The Young and the Restless Recap, December 22, 2025: Claire objects to Victor’s actions against Jack

On the Monday, December 22nd episode of The Young and the Restless, Nikki stood her ground, Claire felt conflicted, and Kyle considered moving on.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Claire arrived at the new Newman ranch, and she and Victor embraced. He noted that he’d never asked what she wanted for Christmas. She voiced surprise that he’d had time to think about gifts when he’d been focused on hurting the Abbotts. Victor swore Jabot’s shutdown had nothing to do with him, but Claire lectured that he’d taken advantage of the Abbotts’ defensive moves by dragging Jack and Jabot’s reputation through the mud. Victor was curious why she cared, given that she and Kyle had broken up.

Claire argued that she still cared about Kyle and his family. Victor prompted her to explain why the two had split. Claire accused him of changing the subject, but she conceded that she didn’t know where things stood with Kyle because her moments of self-discovery had led to more questions than answers. Victor clucked that Holden wouldn’t be able to answer the questions, and he warned that Holden was a “man of ill repute.”

Claire gently reprimanded Victor for steering the conversation away from the Abbotts. Claire asked why Victor’s hatred for a good and decent man like Jack ran so deep. Victor contended that he’d known Jack for decades, and underneath the façade of righteousness was a “manipulative son of a bitch” with a gift to make Victor’s loved ones like him. Claire sternly stated that what Victor was doing was wrong, and they both knew it. Victor assumed that she’d already chosen sides, but Claire insisted that she was there to hear his side.

Victor ranted that Jack had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth and never worked for a living. Victor added that Jack felt entitled to whatever he wanted because he had money and was spoiled. Claire defended that it didn’t sound like the man she knew. Victor countered that Jack pretended to be a man of honor and integrity, but Jack had almost caused Nikki’s death, and Victor would make sure Jack paid for it. Victor recommended that Claire stay away from the Abbotts, since something was about to happen, and he didn’t want her to be caught in the crossfire.

Victoria joined Nikki at Society, noting that her mother’s message had sounded as if Nikki was ready to rip someone’s head off. Nikki griped that Victor was threatening to use the AI program against Jabot, and she’d finally taken a stand by threatening to walk out on him if he didn’t give up his vendetta against Jack. Victoria protested that her mother’s extreme reaction seemed abrupt and final. Nikki admitted that the tension had been building since Victor had found her at the hotel with Jack. Nikki revealed that Victor had told her that the door was open if she wanted to walk out. Victoria asked if Nikki regretted taking such a strong stand.

Nikki refused to take back what she’d said because she couldn’t live with Victor’s anger and hatred toward Jack anymore. Nikki reiterated that Jack had risked his own life to save hers, but Victor would never admit it had resulted in a positive outcome, and he’d been waiting for the opportunity to ruin Jack. Nikki bemoaned that the Abbotts might lose everything because she hadn’t put her foot down soon enough.

Victoria proclaimed that the depth of love between her parents was unlike anything she’d ever witnessed. She pleaded that she couldn’t see them at odds like that, especially during the holidays. Nikki stated that she didn’t want to walk away, but she couldn’t keep watching Victor destroy someone she cared about. Nikki thought maybe it was time he felt the sting of losing something important to him to get him to realize what he’d done.

Victoria received a text message from Claire, asking to meet at Crimson Lights. Nikki thanked Victoria for allowing her to talk things through, and she stressed that she wasn’t asking her daughter to take sides because she knew Victoria loved her father. Victoria replied that she also knew when he was wrong, and she was proud of Nikki for taking a stand. Nikki declared that she could dig her heels in just as deeply as Victor could.

At the Abbott mansion, Jack returned home and marveled that the holiday decorations almost made him forget the chaos at the office. Kyle mentioned that his mom had just left for work, but he’d taken time off to wrap presents. Kyle added that all the gifts were for Harrison except one, and Jack guessed that one was for Claire. Kyle wondered if he should have bothered wrapping it when all his romantic gestures had backfired.

Kyle shared that he’d held off on asking Claire to talk to Victor about backing off on his threats, since she might see it as overstepping. He contemplated what it meant for their future if she sided with Victor. Kyle admitted he was starting to think Claire might never forgive him. He recalled that she’d been into the L.A. lifestyle and everything that went with it, and it was the opposite of what she’d have with him. Kyle questioned whether it was his place to pull her back from her wilder side.

