In a whirlwind episode that promises to reshape the very foundation of The Bold and the Beautiful,

the May 23, 2025 installment delivers explosive revelations, shifting allegiances, and a new Forester heir

who threatens to turn the fashion empire on its head. With drama coursing through every scene, viewers were treated to a high-stakes narrative about legacy, betrayal, and the heavy cost of secrets kept too long.

Taylor Returns — And Brings a Storm with Her

Taylor Hayes’ return to Los Angeles is anything but a warm homecoming. After months abroad in Europe, allegedly for professional reasons, Taylor steps into the Forester estate with a quiet intensity and an envelope that could undo decades of family history. Her demeanor is telling—stoic, haunted, and resolute—as she faces Ridge Forester, the man who has long been both her weakness and her undoing.

When Ridge gently asks, “What’s wrong?” he has no idea he’s about to hear a name that will change his life forever: Dante.

What begins as a whisper grows into a revelation. During one of Ridge’s many turbulent breaks from Brooke and lengthy business trips to Italy years ago, he had a brief affair with a woman named Allesia Romano. At the time, Taylor—estranged but still emotionally tied to Ridge—knew of the dalliance, but she never suspected it bore fruit. That is, until Allesia reached out to her before her untimely death, confessing that Ridge had fathered a child.

A DNA test confirmed the truth: Ridge Forester has a grown son living in Italy. His name is Dante Forester, and he’s coming to claim what he believes is his rightful place in the family—and the company.

Brooke’s World Shatters—Again

The weight of the revelation hits the Forester clan with the force of a freight train, but no one feels the tremor more than Brooke Logan. She overhears pieces of the conversation before being confronted with the full truth. For Brooke, this isn’t just about an affair from the past—it’s a deep betrayal. Once again, Ridge’s past has blindsided her, reminding her of the many years she has spent battling for his heart against a tide of rivals and regrets.

Her pain is twofold: Ridge didn’t tell her, and Taylor did—strategically, on her terms. The betrayal, she believes, isn’t just Ridge’s; it’s also Taylor’s. She prepared for this moment, gathered proof, and decided when and how to unleash it.

Hope Reels — And Sees a New Rival

For Hope Logan, the news is not only personal—it’s political. She has spent years trying to keep a delicate peace within the Forester family and maintain her place at Forester Creations. Learning she has a half-brother she never knew about, one who has ambition and a business résumé to rival the family elite, is a shock to the system.

What begins as disbelief quickly turns to suspicion. Who is this man? What does he want? And how will his sudden presence tilt the power dynamics of a company already riddled with tension?

The Arrival of Dante Forester — Calculated, Cool, and Ready to Conquer

Enter Dante Forester.

He arrives in Los Angeles with the charisma of a fashion mogul and the quiet storm of a man who knows exactly what he wants. In his late 30s, impeccably styled and fluent in both English and Italian, Dante doesn’t come with emotional baggage—he comes with a mission.

He doesn’t beg for acceptance. He demands acknowledgment.

In his first official meeting with Forester Creations executives, Dante presents a meticulously crafted men’s fashion line from his own Milan-based label. His work is sleek, his numbers are strong, and his pitch is unapologetic.

“I’m not here to ask for permission,” he declares. “I’m here to take my seat at the table. My name is Dante Forester, and this was always supposed to be mine.”

The room falls silent. Ridge attempts diplomacy, urging caution and context. But Dante counters every concern with hard data—sales figures, global trends, and market projections. He is not just a long-lost son. He is a legitimate contender. And he’s not backing down.

The Battle Lines Are Drawn

Not everyone is impressed. Steffy Forester, always fiercely protective of her family’s legacy, sees Dante as an interloper. To her, he’s not family—he’s a threat. She accuses Ridge of betrayal, not only of Brooke but of the Forester bloodline.

Thomas Forester, still in recovery mode after years of personal turmoil, watches the unfolding drama with caution. Dante represents both competition and potential partnership. Will Thomas step aside, or will he rise to meet the challenge?

Zende, too, feels the walls close in. His ambitions at Forester are now under scrutiny, and Dante’s arrival is a seismic shake-up.

Legal counsel Carter Walton confirms what many feared: if Ridge acknowledges Dante legally, the newcomer has a valid claim to Forester shares. Ridge signs the papers. The ink is barely dry when the company is forced to make room for its newest shareholder.

Dante is appointed Co-Creative Director of Forester International—a provisional title, but he has his sights set on more. He wants the mainline. He wants power. He wants to lead.

Hope and Dante — Tension and Temptation

In a surprising twist, Hope attempts to bridge the gap. She extends an olive branch, only to be met with brutal honesty.

“Kindness,” Dante says, “is often just strategy in this business.”

There’s a spark—equal parts friction and fascination—as the two square off. It’s professional. It’s personal. And it’s charged with something neither of them fully understands yet.

Brooke Watches the Legacy Fracture

From the sidelines, Brooke watches as the son of another woman now stands within her home, her company, and her life. Her family is changing, again, in ways she can no longer control.

Dante Forester has arrived, and nothing at Forester Creations will ever be the same.

Coming Up Next Week: With Dante now in play, alliances will be tested. Can Ridge balance his loyalty to his existing family with the rights of his newfound son? Will Steffy and Thomas unite—or divide further? And as Dante sets his sights on more power, will Hope find herself tempted by his vision… or destroyed by it?

The game is on, and the stakes have never been higher on The Bold and the Beautiful.