The Young and the Restless Recap for Monday, November 11, 2024: Ashley returns home for Abby's wedding

At the Abbott mansion, Abby inquired about the time, and Traci informed her that it had been two minutes since the last time Abby had asked. Abby fretted that “they” should have been there by then, and Traci chalked the delay up to traffic on the way home from the airport. Abby contemplated why she was so nervous. Traci pointed out that Abby would be getting married soon, and it was a big deal. “So is this,” Abby replied.

Outside the front door, Jack assured an anxious Ashley that everyone was thrilled she was there. Ashley admitted she hadn’t been sure she would make it back, and Jack stressed that she didn’t have to worry about it anymore because she was home. He requested that she not mention the situation with Kyle and Diane since he wanted to focus on all the reasons their family had to celebrate. Ashley agreed not to say anything, and Jack asked if she was ready. She declared that she was more than ready.

Jack and Ashley entered the mansion. Abby joyously ran over to hug her mom, followed by Traci. Ashley cried that she’d waited for that moment for a long time, and Abby observed that her mother looked stunning. Ashley reported that she felt good after working hard to get back to a healthy version of herself. Traci swore that they were ready to listen if there was anything Ashley wanted to share. Ashley figured that they had a lot of time to catch up, and it could wait until after Abby’s wedding day.

Abby enthused that having Ashley there made things feel much better. Ashley inquired whether Victor was still keeping the wedding location a secret, and she was shocked to hear that Victor had rebuilt the entire ranch. Abby invited Ashley to check it out with her that morning, and Ashley hoped Jack didn’t mind. Jack recognized that Victor loved grand gestures, and it promised to be a big one, but he told them not to bother saying hello from him.

Alan entered and welcomed Ashley home with a hug. Ashley hinted that things had changed since she’d last seen him. Alan beamed at Traci and assumed she’d told Ashley he’d moved in. Alan asked if Ashley was comfortable with it, and she responded that she wouldn’t be there if it hadn’t been for him. Alan credited her for doing all the work, but she thanked him because the clinic he’d recommended had saved her life. Ashley insisted that she approved and was happy for both Alan and Traci, adding that her sister looked radiant. Traci murmured that she didn’t know if she’d ever been happier, and the sisters embraced.

After Ashley and Abby left, Alan revealed that he’d talked to his colleagues at the clinic, and they had unanimously concluded that Ashley had made a remarkable recovery. Jack was relieved to hear that it hadn’t only been wishful thinking on his part, and he considered it more reason to celebrate. Traci cautiously broached the subject of Kyle and Diane’s declining relationship. Jack cut her off, stating that he didn’t care what Diane had done. Jack preferred not to focus on the damage Diane had done when their family had a lot to celebrate. Traci warned that things were escalating, and it wasn’t good.

Jack maintained that he didn’t want or need to talk about Diane or Kyle. Alan appealed to Jack to hear Traci out. Traci divulged that she’d overheard Kyle talking on the phone about how Diane was trying to undermine him at his new company. Jack wasn’t surprised, noting that everyone knew Diane was only out for herself. Traci shared that Diane wasn’t alone since Diane had enlisted Victor as an ally. Jack cursed and walked out over Traci’s protests. Traci groaned that she felt like she’d lit a stick of dynamite.

At the newly rebuilt Newman ranch, Victor descended the stairs and smiled when he found Nikki playing the piano. He asked how it felt to play in their new home. “Magical,” she replied. Nikki continued to play. “So beautiful. The music, too,” Victor mused. She remarked that he was still “quite the romantic,” and he admitted he had his moments. She commended him for still being able to surprise her, and he hoped it would never stop.

Nikki marveled at how Victor had managed to build the house without anyone knowing, and Victor called himself a man who could keep a secret. She gushed that it had been the very best secret, and she threw her arms around him. Nikki looked forward to hosting a wedding but realized she didn’t even know where the linen closet was. Victor told her he’d told his team to make everything perfect for Abby and Devon’s big day so Nikki didn’t have to lift a finger. He added that a wedding was perfect for christening a new home. “New beginnings!” he declared, and they kissed.

Later, Victor and Nikki greeted Ashley and Abby. Victor welcomed Ashley home, and she shared that Abby had been her motivation to work hard to ensure she didn’t miss the big day. Abby cautioned against making her cry again. Ashley surveyed the home and praised Victor for outdoing himself by capturing the spirit of the ranch. Nikki declared they had a wedding to plan, and while she knew Victor’s team was on it, she thought Abby should get to decide what she wanted. Victor checked his phone and announced that he had to deal with something.