Jack and Kyle discussed the possibility of Kyle and Claire getting closer by teaming up to drive Audra out of town. Kyle didn’t know how much longer he could keep holding on when all Claire seemed to want was to let go. Jack urged Kyle to stop beating himself up, since it was possible no one was to blame for the couple’s breakup. Kyle recalled that Claire had been finding her place in her new life when they’d met, and he realized that perhaps he needed to accept that place didn’t include him.

Jack pledged not to let Victor ruin their family holiday. Billy arrived and complimented the decorations, noting that there was no indication to the outside world that things were about to cave in. Billy reported that Phyllis had agreed to help get the AI program away from Victor with one caveat – they had to sign over full ownership of Marchetti to Summer. Jack was surprised that was all Phyllis wanted, and he enthused that it was a deal he’d absolutely consider making.

Billy worried that Phyllis asking for something unselfish might be a red flag, and he preferred that they use her as a last resort and not their first line of defense. Nikki sent Jack a message, asking to meet. After Jack headed out, Billy spied Kyle’s gift for Claire under the tree and asked if the couple was back together. Kyle groaned that he was talked out on the subject of Claire.

Kyle commended Billy for helping to keep Jabot afloat and having a calming effect on Jack. Billy explained that he was trying to give Jack a steady hand, since Jack had been his most consistent supporter even when Billy had tried to push him away. Kyle recognized that he’d also done his fair share of pushing, but his father had always been there for him. Billy recalled John saying one couldn’t control what other people did, and the only person stopping someone from living their best life was themself.

Billy remembered a time when he’d defined himself by who he shared his life with, and it hadn’t worked out well most of the time. He gushed that things were different with Sally, who didn’t force him to be a better person and made him realize he had to do it on his own. Kyle observed that Billy seemed different in a good way. Billy declared his commitment to letting go of negative energy and not allowing his hatred toward Victor rule his world.

Billy mused that he was also trying to let go of the pain his mother had caused. Kyle shared that it had been a huge relief when he’d forgiven his mom. Billy expressed gratitude to Victor and Jill, since he wouldn’t be on such a positive path if they hadn’t brought him to his knees. Kyle admired the way Billy had turned things around, and he hoped it continued. “You and me both,” Billy replied.

At Crimson Lights, Claire informed Victoria that she’d just been with Victor, who’d been on edge when she’d confronted him about what he was trying to do to the Abbotts. Victoria relayed that Nikki had threatened to leave Victor if he didn’t stop, and she hoped it caused Victor to put the brakes on his attack on Jabot. Claire pondered whether Kyle wanted to enlist her help in the Abbotts’ fight against her grandfather. Victoria thought Kyle respected Claire’s feelings too much to put her in that position, but she sensed Claire was still conflicted.

Claire admitted that her trip to L.A. had opened her eyes to a new world she really liked, and she enjoyed spending time with Holden. Victoria questioned what Claire really knew about him. Claire confided that Holden had opened up to her, and most of his questionable past experiences were connected to Audra. Victoria advised Claire to be careful, and Claire commented that her mother sounded like Victor, who’d turned the topic to Holden to avoid talking about the Abbotts. Claire asked if Victor was trying to destroy Jabot just to hurt Jack. Victoria confirmed it was true.

Claire asked if anyone could truly change, citing all the years Victor had held a grudge against Jack. Claire pointed out that everyone in their family except Victor liked Jack, and she couldn’t fathom how the Newmans could sit back and watch Victor try to destroy him. Claire asserted that she wasn’t okay with Victor ruining Jack’s life just because no one had the guts to stand up to her grandfather.

Jack arrived at Society, and he was stunned when Nikki informed him that she’d drawn a line in the sand by threatening to leave Victor. Nikki swore that she loved Victor with everything in her, but it wasn’t the life she wanted. Jack worried Victor wouldn’t change his mind. Nikki wasn’t sure what would happen next, but she was adamant that Victor’s constant attacks against Jack needed to stop for good.

Meanwhile, Victor poured a drink and flashed back to finding Nikki and Jack in the hotel room after Jack had overdosed to shock Nikki into sobriety. His thoughts shifted to Nikki’s threat to leave him if he didn’t end his war with Jack. Victor looked deep in thought.

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