EPISODE 339
Written by: Bre L Drew
April 29, 2025
Last Time on Town and Country
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Despite their misgivings, Martha and Samuel promise Max and Shauna they won't tell Antoine that Keri is his biological daughter, respecting Max and Shauna’s decision to raise her as their own.
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Emma continues to struggle with the revelation that Jimmy Saunders is her biological father.
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Behind the scenes, Daniel secretly conspires with Tommy to devise a plan to oust Jacques from the Covington Group.
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Jes finds herself growing closer to Antoine, much to Samuel’s disappointment.
HOME FARM
Courtney Covington Sullivan steers her red Lexus sedan along the winding path to the mansion on her family’s estate. She finds a spot, parks, and steps out into the spring afternoon. The sunshine is warm, but the air is still carrying a slight chill.
Keeping her designer sunglasses on, she saunters with purpose.
It’s been a long time since she last came to the family home, ever since the falling out with her father over the board vote — a vote that ended with Daniel ousted as CEO and Courtney replacing him. She does her best to push those old wounds aside as she presses the doorbell.
The housekeeper, someone Courtney hasn’t seen in a while, answers and leads her inside. She removes her sunglasses as she steps into the expansive living room, spotting her father and grandmother near the mini bar. Both look surprised to see her.
"Courtney, dear, how are you?" Deirdre Covington greets warmly.
The millionaire widow is dressed in a grayish-blue pleated pantsuit — a sleek tank top and jacket paired with black pumps.
Courtney realizes this is her first time seeing her paternal grandmother since the truth about Emma’s paternity came to light.
Ignoring the question, Courtney keeps her clutch tucked under her arm.
"Max called and told me to get here as soon as possible. Do you know what this is about?"
She had been at the Covington Group when her eldest brother reached out.
Deirdre shakes her head.
"We’re as much in the dark as you are," Daniel Covington voices.
"Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything," Jordan Covington remarks dryly as she enters the room.
All three turn to glare at her just as Tommy Covington steps in behind.
It doesn’t take long for the disinclination to show on Daniel’s face —old resentments brewing toward the daughter-in-law he once gaslit, straining his relationships with his children.
"Don't you know it’s polite to greet people when you enter their house?" Deirdre reprimands sharply.
"Even when that person tried to make me think I was losing my mind?" Jordan rebuffs.
"Looks like it worked out to your advantage," Daniel mutters.
Tommy steps between them. "If my wife’s going to be insulted, then we can leave."
Daniel and Deirdre exchange unamusing glances just as the housekeeper returns, leading Mae Jackson inside.
"I see all y'all got the call too, huh?" Mae says, glancing around.
"Or else we wouldn’t all be snuggled here together," Jordan snarks.
Mae exhales, running a hand down her purse strap. "I just hope this is somehow about Shauna," she says, thinking of her only granddaughter, who's been away for months.
About twenty minutes away from Home Farm, Max Covington carefully navigates his new black Porsche Cayenne SUV down the rural road while Shauna Covington sits in the backseat, alongside their infant daughter Keri, who is secured in her rear-facing car seat. Soft music — more recognizable by its sound than by the band's name — hums through the radio.
It feels surreal to Shauna, being here not just with Max, but with their baby. She had lost their first child, a tragedy that fractured their marriage and eventually led her into Antoine’s arms, resulting in her unexpected pregnancy.
Convinced Max would never accept it; she left town for months. Despite the hurt and betrayal, Max now chooses to set all of it aside — determined to heal their marriage and raise Keri as their own.
They're just now coming home from the hospital.
"You think we can do this?" Shauna wonders aloud.
Max keeps a steady, tight focus on the road, more cautious than ever since the accident that left him paralyzed for nearly a year.
"One way or another, we’re about to find out," he says, glancing in the rearview mirror at the beautiful little girl fast asleep — blissfully unaware of what lies ahead.
THE WATERFALL BAR
The dulcet tones of John Legend’s “Save Room” play overhead, weaving through the ambient sounds that fill The Waterfall.
Among the decently populated establishment, Jes Choudhury casually sips from her glass of prosecco, her other hand scrolling through her iPhone. She shakes her head at an absurd post just as Antoine Hall, who’s been working behind the bar, decides to approach her.
“It should be a crime,” he starts.
Dressed in a beige long-sleeve pullover sweater and dark denim jeans, Antoine’s presence—along with the lingering trace of his signature cologne—makes him stand out. His sudden comment catches Jes slightly off guard.
“What should be a crime?” she asks, glancing up at him.
