The Young and the Restless Recap, April 17: Diane suggests to Jack that they go after Victor 

On The Young and the Restless today, Audra got under Kyle's skin, Victor and Nikki said those three magic words to each other, and Diane suggested to Jack that they fight fire with fire regarding Victor.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

At the Neil Winters Jazz Lounge, Kyle and Claire speculated what Audra was up to. Claire asked Kyle if he had residual feelings for Audra, but he claimed that what happened between them was just a fling. Kyle suggested that they talk about something else and reminded Claire that he almost lost his family over his last interactions with Audra and the deception involving Glissade. "It was a tough time," he recalled. Claire didn't think that Audra would let Kyle put their past in the past anytime soon.

Kyle told Claire he preferred to focus on her rather than Audra. He divulged that he had scored a big win at Jabot regarding a spy. Claire pressed for details, but Kyle begged off. He wanted to play things close to the vest. Claire was miffed that Kyle couldn't share his work news with her. Kyle apologized. He didn't mean to shut her out, but he had to be careful. Claire asked if Kyle's news had anything to do with the suspicious employee Kyle told her about. Claire wanted to know if the employee was connected to Victor. She begged him to talk to her. Kyle gave in. He said it wasn't fair to keep her in the dark. Kyle said that Victor is the problem at Jabot.

Kyle made Claire promise not to reveal to anyone — especially Victor — that he knew who Victor's mole was at Jabot. Claire couldn't believe her grandfather would do something like that. Kyle said Victor had done this to get back at Jack and that this was just how Victor operated.

Claire said this was the first time she had seen her grandfather this way, noting that it was upsetting. Kyle took her mind off Victor by suggesting they move to the dance floor, where they shared a slow dance.

Meanwhile, across the room, Nate told Audra that she had gotten under Kyle's skin. Audra admitted that it felt good to rub her news in Kyle's face. She added that it also felt pretty nice to be back in the business game. Nate said he wouldn't blame Audra if she told the world that "Audra Charles is back." Audra claimed that Kyle didn't know what mistake he had made.

Nate cautioned Audra against working with Victor. She maintained that she's got this, but Nate wasn't so sure. He said if Audra was truly okay with working for the great and powerful Victor again, she would not have planned an elaborate night out together. Audra said she would toast herself if Nate couldn't join in on her joy. Nate ended up raising his glass and toasted Audra.

Nate said he didn't want Audra's next move to be Glissade all over again, or to have Victor using her to get to Jack. Audra confidently informed Nate that she wouldn't do or sign anything that wasn't in her best interests regarding working with Victor again. She said all she cared about was succeeding. Nate said he had every confidence in Audra, but added that he had absolutely none in Victor. He wished she were getting into business with someone else. Audra told Nate to relax as she was confident that she had this under control. Audra predicted Kyle and Claire wouldn't work out; Nate wondered why she cared.

Nate looked at Kyle and Claire dancing across the room. "They look happy to me," Nate shrugged. "We'll see," teased Audra. She said she was just making an observation, but suggested they also dance. Audra and Nate began slow dancing, but Audra and Kyle locked eyes.

Victor arrived home and was greeted by Nikki. He was surprised that she wanted to know about a meeting he had with Michael. Nikki said she's interested in everything he does. Victor suspected that Nikki wanted to know his plans for bringing down Jack.

Nikki and Victor sparred over Jack helping her when she was off the wagon. Nikki reminded Victor that she begged him to end this vendetta. She pointed out to her husband that she hadn't had a drop of alcohol since Jack helped her through that horrible night in the hotel room.

Victor said Nikki, and Nikki alone, was responsible for her sobriety, not Jack. He also dismissed Claire and Kyle's relationship as "puppy love." Nikki likened her love for Victor to the love between Kyle and Claire. "Different story," Victor shrugged.

Victor believed that Kyle would inevitably break Clarie's heart. "What if Kyle is the one for her?" Nikki countered. She suggested he stop trying to control everybody. Nikki warned Victor that he'd only earn Claire's disdain. Nikki put Victor on the spot. She asked him if he had a plan to ruin Claire and Kyle.

Victor said he wasn't going to ruin Kyle, but that he was a chip off the old block. He was happy to let nature take its course. Victor changed the subject to Chancellor and Nikki's work there. Victor told Nikki he thought highly of her business acumen. "I love you," he said. "I love you, too," she replied.

Victor warned Nikki that something may be coming in their future that they are not prepared for: Aristotle Dumas. Victor asked if there were any new hires at Chancellor or if anyone was asking a lot of questions. The Newman patriarch theorized that Billy Abbott was involved in all this as he wanted to get Chancellor back. Nikki said she could confront Billy, but Victor thought that would be a mistake.

Victor told Nikki that he and Michael have been working together to plan for Dumas and whatever it is he wants with Billy. Victor noted that this could bode poorly for Chancellor, too. Nikki wasn't happy to hear that.

Jack and Diane met at the bar at the Genoa City Athletic Club. Diane reminded Jack that they don't keep secrets from each other, and wanted to know what put that smile on Smilin' Jack's face.

Jack let his wife know that, thanks to Kyle, he discovered that Victor had an informant in Jabot. Jack was proud of the way Kyle turned the situation around. "It was masterful," Jack said of Kyle's business move with the spy.

Diane speculated that Victor had played them, but Jack disagreed. Diane predicted that Victor would counter with another move, and then Jack would, and it would go on and on. She wondered if he had another spy at Jabot and wished they could do more. "How would he feel if we tried to burn his company to the ground?" Diane asked.

Jack asked Diane if she was serious about going after Victor Newman. Diane said she'd like to win against him. Jack said he has won against Victor, but that whatever satisfaction came from taking that "old buzzard" down never lasted. Jack added that he didn't want to be like Victor and that winning against him was a hollow victory. Jack felt that the most important thing was that Victor didn’t know that they were on to him.

Jack noted that he stopped by Victor and Michael's table and told them how great things were, and didn't let on that he knew about Victor's mole. Jack added that Michael was Victor's "fixer" and was the go-between with the Jabot spy. Diane was hurt that her old pal Michael was working against the Abbotts, and she called Michael a "snake." Jack mused that Victor likely told Michael it was his way or the highway. "Then take the highway," Diane snapped, "Don't betray a friend."

Jack noted that Victor wasn't just going after Jabot — he was going after Kyle and Claire's relationship. Diane wished that Victor would support Kyle and Claire. Diane asked Jack if the Abbotts would ever be free of Victor's attacks, but Jack theorized that it would go to their graves. Jack thought they should toast to the fact that they had beaten Victor that day. "To life, love, and Victor-free happiness," Diane said as she raised her glass. Jack kissed his wife.

Watch The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS or stream on Paramount Plus.