The Young and the Restless recap, October 7: Nikki Newman and Jill Abbott spar over Cane 

Here's your recap for the Tuesday, October 7, 2025, episode of The Young and the Restless.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Phyllis spied Victor at Society and commented on what a beautiful day it was. Victor invited a surprised Phyllis to join him. "I hope this means you're taking care of the bill," Phyllis quipped. Victor said that he didn't understand why Phyllis would agree to conspire with "the lowest of the low." Phyllis said she was insulted by Victor's characterization of her connection to Cane. She said she was giving Cane expertise and loyalty. Victor said blind loyalty can be dangerous.

Phyllis said she was getting everything by working for Cane. In fact, the redhead said that she was already seeing things unfold. Like what, Victor asked. "Seeing the great Victor Newman rattled," Phyllis said. Then, she poured herself some coffee and ordered some French toast with sugar.

Victor asked Phyllis if it had occurred to her that she was trying to warn her. Phyllis said that she and Cane were strong and they were going right to the top. Victor pointed out that Cane may harm Nicholas and Summer. "That doesn't matter to you, does it? You're that desperate. Why do I ask that question? You always were."

Phyllis said she'd never hurt her kids. Victor countered that she did that when she faked her death. Phyllis stated that she and her kids worked all that out, and they're doing fine. She pointed out to Victor that he's only Victor because people tremble before him. "Let me tell you something," Victor schooled Phyllis. "If I lost everything tomorrow, I'd be as ruthless as I am now."

Victor said that Cane was delusional. Phyllis said she was tired of being dismissed. She said that Cane respected her. Victor said that respect is earned, not given. "Come to think of it, you and Cane Ashby...it fits," Victor said. He noted they were both cravenly ambitious. He pointed out that she tried to hitch her wagon to Nicholas (his son), Jack, and Billy -- and that didn't work.

Victor said that Cane deserves the inevitable fall. She suggested to Victor that Cane was allying himself with her. She claimed to bring a lot to the table. Phyllis planned on grabbing the brass ring. Victor said that the meal should be put on his tab, and then he walked out.

Nicholas ran into his father outside Society. Victor told Nick to stay in town due to the Cane situation. Nick objected, but Victor remained firm. He advised his son not to have breakfast at Society. Nick was frustrated by his dad's command. He walked in and saw Phyllis. "You and your dad playing good cop/bad cop?" Phyllis quipped. She told her ex about Victor inviting Phyllis to join him and Victor being his usual superior self. She asked Nick why he was there and not in Los Angeles with Noah and Sharon. "We're going to handle Cane," Nick assured Phyllis.

She noted Cane hadn't even made a move, yet everyone was turned upside down by him. Phyllis suggested that Cane has Victor's cage rattled. Nick told Phyllis that Cane was diabolical. Nick pointed out that his family would be affected by Cane. Phyllis said she was sorry about that, but she wished Nick could have seen things from her perspective. "You are enough," Nick said, which took Phyllis by surprise.

He told her that she didn't need to team up with someone like Cane. Nick asked Phyllis if the only person who was underestimating her was herself. Nick called his ex brilliant and intuitive. He told her she hides behind her anger. "Cane is not a solution for you," Nick noted.

Phyllis turned the tables and asked Nick what he truly wanted deep down inside. Nick accused her of deflecting; Phyllis countered that if she were doing that, then she would have offered him a piece of her French toast. Nick said he just wanted his kids to be happy. Phyllis pointed out that Nick was trapped taking daddy's orders. Nick said what he was searching for was right in front of him all along.

"Oh, my goodness, wow. 'There's no place like home,'" said a sarcastic Phyllis. Nick told Phyllis that she was correct. Phyllis told Nick that she wasn't lucky. She didn't get a daddy who handed her part of his cooperation. Phyllis recalled that her dad went to prison and that he hated her for turning him in for his illegal activities. Nick compared Phyllis's dad to Cane. Phyllis dramatically grabbed her neck as if Nick had a choke chain on her. Nick seriously asked Phyllis if she wanted her kids to have a parent who was in jail. "It wouldn't be the first time," Phyllis quipped. Nick asked her not to joke. She didn't need Cane. "It's more fun," Phyllis said. Nick advised that this would not turn out well for Nick. He suggested she work with Summer at Marchetti. Phyllis said she needed something more powerful and glamorous. Phyllis said if Nick wanted to help, then he could get out of her way.

