The sudden arrival of her daughter, Cassie Howard, startled Dorian!

Thirteen-year-old Cassie Howard arrived in Llanview, taking an unusual interest in Dorian Lord. Dorian was stunned when Cassie finally revealed her secret: she was her daughter! Stunned, Dorian initially refused to believe this amazing pronouncement.

Cassie was upset by her mother�s rejection. Dorian admitted to Herb that, years earlier, she had given birth to a baby girl while she was in medical school. One day, Dorian came home to discover that her live-in boyfriend, David Reynolds, had taken off with their baby, Cassie. A concert pianist, David went to live with his mother in California, then left Cassie behind and went off to Europe. In time, Dorian and Cassie agreed to face this new relationship one step at a time.

Pat and Clint correctly surmised that Asa was keeping Nicole prisoner somewhere in Llanview. However, Nicole escaped and plotted to get even with the husband who had ruined her life. At the Buchanan Ball, Nicole was not the only uninvited guest hiding behind a mask. The evil Dr. Ivan Kipling, who had fled to South America the previous year, had returned to Llanview to wreak havoc once again.

After a two year absence, Tony Lord returned to Llanview. Upon his return, he became tight with Bo Buchanan, and in the meantime rekindled his long time off/on again relationship with Pat.