Days of our Lives Recap, September 4: Chess-Loving Mystery Man Monitors Chad, Belle, and EJ

On the Friday, September 4, 2026, episode of Days of our Lives, Holly told Tate about the mugging, Leo found a lead, Chanel pushed Johnny to confess, EJ had insights for Chad and Belle, and a mystery man monitored Stefano’s quest by video feed.

Consequences

Holly told Tate about her mugging | Image: Peacock

Holly interrupted Tate’s workout at his gym to tell him about the mugging. Holly admitted she had feared that EJ had sent the mugger, but the police had confirmed that the man had been a repeat offender. Tate was relieved that EJ had not sent the attacker and that Holly was okay. When Holly mentioned her classmate Mason and how he had behaved coldly toward her, Tate jokingly asked Holly to invite him to his gym for a lesson in respect.

After Holly lamented that they would not have as much time together now that Tate was following his passions outside of school, Tate offered to take her out to dinner after he showered. Holly opted to shower with Tate instead.

Loyalty

Chanel demanded to know what secret Johnny was keeping for EJ | Image: Peacock

At Johnny and Chanel’s apartment, a box arrived with a Phoenix card attached to it. When Chanel appeared disinterested by EJ’s gift, Johnny asked Chanel if she no longer approved of him having a relationship with his father. Chanel told Johnny that her concern was that Johnny had grown too close to EJ. Chanel explained that her larger concern was that she did not trust Johnny, because she knew that Johnny was still keeping a secret from her.

Chanel told Johnny that she had overheard his conversation with Marlena about EJ and a cover-up. Chanel argued that she needed to rely on Johnny as she finished her cancer treatment. Johnny promised that he was no longer involved with his father’s business and that Chanel could count on him to be there for her and the children. Chanel told Johnny that she believed him.

Johnny suggested that they open the gift, and inside was an engraved silver cup for Olivia that matched the one EJ had given to them for Trey. “He does love our children, you know,” Johnny said. Chanel agreed, and she said she appreciated that EJ treated both their children as if they were blood relatives. Johnny pointed out that Stefano had felt the same way about his family. Chanel asked Johnny what made someone a DiMera if it was not blood. Johnny shrugged, and he said that like any family, it was a shared set of values. Chanel told Johnny that her concern was that his loyalty to EJ was stronger than his loyalty to her. Johnny promised Chanel that she had his loyalty.

The Dark Web

Leo talked to Gabi about his investigation into the counterfeit operation | Image: Peacock

In the square, Gabi met up with Leo to discuss his lead on the Gabi Chic counterfeit bags. Leo informed Gabi that he had posed as a buyer on the dark web, and he planned to use his contact to work his way up the chain. Leo asked Gabi for the money to buy the product. With a groan, Gabi reluctantly agreed to bankroll Leo’s investigation.

Leo talked about his concerns that the counterfeit ring would lead to information on a larger criminal enterprise. Gabi noted that Rafe had mentioned the same concerns. Leo noted that if they were taking on a larger scheme, they needed to be careful in how they proceeded. When Leo suggested they talk to Rafe, Gabi refused. Leo argued that they needed to find a close associate of EJ that would be willing to talk to them. Gabi suggested Chad, but she was not sure that he would want to help her. Leo argued that if Chad had forgiven him, Chad could get past anything.

Insights

Belle spit out her champagne onto EJ when he said he had not sent it to her | Image: Peacock

At the airport hangar, EJ informed Chad and Belle that he would be joining their flight so that he could visit Sydney. When Chad thanked EJ for the bottle of Champagne, EJ said he had not sent it. Belle spit her mouthful out onto EJ. Chad examined the bottle, and he noticed a clue on the bottle. After Chad updated EJ on the investigation to date, EJ was upset that they had not told him sooner.

Belle explained that they did not know who was behind the game, and EJ said he had no idea either. When Belle argued that Rolf was likely the culprit, EJ agreed. EJ noted that he was not in contact with Rolf, but Chad did not seem to believe him. EJ agreed to reach out, but he noted that there was no guarantee he would get an answer.

After a brief search on the internet, Belle discovered that there was a hotel in Rome called DOM. Chad suggested they change their reservation to Hotel DOM. Frustrated, EJ warned Chad and Belle that their haphazard planning was dangerous. EJ asked Chad what he was looking for, and Chad mentioned the missing pawn from the chess set. EJ argued that the clues were likely meant to lead to lost information about John’s past, and he encouraged Belle and Chad to tell him everything so that he could help them.

“I knew father better than anyone,” EJ said. Chad noted that they had already told EJ everything they knew. Suspicious, EJ asked Chad why he and Belle had decided to go now. When Chad mentioned they had decided to leave after the Father-Daughter dance, EJ said he regretted that he had missed so much time with Sydney while she had been Charlotte’s age. EJ thought about his conversation with Rita, and how she had sworn that she had not been involved with Stefano’s quest. “It’s the perfect time for me to be in Italy,” EJ whispered.

EJ said he was excited to celebrate Sydney’s graduation from law school. The conversation was interrupted when Gabi called to tell Chad that she was working with Leo on his counterfeit bag story. Gabi asked Chad if he could talk to EJ and see if he could dig up any dirt. Chad looked over at EJ, and he told Gabi that he was on his way to Europe with Belle and could not talk. Chad abruptly ended the call.

EJ reached for a bottle of water, and he stopped short. EJ announced that he had forgotten something, and he needed to make a phone call. After EJ stepped outside, Chad told Belle that his plan was to get EJ’s insights on the chess piece during the flight, and they would part ways on landing.

Outside the hangar office, EJ called Rita and he asked her if she had seen Stefano’s ring. Rita said no. After Rita ended the call, she picked up Stefano’s ring from the coffee table, and she pocketed it. In front of a photo of Stefano and a chess board, a man in a suit poured a bottle of Champagne. The man picked up a computer tablet, and he watched a live feed of Chad, EJ, and Belle in the Salem airport hangar office.

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