Monday, September 21, 2026

At the country club, Hayley Lawson (Marquita Goings) discussed the state of her marriage with Caroline Lee (Ellie Wang). The paralegal said she felt like an afterthought because of her husband’s connection to his ex-wife, but she was determined to stay focused on letting go of her insecurities.

At Dani Dupree’s (Karla Mosley) house, Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) asserted his belief that he was dying. The supermodel initially dismissed the declaration until she recognized the seriousness in his tone. As the former married duo discussed how Lawson had been helping manage Bill Hamilton’s diet and exercise, the criminal defense attorney lost consciousness.  

Dr. Madison Montgomery (Kenjah McNeil) asked Dr. Nicole Dupree (Daphnée Duplaix) for help with Chelsea Hamilton (RhonniRose Mantilla). The neurologist explained that her fiancé was still struggling with trauma from the kidnapping incident orchestrated by Allison Bailey (Brianna Roberts) last year. Dr. Montgomery expressed concern about how the experience was impacting the ChelseaKat designer’s mental health.

After receiving a message from Heather Armstrong (Ashley Jones), Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) met her at her hotel. The Uptown owner attempted to seduce her ex, but he rejected her once again. The traveling photographer said he felt like Heather Armstrong was a constant threat hanging over him and his wife.

At Garland Memorial Hospital, Dani Dupree arrived with Bill Hamilton and briefly explained the criminal defense attorney’s medical symptoms to Dr. Dupree and Dr. Ted Richardson (Keith D. Robinson). Before the modeling agent rushed off to be by her ex-husband’s side, she instructed the duo not to alert the family yet.

Dani Dupree then tried to convince Bill Hamilton to call his wife, but he admitted to being insecure about Lawson seeing him in a weakened state. The Hamilton patriarch told his children’s mother that she was his rock because she wouldn’t overreact in a crisis and would help him find answers. Dani Dupree agreed to stay by Bill Hamilton’s side.

At the hospital, Dr. Dupree told Dr. Richardson she was worried about her sister getting sucked into Bill Hamilton’s orbit again. The psychiatrist said Dani Dupree shouldn’t be the one at the criminal defense attorney’s bedside because he didn’t deserve the care and attention. Dr. Richardson understood his ex-wife’s concerns, but reminded her that Dani Dupree would always make her own decisions, regardless of whether her family approved or not.

As she exited Bill Hamilton’s hospital room, the supermodel thought back to everything her ex-husband had told her during their earlier conversation, specifically about Lawson’s fixation on his diet, the pattern of his symptoms and the $10 million life insurance policy he took out. Dani Dupree finally concluded that Lawson had been trying to poison the legal mogul.

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Dr. Montgomery asked Bill Hamilton to describe his seizures, and he finally admitted it wasn’t the first time he had blacked out. The neurologist tried to convince her future father-in-law to update his wife and daughters, saying it was hard to lie to Chelsea Hamilton, who had tried to make dinner plans with her earlier.

Lawson called her husband to check in, and he told her he was in Virginia and wasn’t sure when he’d return. As the paralegal and Lee parted ways, Bill Hamilton texted his loyal receptionist and asked her to come to the hospital.  

At the police station, Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) asked Dr. Dupree for her professional expertise on the Impaler. After assessing the criminal’s personality traits, the psychiatrist told Detective Hawthorne she would no longer consult on the case.

The former undercover cop assured his aunt-in-law that he did not intend to bring negative press to Congressman Martin Richardson’s (Brandon Claybon) campaign, and that he didn’t want to be seen as the enemy.

Meanwhile, at home, Dani Dupree updated Naomi Hamilton-Hawthorne (Arielle Prepetit) on her father’s condition. The supermodel also stated her suspicions about Lawson poisoning Bill Hamilton.

After Hamilton-Hawthorne warned her mother about making serious accusations, Dani Dupree presented possible motives and pointed out that they knew nothing about Lawson before she came into their lives.  

The supermodel and her eldest daughter formulated a plan to collect evidence from the Hamilton residence to use against Lawson. The young attorney asked her former friend to meet for drinks, which allowed Dani Dupree to search Bill Hamilton’s house.

Lee arrived at her boss’ hospital room and told him about her day at the country club with Lawson. The receptionist reassured Bill Hamilton that his wife did not mention anything that indicated she was cheating on him.

