1988 (#15) - Ashley's confession to John, Victor's suspicions, the divorce from Nikki

When Leanna's book "Ruthless - The Story of Victor Newman" is published, the whole press goes crazy. The book, published under the false name of Nora Randall, upsets Jack himself, who knew nothing about Ashley's involvement with the man, with its details and revelations. John, horrified by the words of the book, is ready to report the author of the book by suing her, but in the end it is Ashley herself who confesses that much of what is written in the book is true. Victor, literally enraged by the book's revelations, swears to make the author of the book pay, ignoring the fact that it is the same Leanna of whom he is sentimentally interested and to whom he has authorized to write his biography. Confident with Ashley, Victor asks the woman who may have told all the details of their lives, and it is at this juncture that Ashley reveals to the man that he told Nikki about their past. Although Ashley reiterates that he does not believe Nikki could have done this to him, Victor is increasingly convinced that it was the woman who leaked the information. An angry Victor thus confronts a distraught Nikki, accused of publicly ridiculing him. Nikki tries to justify herself, but her every attempt is futile, since Victor announces their divorce and finally manages to get it, ending their long and tormented marriage. Nikki, left alone, appears inconsolable and grieved by the final end of all her hopes of being able to return with Victor.