1979 (#19) - The tensions with Lance and the separation between Leslie and Lucas

Back from Australia, a furious Lucas informs everyone that he has reconsidered the plan to send Lance to Paris and is convinced of the necessity of sending his brother to Santo Domingo, where there are major political and social tensions. Leslie is surprised by the sudden change in Lucas' decision, who defends his choice by justifying it with the need to maintain control in that strategic area for the company. Lance and Lorie, disappointed by Luca's sudden change and convinced that Lucas wants to take revenge in some way for their happiness compared to his marriage problems with Leslie, accuse him of being controlled by their mother Vanessa. The mother, however, assures everyone that the decision is entirely on the initiative of Lucas, obviously enraged by the alleged betrayal of his wife Leslie. By the other hand, Leslie can't understand her husband, not having betrayed Lance and not knowing about his presence in Australia. This episode, however, drives the couple away, despite the fact that in the end Lucas, at the very moment of Lance's departure for Santo Domingo, revokes his decision after Lorie's desperate request to reconsider. As a matter of fact Lance's doesn't leave, this fact however doesn't help the marriage between Lucas and Leslie, as the woman considers their marriage over. Despite the desire to give Brooks a father, in fact, Leslie realizes that she does not love Lucas, and that he feels the same way towards her; and convinced that a fake marriage cannot go on, she informs Lucas that she wants a separation. At the announcement, a still furious Lucas, convinced that Leslie is still in a clandestine relationship with Lance or that she wants to be with him anyway, reacts coldly to the news and accepts without resistance to initiate divorce proceedings.