The Bachelor featured Clayton Echard rescinding Cassidy Timbrooks' rose over her friend with benefits back home, Shanae Ankney accusing Elizabeth Corrigan of being a liar, toxic and a bully, and The Bachelor star eliminating three more bachelorettes during the Season 26 episode Monday night on ABC.

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After Clayton sent Cassidy, a 26-year-old executive assistant from Los Angeles, CA, packing, he later eliminated three women at the second Rose Ceremony of the season: Ency Abedin, a 26-year-old sales manager from Burbank, CA; Kate Gallivan, a 32-year-old real estate agent from Lake Hollywood, CA; and Tessa Tookes, a 26-year-old human resources specialist from Stamford, CT.

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The Bachelor broadcast began with the bachelorettes discussing how Cassidy allegedly had a friend with benefits back home who didn't want to date her and so she went on the show to get him jealous.

The girls couldn't believe Cassidy -- who had been given a group date rose -- had a man back home, and even Susie pointed out how the whole situation felt "wrong."

Meanwhile, Clayton was talking to The Bachelor host Jesse Palmer about how he regretfully gave Cassidy a rose when she had FaceTimed a man right before her limo entrance, and Sierra Jackson, a 26-year-old yoga instructor from Dallas, TX, said Cassidy was prancing around the house with her rose "like a reindeer."

And Cassidy was shown shouting at the other women, "Who has the rose b-tches?! I don't care what Sierra has to say about me... Clayton likes me, you can waste your time talking to him about me if you want, but I don't think it's going to make a difference."

Jesse told Clayton that there were "no rules" and he could do whatever he wanted, and so Clayton pulled the bachelorette aside for a "straight forward" chat.

"Were you seeing someone up until the point you came here?" Clayton asked.

"No," Cassidy replied. "Absolutely not. This is not where I thought you were going with this. I haven't had any relationship of any kind since the Summer of 2019."

"You weren't talking to any guy you have interest in? You weren't speaking to anyone before you came up here?" Clayton probed.

"Clayton, I have not spoken to a guy whom I have any interest in a relationship with for a very long time," Cassidy insisted. "Do you not believe me?"

Clayton explained how a woman had told him Cassidy had FaceTimed with a man while quarantining pre-production, and Cassidy shared how there was "a friend" of hers who didn't want a relationship with her.

"He thinks it's cool that I'm taking this risk and he supports me. He was like, 'Look, if it doesn't work out, I still want to be friends and whatever,'" Cassidy told The Bachelor star.

"But I have no interest in resuming that relationship because I knew it wasn't going anywhere."

Suddenly, Clayton walked away from Cassidy and she was shown yelling and crying about the events that had just transpired. Cassidy didn't know what she could do to salvage her romance with Clayton.

Kira Mengistu, a 32-year-old physician from Philadelphia, PA, said it seemed like Cassidy was just trying to win, not necessarily find love with Clayton, and Lyndsey Windham, a 28-year-old industrial sales representative from Houston, TX, claimed Cassidy had gone on the show to gain more social-media followers.

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Cassidy told Clayton in a last-ditch effort that she had been "falling into something" with him and was very sorry her past confused him and got in the way.

"I hope it doesn't mess up what we have started here," Cassidy noted.

"We've had a genuine connection... [but] our trust has already been shaken," Clayton said.

Right after Hunter Haag, a 28-year-old human resources specialist from Charlotte, NC, lamented to the other women about how Cassidy was "mean" and had asked her what her "exit interview was going to be like," Clayton was shown sending Cassidy home.

Clayton explained to Cassidy how he didn't want to fall for a woman who was on the show for the wrong reasons and there were "too many concerns" for him to look past so early in the process.

"I don't see anyone else in the house who glows as soon as they walk away from you. There is no one here who is excited about you as I am," Cassidy complained. "I would hate to see you send someone home who really actually likes you... They're not your 'One!'"

Kate celebrated that the "wicked witch" was gone once Cassidy left The Bachelor mansion.

"I thought he liked me," Cassidy cried in her final words. "This just keeps happening -- I'm doing so well and then it's over out of nowhere! I just really didn't think I'd be going home!"

Clayton said he never expected to do this and the situation hurt him because she had initially denied her friend with benefits back home. Clayton said Cassidy only became honest once he flat out asked her if she had been FaceTiming with a man prior to the show.

"Being dishonest is a dealbreaker for me because love is ultimately being able to fully trust someone and share your heart," Clayton said.

The girls hoped the "poison" would be gone now that Cassidy was out of the picture.

It then became time for the second Rose Ceremony of the season.

Clayton handed out roses to Eliza Isichei, a 25-year-old marketing manager from Berlin, Germany; Rachel Recchia, a 25-year-old flight instructor from Clermont, FL; Serene Russell, a 26-year-old elementary school teacher from Oklahoma City, OK; Sierra; and Teddi Wright, a 24-year-old surgical unit nurse from Highland, CA.

Lyndsey also received a rose and she was followed by Jill Chin, a 26-year-old architectural historian from Scituate, RI; Gabby Windey, a 30-year-old ICU nurse from Denver, CO; Kira; Mara Agreat, a 32-year-old entrepreneur from Collingswood, NJ; and Marlena Wesh, a 30-year-old former Olympian from Virginia Beach, VA.

