The Young and the Restless Recap for September 4, 2025: Audra and Claire sparred; Nikki and Victor shared romance 

The Young and the Restless recap for Thursday, September 4, 2025, showed Victor and Nikki living their best life, Holden playing referee, and Michael contemplating an offer.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Audra taunted Claire at Society. When she sensed that Claire was pushing back, Audra pushed back harder and played with Claire’s mind. She told her that it was a good thing she dumped Kyle. Holden tried to play referee.

A slightly tipsy Claire called Audra a “malicious, hateful, miserable, bitch.” Audra called Claire naïve. She hammered away at Claire’s insecurities over Kyle. Claire said that she and Holden had been talking about Audra and what a joke she was.

Audra lied that Kyle was so close to kissing her. She reminded Claire that Kyle had kissed her before in Society. Claire noted that Audra kissed Kyle – not the other way around. Undaunted, Audra pointed out to Claire that the two men in her life, Kyle and Holden, are both obsessed with her.

She said Holden didn’t stay in town for the Vespers. Audra wondered what Kyle would think about this “not a date” date. Claire said all Audra knows how to do is try to make trouble. Audra said she hoped Claire would learn the truth about Kyle before it was too late.

After Claire made a crack about Audra’s finances, Audra noted that not everyone has Newman money. Claire asked Audra if Nate finally saw Audra for who she was. That remark prompted Audra to try to strike Claire. Holden used his strong arm to block the attack, telling Audra that she didn’t want to do that.

Claire insisted she could fight her own battles. Audra blasted Claire for trying to poison the Newman family at one point, but she’s the one who’s pathetic when Claire is pathological. Claire stood up to Audra and told her she may be right. Perhaps Claire is the dangerous one, and maybe Audra should be the one to watch her back!

Audra accused Claire of trying to threaten her. Claire quipped that there are so many other ways to hurt someone other than to poison them. Claire said she didn’t want her anywhere near in her life. Audra asked if Claire was afraid of what Kyle might do if she were alone with her. “You should be,” Audra said. “Such a lady,” Audra told Claire; Claire replied, “Such a bitch.” Claire and Holden exited. She told Audra she’d be alone again, and she almost felt sorry for her.

Meanwhile, Michael visited Cane on his train. He poured him a drink and told the attorney that visiting him was a smart move. “I’ll be the judge of that,” Michael cautioned. He complimented Cane on his train. Cane quipped he had it in case he needed to make a quick getaway.

The attorney recapped what Cane had done that had not endeared him to Genoa City. He recollected two men (Damian, Chance) being killed and holding Nick against his will. Michael said that Cane’s presence in Genoa City has increased speculation about his agenda. He accused Cane of wanting to keep everyone off balance. Cane said he only wants what everyone wants. “Word domination?” Michael quipped.

Cane portended to be an open book. Michael wanted to know why Cane invited him and Lauren to France. Cane lamented that he never got to reveal his intentions. “Why did you invite me here tonight?” Michael asked.

Cane asked why Michael accepted the invite. Michael said it was to indulge his curiosity. Cane said Michael was out of work. Michael said he preferred to call it retirement. “I usually lead with the truth. You should try it sometime,” Michael quipped. Cane told Michael that he was too good not to be working.

The train owner asked Michael if he realized it was time for him to get out from under Victor Newman’s boob. Cane asked Michael about working for him. Michael immediately brought up Amanda. Cane said Amanda was great, but he had other duties in mind for Michael. He added that not being afraid of something doesn’t mean the same as welcoming it.

Cane painted an unflattering picture (but arguably accurate) of Victor. What has Victor had to give up? Nothing, Cane said. He called him a swaggering blowhard and noted that Michael was on the sidelines.

Michael said he’d moved on happily from Victor. Cane wondered if Michael would return to something he knew Michael loved under the right circumstances. Cane said he was the right employer and that his employees seemed to enjoy working for him. Michael made a crack about Carter. Cane said he would regret not seeing Carter’s signs of instability. He suggested that Michael was loyal to a fault. “Bingo,” Michael said. He figured out why Cane invited him.