Victor entered his office at Newman Enterprises and found Jill, who snapped and said she didn’t like to be kept waiting. “What kind of a greeting is that?” Victor asked. Victor observed that Jill looked well, and she quipped that she was still upright. They talked about the upcoming wedding, but she declared an end to the chitchat and assumed he wanted to talk to her about Chancellor. She confirmed that she knew he had his eye on her company and might even be planning to steal it out from under her, given Billy’s temporary mismanagement.

Jill proclaimed that Chancellor wasn’t going anywhere, but Victor opined that the mismanagement hadn’t only been temporary. Jill disagreed, and Victor figured it was because “Billy Boy” was her son. Victor voiced surprise that a woman with her business savvy thought Billy could run a company of Chancellor’s size, knowing Billy had failed at every business venture he’d ever undertaken. Jill cited the blunders Adam had made over the years and the countless times Victor’s children had tried to push Victor out. Jill ordered Victor to cut to the chase and tell her what he wanted. “That’s the Jill I know,” Victor stated.

Victor dared Jill to deny that Billy had sent Chancellor into a nosedive, and she firmly replied she was handling it. Victor warned that coddling Billy wasn’t handling it, and they both knew Billy couldn’t cut it. Victor questioned whether Jill was willing to risk Katherine’s legacy over a mother’s pride, and Jill confirmed she wasn’t. Jill swore that if Billy weren’t up to the task, she’d have no problem reinstating Lily as CEO. Victor cautioned that it would be a mistake.

Jill argued that Lily had done an amazing job the last time she’d been in charge, so it would be a seamless transition. Victor agreed that Lily would be an asset wherever she ended up, but they both knew she belonged in her family’s business. Victor was certain that it was what Neil would have wanted, and Katherine would have advised Lily to do the same thing. Victor proposed that he and Jill make a deal.

At Crimson Lights, Phyllis ominously approached Sharon’s table and waited for Sharon to run away. Sharon demanded to know what Phyllis wanted. Phyllis prompted Sharon to admit she’d killed Heather and framed Daniel. Sharon chided Phyllis for believing it in her sick mind. Phyllis recalled that other people had seen Sharon run from the funeral reception, and she wondered if Sharon had bolted because she’d been about ready to confess or because she was a coward.

Sharon ordered Phyllis to stop since no one was listening. Phyllis anticipated that the police would be listening soon, as she intended to keep hounding Sharon until she confessed. Sharon shot back that Phyllis would only look more pathetic than she already did for not accepting that Daniel was guilty. Phyllis proclaimed that there was “no way in hell” that her son was guilty, and Sharon knew it. Nick stood in the doorway as Phyllis stated she had proof.

Sharon threatened to call the police and have Phyllis arrested for harassing her. Phyllis invited her to do it since the authorities would be interested in what Phyllis had to say. Nick barked that it was enough, but Phyllis refused to stop until Sharon admitted her guilt and Daniel was exonerated. Sharon complained that Phyllis wouldn’t quit, but Phyllis scoffed at the idea that Sharon was an innocent, delicate flower.

Phyllis maintained that she had proof, but Sharon insisted that Phyllis couldn’t prove anything. Phyllis taunted that Sharon wasn’t as good at hiding things as she thought she was, and Sharon had been clumsy while hiding the evidence after she’d killed Heather in cold blood. Phyllis pointed out that she’d given Sharon the opportunity to tell the truth, and she warned that the police would start asking questions. Phyllis stalked off.

Sharon said that Phyllis wouldn’t leave her alone. Nick shared that he’d tried to tell Phyllis to back off and offered to try again. Sharon bemoaned that there was no reasoning with Phyllis, and Nick sympathized that Sharon shouldn’t have to deal with it. Sharon was glad she had his support, noting that it couldn’t be easy for him because he surely still had some feelings for Phyllis. Nick insisted that when Phyllis was wrong, he let her know.

Sharon swore Phyllis was lying about having evidence and just trying to bait her into cracking and confessing. Nick pointed out that Phyllis had sounded sure. Sharon envisioned Cameron warning her to be careful about what she said because “Loverboy” was starting to doubt her. Nick called to a distracted Sharon and wondered why she wasn’t looking at him. Meanwhile, “Cameron” instructed Sharon to get rid of Nick because she had to find out if Phyllis really had evidence against her.

Nick worriedly asked if Sharon was okay. She claimed that he was starting to make her think he believed Phyllis. Nick reiterated that he didn’t think Sharon had killed Heather, but he was concerned that Phyllis couldn’t let it go. Sharon reasoned that Phyllis couldn’t accept that Daniel might be guilty, so Phyllis needed a scapegoat. Sharon clucked that she wouldn’t put it past Phyllis to prove her case by manufacturing evidence against Sharon. Cameron commended Sharon for giving Nick something to think about.

