Monday, September 28, 2026

Eva Thomas (Ambyr Michelle) expressed frustration regarding her mother bailing Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings) out of jail to her boyfriend. As the Phoenix Street Free Clinic manager left for work, Kat Richardson (Colby Nixon) called Izaiah Hawthorne (Lami Friebe) to meet for coffee and seek advice about her relationship troubles.

At the Dupree mansion, Dr. Nicole Dupree (Daphnée Duplaix), Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Anita Dupree (Tamara Tunie) discussed the events leading up to Lawson’s arrest. Dr. Dupree said Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) must regret destroying his family for a woman who was using him. Unbeknownst to the psychiatrist, Chelsea Hamilton (RhonniRose Mantilla) walked in just as her aunt declared that Bill Hamilton got what he deserved.

Dr. Dupree apologized to her niece and admitted her words stemmed from anger over how her former brother-in-law treated Dani Dupree (Karla Mosley). Chelsea Hamilton accepted the psychiatrist’s apology and expressed her exhaustion from all the trauma their family has been through, including the anxiety she has felt lately due to Allison Bailey (Brianna Roberts).

At Garland Memorial Hospital, Lawson continued to antagonize Bill Hamilton. As the criminal defense attorney declared that he would make sure his soon-to-be ex-wife paid for her crimes, Lawson said she would destroy the lives of everyone he cares about if he didn’t get the charges dropped.

The paralegal told Bill Hamilton that she wanted the funds from their prenuptial agreement and the house in St. Bart’s, or she would expose the night Congressman Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) killed a man in self-defense and the cover-up. Lawson obtained this information by setting up recording devices in the criminal defense attorney’s office and their home.

Elsewhere, Dr. Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson) and nurses Shanice Johnson (Ernestine Johnson) and Ashley Morgan (Jen Jacob) discussed how Kat Richardson and Bill Hamilton were close before the Hamilton patriarch divorced Dani Dupree. Johnson and Morgan both acknowledged the apparent fondness between the ChelseaKat business manager and her “Uncle Bill.”

Eva Thomas overheard this conversation and reminded her father that Bill Hamilton attempted to bully her mother into getting rid of her. The free clinic manager also attempted to justify her mother posting Lawson’s bail.

At the coffee shop, Kat Richardson explained the misunderstanding she had with Tomas Navarro (Alex Alegria). When Izaiah Hawthorne asked why the ChelseaKat co-founder assumed Navarro would represent Lawson, she expressed concern about how far her boyfriend was willing to go to succeed in his career.

Kat Richardson further explained that there’s been a disconnect since she rejected Navarro’s marriage proposal. She affirmed that she loves her boyfriend, but she wished being with him didn’t feel so hard.  

Back at the Dupree mansion, Kat Richardson told her cousin and brother about her conversation with Izaiah Hawthorne. In a disapproving tone, the ChelseaKat designer questioned why her best friend thought it was okay to confide in the Banneker University advisor when she’s uncomfortable with Eva Thomas interacting with Navarro.

Congressman Richardson reacted differently, saying that there was nothing wrong with Kat Richardson and Izaiah Hawthorne interacting because they’ve known each other for years and were friends before either of them even met Eva Thomas.

Meanwhile, Bill Hamilton agreed to give Lawson what she asked for in exchange for her leaving town for good. The paralegal agreed, and before she departed, she demanded a cash advance.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Dani Dupree confided in her sister about the stress she’s felt over almost losing Bill Hamilton. Dr. Dupree advised the supermodel to avoid interacting with Lawson and to channel her energy into spending time with Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman).

Feeling uneasy, Dani Dupree confessed that she had not informed her husband about Lawson holding her at gunpoint. The modeling agent did not want to concern him more than she already had.

At the Dupree mansion, Andre Richardson sought Vernon Dupree’s insight on Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom). The photographer told his father-in-law that he entrusted Armstrong with some important information and was now doubting his decision. Vernon Dupree affirmed that every deal with Armstrong came at a cost that wouldn’t reveal itself until later.

Anita Dupree visited Bill Hamilton in the hospital. The Dupree matriarch told her former son-in-law she was thankful Lawson’s plan hadn’t succeeded, but she was still furious with him for destroying his family and ignoring the warnings about Lawson.

Bill Hamilton said he would do everything he could to make things right with his daughters and his ex-wife. Anita Dupree advised the criminal defense attorney that if he truly wanted what was best for Dani Dupree, he would leave her alone and focus on rebuilding his own life.

Meanwhile, at Orphey Gene’s, Lawson informed Randy Parker (Maurice P. Kerry) that she blackmailed Bill Hamilton into dropping the charges against her. Moments later, Chelsea Hamilton arrived, immediately confronted the paralegal and threw a cup of water in her face.

