Xander and Philip May Have Been Outplayed By [Spoiler], and EJ Learns DiMera Did, Indeed, Poison Holly

It’s the Fourth of July in Salem! And all is not well. Holly tosses around a bit before waking, but luckily Tate’s been with her all night — and Nicole just landed in Chicago! (We won’t hold our breath on seeing her.) Also, it’s their one year anniversary! (Why does it feel like it’s been forever?) But Holly sends her beau off for his training with Stephanie.

Holly’s Loved Ones Rally

Tate might not want to move too fast, because Stephanie’s at the hospital with flowers for Holly. And a few gripes about Alex and Joy being off together with Kelsey. And Brady’s out in the reception area giving Sarah much needed support. She’s trying to stay positive, but it’s a struggle. They can’t figure this out. That’s when Tate comes out and he and Stephanie get moving.

Stephanie drops into Holly’s room with the flowers, and to apologize for not having much internship work lately. You know, with the drama and the abandoning her writing. But she’ll change that after Holly works on getting better — physically and emotionally. They trauma bond a bit as they acknowledge how tough it is to move past their respective tormentors.

Kayla Has a Chat With Joy

Alex and Joy get into the Pub with Kelsey after taking in the town’s parade, but he can’t stick around, since there’s a Titan emergency. Before he leaves, though, Joy asks if he’d like to join them for the fireworks. Thanks, but no thanks, he already promised Stephanie.

Kayla heads over to the Pub, looking for Roman, but settling for a talk with Joy, instead. Stephanie’s gotten rid of the offending gun, and she’s no danger to anyone. And what Joy’s forcing Alex to choose between isn’t fair. Joy gets all attitudey — “Did Stephanie ask you to come here and fight her battles for her?” — and all but calls Steph the bad guy here.

Kayla accuses her of manipulating Kelsey’s situation to get Alex to come running, then hands her her card. Any more hospital issues, just call her!

Who’s Behind ARO?

Philip and Xander, meanwhile, are losing their minds over ARO’s loan terms being impossible to meet. And that’s when EJ walks into their office. “You,” Xander gasps, “You’re behind ARO Wealth Management?” (He did seem the most likely candidate!) EJ just laughs in his face, explaining how obvious it was. ARO is ORA backwards: One Rainy Afternoon.

 They set his son up, and there was no way EJ was letting them get away with it. They went after Johnny, so he’s going to dismantle their entire empire. Philip tries lowering the temperature: This revenge cycle always just makes things worse for everyone, every time! But EJ’s already declared victory. There will be no more wars because the DiMeras have finally won.

EJ’s Gloating Hits a Bump

EJ greets Alex with a grin and lets the Kiriakis brothers fill him in. And he makes it clear he has no desire for a Titan/DiMera merger. Their company is toast. He waltzes out, and the fellas all lose it. Their only hope is Gabi’s inheritance, which they need without EJ ever finding out. Or he’ll stop it.

EJ gets home to find George O’Halloran (Played by Michael Rose) waiting. The Horton Cabin water sample he took has both Coriseal and arsenic in it. They poisoned Holly, whoops. George’s best fixer buried it on Smith Island. The Horton’s cabin must have been the closest one to where the pills were buried and dissolved into the well.

In the Show’s Final Moments

Brady and Sarah bring in another vase of flowers — with one very dead one in their midst. Holly freaks out once she reads the card: They’re from Amy. The woman who’s suing her. That’s news to Sarah and Brady! As is the news that Holly called EJ to be her lawyer! But they can’t worry too much about that as Holly starts spiraling over the idea of Amy stalking her like her daughter.

Stephanie joins Tate at his gym, still annoyed at Alex joining Joy and Kelsey for the parade. They do more stretching and talking than training to the funky fresh gym beats. Alex wants to call Maggie, but Xander and Philip don’t want her there. If they play it right, she never has to know about this! Xander clamps down control as Alex starts panicking. They’ll fight this, no matter what.

George tells EJ that Brady grabbed a water sample, too. Oh, and if Holly’s doctors don’t know what they’re dealing with, the arsenic will likely kill her.