Cricket Blair fell in love with her mom's doctor, Scott Grainger, and they became engaged. But the engagement soon ended when Cricket discovered that Scott was her half-brother. Scott's father, Dr. Jim Grainger, once had an affair with Cricket's mother, Jessica, which had left her pregnant. Although Cricket was disappointed to end her engagement, she enjoyed finally meeting her real father.

Soon after, Cricket began dating Derek Stuart. After an enjoyable evening together, Derek accompanied Cricket to her apartment and then raped her. Although traumatized by the incident, Cricket found the courage to press charges against Derek. Her strength inspired another woman to step forward and testify that Derek had also raped her. Angered by the prospect of a long prison sentence, Derek vowed revenge against Cricket. He cornered the young model in her apartment and aimed a gun at her, but just as he fired, Scott burst into the apartment and took the bullet instead. Derek tried to escape by jumping through a window. Instead, he fell to his death. Scott survived his gunshot wound and the near-death experience prompted him to propose marriage to his new girlfriend, Lauren, who agreed to marry him.

Nikki and Cricket's dad, Jim, became romantically involved. Nikki, who was enamored of Jim, had hopes of marrying him. But Nikki's dream died when John Abbott graciously agreed to divorce Rebecca because he had realized that she was still in love with Jim. Jill quickly stepped in to be with John, her ex-husband.

Cassandra insisted to Paul Williams that she loved him and was willing to divorce George Rawlins. But when George was stricken with a heart attack, a compassionate Paul suggested that she wait until her older husband was fully recovered. Unknown to Paul, George's doctors informed him that he was suffering from a terminal illness. At the same time, George discovered that Paul and Cassandra were lovers. In a twisted act of revenge, George made it look as if Paul had murdered him. Before George's death, he also arranged to argue with Paul, while Victor Newman was nearby and able to overhear the heated exchange. After George's death, an astute Victor wisely surmised that Paul had been set up.

During the investigation into George's death, it became clear that Cassandra was also involved in the frame-up. Victor succeeded in proving Cassandra a lethal black widow when he successfully seduced her. For a brief period, Cassandra tried to string along both Victor and Paul. Meanwhile, she promised a mysterious man named Adrian Hunter that she was desperate to leave Genoa City and start a new life with him. When it appeared that Paul would be convicted of George's murder, Paul and his father, Carl, decided to fake the young private eye's death. While Cassandra was convinced that Paul was dead, he faded into the background and worked to prove his innocence.