Episode: S05 E09, “You Will See”
Premiere date: 22 June 2026
Written by: Scott Andrews
Guest starring: Coby Ryan McLaughlin (as Cain Wright); Marci Miller (as Jessica Smithson)
JOHNSON INDUSTRIES
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948
The morning work traffic in the downtown area of Liberty City moves swiftly, creating an often blurred colour line of individuals. Outside of the Johnson Industries building, an all-black town car pulls up directly in front, with a driver stepping out and stepping onto the sidewalk. Proceeding to the backseat passenger-side door, the driver opens the door and extends his hand, which the female inside of the vehicle accepts.
From within the vehicle, Logan Johnson steps onto the sidewalk, dressed head to toe in a sleeveless plaid sheath dress by Hugo Boss, covered by a double-breasted belted blazer by Prada. With her purse clutched in her arm and a coffee in her hand, she uses her free hand to remove her phone from the purse and immediately makes her way towards the front entrance of the building, walking with her usual brisk confidence.
“Good morning, Mrs. Johnson. You might want to brace yourself,” a receptionist in the lobby greets Logan with an uncertain smile. Pausing in her steps, Logan turns towards the receptionist and questions, “For what?” Pointing towards the elevators, the receptionist responds, “Deliveries.”
As the elevator arrives at the main office level, Logan exits the elevator and is immediately greeted by a hallway with enough flowers to present itself as a showroom for a florist. Each has the exotic smell of Wild Orchids, which just so happen to be Logan’s favourite flower. As she hastens down the hallway towards her office, the arrangements become bigger and bigger, and she cannot help but notice onlooking employees whispering about the change of office scenery. Logan’s sudden feeling of concern turns to complete anxious restlessness.
Quickly making her way into her office, Logan leans against the door, briefly closing her eyes and taking a momentary sigh of relief before a knock is heard on her door. Pulling herself together, she distances herself from the door before permitting entry to whoever was on the other side. Opening the door, Logan’s assistant, Cain Wright, makes his way into the office, opening with, “I swear, I tried to stop them from bringing them all up at once.”
Setting her back down on a chair in front of her desk, Logan looks over several of the cards from the various bouquets within her office. One reads “Don’t get too comfortable,” while another reads, “Time is not on your side.” Noticing Logan’s vacant expression, he questions, “So, I take it these are not from some secret long-lost love?” Without showing her face, Logan shakes her head in disagreement. Cautiously, Cain continues, “So, It’s something more than that, right?”
Turning to face Cain, Logan responds while holding back a sense of worry in her voice, “People don’t usually send flowers anonymously unless they’re trying to prove a point.”
“What point could they be trying to make?”
Logan does not respond and instead opens another note, which reads: “You’ll figure it out, eventually.” As her expression tightens, Cain approaches and questions, “That one’s different?” Logan slowly nods in acknowledgement.
In that moment, the office door opens, as Donna Hughes enters. Her expression is one of half amusement and half suspicion. “Okay,” she begins, “what did you do?”
“Nothing,” Logan sighs.
Donna, gesturing towards all of the flowers, both in and out of the office, retorts, “Someone clearly disagrees.”
“I’m telling you, I have no idea who is sending these flowers.”
Not believing her sister, she pesters, “Oh, come on now, Logan. You don’t know who? No old boyfriends? Clients? Anyone you may have ‘accidentally charmed’?” Logan quickly dismisses each of the scenarios, becoming increasingly annoyed by her sister’s persistence.
“If I knew who it was, I wouldn’t be standing here wondering why my office looks like a wedding reception.”
Donna begins to think that Logan may actually be telling the truth. Logan, in an effort to prove her frustrations as valid, hands Donna the last card she opened. As Donna reads it, the air in the room suddenly freezes. Donna again looks at the arrangements, fewer ones of admiration and more of that of someone who appears to be watching Logan and is closer than she may even believe.
LIBERTY CITY TOWNHOUSES, #1250
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948
The stillness of the morning settles amongst the sounds of the soft hum of the dishwasher and the distant city noises of the day’s beginning. Diane Newton stands at the kitchen island, pouring herself a hot cup of black coffee as she reviews documents from her law firm, Flynn & Newton, LLP on her work tablet. Her husband, Adam Newton, enters into the kitchen from the adjoining living room, freshly out of his morning shower.
