Salem has always been a town of secrets and shadows, but this week, betrayal takes center stage—and no one sees it coming. Gabby Hernandez, known for her cunning charm and fearless ambition, is back in the spotlight. But as she aligns herself with Tony DiMera in a cutthroat bid for power, her choices spark a chain reaction that threatens to destroy relationships, shatter trust, and expose secrets even darker than she imagined. And at the heart of it all? A shocking move from Steve “Patch” Johnson that no one—especially Gabby—could have predicted.

Let’s dive into this week’s explosive storyline, where business ambitions blur with personal emotions, and one betrayal opens the door to an even more staggering twist.

Gabby & Tony: The Power Grab Begins

Gabby Hernandez has returned to Salem with fire in her eyes and revenge in her heart. After months of staying under the radar, she’s teamed up with Tony DiMera, whose thirst to reclaim the DiMera legacy has reached a boiling point. Together, they plot to take down their latest targets: Xander and Philip Kiriakis—the twin pillars of Titan Industries.

Tony tempts Gabby with a tantalizing promise: help him sabotage the Kiriakis empire, and she’ll take the reins as CEO of DiMera Enterprises. For Gabby, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime. Power, prestige, and payback. She doesn’t hesitate.

But as with everything in Salem, nothing is ever as simple as it seems.

Enter Steve Johnson: The Reluctant Spy

Recognizing the dangers ahead, Gabby knows she can’t do this alone. She turns to an unlikely ally—Steve Johnson, the grizzled investigator with a moral compass that’s often tested but rarely broken. She needs dirt on Philip and Xander. Secrets. Scandals. Anything she can use to bring Titan to its knees.

At first, Steve is skeptical. He’s no stranger to the chaos of corporate warfare and isn’t keen to throw himself into another battlefield. But when Gabby shows him the extent of what’s at stake—and hints that shady international deals may be involved—his curiosity wins out. He agrees, with conditions. What Gabby doesn’t realize is that Steve has his own agenda, and he’s already ten steps ahead.

Steve’s Discovery: A Twist That Changes Everything

As Steve digs deeper into Titan’s dealings, he stumbles upon something far more dangerous than corporate espionage. He uncovers whispers of offshore accounts, secret partnerships, and—most disturbingly—a financial trail that leads to a potential internal mole within DiMera Enterprises itself.

And that’s not all.

Steve’s investigation hits dangerously close to home when he discovers connections that could implicate his own daughter, Stephanie Johnson. Torn between loyalty and truth, he confides in his wife Kayla, unsure whether to tell Gabby what he’s found or keep the information buried to protect his family.

What Steve does next will shake Salem to its core.

Gabby’s Emotional Crossroads: Betraying the Man Who Cared

While Steve is busy digging, Gabby is playing her own game of manipulation and seduction. She’s working the shareholders, quietly winning over board members, and luring Titan insiders to her side. But one wildcard keeps messing with her resolve: Xander.

Despite being her intended target, Xander has recently shown Gabby an unexpected side—vulnerable, sincere, even protective. They’ve shared genuine moments, and for a brief second, Gabby wonders if there’s a path forward that doesn’t involve tearing him down.

But Tony is pressuring her. Time is running out. And Gabby convinces herself that if she wants to win, she must stay the course—even if it means betraying someone who might truly care for her.

Philip’s Counterattack and the Salem Standoff

As Gabby and Tony close in, Philip Kiriakis starts to sense the shifting tides. Using his late father Victor’s informant network, he launches a counter-investigation—and what he finds stuns him.

Steve Johnson—once a trusted ally—is working with Gabby.

In a tense confrontation outside the Salem pub, Philip corners Steve. Harsh words fly, and loyalties are called into question. Steve doesn’t deny his involvement, but he also doesn’t reveal everything. Philip storms off, vowing to destroy Gabby’s plan and expose the betrayal.

But what neither of them realizes is that the biggest betrayal has yet to happen.

Stephanie’s Outrage and the Fallout of Deception

Back at Titan, word of Steve’s investigation reaches Stephanie Johnson—and she is livid. Furious that her own father would compromise her standing at Titan without warning, she confronts Steve, demanding answers. The tension is palpable, and their argument exposes deep fractures in their relationship.

Stephanie feels blindsided, used, and betrayed. Steve, caught between protecting her and honoring his mission, is forced to make a difficult choice—one that could cost him his daughter’s trust forever.

Monday’s Mayhem: Gabby Makes Her Move

As the week kicks into high gear, all pieces fall into place. On Monday, Gabby makes her boldest move yet, walking into DiMera Enterprises with a confident smile and Steve’s intel in hand. With Tony flanking her and the board buzzing with whispers, she prepares to take the company—and the town—by storm.

But just as she prepares to deliver the killing blow to Titan, everything changes.

Steve steps forward… and stuns everyone by turning on Gabby.

Yes, the REAL shock comes not from Gabby’s betrayal of Xander—but from Steve’s betrayal of her. In a jaw-dropping twist, Steve presents evidence to the board implicating both Gabby and Tony in a series of fraudulent schemes, halting their coup dead in its tracks.

Gabby, blindsided and furious, realizes she’s been outplayed by the very man she brought into her inner circle.

A Town on the Brink

As the dust settles, Salem finds itself on the edge of a new war. Gabby has lost her upper hand. Steve’s motives remain unclear. Stephanie’s fury continues to boil. And Xander, heartbroken by Gabby’s betrayal, is left to pick up the pieces of both his professional and personal life.

But this is Salem. And nothing ever ends cleanly.

With Tony regrouping, Gabby thirsting for revenge, and Steve straddling a moral gray area, the coming weeks promise more twists, deeper wounds, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Will Gabby retaliate? Can Steve repair his relationship with Stephanie? And what hidden hand is still pulling the strings in Salem?

Stay tuned. Because in Days of Our Lives, even the most loyal allies can become your greatest threat—and the real betrayal is always the one you never saw coming.