The Young and the Restless Recap, April 21, 2025: Daniel backs out of Abbott Communications

On The Young and the Restless today, April 21, 2025, Daniel and Claire make some big decisions, and Billy has a big ask of Sally.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

At Crimson Lights, Kyle placed an order at the counter. A nearby Billy asked how everything was going at Jabot, and Kyle mentioned that Jack couldn’t stop talking about Billy’s new venture. Kyle wondered if Billy was nervous about launching a new media company in a crowded market. Billy sourly thanked Kyle for the vote of confidence. Kyle insisted it was a sincere question because building a new company was a lot of work, and he was impressed Billy wasn’t overwhelmed.

Billy apologetically explained that he wasn’t used to being on the same side as Kyle. Kyle resolved to put their anger and infighting in the past. Kyle contended that the most important thing was family, and the Abbotts needed to stick together. Kyle sympathized that Billy had gotten a raw deal from Jill and Victor with Chancellor, and he wished Billy the best – even if it was with Phyllis. Billy defended that Phyllis was loyal and fought for what she believed in, and he couldn’t wait to show the world what Abbott Communications could do.

At Society, Nikki, Victoria, and Claire fawned over photos Nick had sent from London. Claire recalled that Cole had suggested taking a family trip across the pond, and Victoria teased that Claire had invited Kyle to be their tour guide even before the couple had started dating. Claire stated that if they considered that scandalous, they’d freak out upon hearing Kyle had asked her to move in with him. Nikki and Victoria exchanged a glance.

Claire revealed that the news was the reason she’d invited the ladies to breakfast. Victoria assumed Claire had decided not to move in, but Claire said it was still a topic for discussion. Claire gushed that the more time she and Kyle spent together, the more they wanted to be together, but it wasn’t easy to work around their busy schedules. Nikki referred to getting a bad batch of clams, and Claire blushed. Victoria protested that it was too soon.

Victoria cautioned that moving in together would be life-changing, and she felt it would be best if Claire and Kyle made sure their relationship was on solid ground first. Victoria cited Victor being on a rampage about the couple’s involvement, and she thought Claire moving in with Kyle would be like throwing gas on a fire. Claire balked at putting her life on hold. Victoria turned to Nikki for support, but Nikki asserted that Claire and Kyle should do what was right for them, regardless of how Victor felt.

Claire unsuccessfully attempted to get a word in while Nikki and Victoria bantered about how to best handle Victor. Claire clinked a utensil against her glass to get their attention and declared that it would be her decision. Claire hoped Victor would eventually see that Kyle was a good man. Victoria clucked that Victor already thought Kyle was a good man, but Victor was overlooking it because of his obsessive grudge against Jack, and he would never accept Claire’s relationship with Kyle. Nikki countered that it was time to stand up to Victor because if Claire caved, she’d only embolden him and encourage more attacks.

Claire believed Victor would ultimately accept her relationship with Kyle because Kyle made her happy. Victoria urged Claire to wait a little while. Nikki envisioned what would happen if Claire didn’t move in with Kyle, avoided places where they’d run into Victor, and excluded Kyle from family gatherings. Nikki anticipated that Claire might risk losing Kyle entirely if she put her life on hold for Victor. Victoria groused that Victor had interfered in her own love life for years, and she was furious that he was getting away with doing the same thing to Claire.

Victoria lectured that dating someone for the first time should be fun and exciting, and Victor putting pressure on Claire to do what he wanted was wrong. Claire wished Victor understood she didn’t need protection from Kyle. Nikki recommended that Claire show Victor that he couldn't win every battle by defying him. Claire hated the idea of upsetting her grandfather, but she wasn’t about to break up with Kyle – especially when she was falling in love with him.

Claire admitted that she wasn’t sure how she felt because she’d never been in love before. Nikki saw the light and energy in Claire’s eyes and said she was thrilled for her granddaughter. Claire confided that she and Kyle hadn’t actually said the words yet, but she knew Kyle felt the same way. Victoria remarked that she wanted love and happiness for Claire, but she also didn’t want Claire to get hurt. Claire announced that she suddenly knew what had to be done. Kyle overheard and asked what she had to do. “Not just me. We!” Claire proclaimed.

At the Athletic Club, Daniel stared somberly into space. Phyllis charged in and giddily announced that she was ready to rock and roll. Daniel asked how many cups of coffee she’d had. Phyllis proclaimed that it was about them being free to live a new life and soar to greater heights. Phyllis expressed her excitement to start working with her son by her side. She asked how excited he was, but he remained silent.