“An attractive and accomplished woman like ya self sittin’ here by yourself,” he remarks smoothly.
Jes smiles, setting her phone down. “I might give you accomplished, but attractive might be up for debate.”
“You don’t mind if I keep you company for a bit?”
“No, not at all.”
Without hesitation, the bar manager slides into the seat across from her.
He rests his forearms lightly on the table, keeping his tone casual. “So, you still plannin’ to put down roots here in Radcliffe?”
The question makes Jes smile inwardly. She appreciates that he remembers their initial meeting when she mentioned her plans to settle down.
“Things are finally coming together on that front,” she explains. “I'm staying with Jai and Mala permanently at the cottage. I finally purchased a new car, and now I'm looking into renting office space to open my own law practice.”
Antoine doesn’t bother hiding his admiration. “That’s what’s up. And if I’m not being too forward with ya—when you get a chance, you wanna have dinner with me?”
Meanwhile, outside The Waterfall parking lot, Samuel Gupta and Martha Saunders vacate their respective cars and stand near the entrance.
Martha glances around to make sure no one is within earshot before speaking. "So how do you feel about keeping, you know what, a secret?"
"Part of me wishes they would rethink their decision, but it's up to Max and Shauna at the end of the day."
Their friends have decided to keep the fact that their daughter Keri isn’t biologically Max’s a secret. Antoine, especially, doesn’t want the truth getting out as the couple works to repair their marriage after months of discontent.
Martha tucks a few strands of her dyed brown hair behind her ear. "Well, at least you don't have to work with someone you have to keep this monumental secret from… Guess I gotta get a grip."
"I think it’s best we skipped the gathering at Home Farm," Samuel notes.
Both of them have legitimate excuses—Martha has a shift at the bar and Samuel is on call at the hospital—which conveniently keeps them away.
As a few construction workers cut between them to head inside, Samuel gathers his gumption.
"Martha, I know this is an awkward subject change, but do you still think about us?"
Martha’s face tightens with unease. "All the time. But Samuel, I'm not ready for a relationship right now. I hope you can understand."
They had been together until Martha realized she was investing more hope in Samuel while trying to give her ex, Murray, another chance to be more present in their son’s life. When Murray made it clear he only wanted a part-time presence—and her—Martha chose instead to focus fully on parenting, leaving little room for romance.
Samuel nods, uncomfortable. "Well, you can't blame a guy for trying."
"Come on," Martha says, nudging him gently.
They head inside the bar.
As they make their way further in, they spot Jes and Antoine sitting across from one another, locked in lively conversation.
HOME FARM
Emma Covington Laurent stares at herself in the full-length mirror in her bedroom, taking in her reflection. The black and red tomato-on-the-vine pattern sleeveless halter v-neck dress hugs her frame perfectly, and her new highlights, courtesy of the glam squad her husband hired, adds a fresh touch. Despite the effort to focus on her appearance, the nagging thoughts of her life being a lie still linger in her mind, but she tries to push them aside.
"I guess I could look worse," she whispers, placing her hands on her hips.
Not long after, two arms wrap around her from behind. She looks into the mirror and sees her husband, Jacques Laurent, standing behind her.
"You're home while the sun is up," Emma remarks.
"Well, when you said that Max wanted the whole family together, I made it a point to come home," Jacques replies in his thick French accent.
"You're in a good mood," Emma observes, noticing Jacques' confident demeanor.
Jacques smiles boastfully. "You're looking at the newest rainmaker for the Covington Group."
Emma recalls the deal he had been working on. "Congratulations."
The two share a brief peck on the lips, a momentary moment of tenderness.
"I'm sure my brother will be happy to hear that," she adds sarcastically, her tone dripping with irony.
Emma smirks. "You know, if we lock the door, no one would be the wiser that we’re up here."
Jacques keeps his arms around her, his grip firm but gentle. "I know things at the moment between you and your mother are complicated, to say the least, but you cannot continue to avoid her."
"Why are you defending my mother? She doesn’t even like you,"
It’s no secret that Deirdre holds a deep disdain for Jacques, despite having originally brought him in to seduce Emma away from Will Jackson. Jacques, however, had played her at her own game, blackmailing her into submission.
"To be fair, most of your family doesn’t like me, but I don’t give a damn, and neither should you," Jacques says, shrugging.
Emma exhales deeply, her shoulders relaxing. "Can you just keep holding me like this?"
"Absolutely, Mon amour," he murmurs.
Slowly, Jacques leans in and places soft kisses on the nape of her neck, hoping to shift the mood.
However, Emma gently pulls herself away from him. Jacques stands there, confused and unsure of what just happened.
