The Young and the Restless Recap for Friday, December 6, 2024: Claire quits, and Victor declares victory

At home, Diane was happy that they pulled one over on Victor Newman, and Jack was excited that Diane was going to put her spin on a new division, Jabot Classic. Diane just hoped that their family had turned a corner. “You don’t think we have?” Jack asked, concerned.

Diane was worried that Traci and Ashley wouldn’t come around and forgive them for their deception. Jack thought that Billy was the bigger issue as he hadn’t even filled him in and that it was all an act when they were separated. Jack noted that he hadn’t talked to Kyle yet, but today was his first day back at Jabot. Diane wondered if Jack was stalling to have an awkward conversation with Kyle. “Have you changed your mind?” she asked.

Jack said he just wanted the right timing. Diane told Jack that her conversation with Kyle was difficult, too. But since they cleared the air, she felt much better and wanted the same for Jack. Jack reiterated that he wanted Kyle’s return to Jabot to be about the future, not the past, and didn’t want anything getting in the way of that.

At the ranch, Nikki advised Claire to study the business and ask as many questions as she needed to understand Chancellor. Claire was sure that she still wanted to work with Nikki and was eager to hit the ground running at Chancellor. Nikki said Claire had the brains and the drive, and she was a Newman through and through.

Claire shared that she had been putting something off ever since she made her decision to work with Nikki. She revealed that she planned to tell Summer and Kyle later that day that she wasn’t going to be taking care of Harrison anymore.

Nikki wondered if Kyle would be upset that she wouldn’t be Harrison’s nanny anymore. Claire thought he would be disappointed to find out where she was working as Kyle wasn’t his favorite person.

Nikki advised Claire to never give her power to anyone, even if it’s someone she loved. Nikki said that she and Victor respect each other, and all Claire could do was trust that Kyle would understand. She said that it could make her a bigger part of Kyle’s life.

At Society, Kyle and Summer had breakfast and discussed their schedules with Harrison. Kyle told Summer he would be busy as he was returning to Jabot. Kyle admitted the stunt his parents pulled and that Diane was stepping down. Summer claimed she was happy for Kyle but didn’t think Diane did anything out of love.

Kyle told Summer that he wanted to work things out with his parents, and he believed that what they did was out of love. As Kyle continued talking about Diane and Jabot, Victor walked in and listened to their conversation.

Victor took Summer’s seat when she had to get to Marchetti. Kyle told Victor that he would never forgive him for what he tried to do to his family.

Kyle told Victor that he tried to use him and Glissade to hurt Jack, but he failed. Victor mocked him and said Kyle was delusional because he just proved how easily fractured Kyle’s family could be, and he took down Glissade.

Kyle told Victor that Diane played him for a chump, making him believe she was on Victor’s side. Victor told Kyle he had a lot to learn. “Did Mommy hand the keys to the Jabot offices? She’ll take them back, trust me,” Victor sneered. “Now, who’s delusional?” Kyle scoffed. Victor said he knew Diane all too well, and the play-acting that she and Jack had broken up was just a little honest and brutal. Victor said there was too much vitriol and real hostility, and now he was waiting for the household to explode. “You’ve lived long enough to understand me. I always play the long game,” Victor told him.

After Victor got himself another table, Claire called Kyle. She asked if he had time to meet her at Crimson Lights before work as she had to tell him something in person. Diane came in and asked if he had a few minutes to discuss Jabot, but he had to go meet Claire.

When Kyle left, Diane spotted Victor. He had been watching her with Kyle from across the restaurant. “You know your family will never be whole again,” Victor spouted. He told Diane he was pretty accurate about those types of things, and she knew it. Diane told Victor that he thought he won, but he struck out.

Diane spared herself Victor’s family advice and pointed out that his kid tried to kill him more than once, and the others had been in and out of his orbit because they couldn’t stand the way he tried to use them to do his bidding. She told Victor not to pass judgment on her as a parent. Victor said his family was intact, but it was only a matter of time before Jack and Kyle saw who she was and what she was really after. “If I were you, I wouldn’t feel too comfortable at home,” Victor added.

Victor said she gave Kyle the keys to her office so he could be the prodigal son, but he wasn’t impressing anyone in the corporate world. Victor added that he knew her and Jack’s “vulgar display” was a ruse.

Jack was astounded when he walked into the ranch house. He had seen it at the wedding but was distracted. Jack realized the amount of detail that went into the rebuild and noted that he had a lot of memories there as well. Jack told Nikki that he came by to wish her well on her new role at Chancellor, adding that he thought Katherine would approve.

Jack noted that the job would be stressful and wanted her to be aware of any danger signals. “You are worried that I might be tempted to take a drink?” Nikki asked. “Would I be wrong?” Jack wondered.

