As the search for John takes an unexpected turn, tensions rise in Salem. Philip arrives at the Brady Pub, where Kate immediately warns him that he is in danger. She reveals that EJ blames her for ruining his relationship with his son and has vowed revenge. Philip questions how she is responsible, but Kate dismisses his curiosity, urging him to prioritize his safety instead. Though reluctant, Philip acknowledges the risk but remains despondent over his current predicament.
Philip confides in Kate about the fallout with Xander and Alex. Kate reminds him that he still holds a powerful position as co-CEO, but Philip worries that Stephanie might expose the truth to Alex, jeopardizing everything. Kate pushes him to confront Stephanie, but he resists, believing it to be futile. Undeterred, Kate persists until Philip agrees to seek her out. As he exits, Roman enters, immediately noticing Kate’s concern. She brushes off his inquiries, vaguely mentioning Philip’s complicated relationship troubles. Roman shifts the conversation to family matters, expressing frustration over the lack of updates on John’s situation. Kate reassures him that Marina will not stop searching until John is found.
Meanwhile, Xander confesses to Sarah that he inadvertently exposed Philip and Stephanie’s affair to Alex. Sarah is furious, arguing that it wasn’t their secret to tell. Xander explains that Alex overheard part of the conversation, forcing him to reveal the rest. He then informs Sarah that Alex reacted violently, nearly strangling Philip before storming off. Xander believes Alex deserves answers, while Sarah hopes time will heal the betrayal. However, Xander is skeptical, convinced that lying to Alex for so long will have lasting consequences.
At Stephanie’s apartment, Alex confronts her about her relationship with Philip. Stephanie admits to hiding something but insists it is not what Alex assumes. She refuses to divulge the details, claiming she made a promise. Alex presses her, arguing that trust should go both ways. Reluctantly, Stephanie confesses that the letter granting Philip half of Titan was forged by Philip and Vivian. This revelation stuns Alex, who realizes Philip’s entire claim to the company is fraudulent.
When Alex questions why Stephanie kept this secret, she explains that she overheard Philip and Kate discussing it. She had been furious but chose to stay silent to protect Philip. Alex is outraged that Stephanie withheld such a crucial truth, especially after witnessing how much deception has torn families apart. Stephanie insists that the situation is more complicated than it seems.
Alex then learns that Sarah also knew about the forgery but kept it hidden from Xander. Stephanie explains that Sarah believed Victor had always intended for Philip to run Titan but refrained from naming him due to his mental health struggles. Sarah feared that if Xander gained full control, his unchecked power might lead to reckless decisions. She also worried that revealing the truth would cause Xander to either prosecute Philip or take matters into his own hands violently.
As Alex processes this revelation, he grapples with the moral dilemma of exposing the truth. Stephanie warns him that doing so could destroy not only the company but also the fragile balance within the family. She argues that Sarah acted in the best interest of everyone, not just Philip. However, Alex is torn between loyalty to Xander and the responsibility of revealing the deception. He insists that Xander deserves to know the truth, regardless of the consequences. Stephanie pleads with him to consider the bigger picture, knowing that one wrong move could lead to disaster.
With John’s fate still uncertain and tensions escalating in Salem, the residents are faced with difficult choices that could change everything. Will Alex expose Philip’s betrayal, or will he protect the fragile stability of his family? And with John in Orpheus’ hands, will he be found before it’s too late? Stay tuned for more shocking twists on Days of Our Lives!