Diane’s partner’s name, Rebecca Flynn Johnson, is mentioned repeatedly in Diane’s emails and notes, clearly dominating her morning even at home. Noticing his wife’s demeanour, Adam breaks the silence, “Already working?” “I’m pretending anyway,” Diane responds, barely lifting her head from her tablet. Adam smiles faintly, recognising the difference.
Adam pours himself a cup of coffee ⏤ milk and two sugars ⏤ and joins Diane at the kitchen island. For a brief moment, the conversation is casual ⏤ firm drama, difficult clients, functions around town that neither of them wish to attend, etc. However, underneath it all, the fatigue underneath the pair of them is obvious. Taking a moment for herself, Diane takes a glance around their townhome. The furniture, the curated decor, and a life built with intent and precision.
Quietly, under her breath, Diane remarks: “Do you ever feel like we built this entire life because we thought we were supposed to?” Adam, listening, studies his wife quietly and intently. The pair move into the living room, creating a bit more of a casual environment for them to settle into their mornings. As Diane curls into the couch, she exhales for what feels like the first time in what feels like a lifetime.
“I feel like I don’t belong where I am anymore,” Diane admits in a moment of vulnerability to Adam. “And it’s not like the law firm is failing; it’s not. We’re thriving more than ever. But it feels like it’s become all-consuming in ways I never, ever expected it to. Every day is another crisis. Another client. Another thing that can’t fall apart.”
She briefly hesitates for a moment before deciding to actually continue, “And if I’m being honest… I don’t know if I still love it the way I used to. I mean, when Rebecca and I set out to build this firm, it was exciting. Being able to forge a path together, forming a woman-owned and operated business. Walking away from it feels almost impossible. There’s so much we’ve accomplished that cannot just be… dropped or ignored. I’m just so exhausted, and I can’t just ignore it anymore.”
Adam takes a brief moment to take in all that his wife has bravely shared. As he sits beside her, he warmly responds, “Diane, honey, your success is not tied to one law office in Liberty City. You could practise law anywhere.” Diane looks at her husband in a way that provides some scepticism over what he is relaying to her. Stopping her, he continues: “You’ve spent so many years proving yourself here that you forgot you’d be impressive anywhere else, too.”
He shifts the conversation towards himself in the hopes that it may help provide some support for Diane. “You know,” he opens, “I could move my business anywhere if need be. New cities provide new opportunities. Of course, it would not be easy, but it is possible. Anything is possible if we just believe.” And with that, for the first time, the possibility of leaving Liberty City has become less abstract.
In a moment’s chance, the conversation shifts to Adam’s daughter, Ava and her potential future in Liberty City. “I’ve thought about that, too,” Adam admits to Diane. “But she’s an adult and can make her own informed decisions. She’s not a little girl anymore. I don’t need to take her from her life simply because we might want something new for ourselves. She has her career; she has her friends. She has connections here that she is welcome to continue.” Taking in Adam’s words and his demeanour, Diane begins to wonder if this is not the first time Adam has had the thought about relocating outside of Liberty City.
As the conversation quiets, Diane voices the truth beneath everything she has said: “What if the firm is the only thing I’ve built that matters?” Adam is immediately affected by his wife’s admission. “The firm matters because you built it,” Adam puts in perspective. “Not the other way around.”
The emotional weight of Adam’s compliment allows Diane’s emotions to temporarily relief themselves across her face. However, it soon stills as the uncertainty continues to linger on. Deep down, she is still uncertain of whom she is, outside of the life she’s spent years building and fighting for. Taking a few more moments, Adam gently questions, “So, what do you want to do?” Diane takes another moment to herself to peer around the townhome, taking in the environment around her. Her eyes stop at a photograph of her, Adam, and Ava, taken at Diane and Adam’s wedding.
“I’m not leaving Liberty City. It’s home,” Diane confidently responds. Supporting his wife, Adam nods in agreement and pulls her into a comforting hug. As he leaves for the day, Diane remains behind and sits back down on the couch. She falls back into her earlier pattern of picking up her work tablet, staring at another email from the firm. However, unlike before, she does not open it. Instead, she sits quietly with her thoughts.
Outwardly, she has chosen stability and predictability. She’s chosen Liberty City. She’s chosen the firm. But underneath it all, doubt still lingers within. Not just about her future in the city… but whether the life she’s built is the life she truly wants.
DUSTIN SMITHSON’S HOME
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948
The morning’s start of the quiet suburban neighbourhoods of Liberty City begins to come alive as several neighbours embark on their daily treks to work and their children wait for the school buses to pick them up. A black town car arrives down the street, stopping outside of a modest but well-kept home with its blue shutters and green lawn. Stepping out of the town car, Jessica Smithson pauses for a brief moment, taking in the neighbourhood and the house she grew up in.