Meanwhile, downstairs in the mansion, relatives occupy different areas of the house, the tension discernible.
Jordan stands near the foyer, her restless energy not going unnoticed as Tommy walks over to her.
"Are you alright?" he asks gently.
Jordan tucks a piece of blonde hair behind her ear, her gaze distant. "It's just… being back here brings all sorts of bad memories."
Tommy's mind drifts to when his father, along with their former housekeeper and Jordan's psychiatrist, had manipulated her into believing she was losing her mind, making her feel like an unfit parent so he could take full custody of Jeremy.
He places a supportive hand on her shoulder, grounding her in the present.
"Hey, as soon as Max tells us whatever the hell it is, we can get out of here." he says softly
Tommy lifts his head and notices his father standing in the living room, gazing at him intently. Tommy quickly shifts his focus back to Jordan.
Needing a libation desperately, Emma pours a healthy amount of vodka and soda at the mini-bar in the living room. Beside her, Daniel fixes himself a club soda.
"I've been meaning to speak to you alone," Daniel states seriously.
"I guess there’s no time like several weeks later," Emma says sardonically while taking a sip.
Emma and Daniel have never been close as siblings, courtesy of the wide age gap between them, and their parents always favoring him over her.
"Daniel, look, if you're about to tell me I should empathize with our mother's little plight of adultery, then you have the wrong person."
Daniel drinks some of his soda before answering.
"I was not going to say that," he prefaces.
"And let me guess, you already knew about this—probably before I did, right?"
"No," he says, shaking his head. "I was kept in the dark about Mother's affair. But I do believe she did not know if Jimmy or Dad was your biological father."
Despite her lie about a blood test after Emma’s birth, the truth is she never did one.
"Well, whether or not she knew, it was a 50/50 chance either way. If it wasn’t for my newfound big sister spilling the beans, I still would be none the wiser."
Simultaneously, Jacques strolls over to them. Emma knows why and quickly walks off with her drink.
"How are you, Daniel?" Jacques acknowledges him.
Daniel says through mostly clenched teeth, "Whatever you have to say, I don’t want to hear it, Jacques."
"Oh, but something tells me you’ll want to hear this."
Daniel sighs impatiently, remaining silent.
"You're looking at the person who just secured the Covington Group's bid."
Daniel finally answers, "I'm sure it was down to good luck."
"Not even a good work? Looks like at least one of us is keeping the family business in good hands."
Daniel doesn't know which bothers him more: the announcement or Jacques’s smug face.
Concurrently, Deirdre and Courtney converse on the other side of the living room.
"So where is that husband of yours?" the older woman queries her only granddaughter.
"Steven had to go out of town," Courtney answers quickly, her voice clipped.
Deirdre's mouth twists. "Of course, he leaves the second it all comes out." she says.
Not missing a beat, Courtney straightens and replies firmly,
"Grandmother, with all due respect, I would really appreciate it if you do not attack my husband, especially since it was your extramarital liaison that is causing the fallout."
The hospital confrontation remains fresh—Emma revealing herself as Lenny's bone marrow donor and the bombshell that she isn’t a biological Covington at all, thanks to Deirdre and Jimmy Saunders' long-buried affair.
Deirdre's expression softens slightly, but the contempt remains. "Courtney, I understand you want to stand by your man, but even you have to admit, what kind of marriage do you have if he keeps taking off every time things get rocky?"
"For goodness’ sake, Steven had to go be with his son," Courtney says, frustration sharpening her tone. "He isn’t holed up in some motel with another woman."
"I'm just saying," Deirdre replies, feigning innocence.
Courtney holds her silence, but the slight tilt of her head says otherwise.
Deirdre, catching it, inclines her head toward the other side of the room.
"Be careful about letting snakes graze into the grass," she murmurs.
Following her gaze, Courtney spots Jacques retreating toward Emma. She knows the family’s disdain for Jacques, yet as CEO, she can't deny how successful he’s becoming—and she doesn’t feel guilty about it.
THE WATERFALL BAR
Having enough of the interaction between his lifelong family friend and Antoine, Samuel heads over to their table, with Martha trailing a few paces behind, keeping a noticeable distance.
"I don't mean to interrupt." Samuel says.
He’s supposed to meet Jes here for lunch.
"Hey, Samuel, Martha," Jes greets them with a smile.
Antoine glances at Martha. "You talk to Shauna?"
The question, coming out of the blue, makes Martha a little nervous, wondering if he knows more than he’s letting on.
"A few days ago," she lies. "Why?"