Chelsea Hamilton surprised Dr. Montgomery at the hospital with dinner after the Parkinson’s researcher previously declined because of work commitments. On her way out, the handbag designer spotted Lee getting on the elevator and realized her father was in the hospital again. Dr. Montgomery begged her fiancé to honor Bill Hamilton’s wishes, but she tracked him down anyway.

With the plan in motion, Hamilton-Hawthorne arrived at the country club, where Lawson met her with hostility. Angry, the paralegal scolded her former friend for telling Bill Hamilton about the fake sonogram.

The young attorney recommended that they both find a way to co-exist so no additional stress would come to Bill Hamilton while he was battling mysterious health issues. Unable to stall Lawson any longer, Hamilton-Hawthorne warned her mother that the paralegal was coming home, and she called her husband, urging him to meet her at her father’s house.

Dani Dupree collected various items to be tested for poison and broke the safe, where she found the life insurance policy, prenuptial agreement and property deeds all in Lawson’s name. While trying and failing to put the portrait back over the safe, the supermodel missed her daughter’s warnings. Moments later, Lawson returned home and found her rival hiding in the living room.

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Vanessa McBride (Lauren Buglioli) visited Andre Richardson and asked if Dr. Dupree had warned them about Heather Armstrong. The Fairmont Crest realtor said she believed her best friend’s issue with the Uptown owner stemmed from her hooking up with Dr. Carlton Fitzgerald (Robert Christopher Riley). The photographer used the opportunity to inquire about the relationship between the Armstrong siblings.

Lawson confronted Dani Dupree for trespassing, and the supermodel retorted with accusations about her plotting to kill Bill Hamilton. While the two women argued, Dani Dupree told the paralegal they were going to have Bill Hamilton tested for poisonous substances and expose her con. Lawson then pulled a gun on the modeling agent.

At Garland Memorial Hospital, Chelsea Hamilton asked why her father did not want Lawson to know about his current condition. Bill Hamilton told her that he and Lawson had been having difficult conversations. The criminal defense attorney talked about his regrets regarding how he treated his ex-wife during their marriage.

Meanwhile, Lawson acted out how she would convince the police that she shot her adversary in self-defense. The paralegal said she could afford the best legal defense team, and Bill Hamilton nor Dani Dupree would be around to see it.  

As Lawson taunted Dani Dupree at gunpoint, Detective Hawthorne arrived with his gun drawn. The paralegal quickly switched her tone to appear as if she had been afraid of her husband’s ex-wife the whole time and acted in self-defense. The former undercover cop detained Lawson in handcuffs and took her, Dani Dupree and Hamilton-Hawthorne to the police station for questioning.

Later, Andre Richardson met with Joey Armstrong (Jon Lindstrom) to discuss his brief relationship with Heather Armstrong, how he’d witnessed something alarming and left town to get away from her. Because the Impaler had been making veiled threats, the photographer asked Joey Armstrong to intervene and keep Dani Dupree safe from harm. Back at the casino, Randy Parker (Maurice P. Kerry) confirmed that Heather Armstrong was in her hotel room and had received one visitor, Andre Richardson.

At the police station, Jacob Hawthorne questioned Dani Dupree. As the modeling agent explained why she had broken into her ex-husband’s home, her son-in-law asserted that it was Lawson’s word against hers.

Dani Dupree explained the heated exchange with Lawson, which included an admission about the attempted murder. Detective Hawthorne explained that he couldn’t do anything without solid evidence.

Elsewhere in the police station, Marcel Malone (Darryl W. Handy) caught Lawson attempting to dispose of a vial with an unknown substance. Detective Hawthorne then began questioning the paralegal. Later, Lawson told the former undercover cop that, because her husband was out of town, she would be calling his junior partner, Tomas Navarro (Alex Alegria).

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Hamilton-Hawthorne and Dani Dupree discussed the evidence they had gathered so far and Lawson’s “confession.” The young attorney reminded her mother that it was their word against Lawson’s. However, once the substance results came in, they would have enough evidence to push for the paralegal to be charged with attempted murder.

Moments later, Navarro arrived and told Detective Malone that he was Lawson’s legal representation. As he questioned the paralegal, she gave her side of the story and claimed the substance in the vial was hand sanitizer. Lawson told her attorney that Hamilton-Hawthorne had purposely distracted her so Dani Dupree could break into her home.