It’s familiar. Comforting. And strangely, smaller than she remembers. After weeks of family upheaval surrounding her Uncle Thomas, this is the first time she has allowed herself a moment to simply be a daughter and walk back into her childhood, without complication or hesitation. Thanking the driver, she walks up the few steps onto the property, walking the length of the stoned walkway leading up to the stairs to the front door. She pauses, if only briefly, to once again take in where exactly she was. In that moment, she rings the doorbell. Moments later, the front door opens, with Dustin Smithson on the other side. He freezes momentarily, with his face in a blank expression.
Suddenly, his face breaks into a grin. “Well, look what the wind blew in.” As the two embrace in a tight hug, Jessica warmly responds, “Nice to see you, too, Dad.” “I was beginning to think Italy had adopted you permanently,” Dustin says, as he holds his daughter by the arms, before embracing his eldest daughter another time. The two of them were happy to see each other for the first time in some considerable time. Welcoming his daughter in, Dustin leads Jessica into the kitchen, where the morning’s coffee is already brewing. The smell brings Jessica right back to her childhood days. As Dustin pours the pair of them coffees, the easy rhythm between them returns almost immediately.
“So,” Dustin opens, “how is Italy treating you?”
“Oh, you know, it’s Italy. I’ve been helping open a lot of galleries in some provinces and metropolitan cities. Working with some interesting artists, a lot of up-and-comers, and just really trying to make a name for myself out there. It’s not easy working, and there are days I still feel like I’m pretending to know what I’m doing.”
Letting out a brief chuckle, Dustin responds, “That’s adulthood. The secret is nobody knows what they’re doing. Not even your old man.” Jessica laughs at her father’s self-deprecating humour. Carefully, Jessica shifts the conversation towards Dustin.
“How are you, Dad?” She questions. “I mean, you know, since everything went down with Chelsea? I know that couldn’t have been easy.” He gives a familiar shrug. “Some days are better than others.”
Taking another sip of his coffee, he admits, “You know, the divorce wasn’t how I imagined this stage of my life unfolding. It’s been a difficult adjustment. The house is more quiet and lonely without her in it. But I’m managing, and it helps knowing she’s there for her parents, which was important to her.” Jessica takes note of her father’s demeanour, understanding that the hurt and pain of Chelsea’s exit from his life still hurts him, and his attempts at humour are his way of masking that loss.
Shifting away from himself, Dustin points his finger at Jessica accusingly and states, “Speaking of managing… you’ve been back in Liberty City for weeks.” Jessica bats her eyes in a slightly sarcastic way, knowing exactly where her father is going. “And somehow your old man had to hear about it from other people.”
Jessica lets out a groan resembling that of only a daughter could give to their father.
“That’s not fair,” she sighs. “It’s a little fair,” he retorts as the pair both laugh.
The joyous laughter lasts mere moments before Jessica’s smile fades from sight. She takes another sip of her cooled coffee before opening up, “I’ve been so consumed with things concerning Uncle Thomas and the decisions that have been made. Sarah opted to end life support.” The room grows quiet, and Dustin’s eyes immediately lower.
“It wasn’t an easy decision for her to make.” Dustin nods solemnly in agreement before remarking, “Sometimes, the hardest decisions are the ones made out of love.”
Glancing around the room, Jessica questions, “Speaking of family… where is Dillon?” Readying an answer, footsteps echo from upstairs, as Dillon Smithson appears at the top of the staircase. He pauses, noticing his sister. “Jess?” Turning around, Jessica notices her younger brother. “There he is.”
Dillon quickly rushes down the stairs as he and Jessica enter into a warm embrace. Unlike her father’s teasing energy, Jessica notices an almost immediate relief from Dillon that she is there.
Dustin takes an immediate glance at the time, noticing he is past the time he intended to leave, having been catching up with his daughter. He gathers his belongings before turning to Jessica and jokes, “Now, make sure you schedule regular visits with your old man. I miss you.” Jessica gives an approving nod, embracing her father, who then embraces Dillon. As the Smithson children walk with Dustin to the front door, they both wave as Dustin jokes, “Try not to burn the house down while I’m gone.”
“No promises,” Jessica jokes back as Dustin exits the home. As the siblings enter into the living room, Jessica cannot help but notice Dustin’s demeanour as performing as if everything were normal, yet its feeling is not rooted in truth.
