The fashion world of The Bold and the Beautiful is rattled as whispers of Thomas Forrester’s sudden disappearance spark a chain reaction that no one at Forrester Creations saw coming. What begins as a minor absence from a design meeting spirals into a full-blown crisis—pushing Ridge into panic mode, Hope into guilt, Steffy into suspicion, and the entire company toward the brink of creative collapse.

At the center of the storm is Dee Sharp—Deacon’s long-forgotten son, newly reintroduced to viewers with a rewritten backstory and a brand-new purpose. After years of off-screen chaos involving switched babies, hidden paternity, and complicated ties to the Forresters, Dee has resurfaced in Los Angeles as a fresh fashion school graduate with ambitions of stepping into the world that once cast him aside. The timing is uncanny, because Hope for the Future—a line resurrected by Carter’s strategic push—is in urgent need of a designer.

The revival of Hope’s fashion brand comes after months of turmoil. Sales collapsed when Thomas left the company after Hope rejected his second marriage proposal. Steffy seized the opportunity to shut the line down entirely—partly out of business practicality, partly out of personal resentment. But with shifting market trends and pressure from younger buyers, Carter convinces Ridge that bringing the line back could fill a gap in the company’s portfolio.

Hope, however, barely has time to celebrate before Carter drops a bombshell: he asks her to marry him. The proposal lands with awkward timing and a sense of desperation. Many speculate Carter pressured Ridge to revive her line to secure Hope’s trust—and perhaps steer her away from the emotional pull she still seems to feel toward Liam.

But even bigger drama is brewing inside the design office.

Thomas appears only briefly before vanishing again, a cameo so short that viewers barely had time to process his return before the credits confirmed he was already gone. Hope confides in Brooke that she could never fully commit to Thomas because of his role in the fake Beth storyline, effectively shutting the door on any professional reunion between them. With Steffy on maternity leave, Zende stretched thin, and R.J. drifting out of focus, the company is desperate for a new designer.

Enter Deacon, who casually reveals to Ridge that his son Dee has been sketching in secret for years. At first Ridge dismisses the suggestion—after all, Deacon’s history with the Forresters is too toxic to ignore. But one glance at Dee’s portfolio changes everything. Ridge sees originality, edge, and raw talent reminiscent of early Thomas—but with a modern twist that feels undeniably fresh.

Word spreads instantly.

Brooke is horrified and warns Ridge not to let Deacon’s family back into their world. Steffy is alarmed. Liam is suspicious. Hope is stunned into silence. And Sheila—listening from the shadows—relishes every second of the growing tension.

Meanwhile, Thomas’s disappearance becomes increasingly worrisome. Paris reports that his phone was found abandoned at the office. Douglas starts asking questions no one can answer. Steffy insists that Thomas has shown signs of emotional instability and that Ridge needs to stop ignoring the red flags. Even Ridge begins to fear that Thomas may be slipping into old destructive patterns—withdrawal, self-doubt, and intense creative pressure.

Hope, overwhelmed by guilt and unresolved feelings, decides to search for Thomas herself. Liam pleads with her not to get involved, but Hope feels responsible for the spiral he has fallen into. She believes that if she doesn’t intervene now, Thomas may vanish for good—and the guilt might haunt her forever.

Back at Forrester Creations, Dee’s introduction ignites immediate conflict. Zende, already resentful after years of being overshadowed by Thomas, is livid at the possibility of being replaced again. Carter, impressed but cautious, watches the tension build. Ridge, after studying Dee’s live sketches, makes the most shocking move of all: he offers Dee a temporary design role.

The reaction is explosive.

Steffy accuses Ridge of acting out of panic. Brooke storms into the office demanding answers. Hope looks torn between pride and fear. Liam senses trouble. Deacon is nervous but hopeful. And Sheila—never one to miss an opportunity—grins at the chaos erupting like wildfire.

But one question overshadows them all:

Where is Thomas Forrester?

Rumors swirl that he has left Los Angeles, cut off contact, and slipped into a dangerous mental health decline. The longer he remains missing, the more unstable the environment at Forrester becomes. And as Dee steps into the spotlight, filling the void Thomas left behind, the fashion house braces for the moment when Thomas returns—because when he does, the fallout may be catastrophic.

The episode closes with Hope following a clue to Thomas’s whereabouts, Ridge struggling to keep the company afloat, and Dee’s unexpected rise sending shockwaves through every corner of the Forrester empire.

One thing is certain:
Thomas Forrester’s story is far from over, and the truth behind his disappearance may be more shocking than anyone is prepared to face.