"The Secret" of Ethan's Paternity
The Story
The truth about the paternity of Ethan Crane, heir to the Crane billions, is a huge secret in Harmony. Since Ethan was born, his mother, Ivy, has kept the secret that Ethan's father is really Police Chief Sam Bennett…and not her powerful husband, Julian. At this point, the truth is only known by a few people, Ivy's trusted confidant Pilar, Pilar's daughter Theresa, and Dr. Eve Russell. But if the secret were to come out, many lives would be changed forever.
Why You Need To Watch Right Now
"The secret" could be on its way out! Julian got an eyeful when he peeked into Hecuba's magic mirror and saw an image of Sam and Ivy making love! Ivy has tried to convince him that it was just a hallucination…but Julian's not convinced, and Ivy is more terrified than ever that Ethan's paternity will be revealed. Rebecca Hotchkiss (who is determined that her daughter Gwen marry Ethan) is on Ivy's trail as well. Rebecca figures that if she can't get to the Crane fortune through Gwen's marriage to Ethan, she'll get to it through Julian (but first she has to bring down Ivy)! Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald, who is "battling" Gwen for Ethan's affections, actually knows the secret. Theresa is ripe to blurt out the truth if it will help her hold onto Ethan, even though her mother has warned her time and time again to keep quiet! And then there's the "little" matter of Sam and Ethan hating each other,…so if the truth does come out, there might not exactly be a tearful father-son reunion! Read on to find out more about each of the players in this juicy tale…and be sure to print this out and keep it handy while you watch!
Ethan Crane
Who is he?
-Raised as the son of Julian and Ivy Crane. Ethan is the heir apparent to the Crane Empire and all the Crane billions.
-Groomed since birth to rule over Crane Industries with socialite Gwen Hotchkiss at his side.
-The man of Theresa Lopez-Fitzgerald's dreams, whether his last name is Crane or not.
-Torn between first love Gwen and love he recently found with Theresa. Pressured by his father, Julian, and grandfather, Alistair, to fulfill his Crane obligations and marry Gwen.
-Sworn enemy of Harmony Police Chief Sam Bennett and Theresa's brother Luis, whom Ethan feels are responsible for the death of his aunt, Sheridan Crane.
What's at Stake?
Ethan's entire identity. All Ethan's known for his whole life is being a Crane-it's a name and heritage he's very proud of. If he were to find out that Julian is not his father, it would turn his world upside down.
Ivy Winthrop Crane
Who Is She?
-Wife, in name only, of Julian Crane. Marriage was nothing more than a "business arrangement" between the Cranes and the Winthrops.
-Still in love with Sam Bennett, her first and true love. Was manipulated into marrying Julian, and not Sam, by her father. As a result, she supports Ethan's need to take time to decide between Theresa and Gwen. She wants Ethan to marry for love, not business.
-After overhearing Julian call the marriage a "business arrangement" on her wedding night, Ivy ran to Sam. On that very night, Ivy conceived Ethan!
-Puts her beloved son, Ethan before anything else-would do anything for him
-Carries a locket with a picture of her two loves: Sam and Ethan.
-Confided her secret about Ethan's paternity to her housekeeper and confidant, Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald, whose daughter Theresa loves Ethan.
-While trapped in a near-death situation after the Prom Boat sank, she finally confided to Sam the truth about Ethan's paternity…but later took back what she said when she realized what was at stake.
-Blackmailed Dr. Eve Russell into lying to Sam about when Ethan was born, in order to convince him that Ethan is not his son.
-Terrified that Julian will discover her secret.
What's at Stake?
For Ivy, everything. If Julian were to find out the truth, he'd disown Ethan and kick Ivy out of the house. Ivy has lived in a loveless marriage just so Ethan can take his place in the Crane Empire…and it would all be for nothing if her secret were revealed.
Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald
Who Is She?
-Trusted housekeeper and confidant of Ivy
-Has kept Ivy's secret about Ethan's paternity for years.
-Hid the papers proving Ethan's paternity in her house, until she finally convinced Ivy to burn them
-Her daughter, Theresa, found the papers concerning Theresa's paternity and scanned them into her computer, knowing that if the truth were to come out, he'd be free to marry her. Pilar is only aware that Theresa knows the secret, not that she scanned the papers.
-Has begged Theresa not to reveal that Ethan is Sam Bennett's son.
What's At Stake?
Pilar believes that if Ethan's secret were to come out, many lives would be destroyed, including her own and that of her daughter Theresa, who dreams of a future with Ethan.
Julian Crane
Who Is He?
-Believes that Ivy has a secret and is determined to find out what it is. He's very suspicious of all the whispering that goes on between Ivy and Pilar.
-Son of ruthless businessman Alistair Crane…and the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Believes that money and power are everything, and that the ends always justify the mean.
-Has not shared a bed with wife Ivy in years. But he certainly does not lack for company…Julian is known for his many flings (especially with the Crane household's maids).
-Makes it very clear that if Ivy were to ever betray him, she'd be out of the Crane Mansion in a flash.
-Loves Ethan the only way he knows how…as the heir to the Crane fortune and someone he can mold into a Crane man.
-Pressures Ethan into marrying Gwen, the "right" woman, because a Crane/Hotchkiss merger would mean billions for the Crane Empire.
What's At Stake?
Julian has no idea that Ethan is not his son. To Julian, the Crane name is everything, and it would rock him to the core if Ethan were not really a Crane.
Rebecca Hotchkiss
Who Is She?
-Scheming, wealthy mother of Ethan's ex-fiancée, Gwen.
-Desperately wants Gwen to marry into the rich and powerful Crane family…so she can have more power for herself. A Hotchkiss/Crane merger would place Rebecca higher on the social ladder.
-Has formed an alliance with Julian to help bring Ethan and Gwen together
-Positive that Ivy is hiding something…and will stop at nothing to find out what it is
What's At Stake?
If Ethan is not a Crane, he is not the prize he once was. Rebecca wants Gwen to marry Ethan strictly for his money and power…and as a Bennett, Ethan does not have that money and power. The truth might lead Rebecca to find another way into the Crane family…say, Julian?
Sam Bennett
Who Is He?
-Harmony's Chief of Police
-Devoted husband of Grace and father of Kay, Jessica, and Noah, who is away at boarding school (as well as father-figure to orphaned niece, Charity).
-Loved Ivy desperately when they were together over twenty years ago, but was forced to keep the relationship a secret because he wasn't part of Ivy's social circle.
-Was devastated when Ivy ended their romance by marrying Julian.
-Has made it clear to Ivy that he wants her to stay out of his life-he would never betray Grace.
-Dislikes Ethan as a result of Ethan accusing Sam of bungling the Prom Boat rescue. Was relieved when he found out Ivy was "lying" and that Ethan isn't really his son
-Believes all the Cranes are arrogant, conniving, and only out for themselves
What's At Stake?
Sam's family would be torn apart by the revelation that Ethan is his son. Grace has no idea that her husband ever had a relationship with Ivy, and she would be devastated that he has kept this secret. Sam would also have to deal with the fact that a man he hates is really his own flesh and blood.
