Excitement filled the halls of Forrester Creations when Hope and Carter walked in, their hands intertwined and faces glowing with joy. The couple had just gotten engaged, and they were ready to share their news with the most influential people in Hope’s life—Brooke, Steffy, and Ridge.

As soon as the words left Hope’s mouth, Brooke’s reaction was everything one would expect from a doting, proud mother. She gasped with joy, her hands flying to her face in shock before pulling her daughter into a tight embrace. “I knew it!” she exclaimed, her voice full of love. “I always believed in you two.” Her happiness was uncontainable, and she didn’t hesitate to extend that warmth to Carter, welcoming him into the Logan family with a heartfelt smile and both hands placed affectionately on his shoulders.

Steffy, though caught off guard by the announcement, remained composed and even kind. “It’s a beautiful ring,” she remarked genuinely, her voice free of any hint of jealousy or rivalry. “Liam will want this for you. He wants you to be happy.” For a moment, it felt like the past was behind them—no lingering competition, no resentment, just a tentative truce between two women who’d been through more than enough conflict.

Hope smiled at Steffy, grateful for the maturity and calm she was showing. This engagement, it seemed, was more than just a celebration of love—it was also a turning point, a symbol of healing between fractured relationships.

But not everyone was celebrating.

Ridge’s silence stood in sharp contrast to the others’ warm reactions. While Brooke bubbled with enthusiasm and Steffy showed unexpected grace, Ridge said almost nothing. He didn’t offer congratulations or even a smile. A nod here, a grunt there, but nothing that signaled real approval. Hope noticed his lack of emotion first, exchanging a concerned glance with Carter. And then Steffy, sensing something wasn’t right, finally asked, “Dad, are you okay with this?”

Ridge forced a tight-lipped smile and shifted the topic, but the tension in the room was unmistakable. His lack of support didn’t go unnoticed, and behind that blank expression was a storm of doubt brewing.

According to spoilers, Ridge’s reluctance has nothing to do with disliking Carter or even Hope personally—it’s about something deeper and more ingrained. Ridge has spent months distancing himself from the toxic cycle he endured with Brooke. Even though Brooke has tried repeatedly to reconcile, Ridge has remained cautious, hesitant to fall back into old traps. So, when he sees Hope—Brooke’s daughter—diving into a whirlwind romance with Carter, alarm bells start ringing.

Ridge has been burned by Logan women before, and the sudden engagement makes him uneasy. To him, it feels all too familiar.

Later, Ridge seeks out Carter in private. Expecting a friendly visit, Carter greets him warmly, but Ridge wastes no time getting to the point.

“You sure about this?” Ridge asks, his voice low and serious.

Carter laughs it off at first, thinking Ridge is joking. “You sound like you don’t approve.”

Leaning against the desk, arms folded, Ridge replies, “It’s not about approval. It’s about patterns. I’ve seen the Logans fall hard and fall fast. And I’ve seen them break hearts just as quickly—including mine.”

Carter stiffens slightly, defending Hope. “She’s not Brooke.”

Ridge doesn’t argue the point but instead sighs, his expression weary. “No, she’s not. But she learned from the best. Hope is passionate, emotional, and sometimes impulsive. One minute she’s certain, and the next she’s unsure. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Carter pushes back gently. “She chose me. This is real.”

Ridge nods slowly. “Real doesn’t always mean forever.”

With a quieter, more vulnerable tone, Ridge adds, “Look, I’m not trying to ruin this for you. I’m your friend. That’s why I’m telling you—don’t go all in unless you’re ready for the consequences. Protect your heart.”

Though Carter tries to brush off Ridge’s warning, spoilers reveal that the conversation hits harder than he lets on. Ridge’s words echo in his mind long after he leaves the office. Coming from someone who knows both Brooke and Hope intimately, the caution doesn’t feel baseless. Carter begins to question if he’s rushing into something, even as his heart remains firmly with Hope.

The bigger question now looms—will Ridge’s warning start to chip away at Carter’s confidence in his relationship? Ridge may not have solid proof that anything is wrong, but his instincts are usually sharp when it comes to the Logan women. If his doubts grow louder, could they start to influence not just Carter, but Hope as well?

Hope, who has finally found some stability and emotional peace, may feel the ripple effect of Ridge’s disapproval. Even if he doesn’t speak against the engagement openly, his quiet resistance could plant seeds of doubt that slowly erode the couple’s foundation.

This engagement was meant to be a fresh start—a celebration of love and unity. But if Ridge can’t get past his own baggage and mistrust of the Logans, it may not take long before his doubts become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In The Bold and the Beautiful, love is rarely simple, and when Ridge Forrester stops celebrating, you can bet there’s a storm brewing just over the horizon