The growing rivalry between Logan Designs and Forrester Creations may be headed toward another major conflict, and this time it could center on a promise Katie Logan made to her sister.
When Katie and Brooke Logan attempted to establish boundaries between their competing fashion ventures, Katie assured Brooke that she would not actively recruit additional members of the Forrester family. On the surface, the agreement appeared straightforward and offered hope that the emerging business rivalry would not completely destroy family relationships.
However, recent events suggest that promise may already be on shaky ground.
The biggest problem is that Katie never fully disclosed one important detail: Hope Logan had already joined Logan Designs.
Technically, Hope is a Spencer by marriage rather than a Forrester, but Brooke is unlikely to see much difference once the truth finally comes out. From Brooke’s perspective, Katie secretly recruited her daughter while simultaneously promising to respect family boundaries.
That revelation alone could create a serious fracture between the sisters.
Hope’s Decision Was Years In The Making
While Brooke may feel betrayed, Hope’s frustration with Forrester Creations did not develop overnight.
For months, Hope for the Future remained stuck in limbo while company resources were directed toward other projects. Although Steffy eventually reversed course and announced the return of HFTF, Hope spent a long period believing her future at Forrester was no longer a priority.
That uncertainty created an opening for Logan Designs.
Unlike Forrester Creations, Katie’s company offered Hope something she had not experienced in quite some time: stability, influence, and the opportunity to build something from the ground up. As a result, Hope took a leave of absence and quietly committed herself to a future outside the company where she built her career.
The fact that Brooke remains unaware of the full story only increases the likelihood of a dramatic confrontation once everything comes to light.
Zende’s Frustration Continues To Grow
While Hope’s situation is already complicated, another Forrester may soon find himself asking similar questions about his future.
Zende Forrester Dominguez has spent months expressing frustration over his position within the company. Despite years of experience and formal training, he continues to watch other family members receive opportunities and recognition that he believes he has earned.
The return of R.J. Forrester only intensified those concerns.
From Zende’s perspective, R.J. has received significant attention and praise despite spending far less time working within the fashion industry. Meanwhile, Zende continues doing much of the work without receiving the same level of recognition.
That growing resentment has become increasingly difficult for him to hide.
A Leave Of Absence May Be The First Step
One of the most telling moments came during Zende’s recent conversation with Carter Walton.
During that discussion, Zende openly suggested that he might need to take a leave of absence in order to get Forrester leadership’s attention. The comment may have sounded casual, but it revealed a deeper level of frustration than viewers have seen from him in quite some time.
More importantly, it raised an intriguing possibility.
If Hope was willing to look elsewhere when she felt undervalued, why wouldn’t Zende consider doing the same?
The situations are remarkably similar. Both spent years contributing to the company’s success. Both watched opportunities go to others. And both eventually reached a point where loyalty no longer guaranteed recognition.
Could Katie Make An Exception For Zende?
If Zende decides to explore opportunities outside Forrester Creations, Logan Designs could become an obvious destination.
Katie may have promised Brooke that she would not recruit additional Forresters, but turning away a designer with Zende’s credentials would be easier said than done. His experience in ready-to-wear fashion, familiarity with Hope’s aesthetic, and extensive knowledge of the industry would make him one of the most valuable additions Logan Designs could possibly acquire.
From a business standpoint, hiring Zende would be difficult to justify passing up.
From a family standpoint, it could ignite an entirely new war.
That conflict becomes even more likely if Zende approaches Katie rather than the other way around. Katie could argue that she honored her promise by not actively recruiting him, while Brooke would almost certainly see the situation very differently.
Logan Designs Could Become A Haven For Disgruntled Forresters
The larger concern for Forrester Creations is what this trend might represent.
If Hope leaves and Zende follows, Logan Designs begins transforming from a startup fashion house into a legitimate competitor capable of attracting established talent away from Forrester. What initially looked like a family side project could quickly evolve into a direct threat.
That possibility would almost certainly alarm Ridge, Steffy, and Eric, especially if additional employees begin questioning whether their futures might be brighter elsewhere.
The last thing Forrester Creations needs is a reputation for pushing talented people toward the competition.
Will Zende Become Katie’s Next Big Hire?
At the moment, Zende remains at Forrester Creations, and Steffy’s decision to revive Hope for the Future may temporarily ease some concerns. However, the underlying issues that have frustrated him for months have not disappeared.
If Hope ultimately commits to Logan Designs and the company begins finding success, Zende may be forced to reevaluate whether his loyalty is being rewarded or merely taken for granted.
For Katie, that creates an intriguing opportunity. She may not be actively searching for another Forrester to join her company, but if Zende comes knocking, saying no could be far more difficult than keeping a promise to Brooke.
And if Hope was only the first domino to fall, Forrester Creations may soon discover that keeping talented designers is becoming a much bigger challenge than launching new fashion lines.