Michael said he wasn’t interested and apologized for wasting Cane’s time. Cane said he hadn’t and convinced Michael to let him put his digits in Michael’s phone. “You added it to my favorites,” Michael shrugged. Cane texted Michael a message that intrigued him.

Michael was impressed with the amount of money that Cane texted him. Cane said Michael missed the life he had, but not working with Victor. Michael said his relationship with Victor was complex and that the good outweighed the bad. He would not betray Victor. Cane said he merely wanted someone to help simplify things. Michael asked Cane for specifics. Cane said he didn’t want to go into too much until client/lawyer confidentiality kicked in.

Holden and Claire arrived at Crimson Lights. Claire asked Esther if the coffee shop served alcohol. Holden asked for coffee. Claire lamented getting into it with Audra. Holden told Claire she had given as good as she had gotten. Claire started to sober up and said she should have held her temper. Holden said she deserved it. “It felt pretty good,” Claire admitted.

“I hate the person I was then,” Claire noted about her wicked past that Audra brought up. Holden said he didn’t know all the details, but encouraged Claire not to beat herself up. Claire confessed that she tried to kill people. Holden said that was a lot, but noted that she got help and is now a solid citizen.

Claire asked Holden what happened with Audra in Los Angeles. Holden shrugged that there wasn’t much to say. He said it was better Claire not know all the details. Claire wondered if what happened was illegal. Claire pushed Holden for details on Los Angeles and Audra. Holden wanted to keep it in the past. Claire wanted to know so she could use it against Audra. Holden said he couldn’t. Claire said she was sorry for pushing.

Victor returned home and called out Nikki’s name. She appeared wearing a beautiful red dress. “Welcome home,” Nikki said with a smile. She reminded Victor of the time he surprised her with a string quartet. Victor was impressed with Nikki putting together a special evening for her husband. “Let me remind you how much I adore you,” Nikki told her husband.

Victor went to pour Nikki a drink, but she snatched the bottle and told her hubby that it was her turn to pamper him. Nikki pointed out that their lives had been filled with chaos, and while the house they’re living in is technically new, it represents so many happy memories. “To the love of my life,” she toasted with a glass of bubbly.

Nikki prepared all of Victor’s favorites. She recapped Victor being shot, the family’s adventure in Nice, and Cole’s death. Gently, Nikki reminded Victor of his interference in Claire’s life. Victor revealed that Cane told him he was going to back off from buying up real estate. Nikki asked if Victor believed that. Victor said he’s been preparing himself since he grew up in the orphanage.

Nikki surmised that Kyle loves Claire as much as Victor loves Nikki. He quipped that might not be possible. Nikki agreed it was impossible to compare their love to anyone else’s. Nikki noted there was one oyster left. Victor said he couldn’t eat anymore. Nikki said the last one is the best one of all. A suspicious Victor examined the oyster, and he found a ring in it. Nikki recollected the pearl ring Victor gave her. “A grain of sand turned into a thing of beauty,” Nikki recalled what Victor said to her. She said it was a metaphor for her life with Victor. She never dreamed she’d live a life like this.

Nikki said she wanted to honor some of her favorite memories. Victor said he wanted to continue to give Nikk gifts. She said she wouldn’t have it any other way. Nikki said Victor’s generosity has made her feel special and loved. Nikki wanted Victor to feel the same way. She presented him with a gift -- a black leather jacket.

Nikki feigned shock that Victor might think she planned the romantic dinner to manipulate them. Victor stated all was fine with the family and that his mind was not on Kyle and Claire, but instead it was on Cane Ashby.

Victor shared that Cane made his fortune because Madame De Leon gave away her fortune to Colin, thinking he was someone else. “If this ever becomes public, it’ll become crippling news,” Victor said.

Nikki asked Victor if he recalled the time in their house when she wore a sexy black negligee and they danced. The episode dissolved to flashbacks of other dances between Victor and Nikki. Back to the present, Victor kissed Nikki as the episode ended on a romantic note with them dancing.

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus.