The Young and the Restless Recap, November 17, 2025: Phyllis and Cane’s relationship turns passionate

On the Monday, November 17th episode of The Young and the Restless, Audra and Claire clashed, Lily defended Cane, and Cane moved on.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

At Crimson Lights, Claire bumped into Holden, and they hugged. An awkward silence followed, and she remarked that she wasn’t used to him being speechless. He countered that he’d never seen her order such a large coffee at that hour. Claire revealed that she wanted to finish reading a galley proof that night. Holden offered to let her get back to work, but she thought they needed to talk about what had happened in Los Angeles.

Holden joked that he and Claire could say what happened in Hollywood stayed in Hollywood, but she didn’t want things to be weird between them. She reiterated that going to California had been about figuring out who she was and what she wanted, but she wasn’t done looking for answers. Claire raved about the fun she’d had in L.A. with Holden, who’d let her be herself and made her feel safe. She admitted that she hadn’t expected what had happened between them on Halloween, but she still had no regrets.

Holden assumed that Claire wanted to go back to her old life with Kyle, but she confirmed that she and Kyle weren’t getting back together. She added that she also wasn’t ready to jump into another relationship, and she didn’t know if what had happened on Halloween would happen again. Holden respected that Claire wasn’t ready for anything serious, although he was a little disappointed.

Holden suspected that Claire was pulling back from their friendship because of what he’d told her about his history with Audra. Claire assured him that she had no right to judge someone else after what she’d almost done to her own family, and she surmised Holden regretted what he’d done. Holden hesitated to respond, and Claire observed that he didn’t seem sure.

Holden explained that it felt like Claire was watching for him to mess up when he was trying to be open with her. He pointed out that he’d taken a risk by telling her what had happened with Audra, but Claire contemplated whether there was more to the story. Audra entered the coffeehouse and found it sweet that the two were canoodling over coffee. She imagined L.A. had been exciting, and she feigned sympathy for Kyle, who’d lost his girl to a “stone-cold player.”

Claire knowingly bet that L.A. had been even more exciting for Audra back in the day, and she mentioned that Holden had taken her to the Shadow Room. Holden tried to convince Claire to leave with him, but Claire pointedly said she had a lot of work because she had a job. Audra chalked it up to nepotism, and the women exchanged barbs. Claire contended that she could change things with one phone call, and she ordered Audra to stay out of her way. Audra warned that she had no problem crossing any boundary to get Claire to shut up.

Claire taunted that Audra had no job or family, just her mouth and empty threats. Audra threatened to mess up Claire’s pretty face, and Claire lunged at her. Holden intervened and told Claire it wasn’t worth it. Claire noted that Audra hadn’t answered her question, and Audra seemed confused. Claire huffed that everyone would soon find out what it was.

At Society, Chelsea became irritated when Adam was immersed in something on his phone. She distracted him with a kiss, and she grabbed his phone to check out her competition. Adam revealed that he’d been reading a business article about the rumored implosion of Arabesque, with divisions being sold off. Chelsea felt sorry for Cane, but Adam contended that Cane had gotten exactly what he’d deserved. Lily overheard and snapped that Cane hadn’t deserved what the Newmans had done to him.

Lily conceded that her ex had made bad choices, but Cane had been about to destroy the AI software before it had been stolen. Adam argued that Cane wanted her back and would say anything to convince her he was done with his evil ways. Lily reasoned that they all had regrets and wanted second chances, and Cane deserved the same. Chelsea wondered what had changed to make Lily defend Cane.

Lily argued that she was just presenting the facts. Chelsea was confused because Lily had been vocal about her disapproval of Cane, but it felt like Lily had become his cheerleader. Lily swore that she was still very hurt and angry, but she’d softened because Cane was making a genuine effort to make amends. Lily questioned how her family could heal with the relentless public attacks from Newman Media, and she hoped Adam intended to move on to his next victim. Adam declared that what happened to Cane was up to Cane.

Lily requested a ceasefire, but Adam surmised the Newmans were still in Cane’s crosshairs. Lily pleaded that her kids were confused and hurt, and Chelsea piped up that it was all about how sincere Cane was about being willing to redeem himself. Lily insisted that Cane was determined to become a man his children could respect and love, and she asked Adam to ask Victor to back off to give her family a chance to heal. Chelsea urged Lily to talk to Cane about stopping the war he’d started.

