Carter and Hope’s relationship is headed for a major shake-up as Carter finds himself caught between Daphne and Brooke’s manipulations. Daphne has been subtly seducing him, and despite his initial resistance, Carter is beginning to fall under her spell. Perhaps Steffy was right—no one can resist Daphne’s charm. Meanwhile, Hope remains unaware of the growing threat to her relationship, and by the time she realizes Daphne’s intentions, it may be too late.

However, Daphne isn’t the only one influencing Carter’s decisions. Brooke has been pressuring him to return control of the company to Ridge, arguing that it rightfully belongs to the Forrester family. After several discussions, Brooke’s words begin to weigh on Carter, stirring feelings of guilt. He starts contemplating whether he should indeed give the company back. This revelation comes as a complete shock to Hope when Carter confesses his thoughts to her next week. Hope has never heard him speak this way before, and her reaction is anything but supportive.

Furious and feeling betrayed, Hope lashes out at Carter, refusing to entertain the idea of returning the company. She demands that he abandon the thought immediately. However, rather than being swayed by Hope’s outrage, Carter finds himself increasingly disillusioned. The more he reflects, the more he realizes that Hope has only been using him for her own benefit. This moment of clarity pushes Carter to reevaluate their entire relationship.

As his feelings for Hope wane, Carter begins to gravitate toward Daphne, the woman who has been steadily pulling him closer. Their connection deepens, and Carter finds himself enjoying the affection and admiration that Hope never truly gave him. With each passing day, he distances himself from Hope, recognizing that their relationship has left him emotionally drained.

Eventually, Carter reaches his breaking point. He decides to end things with Hope, return the company to the Forresters, and embark on a new chapter of happiness with Daphne. This bold move marks a turning point for Carter, proving that he is done being manipulated. But how will Hope react when she realizes she’s lost Carter for good?