Speaking at her own prearranged press conference, Alexis brashly announces a masquerade party fund-raiser at the Carrington mansion. Upon returning from Hong Kong, Blake reluctantly agrees to host the event in hopes of persuading ex-senator Buck Fallmont to reevaluate his stand on the pipeline. Intercepting a call meant for Caress, Alexis learns of her sister's spiteful plan to write a book on her tumultuous life. Garrett confronts Dominique with the fact that Jackie's father is listed as ""unknown"" on her birth certificate. Dominique denies Garrett's assertions that Jackie may be his daughter. At the masquerade ball, Bart Fallmont shows Steven the newspaper headline running in the next morning's edition, which claims that Bart had a homosexual lover. Steven immediately suspects Adam's treachery and a fight ensues. Alexis then sets her plan for Blake's demise into motion when Ben removes his costume and reveals himself as Blake's brother.

Alexis' surprise unveiling of Ben stuns Blake, but she has little time to relish her first victory when Ben threatens to be her fiercest adversary if their plans go awry. Amanda breaks down when Dex confesses that he does not love her. She later finds strength and reassurance from Steven, only to be crushed again by an unforgiving Alexis. Furious at Adam for publicizing Bart's past illicit romance, Steven instigates another battle with his brother. Blake also reprimands Adam, but the story accomplishes its purpose as ex-senator Buck Fallmont withdraws the pipeline injunction. Despite Krystle's queries, Blake refuses to discuss his estrangement from his brother. Blake is confronted by Ben, who has returned to Denver to contest their father's will. Having discovered Caress' sinister intentions, Alexis secretly buys the company contracted to publish the damaging expose. Unaware of her sister's actions, Caress continues to write and to fall prey to a merciless Alexis.

Blake's hopes are renewed when a key witness, Franklin, admits that Alexis paid him to alter his testimony. But Franklin later arrives in court intoxicated and is unable to answer any questions. Angered by the drunken witness, the judge rules in favor of Ben, and Blake is forced to surrender one-fourth of the family estate. Blake vows to appeal and is determined to track down the mysterious woman who can clear his name. Bart is dropped from the senatorial race when newspaper headlines announce his homosexuality. Bart is relieved, but Steven is outraged and argues with a remorseless Adam. Bart's father, Buck, turns to Blake for advice. Dex offers Clay Fallmont a job on the pipeline. As Blake and Dex review construction particulars, a rancorous ex-employee orchestrates a potentially fatal accident. Buck Fallmont's wife, Emily, is ready to confess that she and Ben met the night of Ellen Carrington's tragic death. Fearing discovery, Ben warns Emily of the scandal that would result if she d

Alexis learns of Ben's ploy to frame Blake with a bogus witness. Blake is denied bail and forced to await his trial behind bars. Krystle consults a doctor regarding her dizzy spells and ignores his advice to slow down and rest. Adam overhears Ben nervously reject a call from Australia, arousing his suspicions behind Ben's evasiveness. Jackie is able to tell Krystle and Dominique that the La Mirage blaze started in Claudia's room, proving Blake did not hire an arsonist. The information forces the Assistant D.A. to drop all charges against Blake. Fearing Buck's strong contempt for the Carringtons, Clay unsuccessfully tries to persuade Sammy Jo against accepting his mother's invitation to dinner. Blake receives a letter from Caress in a Caracas prison pleading for his help. He decides to attempt her freedom in exchange for her testimony against Ben. As a raging storm strands Alexis alone with Dex in his construction trailer, the two rekindle their romance by making passionate love.

