-tracked by your cabinet appointee.

- Unlike you, I don't allow my personal feelings to dictate

how I conduct government business.

- Come on, Evan.

I went to college with Stephanie.

We were best friends.

I am all too familiar with how the Carlisles conduct business.

Did they force you into bed with Peters?

- Should I have had my attorney present

for our little conversation?

- If you're referring to your wife,

Stephanie's too busy throwing herself at my husband.

[chuckles]

- Oh, you didn't hear.

I caught her half naked in Titus's hotel room.

♪

[car horn honks]

[gentle rapping at door] - Hey, Stephanie?

I just sent you something we found

in the Purifoy discovery documents.

Thought you might wanna see it right away.

- An email from 1997?

- From Hunter Purifoy to his marketing team.

♪

[gasps]

[laughs] We got him.

[laughs] I thought you'd be pleased.

I'll include it with the other evidence we've compiled.

- You do that. And Marty?

Good job. - Thank you.

♪

- And while we're at it--[chuckles]

[cell phone rings]

[cell phone vibrates]

- This better be about business, Stephanie.

- Check your email.

And, Titus, be prepared to write

a very, very large check.

[laptop beeps]

♪

- Oh, Jesus, Hunter.

♪

- HUNTER: [chuckles]

Well, then, just tell me how teeny-weeny is that bikini.

[chuckles] Well, maybe you should send me a picture

both with and without--

I gotta call you back.

- Tell me you didn't send this email.

- Have you lost your damn mind?

Don't you people ever knock anymore?

[chuckles] Where'd you get this?

- Stephanie found it in the middle of that truckload of

documents I sent in response to her motion to compel.

- And you personally delivered this

to Stephen Carlisle's daughter?

[chuckles]

[office phone rings]

- What kind of lawyer are you?

- One who knows the rules of discovery

and the consequences if you don't obey them.

- And you didn't think to flag the email

and give me a head's up about it?

[grunts] This isn't good.

- Yeah, on that we can agree.

Hunter, what possessed you to send an email

instructing your pharmacologists

to increase the addictiveness of Limodol?

- That's not what it--look, what difference does it make?

The chicken-shits wouldn't do it.

- You wanted more people hooked on Limodol?

Black people specifically?

- No, no, no. I wanted more sales.

- And then you order our marketers to handle the pushback

about Limodol addiction by blaming addicts

for their own abusive behavior.

[sighs] Hell, Titus, I sent this email over two decades ago.

[sighs] Let me ask you something.

Do you remember what was on your mind back then?

Huh? Think.

Would you wanna be judged on it all these years later?

- My emails from 20 years ago won't bankrupt this company.

Yours, on the other hand--

- Well, you gotta fix it.

- How? And why the hell should I?

- Because I pay your ass a half a million dollars a year.

That ain't reason enough?!

- You told your marketing team to target lower-income

African-American communities in that missive.

- I was joking with my marketing team.

[sighs] Yes, it's in poor taste.

But I didn't mean it.

Hell, back in those days, emails weren't taken as gospel truth.

- We gotta do damage control.

It might be time to settle.

- I told you-- I'm not paying one more cent

to them piss-ant Carlisles!

- If this mercenary, racist bullshit you spewed gets out,

Purifoy will lose a lot more than a class action lawsuit.

[chuckles] Well, then, you better make damn sure

that doesn't happen.

♪

[thud]

- Oh my god, my baby.

He looks like he's been crying.

- Here's your proof, Evan.

- EDDIE [VOICE SCRAMBLED]: Deposit the money in the account

I gave you, if you want to get your son back.

- Evan, just give him the money.

- EDDIE: Say, "Hi, Mommy."

- JOAQUIN: Hi, Mommy.

- That's some crappy motel, right?

I just didn't see anything that helps us.

- No, no, no. It's not what I saw.

It's what I heard.

A single-engine plane taking off?

Geese?

And then there was a MARTA train?

And I could've sworn I heard kids playing.

