LILY CONSIDERS A DANGEROUS DECEPTION, AND CLAIRE IS LEFT REELING OVER AUDRA’S SHOCKING CLAIMS ABOUT KYLE!

At Crimson Lights, Devon and Lily discuss a “rough” video call with Nate. He’s devastated about his brother and trying to be strong for Amy. They hope she’ll move there despite what’s happened. Lily admits she’s struggling too; she can’t believe Damian and Chance are gone because Cane had to play God. She’s pissed he’s back in town.

They go over Cane wanting to get back with Lily and she scoffs that it won’t happen. She thinks he’s a monster now. Devon, contrary as always, recalls that they were once a perfect couple, and points out that Ashby was willing to sacrifice his life for her. He doesn’t think he’ll let go very easily and Devon doesn’t blame him. Lily guesses her brother’s thinking of his late wife, Hilary. Devon admits he once thought he’d never get past losing her. Suddenly, Victor walks in. After discussing Chance’s death, talk turns to Cane. Victor stuns Lily by suggesting that it’s not a good idea to avoid him.

Lily, unsurprisingly, argues the point, but Victor coaxes that Cane might confide in her. Lily’s not up for being used again. The Mustache warns that Ashby will come after their company too; they need to find out about his plans. Lily must make him believe he has a future with her. “Think about it.”

Sally Gives Audra a Reality Check

Audra joins Sally at Society, orders a stiff drink, and launches into a rant about Kyle. She set a trap for him like Victor wanted but had a small setback. Kyle called her out, and The Mustache pulled the plug on Vibrante. The old man even wants her to repay him! Sally gives Audra a reality check… she knew she was playing a dangerous game. Irked, Audra tries to leave but Sally stops her and warns she may have underestimated Kyle’s commitment to Claire. Audra fumes that Kyle underestimated her. He thinks he’s knocked her down for good but will never see her coming.

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Sally tries to talk Audra out of pursuing revenge, but her pal isn’t a quitter. She’s convinced it’s still possible to make Claire see the truth about her boyfriend. Sally’s more worried about what will happen if Nate finds out about the deal she made with Victor. Hilariously, Audra declares that Nate will never find out. The only thing she’s worried about is telling Nate her company is gone. Sally suggests she tell him she decided Victor can’t be trusted. “Tell him a better offer came along.” Audra can’t pile on more lies. Sally squints, “What if it’s not a lie?”

Will Adam Go Against Victor?

At Newman Media, Adam orders someone to hold off on the Billy Abbott piece as Claire and Kyle enter. Claire declares that they want to make a deal and explains she is no longer trying to please her grandpa after he humiliated Kyle. She’ll live life as she sees fit and Victor will have to deal with it.

Claire tells Adam they want to buy his apartment. Adam sighs and paces. It would be problematic for him to do anything against Victor’s wishes while he’s trying to keep him in check. Refusing to explain further, Adam assures Claire he understands her position, but suspects they want his apartment to tick off Victor. Just then, the man himself appears, chuckling over them wanting Adam’s place. Kyle asks if he thinks he can control every house and apartment in Genoa City. Victor smirks, “What makes you think I can’t?” Victor wants a word alone with Claire, but she shuts him down, and she and Kyle walk out.

Adam suggests his father accept that he can’t stop young love and let it go. Victor argues it’s infatuation. Adam wonders why his father needs the distraction of Kyle and the Abbotts when they’re going to war with Cane. Victor confides his plan to use one enemy to cross the other: He’ll get Cane to focus on Jabot as his first target. Adam approves but warns this could push Claire even further away. Victor knows what he’s doing. He calls Cane and says they need to talk.

Will Lily Take a Risk?

At Crimson Lights, Esther’s on the scene, lamenting to Devon and Lily about the loss of Chance and Damian, who was a nice man. She’s grateful Nick will be OK and asks if it’s true that Dumas turned out to be Cane. They confirm it. Knowing what this means for Lily, Esther gives them their order on the house. “Just don’t tell Sharon.”

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Once alone, Devon hopes Lily’s not considering what Victor suggested. Lily thinks Victor may have a point: If Cane goes after Winters, they’d have what they need to stop him. She’s sure he’s up to something big and worries her ex has become like his father. Lily wants to protect her kids. Devon points out that deceiving Cane isn’t smart or safe. Lily argues it might stop him. Just then, Esther reappears to complain about them not eating their muffins.

Once Esther’s gone, Lily tells her brother that Victor’s right… she’s the only one with an “in” with Cane. Devon worries that this idea is dangerous. Lily asks, “If not me, then who?”

Will Claire Believe Audra… or Kyle?

In Society, Sally confides in Audra that Billy may be teaming with Cane Ashby to take back Chancellor and she’d then be running Abbott Communications. Audra’s suitably impressed. Her friend asks, “Why don’t you come and work with me?” After some debate about Billy, Audra takes to singing her same old song: She needs to figure out her next move on her own.

More: Audra’s next move revealed

Kyle and Claire walk in and spot Audra and Sally at the bar. Both Kyle and Sally sense a confrontation coming and they’re not wrong. Claire marches over to Audra and snaps, “I know what you tried to do.” Audra tells the blonde that Kyle is a weak man, and leers, “Did he tell you nothing happened?” She says if he did, he’s lying. Audra admits he didn’t leave his phone charger behind, but says he was definitely in her room. “Weren’t you, Kyle?” Claire spins to face her boyfriend.

Kyle tells Audra she’s desperate and embarrassing herself. Audra insists her only plot was the perfume battle and it was Kyle who had other ideas. She’s sure Claire has a flicker of doubt, knowing she and Kyle were once involved. She claims he was coming onto her like old times and suggests Claire open her eyes before it’s too late. As Sally herds Audra out the door, Kyle pleads with Claire to tell him she didn’t believe any of that.