Nick asked if Sharon was still thinking about getting a restraining order. Sharon doubted it would stop Phyllis, and she leaned toward warning Chance that Phyllis might fabricate evidence. Nick cautioned that it might make Chance think Sharon was trying to hide something, and he urged Sharon to give him time to calm Phyllis down. Sharon hugged Nick and told him he had no idea how much it meant to her. Nick promised he’d fix it, and he left.

Sharon bragged to Cameron about how much Nick cared for her. Cameron lectured that she shouldn’t kid herself since Phyllis could be persuasive, and Sharon had no idea if Phyllis was bluffing about having evidence. Cameron continued that the problem wasn’t going away – unless Sharon made it go away.

Phyllis joined Lauren at Society and grumbled that she needed coffee. Lauren noted that Phyllis looked like she was ready to explode, and she recalled that she’d seen Phyllis get into it with Sharon at the funeral. Phyllis asserted that Sharon had killed Heather and planted evidence in Daniel’s apartment to make him look guilty, but nobody wanted to believe her. Lauren was shocked to learn that Phyllis had already told Michael about her theory.

Phyllis recounted that Sharon had always hated Daniel after Cassie’s death, and she believed Faith and Lucy’s car accident had pushed Sharon over the edge. Phyllis reflected on Sharon’s history of attacking Heather in public, but Lauren considered it a long reach to murder. Phyllis confided that Sharon had been off and on her bipolar medication and acting erratically. Lauren contended that Phyllis had no proof that Sharon had done anything, and she inquired whether the police had already investigated and cleared Sharon.

Phyllis explained that the police had been lazy after the information implicating Daniel had been thrown into their laps. Lauren acknowledged that Phyllis was doing everything she could to clear her son. Phyllis realized Lauren didn’t believe her. Phyllis wailed that she was alone, and everyone was just listening, patting her on the head, and not believing a word she said while she faced her son living the rest of his life behind bars. Phyllis ranted that Sharon had pushed her down a flight of stairs and left her to die, so she knew Sharon was capable of murder.

Lauren swore that her heart went out to Phyllis, but she wouldn’t be a best friend if she wasn’t honest. Phyllis protested that best friends agreed with one another. Lauren sensed that Phyllis was grasping at straws, and the best thing Phyllis could do was let it go, “I couldn’t agree more,” Nick chimed in as he joined them. He sternly ordered Phyllis to stop because she’d gone too far.

At the Athletic Club, Christine told Daniel that Heather’s service had been beautiful. Daniel relayed that he’d called Lucy to fill her in about the nice things people had said, and he thought it had helped. Daniel reported that Danny had practically made Lucy part of the band to distract her, but Heather’s death still hit her, mostly at night. Daniel shared that he’d hoped the funeral would give him closure, but he still missed Heather.

Daniel remembered standing at Heather’s grave, telling her he would always love her and that he would get justice for her, but not saying anything about the arrest or charges, like he’d been trying to keep her from worrying about him. He supposed it had helped him feel better to be there with Heather, like the calm before the storm. Christine asked if he’d noticed how Sharon had acted, as she thought Sharon seemed scared.

Daniel wasn’t surprised that Sharon had been scared after the way Phyllis had been behaving. He acknowledged that his mom loved him and was trying to protect him, but he needed her to stop and let Christine do her job. Christine argued that Phyllis could be on the right track about Sharon, who’d been acting like a guilty person. Christine added that she’d heard Sharon was suffering from serious mental health issues, but Daniel countered that it didn’t prove anything. Christine advised Daniel not to discount the idea Sharon had been involved just because he thought Phyllis was on a crazy crusade.

Daniel contemplated whether it was crazier that Christine and Phyllis agreed on something or that they both thought Sharon was capable of murder. Daniel questioned what Sharon’s motive would have been. Christine recalled that Sharon had acted out in public, telling Daniel to leave town. Christine imagined that seeing Daniel, Heather, and Lucy as a family had taken Sharon back to the worst day of her life, and Sharon had snapped when they hadn’t left.

Daniel doubted Sharon had avenged Cassie’s death by deciding to take away someone he loved to punish him, but Christine thought it made more sense than him being responsible for Heather’s death. Christine narrowed down who’d had motive, and she didn’t consider it a big leap to shine a light on Sharon. Daniel stammered that Heather’s murder had been diabolical, which meant Sharon hadn’t snapped but had planned it.

Sharon entered the Athletic Club and saw Daniel dining with Christine, and she covertly snuck upstairs. Sharon swiped a keycard off a housekeeping cart and entered a hotel suite. She spotted a framed photo of Phyllis and Daniel on the nightstand, and her eyes anxiously darted around the room.