- One of those motels near Dekalb-Peachtree Airport.

- The kids playing could be Clairmont Park.

That's nearby. - EDDIE: Now say "Bye, Mommy."

- Evan, he wants the money. What is going on?

- Just hold tight. - JOAQUIN: Bye, Mommy.

- EVAN: Come on, let's go.

[door open and shuts]

[car horn honks]

[dishes clanking]

[indistinct chatter]

- You ain't got to do that.

- Just say "Thank you, Darcia."

- Thank you, Darcia.

[laughs] Why isn't Evan Jr. here?

Too busy to help his sister in her hour of need?

- It's his time of need too.

And if doing his duties as mayor

is how he's dealing with this, then fine.

He can't always be where I want him to be.

- Hmph.

You and him did get along about as good as Cardi B.

and Nikki Minaj.

Ever since Junior was a little boy,

he thought he was better than ordinary folk.

Look who he ended up married to.

- Ooh, child, don't remind me.

- This place looks exactly the same

as it did when we was little.

Damn, we had some fun, all them summers we spent together.

[laughs] Girl, you remember that time we got in trouble for

pouring that whole bag of flour on Junior's head?

[laughs] - How could I forget?

I'm still sore from that whoopin' Daddy gave us.

- Sit down and catch your breath.

You're trying to do too much.

- I will, but--ooh.

Ooh, I got to first get them pies out of the oven.

- Mm, mm, mm, mm. I'll take care of the pies...

and make sure everything in the kitchen is set up

just like I learned from Aunt Thelma and Uncle Senior

all those years ago.

Then I'll help with the customers

while Inez does the grocery run.

- You didn't come out here to work for me.

- Sit your butt down! - Okay.

- Damn! - Ooh!

- I'm ain't gonna tell you again.

- Girl, you sound just like Daddy.

[laughs] I was raised by his brother.

What do you expect?

[laughs]

[indistinct chatter]

- Thank you, Cousin.

[sighs] Child.

[siren wails]

[door opens]

- Thank you.

I wanted to thank you, Titus.

You made my day-- not to mention, my case.

Admittedly, we had to work for it.

My team was, ah, forced to comb through

pages of boring miscellany--

parking spaces, um, casual Fridays, millennial mixers.

[taps fingernails]

[office phone rings]

- But in the midst of all the drivel, there was a gift.

Hunter Purifoy shooting himself in the foot...

and the pocketbook...

with his own bigoted, grasping words.

- Is there a point to this, Stephanie?

- I wanted to save you the trouble

of submitting a settlement amount.

We'd never accept.

- You're refusing to settle.

- I'm refusing our initial ask of a half a billion.

Today, my clients will accept nothing less

than $750 million.

And of course, that offer is only good for 24 hours.

- Of course.

- It'll only go up from there.

Best not to tarry.

Better get out the old man's checkbook.

- Purifoy isn't settling.

[laughing] No, of course you are.

Even a first-year law student would say

this case is now indefensible.

I will slaughter you if this goes to court.

- You can try.

- Mm, well, don't say I didn't warn you.

Oh, before I go...

how is Amara?

- Stephanie, do me a favor.

Keep my wife's name out of your mouth.

- No need to get testy.

I sincerely hope that you and Amara

get through this rough patch.

Who knows?

Maybe you'll be able to move out of the Ducksworth

and back into your starter home.

[chuckles]

[gasps] You must be Deja.

Oh, Titus, your daughter is simply beautiful!

[laughs]

Would you tell your mother I said hello?

♪

- Love the piercing. [chuckles]

- Sweetheart, I'm sorry. That was, um--

- I don't care who she is.

I came here to tell you about the baby.

[indistinct chatter]

[sighs]

- WOMAN: Purifoy Pharmaceuticals?

- Oh.

- What baby?

- My baby.

The one I'm gonna have?

- Oh, Deja.

- One day, Dad.

Not today.

I'm not pregnant.

