At the tackhouse, Claire’s still ranting to Kyle about Victor. She wants to talk to Adam and see if his apartment is still on the market. He points out it’s owned by a Newman. Claire scoffs… God forbid anyone do anything Victor doesn’t approve of. She wants the apartment and won’t give Victor what he wants anymore.
Kyle loves that Claire wants them to live together but warns against making her family choose sides. She says that’s on Victor and declares she’s wiping the chess pieces off the board and flipping the table. Kyle smirks, “I’ll call Adam now.” First, Claire wants to know what happened between him and Audra in Nice.
Irritated, Kyle admits he was in Audra’s sleeping car. He explains she wanted Claire to doubt him. Claire wonders why Audra wants to stir up trouble. Kyle rolls out the old, “It’s complicated.” Claire assures him she can handle it. He reluctantly tells her that Victor funded Audra’s company because she promised to break them up. Claire’s taken aback, yet not surprised at all, and declares it’s unthinkable. When asked about the “real plan” Kyle admits, “To seduce me.” Claire gasps. Was Audra willing to blow up her relationship with Nate? Kyle can’t say. She makes Kyle swear nothing happened between them. Conveniently leaving out the make-out sesh with his ex, Kyle promises he wouldn’t betray her. She is all he wants in the world.
Claire still wants to know what happened. Kyle tells her he busted Audra and then went to Victor to tell him he’d failed. The Mustache didn’t admit anything. Claire marvels that her grandfather was willing to see her suffer to win. She wants a home with Kyle and Harrison and will show Victor just how invincible their relationship is. She rants about Audra, and Kyle warns she may be out for revenge. Claire will enjoy making sure she backs the hell off. “She has no idea who she’s up against,” she snarls.
Will Audra Talk Victor Around?
At the ranch, Victor tells Audra to show herself out, but as the third woman to stand up to him on the day of Cole’s memorial, she informs him she’s not going anywhere. She tells Victor this mission requires patience and asks for another chance. Victor repeats that they’re done. Audra insists Kyle is so close to betraying Claire; this is what they’ve been waiting for. “Don’t back off now!”
Audra goes on that she’s already planted seeds of doubt with Claire. She’ll get Kyle alone and Victor can make sure his granddaughter arrives at the perfect moment — that’s all it will take. Victor repeats that she failed and they’re done. Worse, he demands she repay every dime he gave her. Audra protests, “You can’t do that!” Victor intones, “Who’s going to stop me? You?!” Audra glares and storms out.
Will Jack Buy What Nikki’s Selling?
Nikki finds Jack at Crimson Lights, and they share a rant about the disastrous trip to Nice. Hoping Katherine is looking out for Chance, they agree they’ll have to look out for each other now that they’re back in town and talk turns to “the Cane issue”.
Nikki declares Cane is a threat to all of them. Jack can’t understand how he expects to get his paws on private companies, and Nikki confesses she nearly signed Chancellor over to him. Jack declares that Cane is shameless. Nikki warns Victor doesn’t know anything about it. Jack worries if Cane would sink that low, Jabot could be at risk. Nikki says they have to stop him… maybe the Abbotts and Newmans could become allies. Would he consider teaming up with Victor to bring Cane down?
Jack’s sure Victor’s not capable of this and he won’t work with him in any form. Nikki argues that Cane is the real threat right now. Jack will figure out unsavory alliances if, and when, the time comes.
Nikki and Jack are admiring photos of Harrison when Audra arrives. The Abbott and Newman compare notes on her collusion with Victor to break up Kyle and Claire. Nikki updates Jack that her husband pushed Claire to her limit at the memorial. Jack’s predictably disgusted. Nikki wishes they could get Audra out of town for good. Audra overhears and informs her she won’t be chased out of Genoa City. “Not now, and not ever.” Nikki stands up to needle Audra for feeling hard done by and warns, “Life won’t be very pleasant for you here.” With that, she walks out.
Jack confronts Audra for targeting Kyle and Claire’s relationship for money. Audra mocks him for spoiling his son and painting her as the “terrifying” villian. He tells her she’s shameless, but Audra says they’re the shameless ones… they just hide behind their money. What is it he really hates? Her actions or that when he looks at her, he sees what he’d be if he also came from nothing?
Can Billy Get Past His Hurt Feelings?
In the Club suite, Billy demands answers from Jill, who shames him for the gazillionth time by reminding him that his nephew, Nina’s only son, just died, and he hasn’t even said his name. Billy says he was with Chance when he passed… he died protecting Lily. Jill cries that he was a kind man with a loving heart. Billy hopes she’s OK. Jill’s skeptical… he didn’t even call her when it happened, yet he’s calling her now about Cane’s alias. It was Cane who called her when Chance passed, not her son.
Billy whines about her selling Chancellor out from under him to Victor. Jill mocks, “Poor baby!” He accuses her of being out to get him and asks her to answer his question. Jill admits she’s known about Cane’s other identity for quite some time. Billy goes into smug mode and rants at his mother for going to hold Colin’s hand after he screwed her out of her inheritance. He’s surprised she didn’t call to rub his nose in Cane’s success and complains about her keeping his secret from Lily and the kids. Jill argues Cane wanted to tell his ex in his own way. On speakerphone, Jill hollers to Cane that she’s sorry he had to hear all of this. Billy’s disgusted by her loyalty to Ashby and disconnects.
Cane chastises Billy for the way he spoke to Jill, who doesn’t need more stress. Billy rants that Cane had her bond with a con artist, and asks him to stop talking about his mother like she’s his. Phyllis intervenes, wanting to get back to business. Billy asks Cane if his offer still stands. Cane confirms it does; they stand to gain everything if they can put their personal issues aside. Billy leaves to think it over as Phyllis warns Cane that Billy is not good for anything he is planning right now.
Cane wonders if Phyllis is trying to consolidate power for herself. She argues Billy’s too emotional to be a cog in this wheel. Cane thinks this is payback because Billy let her go. Phyllis denies it and warns that Billy can’t take orders from anyone and isn’t a team player. They debate this until Cane points out Billy brought him a toy train… he’s thoughtful. Cane thinks he’d be an asset, and if he’s on board, he can help him and Jill reconcile. Phyllis asks why he cares.
Cane spent a lot of time with Jill while Colin was fading and saw how losing Billy tore her apart. Now, she’s lost her grandson and needs her son. One day he’ll hate himself for the time he’s wasted. Phyllis agrees, but warns Billy won’t listen to Cane and he’ll fail. Cane disagrees. If they’re going to take over Genoa City, they need a strong and savvy team. Phyllis confirms she’s in. He says, “Good. Then leave Billy to me.”
Billy and Victor Square Off
Billy rolls up to the bar in Society and spots Victor. They trade insults and Victor remarks on a good man like Chance being gone while Billy Boy’s still there. Billy warns he might become a bigger thorn in his side soon… that’ll be fun. Victor says if Billy’s a thorn, “I have a hatchet.”