In retaliation, Lawson slapped her, and June Hughes (Jasmine Burke) and Parker stepped in to separate them as they hurled insults at one another. Eventually, Parker got his defiant cousin to leave the diner with him.

Lionel Belleclaire (Andre L. Hall) approached Leslie Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant) at the Fairmont Crest Country Club and asked her out to dinner to discuss the plans for the house she was building in the gated community. Anastasia Belleclaire (Timeca M. Seretti) then interrupted the conversation and scolded the Phoenix Street Free Clinic owner for “sinking her claws” into another man.

Just as the conversation heated up, Anita Dupree arrived and sent Anastasia Belleclaire away so she could confront Leslie Thomas for bailing Lawson out of jail. The free clinic owner assured her business partner that the decision wasn’t meant as an attack on her family, but the Dupree matriarch continued to express her disappointment. Anita Dupree ended the conversation by asking how Barbara Mitchell would feel about Leslie Thomas’ actions.

At Lawson’s hotel room, she gave Parker the financial details of her deal with Bill Hamilton. The cousins discussed Parker’s cut and their plans to leave the DMV area permanently for St. Barts.

Andre Richardson found Nicole Dupree at the hospital and informed her that Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli) had been carjacked and was in the emergency room. This left the psychiatrist shaken.

Also at the hospital, Chelsea Hamilton and Dani Dupree filled Bill Hamilton in regarding his youngest daughter’s fight with Lawson. The mother-daughter duo hoped it would be enough to get the scammer’s bail revoked, but Bill Hamilton then told them he was dropping the charges.

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

At Garland Memorial Hospital, McBride was wheeled to the nurses’ station, where Dr. Dupree met her. The realtor and Andre Richardson explained the incident to Dr. Dupree and Morgan.

Frustrated, Nicole Dupree scolded her best friend about putting herself in danger by being with Armstrong. The psychiatrist warned McBride that if anything happened to her, she would go after the casino owner personally.

Chelsea Hamilton was upset to learn that her father was dropping the charges against Lawson. The former model told Bill Hamilton he didn’t have the ability to do so, but she soon realized the Hamilton patriarch planned to call in a favor to accomplish his goal. Dani Dupree escorted her emotional daughter out of the room to calm her down.

Leslie Thomas visited Lawson in her hotel room and badgered her into spending time together. The free clinic investor began talking about her love life, but Lawson wasn’t interested. The paralegal told Leslie Thomas that she was still reeling from the humiliation of being arrested and barred from entering Fairmont Crest.

The Thomas matriarch then offered to use her pull with Lionel Belleclaire, the head of the Homeowners Association, influencing him to restore Lawson’s access to the community. Still uninterested, Lawson told Leslie Thomas she doesn’t plan to be in town much longer.

Naomi Hamilton-Hawthorne (Arielle Prepetit) stopped by the police station to visit her husband, Detective Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges). The former undercover cop pressed Hamilton-Hawthorne about masking her emotions regarding Lawson’s actions.

Embarrassed that her former friend fooled her, the civil attorney blamed herself for introducing Lawson to her family. Detective Hawthorne told his wife that Lawson was a con artist and would’ve figured out a way to target Bill Hamilton anyway.

Back at the hospital, Andre Richardson told Dani Dupree about the carjacking. The photographer started to escort his wife to see McBride, but she told him she had unfinished business with her ex-husband concerning Chelsea Hamilton.  

Chelsea Hamilton went straight to the police station and attempted to file charges against Lawson for assault. However, after she explained how the fight went down to her sister and brother-in-law, they told her the charges wouldn’t stick because she initiated the altercation by throwing water in the paralegal’s face.

At the hospital, Dr. Richardson asked his nephew how things were going with Dani Dupree. The photographer admitted he was frustrated that people kept questioning him about his wife’s interactions with Bill Hamilton.

Andre Richardson believed Dani Dupree checking on her ex-husband over and over was for their children’s sake. Sensing the tension in his nephew’s body language, Dr. Richardson urged the photographer to talk to Dani Dupree because it was obvious he wasn’t okay with her attention being consumed by Bill Hamilton.

Thursday, October 1, 2026

Chelsea Hamilton asked Dr. Madison Montgomery (Kenjah McNeil) to run more tests on her father. The handbag designer was convinced the only reasonable explanation for Bill Hamilton wanting Lawson’s charges dropped was that the poisonous toxins gave him brain damage.

After Chelsea Hamilton expressed concern for her father’s safety, Dr. Montgomery attributed her worries to her anxiety about Bailey. The neurologist told her fiancé that Bill Hamilton wouldn’t want her stressing herself out over his decision.

