The Young and the Restless Recap for Monday, December 9, 2024: Michael reveals the toxicology test results

At Society, Claire announced to Victoria and Cole that she was set to start working with her grandmother soon. Cole congratulated her, and Claire looked forward to the challenge. Claire admitted she was sad she wouldn’t be Harrison’s nanny anymore, but her conversation with Summer and Kyle about it had gone as well as it could have. Claire anticipated breaking the news to Harrison next, and she hoped he wouldn’t be too disappointed. Claire added that she was glad she’d be able to tell him herself because she wanted him to know she wasn’t abandoning him.

Victoria was confident that Claire would still see Harrison often. Claire lamented that it wouldn’t be the same after seeing him every day. Claire fondly recalled a game she and Harrison had played in the car to predict how many pigeons would be sitting on the electrical wires on his way to school. Claire stressed that the opportunity at Chancellor meant a lot to her, but she knew her parents had doubts about her taking the job. She questioned whether they thought she was making a mistake.

Victoria pointed out that work in the corporate world could be rewarding, but it could also result in getting caught up in conflicts. Claire assumed Victoria was referring to Billy. Cole offered his support if the job was what Claire wanted, and she insisted it was. Claire pictured herself working hard and moving up the rungs just like Victoria had. Claire mused that she didn’t take leaving Harrison, and even having a choice about her future wasn’t something she took for granted. Victoria hoped Claire had thought things through and understood what she was walking away from.

Cole gushed that he was proud of Claire, and he knew she would shine at anything she did because she was a star. Claire protested that the metaphor was a bit much, and Victoria teased that Cole would start using alliteration and similes next. Cole explained that he and Victoria had missed out on a lot of time with Claire, and he wanted to keep his daughter safe. Claire said it meant everything that they cared, and she hoped they could both be on board with her decision to work at Chancellor. Victoria pledged to always support Claire, no matter what. Cole added that what mattered most was that Claire was happy. Claire called it a win all around, marveling that she had a lot to be happy about those days.

Victoria inquired about how things were with Claire and Kyle. Claire vaguely replied that they’d gotten closer, but she didn’t want to jinx it. Cole thought Claire’s smile said it all. Claire commended Kyle for being supportive of her new job even after everything that had happened between him and Victor. Victoria clucked that her father would do anything to undermine an enemy. Claire was impressed that Kyle had looked past it to be happy for her, and it made her feel even better about them. Claire enthused that she felt like she’d hit the jackpot with her family and with Kyle.

Kyle voiced surprise when Summer stopped by the Abbott mansion, and he referenced her comment about having a busy day at Marchetti. Summer asked if Harrison was home, and Kyle informed her that a friend’s mom had dropped him off after lunch. Summer declared that she thought Claire shouldn’t be the one to tell Harrison that she wouldn’t be his nanny anymore. Summer believed she and Kyle should deliver the news. Kyle recounted that he and Summer had agreed to let Claire speak to Harrison herself, but Summer informed him that she’d changed her mind.

Summer expected Claire to speak with Harrison eventually, but she was adamant that she and Kyle show their son that they were on the same page about it. Kyle suspected that Summer just wanted to take away the opportunity from Claire, but Summer denied it. Kyle acknowledged that Summer had struggled with Claire and Harrison’s relationship, but he thought they owed Claire a lot for helping the tot overcome the kidnapping. Summer conceded that Claire had been great, but she maintained that they should share the information as Harrison’s parents.

Summer reasoned that Claire would still be able to explain things to Harrison, and it was common for nannies to come and go. Kyle argued that Claire was special to Harrison, but Summer thought the boy would understand. Kyle inquired whether Summer wanted to tell Harrison they were looking for a new nanny, but Summer envisioned the two of them filling in the gaps with Harrison back in school. Kyle sensed that Summer was relieved Harrison wouldn’t be spending as much time with Claire.

Summer insisted that she wasn’t trying to cut Claire out of their son’s life but simply talk to him as his parents. Kyle asked if Summer had a problem with him and Claire getting closer, noting that Summer had acted strangely when she’d seen them together. Summer pointed out that Kyle had started a relationship with Harrison’s nanny, who was also Summer’s cousin, yet Kyle hadn’t had the decency to tell her about it. Kyle conceded that he probably should have told Summer sooner, but he hadn’t thought she would care because they’d both moved on since their divorce, and she was happy with Chance. Summer’s face fell.

Summer confided that she and Chance were taking a break after things had gotten tense when he’d arrested Daniel for Heather’s murder. Kyle figured that Chance had just been doing his job, but Summer faulted Chance for not entertaining other possibilities and not being sorry even though he’d been wrong. Kyle hoped the couple would be able to work through the rough patch. Summer realized she’d been in denial about it, and she shared that Kyle was the first person she’d told.