"Mae got a call to go out to Home Farm about somethin'. I hope it ain't nothin' serious."
Samuel and Martha exchange a knowing glance, both aware that Max and Shauna plan to tell the family about the baby.
"I'm sure whatever it is, we'll find out soon," Samuel says carefully.
"I better get back to work."
He stands up from the chair and nods toward Jes. "When you're available, we can do it then."
"Sounds good to me," Jes says.
Feeling a little uneasy, Martha raises her hand. "I gotta start my shift, but I'll catch up with you later, Samuel. Good seeing you again, Jes," she adds before heading toward the bar. Antoine moves ahead of her.
Samuel slides into the seat across from Jes.
"We can finally order; I'm starved," Jes says, picking up the menu, already knowing most of what she wants. Food, however, is the last thing on Samuel’s mind.
"So, what was that about with you and Antoine?" he asks.
Jes skims the menu casually. "Oh, Antoine gave me an open invitation for dinner upstairs when I'm available."
Samuel opens his own menu, mostly to give his hands something to do.
"Seems like you two hit it off."
Jes catches the undertone immediately.
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
Samuel clears his throat. "Look, I'm not trying to influence you, but from what I know, Antoine’s not exactly the committed type."
Jes scoffs, folding her arms. "Samuel, I appreciate you looking out for me, but it’s just dinner. Besides, I'm not exactly looking for the white picket fence either."
Before Samuel can reply, Jes' iPhone goes off. She grabs it on the fourth ring.
"Hello," she says.
Within seconds, her face shifts from relaxed to serious.
"I can't talk right now... I don't know when... Yeah, bye."
She ends the call quickly, and Samuel decides he’s probably already pushed far enough for one lunch.
HOME FARM
Feeling somewhat out of place in the mansion, Mae gingerly waits for Max to come, praying deep down it’s about Shauna. It had been months since she'd had any constant contact. In a way, it feels like she has lost not only her husband, and the only times she hears from her daughter, Cassie, are seldom. She never expected the same from her granddaughter—the one she raised after Cassie abandoned her at thirteen.
The clearing of Daniel’s throat pulls her out of her thoughts.
"I’m sorry if I startled you," the charismatic head of the family says to the older woman.
"I suppose in this big old house being startled doesn’t happen all the time, now is it?"
"What are you getting at, Mae? Have I upset you or something?"
"I have a problem with your actions, especially when they involve my granddaughter. I know she’s an adult and capable of making her own decisions. But it couldn’t have been easy for her to live under this roof with you after what you did."
Daniel instantly knows the bar owner is referring to his manipulation of Jordan, which inadvertently caused the crash that took the life of his unborn grandchild and temporarily took the mobility of his eldest son.
"Mae, I completely understand your sentiment towards me, but like I’ve told Max and Shauna and anyone else in this family, I’m determined to make amends."
Mae steps a few inches toward him. "Like my mother used to say, it’s not what you say, but your intention."
With that, Mae trails off, leaving Daniel there stewing in his past actions, unsure if he can do or say enough to have his family come back around to him.
Right outside the mansion on the estate, Max shuts off the ignition to the SUV and opens the back door. He sees Shauna tending tenderly to the infant, unfastening the harness straps, a look of reluctance still on her face.
"I know it might not feel like it, but I think we're doing the best thing," Max says reassuringly.
Shauna stays silent, gazing into her daughter's eyes.
"Any reservations? Better admit them now before we get behind closed doors," Max says.
"I think we'll be alright. It's just that, with everything going on, I realized other than diapers and wipes, we don't have any clothes or a crib..."
Max holds up his hands. "Shauna, listen to me — everything will work out."
Shauna decides to trust her husband and gets herself and the baby out of the vehicle while Max grabs her bag.
Inside, the rest of the Covington's turn when they hear the front door open and see Max entering, causing a few to whisper among themselves, wondering why they were summoned.
Tommy is the first to speak.
"So don't keep us all in suspense, bro. What's going on that we all had to be here?"
Max feels the weight of everyone's eyes. He puts his hands together.
"I got everyone together because what I have to share is too important."
Curious looks and murmurs fill the room as Max moves toward the door.
Within seconds, Shauna appears, cradling the infant girl in her arms, prompting silent questions among the group.
"I want you all to meet the newest member of the family — our daughter, Keri," Max announces.
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The room falls into stunned silence as Shauna gently soothes the newborn in her arms.
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END OF EPISODE
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ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
Reactions to Max and Shauna's new bundle of joy.
Tricia returns to Bakersfield for the first time in years.
Complications continue to affect Presley and Tanner.
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