[door opens and shuts]

[sighs]

[office phone rings]

- Have you sent any more of those racist,

self-incriminating, victim-shaming emails lately?

I'm thinking about starting a scrapbook.

- You know, I thought I smelled the foul mixture of roadkill

and unabashed greed.

Always a sure sign that there's a...

Carlisle in my building.

- At the rate you and your incompetent general counsel

are going, the Carlisles will be able to buy

this garish monument to white privilege at auction.

[chuckles] Why, is that the proper way to talk to...

family?

- Keep dreaming.

[chuckles] You know, I simply cannot wait to throw the biggest

interracial lesbian wedding Atlanta's ever seen

for my Lori and, of course, your Carly.

You know I already have Junie preparing the guest wing

at Purifoy Manor for my...

future daughter-in-law.

- I knew you were behind Lori going after Carly.

[chuckles] Actually, I had no idea it was happening.

But I did add a few extra hundred thousand

to Lori's trust fund after I found out that she had, um--

[snaps fingers]

- --suckered your idiot brat into the sack.

- BOTH: [chuckling]

- Lori had her fun, but I put a quick end to it.

And soon, Carly will be safely out of the country,

being deloused of all things Purifoy.

[chuckles] Just in time for me to bankrupt you.

- BOTH: [chuckling]

- Oh, keep dreaming.

♪

- Oh, and Hunter?

I suggest you book Lori an appointment

with a sexual addiction counselor.

[loudly] That little nympho has quite the penchant

for unseemly orgies with prostitutes!

[chatter erupts] [whispers] Or so I've heard.

[laughs]

♪

- Hey, drink this.

You have to take care of yourself.

[knocking at door]

- Oh-- - Here, I'll take it.

- Did you find-- - Hola!

Oh--[laughs giddly]

Oh, oh, you have such a cozy

and colorful little space here, Bella.

- What are you doing here, Stephanie?

I mean, we always do your fittings at your home.

- I had Bryshanna pull up your address because I wanted to

go over your Corazón contract in person, if you don't mind.

- This is really not a good time.

- Well, I've taken the time out of my busy day

to go over your contract...pro bono.

And you don't have time to discuss it?

- I didn't mean that,

it's just I have so much going on right now.

I really do appreciate you--

- Well, I see that you finally took my advice

and hired an assistant.

Oh, please be a dear and bring me a sparkling water

with a little bit of lime zest. - Excuse you?

- Perla is my model and friend, not my assistant.

- I better get going.

I'll check in later. - Bye, and thanks.

[laughs] Nice meeting you, Pearl!

- Me llamo Perla.

- Ha, look at Bella Tru!

In all of its glory! Hm!

I always knew that you were a fabulous seamstress.

But now I understand why Valentina de Santos

is so impressed.

Oh, and look at your son.

Oh!

[sighs] I loved this age with my children.

Where is the cutie?

- Daycare. - Oh, well, do...

enjoy every minute.

They grow up so fast.

Before you know it, they're moving off to London and...

putting an ocean between you.

- I'm sorry?

- Never mind.

Is something wrong, Bella?

You seem a bit off.

- I'm just upset about Senior, Steph.

He was like a grandfather to me.

- Oh, well, it's very sweet of you to be so worried

about my family.

I know that your mother has worked for us for many years

at Thelma's Place.

- It's more than that.

Mami and Rondell are best friends.

- Oh. - Senior was like fa--

[cell phone vibrates]

- I'm sorry, Stephanie. I really need to take this.

- Don't mind me. I can wait for you

to finish your call to resume our business.

- Hello?

- EDDIE [VOICE SCRAMBLED]: Where's my money?

You keep playing games with me.

And you're gonna see what happens to your brat.

- No, don't do anything to him.

- Don't do anything to whom? Is something wrong?

- EDDIE: What is that? Is there somebody else there?

You are putting your child at risk.

You know what? I'm just gonna kill the kid now.

I'm not gonna wait.

- I mean, don't cancel his spot for daycare.

I will have this matter ironed out as quickly as possible.