Kyle asked if Summer was sure she was okay with him dating Claire. Summer responded that they had both moved on, so it was his business – especially since Claire was no longer their son’s nanny. Summer reiterated that she wanted to talk to Harrison about Claire leaving together to show a united front after everything the boy had been through. Kyle caved and agreed to do it if Summer thought it was best.

Harrison ran in and hugged Summer, and he chirped that his Christmas list was almost ready. Summer said she couldn’t wait to hear about it, but she and Kyle had news to share about Claire first. Harrison excitedly asked if Claire was on her way over. Kyle mentioned that Claire had an exciting opportunity to work with Grandma Nikki at a big company. Harrison asked if Claire would take him to a giant office after she picked him up from school.

Kyle gently explained that Claire would love to show Harrison around her new office, but she had an important job that she had to focus on full-time. Summer added that it meant Claire could no longer drop off and pick up Harrison from school. Harrison inquired whether he would still see Claire every day. Kyle assured the boy that he and Claire would still be friends, but Harrison realized she wouldn’t be his nanny anymore. Kyle and Summer confirmed it was true and that it was okay to be sad about it.

Kyle was sure Claire was sad, too, and he imagined Claire and Harrison would talk about it the next time they saw one another. Summer anticipated that while Harrison would see Claire less often, he’d still see his mommy and daddy every day, and they’d do fun things together. Kyle acknowledged that Harrison would miss Claire, but Harrison would still get to see her. “I love her so much!” Harrison cried.

Kyle joined Claire at Society as Victoria and Cole headed out. Claire kissed Kyle and asked if he’d just been at work. He reported that he’d been at home because Harrison had had a half-day of school. Kyle hoped that Claire didn’t mind that he and Summer had told Harrison about Claire’s new job. Claire was taken aback, and she stammered that she’d made it clear that it was important to her to tell Harrison herself.

Kyle relayed that Summer had thought it was best that they tell Harrison the news as his parents, and it had seemed to be a sticking point for her that they present a united front. Claire asked if she could still talk to the boy herself, and Kyle agreed that she should. Kyle shared that Harrison had taken the news like a champ, and while Harrison would miss her, he was almost as proud of Claire as Kyle was. They kissed again.

Outside the restaurant, Victoria and Cole looked through the window at Kyle and Claire. Cole murmured that Claire’s life was speeding forward with a boyfriend and a new job. Victoria fretted that it might be too much for Claire to handle all at once, but she saw no way of stopping their daughter if it was what Claire wanted. Cole counseled that it was their role as parents to guide and then step back. Victoria hoped Claire didn’t regret it.

Ian anxiously peered out the window of his motel room and checked his phone. Jordan burst in and growled, “That girl! How dare she!” Ian asked why Jordan had been gone that long, and she groused that he hadn’t seen the cold cruelties of the world that she’d seen. He preferred it to being stuck in that dump, and he muttered that at least she’d gotten fresh air. Jordan snapped that she’d be happy to trade places, and she ordered him to stop complaining about his “staycation.” He asked if she had any news, and she warned him he wouldn’t like it.

Jordan reported that she’d followed Michael, noting that he was Victor’s lapdog and the lawyer who’d gotten Claire out of the psych ward. She continued by saying that her niece was living a luxurious life while Jordan was being forced to sneak around in costume. Ian recalled that Claire was the Abbotts’ nanny. Jordan huffed that there had been a development since she’d seen Claire in a cozy moment with Kyle. Jordan imagined the extravagant life Claire would have as the wife of the Abbott heir, but Ian cautioned her against getting ahead of herself.

Jordan griped that Claire had forgotten everything she had taught her. Ian pushed to know what Jordan had found out by following Michael. Jordan revealed that Sharon’s bottle of drugs had been analyzed, and Michael knew about the PCP. Ian cursed and barked that no one was supposed to find out about the pills. Jordan relayed that she’d overheard talk about Nick requesting that Chance have the pills analyzed. Ian scoffed at the idea that Nick had been smart enough to go there and demanded that Jordan repair the damage.

Jordan contended that the toxicology report couldn’t be undone, and Ian blasted her for being sloppy. Jordan huffed that she’d never made a misstep in her life. Ian grumbled that he’d always known that if he wanted something done right, he’d better do it himself. Jordan reminded Ian that they had a deal, and she warned that he’d better not think about reneging. She continued that she’d done everything he’d asked her to do at considerable risk to herself.

Ian reminded Jordan that he’d gotten her out of prison, but she’d let him down ever since. Jordan figured that every arrangement had a glitch, and how they responded to it was important. She asserted that she’d worked hard to advance his cause, but he’d done nothing to advance hers. Jordan raged that her niece was living the life of Princess Newman, falling into the arms of Prince Abbott, and it was Ian’s turn to do more than just sit there and wait for updates from her. She ordered him to do what he’d promised, or she’d make their entire enterprise crash down on him.

