At Newman, Nick needles Adam for being late, but he says he’s right on time. They banter amicably and agree that they need to go into the office united and wow their dad.
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In the office, Victor leaves Nikki a voicemail saying he loves her, and then disconnects. Nick and Adam file in with their presentation. Nick says they came up with a solid plan. Adam feels he might even be impressed. Victor asks, “Let’s hear it.” Adam and Nick both start talking at the same time. Nick then says, “You go.” Adam begins the presentation and Nick jumps in. They then take turns smoothly. Victor decides he likes it. He beams, “So, warms my heart to see both of you work together for my company. Your company. The family’s company.” It makes him proud as a father. He’s been hoping it would happen for much longer than they realize. He muses about leaving a legacy, “That’s all, in the end, that means anything.” To know his boys are finally working together makes him happy.
At Society, Cole and Victoria discuss Claire wanting them to help her see Jordan. Cole thinks they should help her take control of her life. Victoria worries seeing Jordan will trigger Claire. She muses that the judge may sign off on it, but the rest will be up to them — arranging the trip to Oregon, setting up security, “And to what end? What if this just upsets Claire more?” Cole thinks Claire is stronger now; it took courage to even come to them with this request. “I saw you in her.” Victoria smiles. She saw it too, and sees Cole in her too. Cole says Claire is adamant that she needs to see Jordan to move forward. Victoria frets that she’s fragile; do they standby and let Jordan do more damage to her heart? Victoria wonders if Claire will accept them as her parents. Cole warns it’s going to take time. Victoria wishes there was some way to break through. Cole offers, “Maybe we trust her?” Victoria’s skeptical given the risks, but Cole thinks if this is what will help Claire get healthy, they need to give it some thought.
In Claire’s room at Memorial, she tosses and turns as she dreams that Victoria is yelling at her and hissing at her that she’s exactly where she belongs. In the nightmare, Cole gets in on the act too, and Victoria hollers that she’s a monster. Claire calls Victoria, “Mom,” and Victoria tells her, “Never call me that. Ever!” Claire awakens with a start and sits up in the bed.
At the Abbott house, Jack urges Ashley to talk to him about whatever is going on with Tucker. Ashley feels that talking about him is giving him too much power. She admits that he’s punishing her and taking emotional warfare to a whole new level by trying to make her doubt her sanity. Jack fumes that Tucker is gaslighting her. “What happened?” Ashley says it’s about what happened in the café in Paris. He was in a rage, broke a glass, and threw a chair. “But the violence that scared me so much, he says it never happened.” Jack warns her not to let the snake into her head. “That was real.” Ashley nods, “Yeah. I love your faith in me. But what if I’m wrong?” Jack won’t let her doubt herself — mind games are Tucker’s specialty. They wonder why he’d be doing this now. Ashley doesn’t know. He claims that she exaggerated what happened as an excuse to dump him. Jack warns McCall will pull out all the stops to get what he wants at any cost. Ashley cries if he thinks they’re getting back together after being so cruel to her, then he’s the one who’s delusional.
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In Audra’s suite, Kyle warns Tucker he’ll hit him again. Audra intervenes, “Enough!” Kyle tells Tucker to walk away and leave his family alone, “And that includes Ashley.” Tucker mocks, “You got your chest puffed out now, don’t you?” He says Ashley can fight her own battles and fights dirtier than anyone gives her credit for. Kyle fumes, “No one fights dirtier than you.” He tells Tucker he’s lost, but McCall mocks Kyle for disappointing Jack. Kyle lunges at him, but Audra stops him. Kyle tells Tucker that the Abbotts will take him down every single time. Tucker has extra incentive now and has another Abbott on his list. Kyle asks if that’s supposed to scare him. McCall intones, “Just know that somehow, sometime, somewhere, I’m going to come for you. All of you. Not if, when. And I’ll thoroughly enjoy it.”
Audra rants at Kyle, “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” He lives for dismembering his opponents. Kyle snarls, “Not if I get to him first.” Audra feels he’s just not getting it, “You want to win, Tucker wants to destroy.” Kyle brags that his family has already damaged Tucker, “All I have to do is finish the job.” Audra pleads with him to listen, “Tucker is lethal when there’s no emotional investment.” But with the Abbotts it’s personal. When he comes for him and his family, it will be like nothing he can imagine!
Kyle and Audra bicker as he scoffs that McCall can’t even take a punch. Audra says there are weapons much more dangerous than a fist and Tucker knows how to use them all. Kyle smirks, “And here you are, his trusty little cheerleader. When are you going to realize you don’t need that scum.” Audra argues that Tucker’s always had her back, and Kyle didn’t even give her a heads-up. Kyle says he convinced his father to leave her out of it. Audra will take her chances with Tucker. Kyle can’t believe he didn’t see her for who she really is. Audra mocks, “Maybe because the 𝑠e𝑥 was so good.” Kyle really thought the two of them could accomplish something great, “Too bad you don’t have the guts to think for yourself.” Audra orders him out.
At Newman, Nick asks Victor, “How’s Mom?” Victor says it’s up and down but she knows she has their support. They recap what a disaster it could have been at Jordan’s hands. Victor’s sure they’ll all work this out together. Nick asks about Victoria and Victor says she’s determined to be a mother to Claire. They’re both worried about this. They go over the Newmans having strength and stubbornness, which makes them fighters. Victor tells Nick that he’s proud of him for finding a way to work with Adam. Nick promises to give it his best shot. Victor hopes he knows that he’s where he belongs.
