Summer in Port Charles is about to take a surprising turn as Max Scorpio’s beloved backyard barbecue, usually a warm and friendly neighborhood event, becomes the setting for unexpected drama and heartbreak. What was meant to be a day of grilled treats and easy conversation quickly spirals into tension fueled by hidden grudges, secret alliances, and personal rivalries lurking beneath the surface.

Max, ever the attentive host, prepared meticulously—marinades perfected, seating arranged by Felicia, and spirits high as guests arrived. But unknown to him, some attendees came not just with appetites but with agendas. Long-standing resentments and covert plans have infiltrated what was supposed to be a lighthearted get-together.

Central to the turmoil is Ava Jerome, who’s been simmering with anger ever since her painful breakup with Rick Lancing. His distracted attention to his ex, Elizabeth Weber, and emotional distance drove Ava to sever not only their romantic ties but also a dark partnership they once shared in blackmailing Alexis Davis. Ava’s thirst for revenge pushes her to forge new alliances, aiming to wipe Rick from her life completely.

Meanwhile, Cody Bell steps into the fray. Originally involved in a scheme orchestrated by Christina Corinthos Davis to get close to Ava and distract her, Cody’s feelings have grown complicated. Though he initially had eyes for Molly Lancing Davis, Cody found himself unexpectedly drawn to Ava’s fierce intelligence and vulnerability. This unexpected emotional twist threatens to upend the plans Christina had carefully put in place.

As the barbecue day unfolds, Molly arrives with hopeful intentions and homemade brownies, unaware of the emotional storm waiting for her. When Ava publicly introduces Cody as her boyfriend, Molly is blindsided, feeling betrayed and heartbroken. The revelation sparks an intense confrontation fueled by raw emotions and years of trust broken.

In the heat of the moment, a scuffle leads to Molly’s painful fall, turning the festive atmosphere into one charged with shock and concern. Christina, who had engineered much of the tangled relationships for what she thought was the greater good, is faced with the harsh reality that her manipulations have caused real pain and chaos.

The party guests watch uneasily as the fractured dynamics play out, and what began as a friendly gathering morphs into a battleground of unspoken grudges and simmering rivalries. Ava holds her ground, reveling quietly in her victory, while Molly nurses her injury and her wounded pride.

As night falls, the four at the center—Molly, Ava, Cody, and Christina—remain locked in their own private battles of loyalty, guilt, and strategy. What started as a simple barbecue has unleashed deeper conflicts that could change their lives forever.

Kristina, caught in the middle of these consequences she never intended, begins to regret her indirect role in setting this chain of events into motion. In Port Charles, even the most innocent gatherings can have dangerous outcomes, and this barbecue is no exception.