Cassandra was a real bitch to Vicki, threatening to fire her if she didn't stay at Collinwood. First of all, Cassandra is NOT the mistress of the house, Carolyn is. Second, Vicki is more than just an employee to the Collins family, by this time she IS a part of the family.
I suppose if push came to shove, Cassandra could have bewitched Roger into forcing Vicki to choose between a vacation and her job, but there is still Carolyn and David who would still kick up a fuss.
I loved watching Nicholas giving Cassandra a hard time, she deserves it! He was full of some classic lines too, the surburban housewife crack, how he's much too talented to be drugging drinks and how it makes him feel like an apprentice. He was so funny.
I wish Jeff could have been more understanding about Vicki wanting to protect Barnabas. Even though Barnabas loves her, it's clear she does not share Barnabas' feelings in return, though she does care for him.