EJ’s Vicious Plan EXPOSED – Chad Never Saw It Coming! | Days of Our Lives Spoilers

In Salem, appearances can be deceiving—and this week on Days of Our Lives, that truth hits closer to home than ever before. EJ DiMera, master strategist and perennial puppet master, has just pulled off one of the most unexpected plays in recent memory. On the surface, it looked like EJ was making a romantic move. But the reality? It’s far more calculated—and Chad never saw it coming.

The drama begins at a highly anticipated charity bachelor auction, where the town’s elite gathers for a night of good-natured competition and charitable giving. Cat Green, Salem’s newest charming and confident face, steals the spotlight. She’s radiant, poised, and quickly becoming someone to watch. As the bidding heats up, it becomes clear that Chad DiMera has more than a passing interest in Cat. Their flirtation has been building, subtle but unmistakable. And when Cat hits the stage, all signs point to Chad making the winning bid.

But just as Chad moves in for what seems like a surefire win, a surprising hand rises: EJ.

The crowd goes quiet. Chad is visibly stunned. After all, EJ and Chad have had their share of friction—especially after that explosive exposé article that damaged EJ’s reputation. So why is EJ bidding on the same woman Chad clearly has eyes for? Is it revenge? A power play? Or is EJ just doing what he does best—stirring the pot for his own amusement?

Initially, it reeks of classic DiMera drama. But as Cat accepts the winning bid, something shifts. EJ doesn’t take her out. In fact, he makes no move to spend the evening with her. So why steal the moment from Chad in the first place?

According to those close to the situation, EJ’s maneuver wasn’t a cruel jab or an ego trip—it was a twisted act of generosity. As it turns out, EJ may be playing Cupid with a DiMera twist. Sources say this wasn’t about stealing the spotlight or causing chaos. It was about giving Chad a real shot at happiness. In fact, EJ may have just handed Chad and Cat their first real opportunity to connect—without either of them even realizing it.

Let’s rewind: Chad was by EJ’s side after his shooting—through the recovery, through the storm of public opinion, and when most would’ve walked away. EJ may never have said the words, but this could be his way of saying thank you. And in true DiMera fashion, that gratitude comes not in words, but in orchestration.

EJ’s real plan plays out quietly at the DiMera mansion. He arranges the setting with the help of his assistant, Rita Leslie: soft candlelight, a carefully curated dinner table, and just the right atmosphere. The catch? EJ has no intention of being there.

Instead, he sends out two invitations. Cat receives word that their auction date—postponed due to EJ’s “health scare”—has been rescheduled at the mansion. Meanwhile, Chad is told to stop by to pick up paperwork or check on EJ. It’s vague, misleading, and undeniably suspicious—but it works.

Cat arrives first, expecting EJ. What she finds instead is an elegant, romantic setup that doesn’t feel like his usual style. She’s puzzled, but intrigued. Then Chad walks in, clearly expecting a setup and ready to leave. But the moment he sees Cat, everything changes.

Neither of them planned this. Both of them feel manipulated. And yet, the setting offers something rare in Salem: a moment away from judgment, away from chaos—a chance to just be.

At first, Chad is defensive. “Let me guess,” he mutters. “EJ’s idea of a joke.” But Cat deflects with grace, amusement in her eyes. “Maybe,” she says. “But we’re here now.”

And just like that, the tension begins to melt.

They’ve been circling each other for weeks—at fundraisers, during fleeting conversations, in glances that lingered too long. This wasn’t supposed to be the way their story started, but it might be exactly what they needed. No crowds, no expectations, no interference. Just the two of them.

As dinner unfolds, the conversation turns genuine. Chad lets his guard down, laughing more easily than he has in months. Cat, too, is warm but cautious—she’s reading Chad like a chessboard, aware of every move but not afraid to take a risk.

It’s not dramatic. It’s not explosive. But it’s real.

By dessert, there’s a stillness. And in that pause, the truth settles in: this moment, however manufactured, has the potential to be something real. All they had to do was take the first step.

But even as this unexpected connection begins to form, bigger questions loom in the shadows.

Is EJ’s matchmaking truly a heartfelt gesture? Or is it just the first move in another long game?

EJ has been working overtime to rehabilitate his image since the hospital scandal and corporate upheaval. This act of “brotherly love” makes headlines in all the right ways: it’s charming, strategic, and paints EJ as thoughtful and generous. It’s the kind of story that the Salem press—and the public—eats up.

But what if there’s more?

Whispers around town suggest that EJ sees Chad as more than just a brother—he sees him as a potential pawn. And by tying Chad emotionally to Cat, someone EJ subtly controls through circumstances, he may be anchoring Chad to a larger DiMera agenda.

Manipulation with a heart? Perhaps. But manipulation is still manipulation. And if Chad falls deeper into a relationship crafted by EJ, he may not realize he’s been played—until it’s far too late.

For now, Chad and Cat are left with a moment that could change everything… or nothing at all. But make no mistake: EJ’s fingerprints are all over it. And whether it leads to love or betrayal, this story is far from over.

Stay tuned. In Salem, even love has strings attached.