The rest of the women who survived the Rose Ceremony were Genevieve Parisi, a 26-year-old bartender from Los Angeles, CA; Hunter; Melina Nasab, a 27-year-old personal trainer from West Hollywood, CA; Elizabeth Corrigan, a 32-year-old real estate advisor from Highlands Ranch, CO; and Shanae Ankney, a 29-year-old recruiter from Sycamore, OH.

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Meanwhile, Shanae was figuring out her "next move" and the "next plan." She wasn't about to let Elizabeth "win" because she said they were in a competition and she was on the rose to get Clayton's final rose.

The next day, Jesse dropped off a Date Card and revealed there would be two group dates as well as a one-on-one date that week.

The women chosen to accompany Clayton on the first group date of the week were Serene, Susie, Eliza, Mara, Marlena, Hunter, Genevieve, and Jill.

The Date Card read, "I see you. Love, Clayton."

For the date hosted by The Bachelorette co-host Kaitlyn Bristowe -- who also starred on The Bachelorette's eleventh season --  the women were asked to dive deep and discuss their insecurities.

Kaitlyn announced how Clayton is "one of the most genuine and sincere men" who's ever been on the show and so she wanted Clayton to find out as much information as possible about his bachelorettes. The group had an open and vulnerable conversation.

Everyone admitted to having done things they're not proud of, and Clayton acknowledged how he had put walls up in his last relationship to prevent himself from getting hurt. Clayton also said he wasn't 100 percent himself in prior relationships.

Genevieve shared how she had self-sabotaged relationships that weren't right for her, which wasn't fair to the guys she had dated, and Hunter opened up about how her ex-boyfriend had compared her to other women and would ask her to change her body, eye color and hair color to supposedly look more beautiful.

"He did end up cheating on me. And you can only think about, 'What else is wrong with me?' You just want to feel good enough," Hunter cried.

Serene announced her lifelong struggle of being "really small." Other women had called her "anorexic" when she was younger, which resulted in Serene overeating in front of people and trying to change herself.

Mara shared how she had been bullied at school and then at home by her stepsisters, and Marlena discussed her battle to be "seen" and "heard" growing up as a Black woman.

Clayton said Hunter's story tore him up and he wanted to be there for Serene, and he also asked Marlena to talk about her unique upbringing and experience as a Black woman in America.

Clayton also told the group how he used to criticize himself for having belly fat and he eventually turned his biggest weakness into a strength.

Susie told the cameras how Clayton is clearly "kind" and had embraced everything the women had to say, and Clayton said it was the best date he had been on thus far. Serene also called Clayton "comforting."

That night, Clayton advanced his connection with Serene, whom he called "beautiful on the outside and inside," and Susie, whom the Bachelor whisked off for a sexy makeout session.

"I want to be here until the end. He is definitely somebody I could fall in love with," Susie gushed. "This is really good."

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Eliza also asked Clayton to glance into a full-length mirror to see how great they looked as a couple. He said of the bachelorette, "Eliza is truly one of the most beautiful women that I have ever laid eyes on -- both internally and externally. I am so impressed."

After several more conversations, Clayton decided to give the group date rose to Eliza, who always went "above and beyond" to make each of their interactions special and meaningful.

Eliza was so glad Clayton acknowledged her effort, and she said she felt "amazing."

The next day, Clayton embarked on a one-on-one date with Sarah Hamrick, a 23-year-old wealth management advisor from New York, NY.

Season 14 The Bachelorette star Becca Kufrin planned an extreme scavenger hunt for Sarah and Clayton to complete as a couple. The pair was asked to do the hunt in their underwear while running around downtown Los Angeles, CA.

Sarah joked this was "a preview for Fantasy Suites," and there were a lot of confused eyes on the couple as they showed off their best dance moves, revealed their biggest fears, and sang their feelings to each other in a microphone.

It was a fast-moving first date, but Clayton said Sarah being on the date made everything easier and he wasn't sure he would've been able to do this with any other woman. Clayton also apparently gave Sarah the comfort and confidence that she needed.

Meanwhile, at The Bachelor mansion, Elizabeth served up some shrimp for everyone -- and Shanae ate eight of them, leaving very few shrimp for the rest of the women.

"There's two things that Shanae can't keep out of her mouth -- my name and shrimp," Elizabeth joked in a confessional.

And Shanae was still calling Elizabeth "fake," saying she wasn't genuine and didn't mean well.

Shanae later cooked more shrimp and handed them out to the women, but she felt ignored -- once again -- by Elizabeth.

"I hate her," Shanae griped.

That night, Sarah and Clayton enjoyed a romantic dinner in an interactive Van Gogh exhibit.

Sarah revealed she had been adopted at age four and her family is white while she is 30 percent Vietnamese, French and Irish. Sarah said she looks different from her family and her biological parents had her at age 20 when they weren't ready or prepared for a child.

Sarah said she grew up ashamed of being adopted because she felt like a second choice; however, she grew up feeling love and eventually recognizing it.