- EDDIE: I've given you more than enough time.

- I am so sorry for the delay in Joaquin's daycare payment.

You will definitely have the money today.

You have my word.

- What the hell are you talking about?

- You take such great care of my son.

I feel badly that you've been inconvenienced.

- EDDIE: It better not be the cops.

Look, you get rid of who is ever there now!

- This is my son's school.

I-I really need to take care of this.

It's being handled.

[low voice] I'm so sorry

that you're having problems making the payments.

- It's a credit card snafu.

I just need to switch out my expired credit card.

- It happens.

I mean, not to me, of course.

But matter of fact, after this deal,

you will be flush with cash.

[laughs] - I hope so.

Look, Stephanie, I appreciate you stopping by.

But I will call down to your office and make an appointment

for us to finish our discussion.

- I can't believe you're treating me

like a pesky door-to-door salesman.

- It's not like that.

I really have to finish this call.

I'll be in touch. - Fine.

[sighs] Hello? Hello?

No. No, no, no, no.

- It's almost over.

[text whoosh]

♪

- JOAQUIN: [cries]

♪

- Boss, there's a kid in this one.

- Go get him.

- Come here. Shit! - No! No!

[banging at door]

- JOAQUIN: [cries] - Come here! [grunts]

♪

- Drop the weapon now!

Drop it! - No!

[gunshots]

- JOAQUIN: [screams]

♪

- JOAQUIN: [cries hysterically]

[pants]

- It's okay, Joaquin.

- The package has been secured, sir.

Your son is safe.

[gasps] Oh, baby!

- Mommy! Mommy! - Oh! Oh!

Mommy loves you so much!

- I love you too.

[sobs]

♪

[crickets chirping]

[door shuts]

- You guys have been lying to me.

- What are you talking about?

- You and Dad aren't living together anymore?

Are you divorcing?

- Okay.

Deja, sweetheart, let's sit down so we can talk about it.

- I overheard some lady named Stephanie talking to Dad.

♪

- Where exactly did you see your father and Stephanie?

- She was at his office.

She said that Dad moved out of the house.

Is that true?

- Honey, yes, it's true.

- Is Dad cheating on you with her?

She looks shady as hell.

- Deja, no, he's not cheating--

- He's no better than Razr.

Dad has a lot of nerve to say that he's disappointed in me

when he's been cheating on you--

- Okay, stop! Stop!

Your father's not cheating on me, okay?

♪

- I'm the one who cheated on him.

♪

- Honey? I made a mistake.

Deja, come back here! Deja, come back!

Please, come back here! Let me--

[door shuts]

♪

[crickets chirping]

[sighs]

[clock ticking]

- Where did you run off to last night?

And why are you not responding to any of my texts?

- Good evening to you too.

A drink? That'd be great. Thanks so much.

- Answer me.

[sighs]

Someone just shot my father, Stephanie.

Or have you already put that unpleasant business behind you?

- Don't be base. - The killer is still at large,

and I'll be damned if I let the trail go cold.

And for the record... you have a helluva lot of nerve

questioning my late-night activities

after being caught half dressed in a hotel room

with Titus Hughes.

Yeah.

Amara told me everything.

- Hm.

So little old Amara went whining to you?

[chuckles]

Rest assured, my darling, nothing happened.

I simply needed to...

settle an old score.

- The only reason you didn't sleep with him

is because he wouldn't have you.

- You should be grateful to Titus, Evan.

The only reason I so much as gave you a second look

at Harvard was because he was no longer available.

And we both know without me by your side,

complete with my Carlisle wealth and influence,

you'd spend your legal career

helping thugs with their bail hearings in The Banks.

- Got no time for your black Bette Davis bullshit.

Stephanie, do me a favor.

At least try to remember you're the First Lady of Atlanta

and conduct yourself accordingly.

- Our financial planner

flagged an odd would-be transaction today.

Large sums of money went missing from several accounts,

only to be redeposited later.

- I heard about a property investment.

