One night, Charlotte becomes stressed out over her camera and reveals she has early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Charlotte introduces Alice to honky-tonks and male strip clubs Alice reciprocates by taking Charlotte to a communal baptism. Alice eventually agrees, and they head west without a set route or schedule.
William tells Abby that Charlotte's vote and his vote combined will give the Cartwrights continued control Abby advises Charlotte to sell her shares.Ĭharlotte asks Alice to go on a road trip in the vintage turquoise Cadillac convertible Charlotte has bought. The only way to raise the money is for Charlotte to sell 10% of her shares, leaving her with a minority vote. Charlotte hires Abigail "Abby" Dexter ( Robin Givens) as COO and determines the company will have to front $25 million to make William's deal viable. William is determined to take the family business from his mother, believing the $500-million deal he recently closed will prove his capabilities. She tells him that the money is bonuses she received from William and that she has the right to some privacy from her spouse. Andrea catches Chris going through her hidden financial records one night. At the bank, Chris is rejected for a loan application, but discovers his wife has deposited nearly $300,000 in a secret account. Andrea is actually enjoying the perks of being in an extramarital affair with William.Ĭhris dreams of opening a construction firm with Ben, but Andrea ridicules Chris's aspirations. To Pam's chagrin, Andrea doesn't help their mother more financially, though Andrea has designer clothes and a new Mercedes. Henson), is married to Ben ( Tyler Perry) and looks after Andrea's three-year-old son for extra income while working at their mother's diner. William suggests that the newlyweds contact him for employment with the Cartwrights's successful Atlanta construction company after their honeymoon.įour years later, Andrea's sister, Pam ( Taraji P. The couple is congratulated by Charlotte's son, William ( Cole Hauser), and his wife, Jillian ( KaDee Strickland), who had eloped instead of letting Charlotte plan an elaborate reception for them. In the prologue, socialite Charlotte Cartwright ( Kathy Bates) hosts the wedding of Andrea ( Sanaa Lathan) - the daughter of Charlotte's best friend, Alice Evans ( Alfre Woodard) - and Chris Bennett ( Rockmond Dunbar), a construction worker.