Trip already answered, but it's not uncommon that the Potent Cure goes wrong. A widely known and extremely irritating bug, and because the elixir takes very long time to complete the curing, if the non-controlled spouse interests about let's say a waterslide, then it goes wrong with about the possibility of 90%. Usually, I just drink it when the target Sim is in my control, but that of course isn't a possibility in DecaDynasty.
As for Rich's relationships, in the start of the game, he dates Sadie Mason but is also interested of Mercedes May, both girls living under the same roof as he. That causes... well, let's just say the household is maybe not the most stable one in town.
Sure I made at least one spelling mistake.