Jessica goes to get her son and tells Ford that she will never let him see Ryder, this prompts Ford to cause Tess to re-emerge. Tess soon continues to see Cutter and she soon discovers that him and Aubrey Wentworth are con-artists who are scamming the Buchanans and she decides to join them for the money. Tess discovers that Viki's husband Charlie Banks is having an affair with Echo DiSavoy, she catches a picture of them kissing and sends it to Viki. Tess reveals to all of Llanview about Charlie's affair assuring Ford that it will help them in their custody case. She goes over to Viki's house to convince her to drop the custody battle as she taunts Viki, Niki Smith emerges. Tess gets Niki to try and drop the lawsuit, but in court, Viki re-emerges. Tess and Ford lose custody of Ryder, but so does Viki. The judge decides to put Ryder in foster care, when Aubrey, who recently married Joey, steps up and says she and Joey will take care of Ryder. Tess starts to dispute this, intending to expose Cutter and Aubrey's affair. However, Aubrey gets her to back down when she reminds her she won't get her cut. The judge agrees to this, granting them temporary custody of Ryder.