Lily opted to stick to her theory that Victor had been behind the AI theft. After she walked away, Chelsea hoped Cane would focus on trying to reunite with Lily and leave the rest of them alone. Adam wasn’t optimistic, since he believed there was more Dumas in Cane than the man Lily was defending. Chelsea worried that Lily was setting herself up for more heartache.

At the bar, Lily sipped a glass of wine and flashed back to the conversations she’d had with Cane since he’d returned to town, including him questioning whether she hadn’t loved him as much as he’d thought.

Over dinner with Cane at the Genoa City Athletic Club, Phyllis cooed that the wine was delicious. Cane indicated that it was from his cellar, and she toasted to living in style. She asked what the dinner was about, since he’d just been talking about rekindling the flame with Lily earlier, before suddenly deciding to move on. Phyllis surmised something had happened that had prompted him to ask her to dinner.

Cane shared that he’d finally accepted reality, but Phyllis quipped that he didn’t accept reality – he made it. Cane simply stated that he was attracted to her, and Phyllis loved it but didn’t trust it. She cited his history of changing his mind and going from one extreme to another, and she anticipated that he might change his mind again. Phyllis reminded him that he’d already jerked her around, so she needed to know what or who he’d put in his rearview mirror.

Cane admitted he’d screwed up because he hadn’t been in control like he’d thought, and he had to deal with the fallout and figure out a path forward. Phyllis recalled that he usually ricocheted from one side to another after Lily rejected him. Phyllis theorized that he’d created Dumas as a shield while he’d built his empire, but the line between Cane and Dumas had blurred when his success had skyrocketed, and he didn’t know who he really was anymore.

Cane remembered Colin saying on his deathbed that Aristotle Dumas was just a name and not a person, and the mask would burn into Cane’s skin if he wasn’t careful. Cane continued that his father had urged him to tell Lily and the twins the truth, but he hadn’t been ready, and it had been arrogant for him to think he could tell them in his own time. Cane imagined that Phyllis found Dumas attractive, and she confirmed that she liked Dumas’ vision and go-for-broke attitude. Cane informed her that he intended to bury Dumas forever.

Phyllis protested that Dumas wasn’t evil and that he just went after what he wanted. Cane bemoaned that he’d wanted to create a legacy for his family to give them security and freedom, but all they saw was the lie, and he’d only succeeded in losing them. Phyllis assured him that he wasn’t alone in the world because he had her, and she would never ask him to be someone different. She encouraged him not to kill Dumas and to “embrace the blur” between his two personas.

Cane pondered how he could become the man he wanted to be for his kids if he maintained his cutthroat side. Phyllis argued that it was attainable because Victor had done it, and she encouraged Cane to fight for both his family and his empire. She added that she knew Cane, and he was too smart not to have a backup plan. Cane asked why it seemed like she also had a plan, and she replied that she always had a plan. He suggested she invite him up to her room for a nightcap to tell him all about it.

In her hotel suite, Phyllis handed Cane a drink, and he prompted her to tell him about her campaign to take over the world. She reasoned that she’d had to figure out something new when he’d changed his plans, and she wondered if he would be interested in investing in a new endeavor. Cane guessed that she’d scooped up Arabesque for pennies on the dollar after stealing the AI software to decimate his company.

Phyllis asked if Cane was trying to kill the mood, and he inquired whether she was trying to punish him. She clucked that he thought he’d earned things when he hadn’t, but he thought she was the one looking for the shortcut. He crossed the room and hovered close to her before turning away to refill his drink.

Phyllis swore she hadn’t stolen the software, and her new venture had nothing to do with him. Cane called her beautiful, wickedly smart, and brilliant at the art of deception. Phyllis purred that they both were, and it was a match made in heaven. He confirmed that he was interested, and she had his attention. They kissed passionately.

Meanwhile, Lily left a voicemail for Cane and apologized for things getting heated between them. She cried that he’d said things that had given her hope, and she’d found herself defending him, but then she’d thought about everything that had happened. She added that she needed time, and maybe he had the patience for it, but maybe he didn’t. Frustrated, she hung up.

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