Moments later, Ian emerged from the bathroom in a hat and glasses, and he remarked that Jordan wasn’t the only master of disguise in the room. He groused that he didn’t appreciate her forcing his hand, but she saw a twinkle in his eye that indicated he was excited about the potential danger. Ian noted that it had been a long time since he’d gone out in the world, and he hoped the “dear people of Genoa City” were ready for him.

Jordan imagined it would be good for a man of action like Ian to get back out there. He snarled that things didn’t end well for people who forced his hand. Jordan proposed that she handle the wrinkle in Sharon’s case while he was out gathering information about Claire, Victoria, and Cole. Ian was amazed that they always found a way to make up no matter how badly they fought. Jordan cooed that they were something special, and Ian compared them to an old married couple. “Almost,” she replied as he kissed her hand.

At the cottage, Sharon ordered Nick and Mariah to stop with the looks between them. Mariah pointed out that Sharon had been very quiet, and she wondered if her mother was okay. Nick observed that Sharon seemed resigned. Sharon figured it would soon be over one way or another, and that gave her peace. Mariah worried that it sounded like Sharon was giving up, and Nick recalled that Michael had tried to talk Sharon out of pleading guilty. Sharon refused to run away because her guilt was too strong, and she resolved to face the charges head-on. Nick urged her to give it a little time.

Michael arrived and proclaimed that he had news — Chance had gotten the toxicology report back, and someone had tampered with Sharon’s medication. Michael explained that the PCP found in Sharon’s pills could cause hallucinations, memory loss, aggression, and paranoia. Sharon exclaimed that she’d experienced all those things since her meds had originally been changed. Nick felt he should have known something was off, and Mariah felt awful for encouraging her mother to take something tainted.

Michael praised Nick’s instincts as being right, but Nick regretted that Sharon had been taking bad pills the whole time. Michael assured Nick that there had been no way of knowing. Sharon wondered how the drug had gotten into her pills in the first place. Michael considered it unlikely that the tampering had been a mistake or an accident. He theorized that the drug had been added after Sharon’s prescription had been filled, but they still needed answers about how someone had managed to do it.

Michael believed the report explained Sharon’s change in demeanor and what had motivated her to harm Heather. Sharon protested that it didn’t change anything, but Michael argued that she had been drugged and wasn’t a vicious murderer. Michael insisted on taking the case to trial, but Sharon maintained that she was still responsible for Heather’s death. Michael reiterated that the tainted drugs had caused her to act in ways she normally wouldn’t, and he contemplated who had targeted her.

Nick promised to find out who had drugged Sharon. Sharon hesitated to make any decisions about going to trial until she wrapped her head around it. Michael implored her not to ignore the evidence and urged her to let him pursue the case further. Sharon recalled that she’d been mad at Nick for having the pills tested, but he’d been right along and never stopped believing in her. Nick swore he never would. Sharon recognized that all of them could have shunned her for what she’d done, but instead, they’d looked for ways to support and protect her. Nick told her never to doubt that he’d go the extra mile for her.

Mariah expected Faith to be relieved that there was evidence that exonerated their mom. Michael noted that Sharon was still facing a murder charge, and Nick asked how they could prove she’d acted without knowing what she was doing. Michael intended to determine how and why the pill tampering had happened. Sharon struggled to believe she wasn’t responsible for Heather’s death, but Michael insisted that Sharon had been violated. Sharon grappled with the idea that someone had wanted to cause her to act that way. Sharon prepared to step out to get some air and process things, but Michael advised against it.

Nick worried that Sharon could be in danger if someone was targeting her. Sharon promised that she wouldn’t go far, but Mariah wondered if her mother planned to disappear. Sharon explained that the toxicology report had been a big revelation after she’d thought something had been fundamentally wrong with her, and she needed time to think. Nick and Mariah offered to go with her, but Sharon yelled that a woman was dead because of her, and she needed time to be alone. She grabbed her coat and left.

Sharon sat on a park bench and had memory flashes of waking up in Heather’s apartment and being on the road in her car. “How could this have happened? Who would do this to me?” she wailed.

At Society, Mariah sent a text message to Sharon and hoped her mom was all right. Nick urged her to trust that Sharon would reach out when she needed them. Mariah didn’t understand why Sharon wouldn’t use the evidence to save herself in court. Michael guessed that Sharon’s guilt was plaguing her judgment.

Michael planned to do his best to convince Sharon not to plead guilty. Mariah imagined Faith would be devastated if Sharon didn’t fight the charges. Michael thought they’d only scratched the surface, and they needed to know more. Nick vowed to find out who’d tampered with Sharon’s medication and why before the culprit struck again.

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