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Sarah told Clayton that she didn't feel judged by him and going on the show must have been the right decision. She cried about how Clayton deserved to fall in love and find his "person," and she promised he could trust her and she'd always be honest with him.

Clayton and Sarah's date ended with Sarah receiving a rose and sharing a passionate kiss with The Bachelor star.

"Sarah and I grew a lot today. I think we took our relationship to another level, and so I want to give her my all because I think she's doing that for me," Clayton said, before dancing with the bachelorette to the music of a string quartet.

Sarah called it the most romantic moment of her life, and she noted, "I think this could be the beginning of me and Clayton falling in love."

Meanwhile, the next Date Card -- which read "Life is a Beach" -- arrived for Gabby, Rachel, Kira, Melina, Lyndsey, Sierra, Teddi, Elizabeth and Shanae.

The next day, Clayton and a group of women gathered on the beach. In a date hosted by former Baywatch star Nicole Eggert, the women were asked to undergo lifeguard-inspired challenges in the ocean and on the sand while wearing red one-piece bathing suits.

Shanae attempted to stand out by rubbing sunscreen on Clayton's nipples and jumping into his arms and kissing him in front of everyone after a powerful "slow-motion run."

Elizabeth called Shanae and Clayton's kiss "very awkward," and she hoped Clayton would see Shanae's character and realize why the two girls were different.

"I don't know if Elizabeth saw [the kiss] but I hope she did! Don't get in my way... I'm back on top!" Shanae bragged.

The lady who gave the date her "all" for Clayton was Gabby, and so she received a little alone time with the Bachelor -- and Shanae was pissed off and "baffled" after allegedly busting her ass for Clayton.

At the afterparty, Rachel accused Clayton of playing hard to get, but she received the validation she needed about their "different" connection when Clayton insisted it was "phenomenal" and there was "something special" between them.

Clayton also got to see Gabby's quirky side and her fun sense of humor when she rubbed aloe all over the sunburn on his shoulders and back. Gabby told Clayton that she's always goofy, and she kept the Bachelor laughing.

"I really am feeling a strong connection with Gabby, and I am really excited to explore that further," Clayton told the cameras.

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Shanae then pulled Clayton aside and talked to him about how her beef with Elizabeth had not been squashed.

"I'm feeling bullied in the house. When Elizabeth is around, certain people don't talk to me. And when she's not around, people are like, 'Shanae, Shanae, Shanae!'" she told Clayton, adding, "I thought we had moved on, but a week later, it's still happening."

Shanae insisted she's not dramatic or a liar or "a sh-t person," and she cried about feeling yelled at or victimized at certain moments in the process.

"I don't want someone who's a liar and toxic and a bully to ruin my chances with what we have," Shanae cried. "So I want to be open and honest."

Clayton asked Shanae to not let the drama take away from the connection they were building.

Shanae then bragged to the cameras about how she was "good -- really good" and had even managed to cry. Shanae therefore felt happy and confident, and she flashed Elizabeth both of her middle fingers in a confessional.

When Clayton and Elizabeth talked in private, he brought up Shanae's alleged struggle and how she had been feeling bullied in the house. Clayton asked to hear Elizabeth's side.

"You can speak with anyone in the house and you will hear that that's not something I am doing. There is nothing I have against her... I have been super kind to her in the house," Elizabeth insisted.

"I am kind and I am an adult, but I'm not going to subject myself to a friendship with someone who... turned on me -- and for what?!"

Elizabeth said she's a very genuine and kind person and was tired of having to defend herself. Elizabeth felt every moment she got to spend with Clayton ended with him questioning her, and Clayton left the conversation feeling very confused.

Clayton confessed he was frustrated, but clearly Elizabeth was feeling frustration on a different level.

Elizabeth told the other women about how Shanae had thrown her under the bus once again, and Sierra apparently couldn't believe that Clayton was buying what Shanae was selling. According to Lyndsey, Shanae also told Clayton that she had been bullying Shane.

Sierra said Shanae was well aware of what she was doing and had demonstrated who she is.

Sierra confronted Shanae, who alleged how people had been hurting her. Elizabeth told Shanae that she had been nice to her but Shanae had proven herself to be very distrustful.

"You are incredibly unkind and disrespectful towards me!" Elizabeth argued.

"I just don't trust you," Shanae snapped in reply.

Elizabeth asked Shanae to provide specific examples of her bullying, and while Shanae didn't do that, she yelled at Elizabeth, "You are fake, you are two-faced, and I am done!"

Elizabeth asked Shanae to stop being so concerned about her, and another group date had been affected as a result.

Clayton proceeded to give Gabby the group date rose since she had shown him her true colors.

Clayton ended the night by saying he would need to address drama in the house before the season's third Rose Ceremony.

"No one is bullying you. We just don't like you -- and that's different," Sierra complained the cameras.

But Shanae insisted, "Elizabeth is the problem. She's not going to make me lose Clayton because of her lying, ADHD ass. I swear to God, Elizabeth better be going home. Get the f-ck out of the house! Don't get in my way because I'm here to win. Bye!"

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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