Bold & Beautiful is a lot of things, but subtle ain’t one of ’em. The dialogue in a story will often tell you which way things are headed and Carter and Ridge’s huge confrontation was no exception. We already know exactly what — or should we say “who”? — will provide his ultimate downfall.

As Ridge and Carter had it out in Forrester Creations’ main office, a central theme emerged — and stuck — in Ridge’s argument. Unable to fathom the idea that his bestie had tricked him into signing over control of his own family company, he decided that the man must have been brainwashed. Now, part of Ridge blaming Hope for Carter’s actions is clearly designed to create the basis for a split between him and Brooke. Taylor wasn’t recast for nothing. But, he was really pounding home the fact that Carter wouldn’t be doing this if not for Hope’s influence.

It’s tough to argue the point. Carter, a numbers man through and through, was fully on board with dumping the flailing Hope For the Future mered days before Hope picked up on his flirtatious mention of her modeling lingerie and ran with it. In what seemed like a flash, everything changed. Hope and Carter went from kissing to declaring their love, to plotting a coup faster than you can say, “Destiny”.

Steffy and Ridge had picked up on a shift in Carter, who suddenly became adamant that the Hope For the Future line was key to “saving” the entire company, which as far as they (and we) knew, wasn’t even in trouble. Make it make sense!

Fast forward to Carter’s coup proving successful, with Justin unable to block him legally, and Ridge, Steffy, and an apoplectic Eric gaping in stunned disbelief as their former COO announces they all answer to him now. We’re sure many Bold & Beautiful fans were left wondering what would have to happen to undo this, and the answer, as it turns out, has already been spelled out for us.

The writers have set the scene for Carter’s coup to ultimately come to an end, while also clearing a path to an eventual reconcilation between the barrister and the Forresters. How? Well, by blaming it all on Hope, of course.

All Carter has to do is see that Ridge was right about him being brainwashed by the blonde, hand back the reins, and all will be forgiven. “But,” you’re thinking. “Carter’s in love with Hope, so he’s not going to admit any such thing.” That’s correct. But that seed of doubt has been planted by Ridge in his former friend’s mind… all that has to happen now is for something to happen that causes Carter to question Hope’s feelings for him.

Thomas is planning to marry Paris. What if the happy pair returns home with Douglas to tie the knot and it all proves to be too much for Hope, who tries to stop him from going through with it. Carter finds out and “boom,” he decides that her feelings for him must all have been a manipulation to get him to “risk it all” to save her failing fashion line.

We haven’t seen much of Liam lately, but he’s never far from the drama, and is often the cause of it when it comes to Hope and Steffy’s lives, so it’s entirely possible he’ll resurface at the wrong place and time and throw Carter into a fit of insecurity.

While it may be a while coming, if our hunch is correct, Bold & Beautiful has already spelled it out: Carter’s ultimate downfall will come courtesy of Hope… the last person you might expect! Let us know what you think will happen with Carter’s coup in the comments.