“You okay?” She asks of Dillon. Almost immediately, he responds, “Yeah.” But the response feels almost too quick and too automatic. Jessica realises it is an answer being given for someone who does not want to discuss that something is in fact not okay.
Softening her approach, Jessica warmly rebuts, “You know, when we were kids, you used to tell me everything.” Dillon lets out a faint smile before responding, “That’s because I was terrible at keeping secrets.” “Maybe,” she says, leaning forward towards her brother. “But if something’s going on… you don’t have to handle it by yourself.”
Looking down, Dillon briefly inches towards opening up to his sister; however, he catches himself and keeps it locked inside. In response, Jessica reaches over and squeezes Dillon’s hand. “Whatever it is,” she opens. “Whenever you’re ready… I’m here.”
Dillon nods quietly, emotional and grateful to have his sister with him in that moment. As Jessica watches Dillon, concern settles across her face, wondering just exactly what her brother is keeping to himself.
ARENA
ALGONQUIN, LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948
The late morning sun shines bright, highlighting the crystal-clear skies of the day ahead. Outside of ARENA, a car pulls into a nearly empty parking lot. Tori Gregson steps out of the parked vehicle, hesitating before making her way towards the club’s entrance. She clutches her purse close to her, carrying more than she intends to admit. Inside of the club, employees are preparing for the evening ahead of them. The interior of ARENA is sleek and contemporary—curved white lounge seating, ambient violet and blue lighting, a softly illuminated bar, and a dramatic circular chandelier suspended over the dance floor. Closed to the public, the music is off, leaving a cavernous space usually quiet.
Tori is greeted by the venue’s hostess, who recognises her immediately. Before she can properly greet Tori, Meredith John emerges from behind the bar, clipboard in hand, directing staff as they stock bottles and adjust seating throughout the lounge. Her smile is warm upon seeing her friend. “Tori,” she greets, “this is a surprise.” “I was hoping I could steal a few minutes,” Tori faintly responds. Noticing her friend’s face, Meredith immediately realises this is not a social call and hands the clipboard to her shift manager.
“I think that club can survive without me for a few minutes.”
The pair settle into one of the curved lounge booths, overlooking the empty dance floor. Without the crowds, the nightclub feels almost peaceful. Seated, Meredith waits patiently for Tori to begin to feel comfortable in opening up. Breaking the silence, she confesses, “I don’t know who else to talk to.”
As Meredith takes Tori’s hand into hers as a comforting friend, Tori opens up. “Things are at an all-time high of… strain. Garrett is distant. He’s working longer hours. There’s more to be done at work and less to be done at home. And when he is home, he’s physically with me, but he’s emotionally somewhere else.”
“It’s like… he’s stopped being part of this family,” she struggles to get the words out of her mouth. “It’s me… the boys… and then there’s just him. Sometimes, I feel we’re just people he lives with.”
Meredith nods in acknowledgement, knowing it is still not the appropriate time for her to open up about her own opinions. After some pause, Tori admits, “And he’s been mentoring this new officer at the department, and I tried dismissing it, but I’m noticing changes since this has happened. More conversations after hours; he seems to be closer to her than he ever was with Daniel; and it just… it feels like there’s more going on there than there should be.” Tori goes on to admit that she does not believe Garrett to be having an affair; however, she cannot help but shake the feeling that this person is attempting to insert themselves into their marriage.
“Are you sure this is about her?” Meredith cautiously questions, leaving Tori with an immediate look of confusion. “Or is this bringing back everything that happened with Jennifer?” The question rings in the air of Garrett’s past with Meredith’s aunt, Jennifer Hughes, both in the years before he met Tori and in those months he arrived in Liberty City when their marriage was on the rocks.
“No,” Tori responds, shaking her head without hesitation. “I made peace with that a long time ago. This isn’t about Jennifer. This is about now, and I feel so invisible in my own marriage, and I have for such a long time. I don’t think he’s trying to hurt me. I just don’t know if he notices that he already is.”
Leaning back, Meredith chooses her next words carefully. “You’ve been living in uncertainty for so long that it’s become your normal. If you honestly believe your marriage is worth saving… then fight for it.” Allowing the words to settle, Meredith continues: “Talk to him. Be honest. Don’t wait for him to read your mind.”
In a more direct tone, Meredith cautions: “But, if deep down, you’ve already decided it’s over… then let it go.”
