“General Hospital” (GH) spoilers hint that Hayden Barnes (Rebecca Budig) true identity is now revealed and she may really be Rachel Ashton – daughter of Larry Ashton (Hugo Napier). If Hayden is Ashton’s daughter, that neatly ties up a lot of strange coincidences that may turn out to not be accidents at all.
Let’s consider the facts at hand. First, there’s the question of why Ashton appeared at the same resort that Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) was visiting. Hayden knew where Tracy was going and could have easily told her father so he could arrange an “accidental” meeting.
Second, Tracy came back from her relaxing spa trip and immediately started suffering what looks like the after-effects of poisoning. Ashton wouldn’t have delivered a fatal dose, but he could have poisoned her with something that addles her brain so Tracy can’t think clearly.
This could set Tracy up to look incompetent to carry on with the lawsuit against Nikolas Cassadine (Tyler Christopher) for control of ELQ. Third, Hayden is clearly scheming to get control of ELQ for herself, not for Tracy or Nikolas. But why? Ashton is the answer.
Ashton was done dirty by the Quartermaines (even though he was a conniving liar) and may want to steal their company away to punish them for doing him dirty. He tried to steal ELQ back in the day… Plus, Hayden has those papers ready for Nikolas to sign to give her control of his assets.
If she can get Nikolas to sign those and Tracy’s neurological issues continue, that could leave Hayden at the helm of ELQ. Fourth, Hayden very angrily told Tracy never to mention her father to her but that was likely just an act to convince Tracy they’re estranged rather than scheming together.
Fifth, Tracy told Dillon Quartermaine (Robert P Watkins) that Hayden’s dad is an acquaintance of hers from the past. In fact, that would make Hayden half-sister to Ned Ashton (Wally Kurth) but Tracy has no qualms about running down family – and Hayden/Rachel is only quasi-family.
This also explains why Hayden wormed her way into Nikolas’ life after he took over ELQ. Not long after she got with Nikolas, Hayden obviously sought out Tracy and started their devil’s bargain with all of this in mind.
Is the end goal of all of this for Hayden and her dad to sit at the throne of ELQ to punish the Qs? We’ll see in coming weeks. GH spoilers have indicated for weeks that many people would be rocked when Hayden/Rachel’s real identity was revealed.
Hayden as Rachel Ashton would certainly drive that outcome. The only one who would not be shocked is Tracy since she knows. Nikolas is aware that Ashton has a past with Helena Cassadine (Constance Towers) and her cronies, so there are lots of threads that connect Ashton to Port Charles.
In fact, the Baxter Corbin (Tom Parker) side of Hayden’s life may not be that important except if it reveals her name as Rachel Ashton. Baxter is some sort of private wealth manager – and may be a con man – which could also give him ties to Larry Ashton.
The important part is Sam Morgan (Kelly Monaco) discovering Hayden’s real name. If Sam can ferret out of Baxter that Hayden is Rachel Ashton that would blow everything wide open and give Nikolas the ammunition to figure out what his scheming bride is up to.
Wonder if Hayden is planning on poisoning Nikolas like Ashton did to Tracy to confuse him so he signs those documents she had Diane Miller (Carolyn Hennesy) draw up. Remember Hayden got clear info from Diane that they could be signed with no lawyer present – just a notary.
That means Hayden is planning to connive or trick Nikolas into signing them somehow. Will he fall for it? Or will he get info from Sam in time to alert him that his new wife is a much more devious sort that he ever imagined?
What do you think GH fans? Do you think Hayden is Rachel Ashton – daughter of Larry who came to Port Chuck to take over ELQ and punish the Quartermaines? Share your comments below and come back to CDL often for more “General Hospital” spoilers and news.