The Young and the Restless Recap, September 30: Jill Foster Abbott announces her return to Genoa City 

Here’s your recap for The Young and the Restless, Tuesday, September 30, 2025

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Claire “crashed” Nikki and Victoria’s lunch at Society. The newly promoted exec asked her grandmother for a vacation. Claire said she wanted to do touristy things in Los Angeles. Nikki urged her granddaughter to take not just one week, but two!

Claire informed the two women that Kyle would not be going with her as they'd broken up. Vicki and Nikki were shocked. Nikki wondered if Kyle had done something, but Claire said he hadn’t. Claire noted that Cole and Vicki, and Nikki and Victor, have had their ups and downs. Nikki pointed out Victor came around on Kyle. Claire said this is about her and not being emotionally ready. She said she jumped in too quickly.

Vicki said she was proud of Claire for wanting to take charge of her life. Just then, Diane entered society and overheard Claire say that she and Kyle weren’t together anymore. Claire said she needed to have a conversation with Harrison. Claire said Kyle was stunned by their breakup. “Excuse me, did I overhear correctly?” Diane asked Claire. She apologized for Diane learning that way. “Serves her right for eavesdropping,” Nikki snarked.

“I can’t believe this,” Diane said. Claire said she appreciated Diane and Kyle’s support. Diane asked if Claire realized that Kyle’s heart would be broken. Nikki advised Diane to butt out. Diane acknowledged Kyle made mistakes, but they were for Claire’s benefit. Diane said that yes, Kyle did kiss Audra, but it was to ultimately help Claire. She pointed out that some of this was Victor’s fault. Nikki defended her husband by pointing out that Victor had made a complete turnaround on Kyle.

Diane asked Nikki to spare her the defense of “Saint Victor.” Diane urged Claire to realize that Kyle made the wrong decisions for the right reasons. Claire said she was breaking up with him because she didn’t know how to love a man like Kyle back. Diane walked away.

At Jabot, Kyle shared with Jack that Claire broke up with him. The younger Abbott lamented that he had screwed the whole thing up, and he couldn’t change it. Kyle told his dad he had a hard time believing that Claire broke up with him over her not being ready. Kyle suggested to Claire that her issues were fixable, but her mind was made up.

Jack said he could believe what Claire had done. Kyle couldn’t believe Jack could be taking Clarie’s side. The Abbott patriarch said he was always on the side of his son. Jack did say that Claire had a case. “What if Claire is just being honest that she was not ready for this?” Jack offered. He said she might need time to figure things out.

Jack pointed out that Claire needed time to figure out her own heart. Kyle conceded that Claire’s upbringing was challenging, but that doesn’t make the pain of their breakup any easier to bear. Jack and Kyle embraced.

Jack moved on to business with Kyle about a new fragrance. He asked Kyle if he had gotten some contracts back. A distracted Kyle said he should pick up Harrison from school. Kyle said he didn’t want to upset Harrison.

Just then, Diane entered with the lunch order from Society that she had picked up. Diane let her son know that she ran into Claire, and she knew about the breakup. Kyle was surprised that Claire was going to Los Angeles. Diane mused that Claire just wants some time away. Kyle said that Jack had already given him the defense of Claire speech. He wondered if Diane was going to take her side, too.

Diane assured Kyle that she was not defending Claire. She just needed time, and they may reunite. Kyle concurred that Claire herself said that this separation may not be forever. He lamented that she may discover she never really loved him at all. Diane gently noted it’d be better if Kyle found that out now, and not later.

Meanwhile, back at Society, Vicki suggested that they put a pin in their conversation. Victoria asked her daughter why go to Los Angeles? Claire revealed Holden would be there, and he should show her around. Nikki said that she met Holden once when he went by Damian. Claire asked her grandmother not to hold that against him.

Vicki urged Claire not to jump from the frying pan into the fire. Claire said that she and Holden were just pals. Claire added she’d never gotten on a plane and gone on an adventure. She recalled that Cole offered to take her on a carousel ride, but they never got to do that. Vicki agreed with Claire that she had every right to experience nice things in life.