Tori looks away, as if not wanting to confront what could be her potential truth. Meredith once again takes Tori’s hand and warmly tells Tori, “The worst place you can stay is in the middle, and this affects more than just you. You have your boys to think about. They can sense the emotional distance, even if at times they don’t understand it. And you don’t know them to learn, from watching the two of you, what marriage looks like. If all they see is silence and uncertainty, they’ll start believing that’s what love is supposed to look like.”
Overcome with emotion, tears begin to fill in her eyes. She had always kept her children at the forefront of her mind and heart, but not until Meredith laid it out in the way she did had she ever realised just the impact the strain of her marriage might actually have on her children.
Meredith escorts Tori to the exit of the club, holding her tight, providing the best comfort she is capable of providing. Behind them, employees continue to work tirelessly in preparation of ARENA’s opening for the evening. As Tori begins to exit the club, Meredith stops her.
“Whatever happens,” Meredith says with the faintest of compassionate smiles. “Make a decision because it’s right for you. Not because you’re afraid of what comes after.”
Tori nods in agreement, visibly comforted. However, she drives off with no real answer of where her marriage stands — but with a renewed determination to confront it instead of avoiding it. Meredith watches as Tori drives away before returning to assist her staff in the tasks ahead of the night.
WINDSOR ESTATE
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948
The mid-afternoon light shines through the plethora of windows of the palatial Windsor Estate. In the dining room, on the table, are architectural renderings and company briefing packets detailing Carraco’s recent relocation and expansion to Liberty City. What began as an exciting new chapter for the family business has become a bit of an uncertain situation. At the bar, Philip Windsor pours himself a bourbon, while in another glass, he pours a bit of wine to bring to his wife, Olivia Carraway-Windsor.
Setting the wine down in front of his absently staring wife, he questions, “Having second thoughts about this?” “No,” she responds, shaking her head. “The move makes sense. Liberty City gives Carraco an opportunity we never would have had before. It’s everything that comes after the move that worries me.”
Philip nods in understanding of his wife’s perspective. This is not about business. It is ultimately about family. Taking a sip of wine, Olivia admits: “Dad has been overseeing this transition to Liberty City. Albeit with the help of some others, but he’s been the true pioneer and leader of this shift. But the reality is real — he isn’t going to run Carraco forever. We have always revolved around my father’s leadership, but I feel like the concept of retirement is becoming more apparent, even if no one else sees it.”
Pausing, Philip admits some of his recent observations. “And it doesn’t help that William has become more visible during recent board meetings and executive planning sessions,” he admits. “And Amelie seems to be a continued influence with him behind-the-scenes. Olivia nods in agreement, not needing to say a word, while continuing to sip on her midday wine.
“William has always been ambitious, ever since he was young,” she admits. “But lately… his confidence has begun to resemble calculation and Amelie… she has just become increasingly involved in the company’s strategy, despite not holding the same level of authority as even William or myself.”
Olivia begins to recount several moments that seemed insignificant as standalone happenings, but presented together, they begin to paint a bigger picture. William volunteering to oversee major initiatives; Amelie speaking on Walter’s behalf before he has the opportunity to answer; continued private meetings that seem to happen without the rest of the family being informed or even involved. None of it is overt, nor appropriate. It paints a troubling picture.
“They’re not just not helping dad,” Olivia admits before pausing. “They’re making themselves indispensable.” Philip nods in agreement, acknowledging this worries him, as well.
Phillip voices a thought that they have both been avoiding. “What if they’re already preparing for the day Walter retires?” Looking out of the dining room windows, Olivia looks silently towards the distant skyline. “I don’t want to believe my own brother would manoeuvre against me,” she admits. “But succession changes people. Carraco isn’t just a family company. It’s our legacy. A fortune of money and success. And it’s becoming a source of influence over Liberty City. If William thinks the position is his…”
“… he may not wait to be asked,” Philip finishes his wife’s thought. She turns towards her husband, her drink held close to her chest. “I don’t want to accuse them. At least, not yet,” Olivia admits out loud. “There is no definitive proof. Just suspicion and instinct. But my instinct has never once failed me.”
“I hope we’re wrong,” she openly admits. Reaching for his wife’s hand, Philip admits, “So do I.”
As they sit together at their dining room table in thoughtful silence, this is the first time Carraco’s relocation has had Olivia wonder whether the company’s biggest challenge will not be establishing itself in a new city… but surviving the battle for its future from within its own family.