“The Bold and the Beautiful” is set to plunge into a week of intense drama, secrets, and life-altering decisions from July 21st to 25th. The central mystery revolves around Liam Spencer’s (Scott Clifton) sudden disappearance from the hospital, leaving Steffy Forrester (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood) furious and Hope Logan (Annika Noelle) and Taylor Hayes (Krista Allen) in a panic.

As the current week progresses (July 16-18), Bridget Forrester (Ashley Jones) and Dr. John “Finn” Finnegan (Tanner Novlan) are initially impressed by Liam’s resilience, fighting not only terminal brain cancer and a recent gunshot wound but also his critical condition. However, they are about to be stunned by a shocking discovery: Liam is gone from the hospital. Unbeknownst to them, Bill Spencer (Don Diamont), Liam, and Dr. Grace Buckingham (Cassandra Creech) have already moved to a private facility. It’s speculated that Grace will tell Bridget and Finn that Liam has been moved to a private clinic for recuperation, intentionally holding back the truth about the experimental surgery due to its unorthodox nature. Despite this deception, Grace is genuinely attempting to save Liam, even as she happily cashes Bill’s million-dollar payment.

On Wednesday, July 16th, at this private clinic, Liam is reportedly stunned by the rapid pace of events and the immediate commencement of this experimental treatment. Bill, ever the pragmatist, reminds his son that the alternative is “death or a slightly slower death, but either way, death,” reinforcing the urgency. Liam, for his part, is reportedly very optimistic about the prospect of a cure for what he was told was terminal brain cancer. Bill assures Liam that once the surgery is successful and they receive “good news,” they will then inform everyone else. For now, only Bill, Liam, and Grace are privy to the secret. Grace reconfirms her absolute faith in the procedure and in the still-unseen mystery doctor performing it.

A peculiar spoiler for Thursday, July 17th, states, “Bill whisks Liam away from the hospital while he’s unconscious.” This is causing confusion among fans, as previous spoilers indicated Liam was whisked away to the clinic while awake on Wednesday. It’s highly unlikely Bill would move Liam again immediately after brain surgery. The more plausible interpretation is that on Thursday, word will spread that Bill took Liam out of the public hospital without informing Steffy, Hope, or anyone else. It’s confirmed that Liam willingly signed consent papers, fully on board with Bill’s plan, which is a relief for Bill, who didn’t have to force the decision.

The experimental brain surgery on Liam will be performed by Grace and this mystery doctor. The visual description of Liam during surgery is bizarre: he’s depicted on a table, seemingly wrapped in a “bright blue slanket” with only his face showing, and a cut-out section for his head where the surgery will occur. Speculation includes whether Scott Clifton (Liam) will actually have his head shaved or if the show will opt for a less realistic “Band-Aid stuck over all his head.”

Meanwhile, Hope and Steffy are left distraught, seen sitting by an empty hospital bed this week, reflecting their sadness and confusion over Liam’s disappearance. The narrative also subtly hints at the consequences of their earlier deception towards Bill regarding Liam’s cancer diagnosis, suggesting their current distress is, in part, a result of their actions. Steffy, out of the hospital, is seen back at Forrester Creations looking worried, with her significant pregnancy bump “tucked behind the desk” (due to her advanced stage of pregnancy, possibly 10.5 months on screen, humorously noted by the insider). Both Steffy and Hope are struggling to focus on work, but distractions may come in the form of helping Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye), Eric Forrester (John McCook), and Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) prepare for their upcoming trip to Italy.

As the week of July 21st through 25th unfolds, Steffy and Hopecontinue to struggle, consumed with worry for Liam’s well-being. Neither of them trusts Bill, despite his clear determination to save Liam’s life. Bill, however, is also seeking “a little bit of redemption” by performing this “miraculous” act of saving Liam when everyone else had seemingly given up. It’s anticipated that once Liam’s condition stabilizes, Bill will confront Steffy and Hope, telling them to “back off,” reminding them of their attempts to keep him away from his son and their lies – facts that remain true, regardless of whose side viewers are on.

In parallel to Liam’s crisis, Finn is set to step up for Steffy, possibly trying to get answers from Grace about Liam’s whereabouts and condition. Carter Walton (Lawrence Saint-Victor) will also step up for Hope, providing support during this uncertain time.

Whispers of a potential storyline twist suggest that Liam might be hiding a secret, possibly leading to a “full replay of the Finn being shot and hidden away” plot, or perhaps even a coma for a character like Luna (though her episodes aren’t until September). Liam’s future remains highly uncertain, with more details about the mystery doctor to be revealed soon. There’s even a playful wish that the doctor could be Wayne Brady, reprising his role as Reese Buckingham, Grace’s ex-husband, humorously dismissing the difference between obstetrics and brain surgery.

Meanwhile, Taylor Hayes continues her relentless push to finalize wedding plans with Ridge before his trip. However, her efforts are about to be futile. The insider ominously notes that when Taylor asked Ridge to “set a date” and he responded “For what?”, it was clear that “a man is not going to marry you,” foreshadowing trouble for Taylor’s romantic hopes. Brad Bell, the show’s executive producer, has confirmed that Ridge will experience “something in Italy that changes everything,” suggesting a major turning point for the Ridge/Brooke/Taylor triangle.

As Liam and Bill bond over their shared hope and prayers for the experimental surgery’s success (which is presumed to work, potentially for Scott Clifton’s next Emmy reel), Bridget and Finn may intensify their quest for answers from Grace. By the end of the week, the long-anticipated travel to Italy is set to begin, with the actual scenes filmed abroad commencing on Monday, July 28th, and running through Tuesday, August 5th. This means a significant portion of the cast will be on their way to Italy, promising picturesque backdrops and potentially life-altering events far from the familiar drama of Los Angeles.