Meanwhile, Nikki greeted Jill at the Newman ranch. Jill passed on Nikki's offer for tea, but got right into spilling it -- regarding Victor, Jack, and Cane. Nikki said there was something she wanted to get off her chest. She wanted to say thank you to Jill for not blocking her from running Katherine's company.

Nikki added that she would think of Katherine every time she had to make a decision. "Do you regret selling the company?" Nikki asked Jill. She said that she regretted losing her relationship with Billy. Jill thanked Nikki for the note she sent to her after Chance had died. Nikki said the entire town feels the threat that Cane poses. She wanted to know what Jill planned on doing to stop him.

Jill wondered why Nikki thought she could control Cane. Nikki pointed out that Jill didn't reveal Cane's billions or his new identity as Aristotle Dumas. Jill urged Nikki to get her facts straight. She visited Colin after she sold Chancellor. Jill said Colin asked her to stay quiet. "Your silence could take everything from us," Nikki said.

Nikki couldn't believe Jill was content to sit back and let Cane try to take over all these companies, including Katherine Chancellor's company. Jill reminded Nikki that Cane once ran Chancellor. Nikki wondered why Jill couldn't see what was right in front of her. The two disagreed on whether or not Cane was a decent man.

Nikki admitted that it must have been difficult for Jill to be with Billy and Cane, given their relationship. Jill realized that she made Billy feel the same way Katherine did. "She loved you very much," Nikki told Jill about Kay. Jill said Cane is confused, and he's grappling with the Aristotle Dumas persona he created and losing his family.

Nikki maintained that Cane was ruthless and was out for blood from the Newmans, the Abbotts, and maybe, the Winterses. Nikki told Jill she may be their last hope. "No pressure there," Jill responded.

Jill told Nikki she was overreacting. Nikki said that she wasn't alone in thinking Cane was a threat. Victor entered and welcomed Jill. She said she didn't feel like she had a choice. Victor asked if Nikki treated Jill with grace. "I tried my best," Nikki responded. She added that Jill was particular. "What can I say? I know what I want." Jill responded. "Don't we all," Victor noted. Nikki said that Jill was willing to give Cane the benefit of the doubt. Victor offered to change her mind. "Don't count on it," Jill shot back.

Esther told Sharon at Crimson Lights that she was happy she was going to see Noah in Los Angeles, especially given Chance's death. Katherine Chancellor's former maid said it was important to keep loved ones close. Esther hoped that Mariah would be safe and home soon. Sharon called Esther a godsend for taking care of Crimson Lights. Esther urged Sharon to get going to the airport. "Did I mention that you are a godsend?" Sharon asked again.

Just then, Daniel and Tessa entered. Sharon asked for an update on Mariah. Tessa told Sharon that she and Daniel went to the hotel and bar where Mariah stayed. She said the bartender remembered Mariah. Tessa lamented investigating Mariah, as Sharon had warned her not to. But Sharon felt that Tessa's love for Mariah could bring her back to them.

Daniel and Tessa recapped that Mariah was drinking alone, and she developed an instant connection with a mystery man. It appeared that Mariah and the man went upstairs to one of their rooms. Sharon feared this was the case. Tessa clarified that they didn't sleep together. "It's actually so much worse than that," she previewed.

Sharon asked if they had located the man, Will Hensley. Tessa revealed that she had searched for him on the web. "He's a lot older than I expected," Sharon said upon seeing his photo. Daniel said Hensley checked out a few hours later. Daniel said Hensley seemed shaken and couldn't wait to get out. Sharon wondered if he had tried to hurt Mariah. Tessa said Mariah left the next day.

Sharon put together that Mariah got drunk, met this man, and they both left. She wondered what the worst part was. Tessa revealed that Mariah told her that she tried to kill someone. "Mariah? That's not possible," Sharon said. Tessa said that it's not a stretch to think that Hensley was the man Mariah almost murdered.

Tessa wondered if Hensley had triggered in Mariah memories of Ian Ward, causing her to act out. Danial theorized that the person whom Mariah tried to kill was Hensley. He suspected that Hensley could have been seeking retribution.

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