Millionaire publishing tycoon Mackenzie Cory, father to Iris Carrington, came to Bay City to be with his grandson, Dennis Carrington, who was being treated for a heart condition, and decided to make Bay City his home.  Mac Cory was a one-of-a kind man.  He was wealthy, powerful, but not corrupt.  He had built the Cory Publishing empire from nothing.  Not only did he own Cory Publishing, but he was the driving force behind Bay City's newspaper, The Herald and at one time owned Bay City's television station, KBAY.  It didn't take long for him to become one of the leading citizens of Bay City.
     He was the epitome of goodness.  He was loyal to family and friends.  He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.  He was fair and honest.  He was very handsome and charmed all the ladies. 
     For a while, Mac escorted Liz Matthews around Bay City...until he became interested in Rachel.  Mac knew of Rachel's "history", the whole "Steve and Alice" story, but he didn't care because he saw the "inner" Rachel...a strong-willed young woman who had great potential. 
     Of course, Iris did not want her father involved with Rachel.  But Iris would not get her way, in spite of the fact that she would never give up trying to break up Mac and Rachel.  Although they would separate many times and even divorce, they always ended up back together...for they were soul mates.  They had their "ups and downs" like many couples but most of these problems were caused by others who didn't want to see Mac and Rachel together...most times Iris.
     One of the most notable break-ups was when Mac took Jamie's side about his wife Blaine, who Rachel considered a scheming, manipulative young woman, who was going to make her son's life miserable.  Rachel "cut off" Jamie, Mac got mad and got involved with Janice Frame.  Mac and Rachel divorced and Rachel kept Amanda.  Mac was so upset that he had Jamie kidnap Amanda, but then Mac had a change of heart and gave Amanda back to Rachel, who gave Mac full visitation rights.  Janice and Mac married, then Mitch Blake, Janice's "old flame" showed up.  Rachel flirted with Mitch, hoping a jealous Janice would leave Mac for Mitch. 
     Well, it almost worked.  Janice wanted Mac's money and Mitch's body. So she started carrying out a plot she read in a disregarded manuscript from Cory Publishing, called "Harry Must Die," about a woman who slowly poisoned her husband to death.  Janice told Mitch her plan, then started poisoning Mac.  Rachel and Liz became suspicious, joined forces, found the manuscript, and realized what Janice was doing.  Rachel learned that Janice had taken Mac to St. Croix "to rest."  Rachel went to St. Croix, found Mitch and seduced him so he would lead her to Janice and Mac.  Rachel found Mac "near death;" struggled with Janice, who had a knife, in the swimming pool, and ultimately stabbed Janice who died instantly.