To Bill Hamilton’s surprise, Detective Hawthorne arrived in his room with a warrant to obtain a sample of his blood. After explaining the circumstances, the Hamilton patriarch defended his wife and got on the phone to have the warrant reversed.

At the country club, Leslie Thomas (Trisha Mann-Grant) interrupted Vernon Dupree (Clifton Davis) and Anita Dupree’s (Tamara Tunie) breakfast date to inform them that their youngest daughter spent the night at the police station. Initially doubtful, the EGOT winner called Dani Dupree to confirm.

Hamilton-Hawthorne confronted Navarro about legally defending someone who plotted to murder his boss. The junior partner said that until Bill Hamilton directed him otherwise, he would continue to represent Lawson.

Dani Dupree returned home from the police station and explained the previous evening’s events to her husband. Anita and Vernon Dupree soon arrived and were updated on what was going on.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Detective Hawthorne vented to Dr. Montgomery about Bill Hamilton’s stubbornness. The former undercover cop then received the lab results for the substance in Lawson’s vial.

The young detective ran back into his father-in-law’s room to inform him that the substance tested positive for ethylene glycol. Dr. Montgomery said that specific toxin doesn’t show up on regular hospital testing, and they never had a reason to look for it until now. Bill Hamilton then agreed to have his blood drawn, confident the results would be negative for the toxin.

Detective Hawthorne returned to the police station and told Navarro that if Bill Hamilton’s blood test came back positive with traces of ethylene glycol, his client would be charged with attempted murder.

At Garland Memorial Hospital, Bill Hamilton questioned Dani Dupree about her confrontation with Lawson. The supermodel told her ex-husband that Lawson was prepared to shoot her, claiming self-defense, all while asserting that the Hamilton patriarch wouldn’t be alive much longer.

Bill Hamilton questioned why his wife would want to murder him, and Dani Dupree said he was always a means to an end for Lawson. Shortly after, Dr. Montgomery delivered the news that the criminal defense attorney’s blood test results were positive for the toxin.

After Detective Hawthorne received confirmation of his father-in-law’s blood test, he arrested Lawson. Bill Hamilton then walked into the police station with Dani Dupree.

Friday, September 25, 2026

At Orphey Gene’s, Hamilton-Hawthorne updated Chelsea Hamilton and Kat Richardson (Colby Nixon) on the news that Lawson was poisoning Bill Hamilton to cash in on the $10 million life insurance policy in her name.

Hamilton-Hawthorne began to blame herself for befriending Lawson and bringing her into everyone’s lives, but the ChelseaKat owners talked her down. The young attorney then told Kat Richardson that Navarro agreed to represent Lawson.

While Leslie Thomas looked on, Bill Hamilton confronted his wife at the police station. The paralegal continued to lie, claiming Dani Dupree framed her with help from the Dupree family, who have power and influence at Garland Memorial Hospital. Unconvinced, Bill Hamilton departed with his ex-wife and returned to the hospital.  

Navarro then told Lawson he could no longer represent her because his boss was the victim in the case, and he advised her to get a public defender. Detective Hawthorne then officially booked the paralegal into custody.

At the hospital, Bill Hamilton began his treatment to remove the toxin from his system, and Dani Dupree made arrangements with Fairmont Crest security to ban Lawson from the gated community.

Izaiah Hawthorne (Lami Friebe) and Eva Thomas (Ambyr Michelle) spent the afternoon at home as the Banneker University advisor prepared a home-cooked meal for his girlfriend. While the couple was eating, Leslie Thomas arrived to update them on Lawson’s arrest and her decision to bail the paralegal out of jail.

The Phoenix Street Free Clinic owner justified her decision by bringing up the long-standing animosity caused by Bill Hamilton’s threats to her and her daughter decades ago. Leslie Thomas admitted that she helped Lawson so the paralegal would owe her a favor.

Unaware that Navarro had dropped Lawson as a client, Kat Richardson expressed disappointment and anger with her boyfriend. After explaining that he was no longer the paralegal’s attorney, Navarro was annoyed that the ChelseaKat manager believed he would defend the woman who tried to kill his boss. Navarro then told his girlfriend that their miscommunication was “getting old” and walked off.

Lawson visited Bill Hamilton in the hospital after she made bail. The Hamilton patriarch scolded his wife about the relationships he had damaged to be with her, all while she was using him. After the criminal defense attorney said he’d file for divorce and make sure the book was thrown at Lawson, the paralegal ominously said, “That’s not how this ends.” 

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