Caress continues her relentless extortion of Emily Fallmont, who turns to Blake, her only hope. Sammy Jo is hurt by Clay's suggestion of an abortion. Danny's nursery school teacher, Claire Prentice, shows Steven some of Danny's drawings--drawings that reveal a deeply troubled little boy. Clay shows up at Sammy Jo's door and proposes a Las Vegas wedding. Alexis uses the information she requested on Michael Culhane to expose his charade to Amanda. He pleads with Amanda to believe his love for her is real, confessing he loaned the money to her father and promising to never use it against him--as long as she keeps the information secret. Suffering from the pressure of Caress' blackmailing schemes, Emily goes to Buck with the truth that she was with Ben the night of Blake's mother's death. Fleeing from Buck's drunken, verbal abuse, Emily runs blindly in front of a speeding taxi, throwing her apparently lifeless body to the pavement.

As life slowly fades from Emily's body, she whispers a last request to Blake to use the letter she left for him. The letter reveals the truth behind Alexis and Ben's lies and will clear his name. Alexis discovers Michael Culhane secretly acquired thirty percent of The Crater project behind Blake's back. She plots to possess the shares for her own sinister deeds. Upon learning of his mother's tragic death, Clay and Sammy Jo return from their Las Vegas wedding, only to suffer the hateful wrath of Buck's drunkenness and consuming guilt. Sammy Jo renews her threat to take Danny away from Steven. Nick Kimball sweeps an unsuspecting Dominique into his arms, as the two share a moment of passion. Michael Culhane confesses his quest for revenge to Blake in hopes of winning his trust and proving his love for Amanda. An outraged Blake discounts his confession as more treachery and vows to use Emily's letter to bring Alexis and Ben to justice.

Krystle and Blake fear the worst upon discovering Krystina missing from her room. Their worries are quickly relieved when they find her sleeping downstairs, cradled in Sarah's arms. Blake is suspicious of Adam's motives for canceling his and Dana's wedding. Blake hires a private investigator to find the cause of Adam's irrational behavior. Adam's despair grows as he reluctantly agrees to involve Neal McVane in an illegal insider-trading scheme with one of Alexis' companies. Greatly disturbed by the loss of her own little girl, Sarah makes Krystina a dress that is an exact copy of one worn by her daughter. Sammy Jo and Steven share a night by an intimate fire and their passionate feelings drawing them together. Leslie and Clay encounter Buck Fallmont and after discovering Leslie to be a Carrington, his drunken rage heightens. Leslie is mystified by his father's offensive outbursts. Ben confronts Buck, but is bitterly rebuffed by his unrelenting hatred.

Blake is stunned by Buck Fallmont's claim that Clay may be Ben's son. Concerned for Clay and Leslie's well being, Blake tells Clay the shocking news. Hoping to reunite her mother and father, Jackie asks Nick to stay away from Dominique. When her efforts fail, Jackie makes plans to return to her father. Krystle attempts to bring Sarah to face the reality of her baby's death by bringing her to the gravesite. The realization proves painful for both Sarah and Krystle, as Sarah is finally able to accept the tragic loss of her baby. Fearing that Ben may be his father, Clay confides in Leslie the possibility that they may be brother and sister. Leslie responds with rage towards Ben for not telling her sooner. Gavin Maurier treats Alexis to an unusual date on the back of a motorcycle, which leaves Alexis intrigued by the mysterious and younger Maurier. Krystle is angered to find a workman lingering after the completion of alterations for Adam and Dana's wedding. As surprisingly as the man appe

Krystle is haunted by an eerie sense of foreboding following the appearance of mysterious shadows beneath her window. A blood test to determine the identity of Clay's real father proves inconclusive, causing Clay and Ben's decision to leave Denver. Steven's decision to leave Denver results in further pain and confusion for those that love him the most. Adam is awed and overjoyed by Blake and Alexis' demonstration of love by officially adopting him. Swept away by the romance and splendor of Adam and Dana's wedding, Dominique accepts Nick's proposal of marriage. Struggling with her loneliness following the wedding, Alexis flees in a state of emotional duress. Her car plunges off a bridge and falls into the river. The joyous atmosphere of the wedding is shattered as mysterious men besiege the mansion and round up the Carrington family. Krystle's ominous suspicions are confirmed when she recognizes one of the men as Matthew Blaisdel, who has returned for her