1979 (#15) - Lucas' guilt, the trips to Australia and suspicions about Lance

Lucas, feeling guilty towards Lance for in some way robbing him of the presidency, nevertheless offers him an important job position in the european division of Prentiss Industries; a destination that would also allow Lucas not to have the man in his way and, therefore, close to Leslie. Lance, however, firmly rejects the offer and indeed decides, in agreement with Lorie, to resign from the company to set up a new company for himself, convinced that with his skills and contacts he will certainly succeed. Lorie is furious with Lucas for having favoured the expulsion of her husband and informs the man that she no longer feels his friend; in a heated discussion, Lucas then admits for the first time that he has feelings for the woman, despite being totally committed to Leslie and her baby. Lorie then convinces Lance to move to a penthouse far away from Vanessa's manipulations. Vanessa, seeing Lucas mortified by Lance's departure from the company, tries to reassure him that things are going exactly as they should, but Lucas is not convinced. Soon he realized he wasn't cut out to be the head of a big company, Lucas decides to take a break and pay a surprise visit to Leslie in Australia, where she's busy for a series of concerts. Taking advantage of the situation to split the couple between Lorie and Lance, Vanessa convinces Lance that Leslie would appreciate a visit to Australia, and Lance decides to leave. Leslie is actually excited to see Lance, and the two go out to dinner where they say they're ready to make their respective marriages work. Lance, moreover, at Leslie's own suggestion, agrees to reconsider Lucas' offer to move to Europe. However, fate lead Lucas to witness from distance, the conversation between the two, assuming the worst. Shocked to see Lance and Leslie together, Lucas immediately returns to Genoa City unnoticed, convinced that there is a secret history between Leslie and Lance.