Turned out to be fool's gold.

Luckily, I realized it before committing the funds.

- I see. [chuckles]

- I'm glad that in your race against time to avenge

your father's death,

you still kept the family fortune in mind.

- I'm not sure if that's supposed to be a joke,

but I'm too beat to figure it out.

I'm going to bed.

♪

[bird squawking]

- Ah, I hate to see you leave.

I know you gotta get back to school.

I love you, baby girl.

- I love you too, Daddy.

[chuckles]

[sighs] Be good.

- Hey, hey--

I'm sorry.

I promise I'm gonna make it right.

[car horn honks] - My ride's here.

- Alright, you be careful and, uh,

call us when you get to Excalibur.

- Um...what did I miss?

♪

- I told Deja I had an affair.

- What? Why would you do that?

- Because, Titus, she overheard you talking to Stephanie

and she assumed that you were cheating on me with her.

So I set the record straight.

- But Amara, that-- - No!

I couldn't allow her to think the worst of you

when I'm the guilty party in this marriage.

[sighs]

[sighs]

Then there's enough guilt to go around.

Look, I owe you an apology.

I never should've accused you of sleeping with Damian again,

let alone being pregnant with his child.

- It's okay.

I mean, it's not, but it's to be expected.

Titus, I lied to you for months about Damian.

And now that everything is...

in the open, I pray that...

we can figure out how to move past it.

- I want that too.

Come here.

♪

[whispers] There are cameras in here.

We're being recorded. Just act normal.

- DARCIA: That white man offered all that

for a soul food restaurant?

Child, that's serious cash. - I know.

But I ain't lettin' no rich developer knock down

the only thing I got left of my momma.

And now my daddy too. Mm-mm.

- I don't blame you for not taking it.

Selling this restaurant

would be like selling a member of our family.

- I know. That's exactly how I feel.

You understand. - I do. Completely.

You really believe this Peters killed Senior?

- Oh, I know he did, just as sure as I'm sitting here.

- Mm-hmm, okay.

I'll find a car to hotwire.

You steal a license plate we can switch out.

We'll need two ski masks and a untraceable gun.

[laughs] Like that time Uncle Jay and Daddy

went after that guy who ripped him off?

[laughs] We gotta do better, 'cause they almost got

their behinds arrested.

- But they got that money back.

- You know that's right.

- BOTH: [laughter]

- Whew, Uncle Jay and Daddy.

Sho nuff ride or die.

- Mm-hmm.

Like you and me.

♪

- Oh, I'm so glad you're here.

You not only saved my ass

during that lunch and dinner rush,

but you are saving my sanity too.

You, uh--

you need to rush back to Chicago?

Uh, duh, duh, duh.

It's alright. Scratch that.

I ain't trying to put no pressure you.

- It's okay. I'm a consultant.

I can work anywhere.

Try and move some things.

Stick around a while?

[traffic outside]

- If you can manage that, I would love to have you.

♪

- Hm. Well, let me lock up.

- Mm-mm. I'll do that.

You go on upstairs, get some rest.

You need it.

- You know what?

I'ma take you up on that.

Ooh, I love me some you.

- BOTH: Mm!

- Love you, Cousin. - I love you more.

- Ooh!

- Yeah.

♪

[doorbell rings]

♪

♪

[cell phone rings]

- Girl--[chuckles]

This gon' be like taking candy from a baby.

Hm-hm!

I'm about to get paid way more than I planned.

You hear me?

Heh, heh!

- MAN: On the next "Ambitions"--

- Mother--

- I know exactly who planted those cameras.

And I'm gonna make sure that that sick predator pays.

- Alix and Will think there were two of them,

and they're on his trail.

- Evan's guys are on to me.

- That son of a bitch has been stealing money from me

and our children to provide for his whore!

- I just want you to pay me what I'm owed.

- How much?

- TITUS: You always manage to stay two steps ahead.

How is that, Stephanie?

- It's simple. I'm better than you are.

♪

♪

♪

[ding]