At the country club, Congressman Richardson and Bradley “Smitty” Smith (Mike Manning) met with Kendra (Brittney Level), the politician’s assistant campaign manager. She told the married couple that Congressman Richardson’s opponent had learned about Smith’s connection to the Lia Whitmore (Cecelia Specht) investigation. Kendra recommended getting a statement from the police department denying Smith had any involvement in Whitmore’s death.

As Jacob Hawthorne vented to his father, Elon Hawthorne (Malachi Malik), about everyone being confused by Bill Hamilton’s decision to let Lawson walk, Chief Hawthorne received a call confirming the prosecution had officially dropped the charges. Chief Hawthorne told his eldest son to redirect his determination for justice to finding out how Whitmore died.

Meanwhile, just as Kat Richardson tried to apologize to Navarro at Orphey Gene’s, Lawson interrupted them and told them both the charges had officially been dropped. Lawson then told Navarro he’d need luck competing with the firm’s “rising star,” Hamilton-Hawthorne.

Kat Richardson suspected the charges were dropped because Bill Hamilton used his connections. The ChelseaKat co-owner then reassured her boyfriend that he didn’t have anything to worry about and that she always felt he would make a good “number two” to Bill Hamilton one day.  

At Uptown, Caroline Lee (Ellie Wang) and Hamilton-Hawthorne discussed Lawson. The receptionist explained that she only befriended the paralegal to pacify Bill Hamilton. Hamilton-Hawthorne told Lee the charges were being dropped, then asked her to convince Bill Hamilton to change his mind.

Later on, Lee confronted Lawson, and the paralegal said that even though she was playing Bill Hamilton, she really considered Lee a friend. Lawson then proposed they remain friends, but the receptionist rejected her. Lee then confessed she had also been putting on an act because she never actually liked Lawson.

Smith arrived at the police station with Congressman Richardson and Hamilton-Hawthorne after Jacob Hawthorne had called him. The former undercover cop stated that the toxicology report on the pouch found in Whitmore’s cell and on security footage with Smith in it had traces of the same substance Whitmore overdosed on.

Smith told Detective Hawthorne the security video had been altered because the last time he met with Max Rodriguez (Cris Ruiz) was before he went into witness protection. The investigative journalist said he believed the Impaler was framing him.  

After Chelsea Hamilton joined her cousin at Orphey Gene’s, Kat Richardson said her instincts were telling her Lawson was blackmailing Bill Hamilton. Determined to stop Lawson, the duo decided to investigate the secret together.

Friday, October 2, 2026

Vernon and Anita Dupree prepared to celebrate Banneker University’s Homecoming at the mansion with the rest of the Dupree family. The matriarch and patriarch discussed how excited they were to bring everyone together.

Chelsea Hamilton visited her father at his law firm and tried to convince him to go home and rest. The criminal defense attorney told his youngest daughter that he wasn’t comfortable going back to the home he shared with Lawson.

The ChelseaKat designer asked Bill Hamilton if the paralegal had something on him, and he told his second-born she might not like his decision, but she would respect it, then ordered her to drop it.

At the country club, Dani Dupree finally told Andre Richardson the details of the night she broke into Bill Hamilton’s house, including Lawson pulling a gun on her. The photographer passionately told his wife that when he became her husband, he promised to do whatever it took to protect her.

The supermodel tried to compare her efforts in helping Bill Hamilton to Andre Richardson helping McBride when she was carjacked. The conversation then shifted to Armstrong as Dani Dupree affirmed that he would deal with whoever attacked his girlfriend.

Meanwhile, at Orphey Gene’s, Izaiah Hawthorne invited Eva Thomas to the Duprees’ Banneker University Homecoming pregame party, but she swiftly rejected. The free clinic manager cited a myriad of reasons it wasn’t a good idea, including her mother bailing Lawson out of jail. Shortly after, Elon Hawthorne arrived, and Eva Thomas suggested her boyfriend take his father instead.

Dani Dupree and Andre Richardson checked on McBride at the casino. After the ladies briefly left the men alone in the back room, the photographer asked Armstrong if his sister orchestrated the attack. The Lakeview Casino owner said he would handle the situation on his own.

Chelsea Hamilton arrived at the Dupree mansion and informed her grandfather that Lawson’s charges had officially been dropped and she suspected the con artist had blackmailed her father. Soon the news spread to Dr. Richardson, Andre Richardson and Izaiah Hawthorne.

Chief Hawthorne visited Bill Hamilton and correctly assumed Lawson’s charges were dropped because of the mutual secret they share. The criminal defense attorney assured his old friend that his soon-to-be ex-wife’s greed would keep her quiet. Later, Bill Hamilton went to Armstrong to update him on everything that was going on.

Viewers can watch “Beyond the Gates” on CBS at 2 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.