Nikki and Jack talked about her sobriety and how that was the catalyst for Victor coming after Jack and his family. Jack said he didn’t pay too much, but Nikki thought it was a high price to pay to help a friend. Jack said it was worth it, seeing her sober and successful.

Nikki said she didn’t understand why Jack would still be with Diane after all that she had done. She thought that Diane was still the same selfish person she had always been. “Not that long ago you came to me, concerned that I might turn to pills because you thought my marriage had fallen apart. Now you’re disappointed that it hasn’t?” Jack asked. “Well, no, not when you put it that way,” Nikki said.

Nikki credited Diane with reeling him back in against all odds. Jack admitted that the fighting and public drama were all an act to show Kyle that Victor was using him. Nikki was stunned. She didn’t know that he and Diane were such good actors.

Jack told Nikki he didn’t know if he could ever forgive Victor for using Kyle to hurt him. Nikki hoped he could but noted that he would always be her friend no matter what. Just then, Victor walked through the front door and asked Jack what he was doing there.

Nikki explained that Jack had called her, and she invited him over. “Then you can invite him to leave,” Victor growled. Jack said he had to get going anyway, as it was Kyle’s first day back at Jabot. He wished Nikki well at her new job. “Are you finished?” Victor asked. Jack said there was something else about those divisions of Glissade that he sold on the cheap to undercut the company. “You’re going to cry about that?” Victor wondered. “Oh, quite the contrary. I wanted to thank you,” Jack said. “For what?” Victor asked. “I bought them. Thank you for the discount,” Jack said with a smirk as he walked out.

At Crimson Lights, Summer came in and spotted Claire. She rubbed it in that she had spent the morning with Kyle and Harrison, and then she and Kyle went out for breakfast together. Claire asked Summer to join her and Kyle as she had something to tell them. Claire surmised what it was as she heard the family on Thanksgiving talking about her working with Nikki.

Claire admitted that she was about to tell Kyle that she wouldn’t be Harrison’s nanny but assured Summer that she would still be in Harrison’s life. Summer asked if that was because of her relationship with Kyle. Claire said she wouldn’t call it a relationship, but they had gotten closer.

Summer noted that she had seen them for dinner, and they went together to the wedding. Claire admitted that they had been spending time together and hoped that they could also include Harrison moving forward. Summer told Claire she was fine with their relationship, unlike when he was with Audra. Claire expressed that she wasn’t at threat. “That’s right. You’re not. At all,” Summer said dryly.

Summer told Claire that her no longer being Harrison’s nanny was a concern to her. Claire pointed out that she had a special bond with Harrison. “But you’re not the nanny anymore. You’re the girlfriend. There’s a big difference,” Summer told her. Just then, Kyle arrived.

Claire’s mouth dropped when Summer stole her announcement. “Claire has some big news for us. She’s leaving Harrison to go work for Chancellor,” Summer told Kyle. Kyle sat down, stunned, and wondered why it was the first he was hearing of it. Claire explained that she had asked him there so she could tell him. “Oh, I’m sorry, was it supposed to be a surprise?” Summer asked.

Claire explained to Kyle that she had considered it since they discussed it at Thanksgiving. Summer kept interjecting as Claire tried to tell Kyle how she came to her decision to work with Nikki. Kyle leaned in and held Claire’s hand. He told her that he knew she coudln’t turn down the offer and understood and noted that her hopes and dreams shouldn’t matter any less than his.

Claire told Kyle that Nikki said she’d work with and for her, not Victor. Kyle thought it was great that they would both be working for family. Summer watched Kyle and Claire be kind and supportive to one another and pointed out that Kyle would be really disappointed. Claire reiterated that she wanted to be the one to tell him and ensure that he knew that she cared. Kyle added that Harrison would understand that Claire would still be part of his life and that she was becoming more in his life, too.

Summer told Kyle and Claire that she was okay with their relationship before leaving for work. “Was it just me, or was that weird?” Claire asked. They agreed that Summer was acting jealous. Claire said it made her a little uncomfortable but she would get over it. Kyle reiterated his support for Claire’s decision.

Claire told Kyle that Nikki had advised her that if he was the wonderful man they thought he was, he’d be happy for her. Kyle said he was but made Claire promise that there would be no more secrets or holding back moving forward. As they kissed, Jordan came in through the patio and spotted them. She was taken aback at the sight of Claire.

Next week on The Young and the Restless

At Sharon’s, Michael announces to Sharon, Nick, and Mariah that Chance got the toxicology report back on Sharon’s pill bottles. “Did they find anything?” Nick asks.

At his apartment, Nate tells Audra that he has hired a private investigator that Devon recommended to begin the search for Damian. “It may not be long before I come face-to-face with my half-brother,” he says.

Ian is wearing a hat as Jordan tells him that she thinks it’s time for him to get out there and see the world. Ian agrees that it has been a long time. “I just hope the dear people of Genoa City are ready for me,” Ian adds.

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