Vicki paid the lunch tab after Claire left. Nikki felt that Claire was like Vicki; in turn, Vicki thought Claire was like Nikki. Vicki said that Holden has ties with Cane and a past with Audra Charles. “Strike two!” cried out Nikki. Vicki said that nothing will deter Claire from going to Los Angeles.

Vicki pointed out that Nick, Sharon, and Noah will be in Los Angeles, too. Maybe Nick could check in on Claire? Vicki wondered if they were trying to intervene in Claire’s life. Nikki said they were. “She’ll be fine,” Vicki stated.

Claire ran into Kyle at Chancellor Park. He told her he knew she was going to Los Angeles. Kyle asked Claire what she was running from. Was she that desperate to get away from him? Claire acknowledged that Kyle was upset. Kyle wasn’t sure Claire understood. Claire explained her choice was about her. “Holden? Where is that coming from?” Claire asked after Kyle asked if this was about Holden. Kyle wanted to know if Claire was dumping him to spend time with Holden?

At Crimson Lights, Tessa told Sharon that she was going to start investigating Mariah’s story. Tessa told a concerned Sharon that she had thought about this a lot and that this was the only way to save her marriage. Tessa noted that whatever happened caused Mariah to become a shell of herself. She doesn’t believe Mariah should have to do this alone. Sharon expressed her gratitude that Mariah had someone fighting for her.

Sharon offered to cancel her trip to Los Angeles with Nick so that she could stay in Genoa City and look in on Aria. Tessa said that wouldn’t be necessary as Lucy would be checking in, and she trusted the nanny. Sharon showed concern that Tessa was going alone, but Tessa shared that Daniel was going with her.

A guarded Sharon said she noticed Daniel taking guitar lessons from Tessa. Sharon wondered about Lucy, but Tessa said that Danny would keep an eye on her. Sharon got emotional and choked up about what might have happened with Mariah. She wanted to let her daughter work it out on her own, but Sharon wanted to help her, too. Tessa refused to turn her back on the woman she loved.

Sharon asked Tessa if she realized that this could work out adversely if Mariah saw Tessa’s actions as a betrayal. Tessa said she was willing to risk it. Sharon realized why Tessa needed to do what she needed to do, but noted that Mariah may not see things the same way she does. Tessa said she had to do something. Daniel entered and overheard Tessa say that she’d do anything to help Mariah.

Daniel theorized they could find something bad, something unforgivable. Sharon noted it wasn’t too late for Tessa to change her mind. Tessa refused. She wanted to find out the truth. Sharon said she wouldn’t argue with Tessa any longer. She wished her luck and asked Tessa to promise to be careful.

Jill was surprised to see Sally using Billy’s computer for a video conference. Sally told Jill that she had fallen in love with her son and that there was a real problem. Jill accused Sally of never having changed. Sally countered that she was just trying to impress Jill. Billy’s mother said she had no time for flattery and to get to the point. Jill didn’t take it well when Sally gently pointed out that some of Billy’s problems originated with how he felt he was treated by his mother.

Sally said it wasn’t her place to agree or disagree with Billy, but that he did want to get Chancellor Industries back. “And he honestly thinks he can?” Jill marveled.

Sally said Jill answered the call when she thought it was Billy. She noted that Jill must love Billy if she answered. Jill asked Sally if Billy missed her. She couldn’t answer. Jill asked why Sally had called. What had Billy done? Jill said Jack called her, too. Sally said that Chancellor had become an obsession with him.

Jill was sorry to hear what Billy was going through and wanted to know what she could do. Jill said Victor would never sell Chancellor Industries back to her even if she asked. Sally said there was another way to fix this.

Sally shared that Billy had announced he was giving up on going after Chancellor. Jill was happy to hear that. Sally added that Billy was floundering. Jill asked Sally if she regretted walking away from Marchetti. Jill figured out that Sally was looking for a new investor for Abbott Communications.

Sally confirmed that Billy knew nothing about her approaching Jill about being an investor. Jill figured out that Sally was giving her a way to take a first step with Billy. Sally said they could both benefit. All Jill had to do was say yes.

Jill told Sally that she’d consider her idea and that she was coming to Los Angeles. They could discuss things further. Jill complimented Sally by telling her she now sees what Billy was attracted to.

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