The Young and the Restless Recap, September 5, 2025: Adam wants Victor to use Cane's AI software

Here's your recap for The Young and the Restless episode that aired on Friday, September 5, 2025.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

At Crimson Lights, Michael left a message on Lauren's phone. She was in New York working on Christine's wedding gowns. The attorney let his spouse know that he had a job offer. Phyllis overheard her pal and asked who the lucky boss was. Phyllis asked Michael if Victor had thrown him a bone. Michael said no. An inquisitive Phyllis asked Michael if he was joining a new firm or going back to the district attorney's office. She speculated it would need to be something big. Michael said he wasn't going to tell her anything.

"It's Cane," Phyllis guessed. She pressed for Michael to tell her the truth. Phyllis wondered why Cane would need Amanda and Michael. "I know I'm right," Phyllis teased. Michael countered that he hadn't decided to work with anyone. Phyllis said Michael betrayed her when he defended Sharon. Michael pointed out that she was innocent. He had an idea she was, or else he wouldn't have taken the case.

Phyllis said that Michael's decision to help Sharon was hurtful. "You were always a person I could count on," Phyllis said. Michael said he missed their friendship. Phyllis offered to wipe the slate clean if Michael told her for whom he was working.

Phyllis said they're both on Cane's payroll, so it's just one employee sharing info with another. She claimed to be Cane's second in command. Michael theorized that if he asked Cane if Phyllis was in his inner circle, he'd confirm it. Phyllis told Michael that, despite her feelings about him, he's the best attorney out there. If Cane offers him something, Phyllis thinks that Michael should take it.

Victor told Adam that they needed to wait until Nick and Victoria arrived for their meeting. Adam said it sounded serious. Victor said it was. Adam pointed out that Vicki hadn't been back to work since Cole died. Overhearing him, Victoria appeared and told him she was back. Nick asked if they were going to war with Cane. Adam wanted to know if they were already in one.

Victor shared with his kids that Cane has developed an Artificial Intelligence software that will give him the edge in business. Victor said Cane could transfer large sums of money from a company. Vicki said this was how Cane planned on grabbing Newman, Jabot, and Chancellor Industries. Victor said Cane has to be stopped.

Victor said he already had it handled after his kids asked how they could stop Cane. Victor shared the information that Colin swindled Madame de Leon out of her money. Vicki wondered if Cane was in on the scheme. Victor felt he was. Vicki asked what was going to happen next.

Victor said he didn't hate Cane, but he has the option of exposing him. Adam said if they put the screws to Cane, he'd hand them the AI software. Vicki wondered what Victor would do once he got hold of Cane's technology. Victor said he had many options. Both Nick and Vicki hoped that Victor wouldn't use the AI software in the way Cane would. Adam wondered how illegal it could be to use a weapon that doesn't even exist.

Michael showed up to talk to Victor. He agreed to give the lawyer 15 minutes. Victor dismissed his children so he could talk to Michael. Nick told Michael to be careful what he asked for as he exited Victor's office.

Victor told Michael to forget it if he wanted his job back. Michael said he had a better offer from Cane Ashby. Michael said he received an offer from Cane, but that he may not have accepted it. Victor knew Cane would offer Michael a job, which is why he invited him and Lauren to France.

Victor asked Michael what he wanted. "I just, well, I wanted to tell you before you heard it from someone else," Michael said. Victor quipped that he thought it was Lauren who made such decisions. Victor asked Michael what it was that he was after. Michael asked if Victor missed their friendship. He added he wasn't too proud to say that he did.

Victor scoffed when Michael said that he had to talk over Cane's offer with Lauren. Michael wondered if not working for Victor had dulled his senses. He put together that Victor wanted Michael to work for Cane while secretly reporting to Victor. That would be his way back in the door. Victor asked Michael if he thought that was why Michael came to see him.

In Chancellor Park, Lily told Cane that she saw the video that he made for Charlie and Mattie, and it touched her. Lily said she had to watch the video several times to see the man she used to love and trust. She conceded she saw a flicker of that, which led to her feeling emotional.

Lily wondered if this was the start of Cane digging himself out of a hole. She advised Cane to let Mattie and Charlie come to him. Cane said he hated that he hurt Lily. It was the last thing he wanted to do. He wants Lily to know he's sincere. Lily cautioned that she'd love to believe that Cane's priorities have changed, but she couldn't just take him at his word.

Lily asked Cane if he thought the video would be a quick fix. Cane said what he'd done was for Lily's benefit and for Charlie's and Mattie's benefit, too. Lily doesn't believe that Cane was putting aside his big plans. "You lied to us for six years," Lily said to Cane. She added that real change can't happen overnight. Lily said it'd take a lot more truth and openness on Cane's part to get Lily to change her mind. She asked if Cane could do that.

Cane told Lily that he had put his plans to bed so he didn't have to tell Lily what they were. Lily said if he were to tell her, then it would prove that the man she loved still existed. Just then, Phyllis approached. She wondered if this was a private party or if anyone could join.

Cane asked Phyllis to keep going. Cane denied to Lily that he and Phyllis were not working together. Phyllis said it was just on hold. Lily tried to leave. Cane said he and Lily were in the middle of an important talk. Lily said they weren't.

Cane tried to get Lily to stay, but she left. Cane yelled at Phyllis and blamed her. "Are you kidding me?" Phyllis asked. She suggested Cane take Lily to his train if he wanted privacy. Phyllis apologized for talking about their business in front of Lliy. She added that Lily thinks they are through.

Phyllis added that the sparks weren't quite there with him and Lily any longer. Cane asked Phyllis if she was finished. She said yes. "Don't you ever discuss my private life with me again, do you understand me?" Cane ordered Phyllis before walking away.

Meanwhile, Adam, Victoria, and Nick met in Adam's office. Adam wondered who would blame Victor if he used the AI software to his own ends. "Umm, everybody," Nick deadpanned. Adam countered that they'd just be jealous. Vicki didn't see how that could work. Adam said they'd respect the Newmans for their actions if they were to use AI. Nick noted that this sounded like the same old Adam.

Vicki said it'd be better to be able to sleep at night than to be naive. Adam said they need to keep an open mind. He wanted Newman to have a huge head start. Vicki said it'd be immoral. Nick noted it would be illegal. "Only if we get caught," said Adam.

Adam said he was joking about getting caught -- sort of. He suggested that they wait and see how this develops. Adam said he's putting his money on Victor. Nick agreed, but he didn't put it past Cane to hang onto the software. He may have already started. Nick said that the company could already be under attack. He reminded his siblings that Cane stayed hidden for six years, so he's clever. "Trust me, this is far from over," Nick cautioned.

Victoria asked how it was going with Nick and Cane's friendship. Nick said it wasn't. He couldn't get Cane to open up and become his pal. Vicki said she knew someone whom Nick could get information from -- Phyllis. "She is a hacker," Adam noted. Nick said they didn't know that Phyllis had hacked anything for Cane. Nick refused to get close to his ex-wife to spy on her. Victoria said Nick needed to become Phyllis's confidante once again.

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