Daniel told Phyllis that it was nice to see her excited about something other than retribution, and he was genuinely happy that she’d found the opportunity she needed. She stressed that it was what they needed. Phyllis recognized that finding a way out of grief was difficult, but she believed that the job would help Daniel out of it. Billy arrived and declared that they were at ground zero for something amazing. “It’s definitely going to be something,” Daniel muttered. Billy asked if Daniel was still on board.

Billy hoped that Daniel had moved past his initial apprehension. Phyllis ordered Billy not to rush Daniel until her son figured out where he wanted to put his efforts. Daniel bemoaned that he felt blocked creatively and emotionally, and he didn’t know what direction to go in. Phyllis offered to help him, but Daniel suggested that Billy just stick him in wherever he might fit in best. Billy stressed that it was an opportunity for all of them to do something amazing, and he wondered where Daniel’s hesitation was stemming from.

Daniel cited his failed painting career and the debacle at Omega Sphere. Phyllis insisted that it hadn’t been Daniel’s fault, and she crowed that the three of them were the dream team. Billy wanted to have faith, but he was alarmed by Daniel’s sudden turnaround. Billy insisted that he wanted Daniel on board for his passion and creativity. Daniel hesitated to let anyone down, but he doubted he could move forward. Daniel walked away, and Phyllis followed him, passing by Sally on her way out.

Phyllis caught up with Daniel in the park. He said he was sorry because he knew how badly she wanted them to work together, but he didn’t know what he wanted in life or business. Phyllis acknowledged that nothing could replace what he’d lost, but she thought the job would give him something to focus on to help with the pain. Daniel explained that he’d been focused on taking care of Lucy and worrying about Phyllis to avoid facing what he was feeling, but time hadn’t fixed anything. Daniel groaned that Heather was gone, and all their plans were gone with her.

Phyllis reiterated that having a reason to get out of bed in the morning would give Daniel purpose and help him through his pain. Daniel conceded that the company could be amazing, but Abbott Communications wasn’t what would help him dig out. He added that the company was Phyllis’ purpose, and he’d seen from her energy and excitement that morning that it was where she needed to be. Phyllis wailed that she didn’t want to be part of it if Daniel wasn’t, but Daniel couldn’t think of better medicine for her than taking Abbott Communications into the stratosphere. He implored her to dive in while he determined what his next chapter was.

Meanwhile, Billy informed Sally that Daniel appeared to have cold feet. Sally sympathized that Daniel was struggling after losing the love of his life. Billy fretted that Phyllis was only on board as a package deal with Daniel, so if Daniel bailed, Phyllis might leave, too. Sally assumed Billy would simply move on to “Plan B” if Phyllis did, but Billy admitted he didn’t have one. Sally incredulously asked why he wouldn’t have a backup plan when his partner was Phyllis.

Sally inquired whether there was another person Billy trusted whom he’d want to work with that closely. “You,” he replied. Sally was flattered, but she reminded him that her career was in fashion, and her passion and heart were in running Marchetti Z. Sally suggested he forget about a partner and run the company on his own. Billy recognized that his younger self would have jumped at the chance to control it all, but he’d learned that wouldn’t be the best thing, and he wanted to make the company about something more than just his ego.

Sally was impressed that Billy realized his venture was too big to go solo. Billy thought he had the right partner in Phyllis, but Sally opined that there were better options. Sally conceded that Phyllis was nothing if not loyal, and she revealed that Phyllis had approached her for help with convincing Billy not to work with Aristotle Dumas. Billy grumbled that maybe Phyllis wasn’t as loyal as he’d thought, but Sally pointed out that the one thing she and Phyllis agreed on was that Dumas couldn’t be trusted.

Phyllis returned and requested to speak privately with Billy, but he informed her that he and Sally had no secrets. Billy noted that the company was on the line, and he asked if Daniel was okay. Phyllis reported that her son wasn’t okay, and she needed Billy’s help.

Daniel entered Crimson Lights and ordered coffee. Tessa called his name and enlisted his help with a crossword puzzle. She commented that she liked doing them to give her some peace and quiet before the day kicked into high gear. Daniel mused that there was nothing wrong with peace and quiet, and Tessa observed that he seemed down. Daniel confided that he felt like his whole life had hit the brakes, and he didn’t know how to get back on track.

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