André resurfaces in September 2015 worried about Stefano's declining health after a heart attack and it is revealed that he is Stefano's biological son and not his nephew. André buys up Aiden Jennings (Daniel Cosgrove)'s debt in order to keep him in line with Stefano's schemes. Meanwhile, André clashes with Stefano's youngest son Chad (Billy Flynn) who is being framed for murder. André publicly announces himself at the wake of Will Horton (Guy Wilson) in October 2015 where his apology for his past misdeeds falls on deaf ears. He also publicly announces that a letter from his mother revealed that Stefano is his biological father. André orders Aiden to kill Hope Brady on their wedding night and collect the insurance money to repay his debt. André's scheme is also to help clear Chad's name despite Chad's disapproval. André later kidnaps Sami, who has discovered he is trying to supplant Stefano as head of the DiMera empire. Sami escapes and empties all of Stefano's accounts, so André brainwashes Chad to seduce Belle and find out where the money is hidden. Chad breaks free from André’s mind control and disowns him and Stefano.