Nathan and Liesl that Nina has been faking her injuries and that Nina also secretly controls the family estate. Madeline explains that Nina has been unstable since she was a child and is prone to violence. Nina confronts Madeline and threatens her until Madeline agrees to help her kidnap Ava Jerome (Maura West)'s newborn baby. They manage to get away only for Nina to double cross Madeline knocking her unconscious. She is discovered and sent to the hospital where she is immediately placed under arrest. As Madeline is transferred to prison, she is stunned when Nathan claims Victor Cassadine (Thaao Penghlis) as his father. Madeline then blackmails Liesl threatening to expose Nathan's true paternity unless she agrees to testify on Nina's behalf to keep her out of prison. Madeline is used as a diversion when Ava and several others prisoners escape. In June 2015, Madeline is still in prison due to the belief that she was involved in the previous prison break. It is revealed that she is conspiring with attorney Ric Lansing (Rick Hearst) to get released and gain access to the family's money. After Ric's unsuccessful attempt to double cross Madeline by revealing that he has married Nina, Madeline orders him to secure her release. Upon her release, Madeline claims that she no longer cares about the money and hides the fact that Ric is working for her. Madeleine and Ric begin sleeping together as he succeeds in obtaining Nina's power of attorney, and tricking her into getting herself committed by leading her to believe she kidnapped Ava's daughter again. Meanwhile, Madeline clashes with Nathan's girlfriend Maxie Jones (Kirsten Storms). On August 31, Madeline is revealed to be Silas' killer and Ric tricks her into confessing when he wears a wire. Madeline is devastated to learn Nathan is behind her arrest and tries to sway Nina to her side in a last ditch effort to save herself. Nina disowns Madeline for her greed and tells her she hates her as she is sent off to prison. However, Madeline warns Nina that she will return. Development Casting and creation It was initially rumored that Shirley Jones would play the mystery role but Jones's appearance on the series turned out to be a bit role. On January 17, 2014, executive producer Frank Valentini teased "major casting news" on Twitter. Shortly after, Entertainment Weekly exclusively confirmed that Donna Mills known for