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Victoria and Cole rejoin Claire in her room and tell her they’ll help her see Jordan. Cole understands why she needs to do this. Claire thanks them. She realizes Victoria’s not thrilled. Victoria admits that she’s worried about the effect Jordan may have on her, but if this is what she needs, she’ll help her get to the other side, “However, I have one condition.”
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Claire guesses that Victoria and Cole will only help if she agrees to keep seeing them. Cole informs her that they’ll respect her decision not to see them, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t hoping she’ll reconsider. Victoria says the condition is that they’ll go with her to Oregon. Claire says no, that doesn’t make sense. They have lives and families. Victoria tells her she is family now. Claire doesn’t deserve it, “I can’t do this.” Cole sighs that they’re there to help and they have time to take the trip. He can write his book anywhere. Victoria reveals that she left Newman. Claire gawps, “You quit your job because of me?”
At the Abbott house, Jack tells Ashley he hopes Tucke is out of their lives for good. Just then, Kyle comes in fuming and explains that he saw Audra and confronted her about blowing up their plans. “I told her I wanted nothing more to do with her.” Kyle rants about being in so deep with Tucker and reveals that he showed up at her suite. Jack asks, “And?’ Kyle says Tucker claims he’s unfazed by their attack. Ashley thinks it sounds like his typical bluster, but Kyle says it was more than that. “It got physical.” Ashley asks if Tucker turned violent. Kyle admits he threw the only punch. This upsets Ashley and she walks out.
At the Club, Audra tells Tucker it’s over for good, “I don’t need anyone who’s going to hold me back.” Tucker thanks her for warning him about Kyle, “It’s good that you’re getting him out of your system once and for all.” Audra replies, “He’s not the only one I’m getting out of my system once and for all.” Tucker pleads with her not to tell him she’s walking away from him too. Audra tells him his lovesick revenge crap is a recipe for disaster and she wants nothing to do with it. Tucker denies being lovesick and says he can’t do this without her. He dangles Jabot, but Audra says it’s only a matter of time before her name is dragged into the McCall scandal and she’ll be ruined. Tucker vows he won’t let that happen. “You’ve trusted me before. Trust me now.” Audra shakes her head, “That was before this love/hate thing you have with Ashley and her family.” Ashley walks in as Audra says, “This is about your feelings and I want no part of it.”
At Newman, Nick tells his father he feels good about the future and working with Adam has been cool. “Did you ever think I’d say those words?” He points out it could have been a cage fight. Victor chuckles. “You’re blood.” Working together makes them a powerhouse. Nick sees Adam putting in the effort. Victor asks him never to forget that there were many wounds inflicted upon his brother’s psyche. When he came to town, he felt left out of their close bond. It makes him happy that Nick is willing to work with him. Nick knows he has a lot to offer, “And to answer your question, yes, I know this is where I belong.” Victor nods, “Good.”
Adam joins Sally at Society and updates her that the presentation was “out of the park”. He and Nick were in sync and their dad loved it. Sally is really proud of him. Adam’s proud of himself, and Nick too. They took a good step in the right direction in their relationship for the first time in forever. The only thing more he could want is a celebratory dinner with her. Sally admits her client just canceled. She worries that lunch and dinner in one day is too much. Adam says there’s no such thing as too much of her. Sally is ready to live dangerously.
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In Claire’s room, Victoria says her job will be there waiting for her when she’s ready. Claire wonders why she would sacrifice. Victoria says Newman is important to her, “But my family will always come first.” Claire argues that she’s already done more than enough for her. “You don’t owe me anything. I’m a stranger who helped put your family through hell.” This doesn’t make sense to her. Cole knows it may be hard for her to understand how a normal family operates, but this is what they do, “They love unconditionally.” Victoria says she and Cole want to come with her to support her and be there for her. Facing her Aunt Jordan will be very difficult. Claire recaps that the love she raised her on was hate and lies. “I’m a lie.” She needs to ask her why. How could she destroy and innocent child and call it love. Maybe asking the questions will help her get better. “So, I accept your condition. But, you have to accept mine.” Cole asks, “What’s that?” Claire says, “We go together, but I face my aunt alone.”
At the Abbott house, Jack and Kyle go over him being at the top of Tucker’s enemy list. Kyle reveals that he threatened to come for all of them. Jack says, “He’s going to have to prove that he’s on top. I just hope he leaves Ashley out of it.”
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In the Club dining room, Audra asks Tucker if he even knows what he wants anymore. Does he want to punish Ashley and her family or win her back. Tucker will make her a promise. Audra stops him. His promises don’t mean anything anymore, “I’m out, Tucker. You’re on your own.” Audra storms up to Ashley, and says, “He’s over there. Have at him. You two and your twisted dance, it never ends.” Ashley tells her, “Audra. I’d like to speak with you.”
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Next on The Young and the Restless: Victor receives a surprising request from Victoria, Lauren’s loyalty is tested, and sparks fly between Adam and Sally.
ICYMI: Schemes, shake-ups, and a slew of returns! Look back on Young & Restless’ past year in the gallery below.
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