The following article references domestic violence.
Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Lauren Bolton is facing a frightening offer from Joel Deering in Coronation Street.
Wednesday's (July 17) episode revolved around multiple Weatherfield residents searching for Lauren — each with their own agendas.
Dee-Dee Bailey teamed up with Bethany Platt in the hopes of bringing Lauren home safe, whereas Dee-Dee's fiancé Joel wanted to shut down any chance of his misdeeds being exposed.
At the same time, DS Swain and her team were combing the cobbles to find Lauren so they could pin down who'd attacked her earlier this year.
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The newest instalment opened with Joel announcing his and Dee-Dee's wedding would be held on September 27, though his attempts to distract his fiancée weren't successful.
Dee-Dee and Bethany went through credit card statements and ticket transactions in Warrington before they decided to investigate in person.
Related: Coronation Street star Calum Lill sparks Joel Deering exit rumours
The pair visited a soup kitchen where an unhoused woman shared that Lauren had been squatting in a nearby pub.
Dee-Dee shared this news with Joel, forcing the villain to seek out Lauren before the others could reach her. He was unwittingly helped by Dee-Dee and Bethany choosing not to push the issue when their knock at the pub door went unanswered.
"Let's tread carefully if she's here," Dee-Dee advised.
In a terrifying showdown, Joel barged into the disused pub and warned Lauren to stay away from Weatherfield. Dee-Dee and Bethany arrived soon after, with Joel demanding Lauren "keep quiet about everything".
Bethany and Dee-Dee tried to convince Lauren to come back with them. With Lauren near collapse due to stress, she finally agreed to get checked out at the hospital.
Related: Coronation Street star teases Martin Platt return
Once the soap cut back to Lauren later in the episode, she received the good news from a doctor that her baby was completely healthy.
Joel soon turned up to order Lauren to lie to police that evil abuser Nathan Curtis was the one responsible for her attack.
"Who's Nathan Curtis?" Lauren asked.
Joel explained that Bethany's abuser was already in prison, so it should be easy to frame him for the attack.
"You tell police you made a huge mistake and you've regretted it ever since, and crucially, you do not want to take things any further," he demanded. Joel then warned: "You have got no-one in this world looking out for you, otherwise you would not be living in a squat not knowing when your next meal is."
The villain promised he'd provide for Lauren and the baby if she kept quiet about the attack. DS Swain arrived shortly after Joel fled to question Lauren for the first time.
What will Lauren do?
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, organizations including Refuge (www.refuge.org.uk) and Women's Aid (www.womensaid.org.uk) can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
