The Young and the Restless Recap Dec 30: Holden horrifies Audra, Michael gets bought, Jack gets Nikki decision
In The Young and the Restless recap for Tuesday, December 30th, 2025, Victor buys Michael’s loyalty, Holden decides to tell Claire everything, and Nikki disappoints Jack.
The Young and the Restless Recap
At Society, Jack and Billy met. Billy noted that Nikki was taking a long time to get back to him about being able to help with the AI app. Jack gave her the benefit of the doubt because it was the holidays and she was probably busy with family. Just then, Victor approached their table, smug as ever.
After some insults were traded, Jack hoped the ball dropped on Victor this New Year’s. Victor asked them whose decision it was to dismantle Jabot and why. Billy retorted that Victor was always the reason. Jack told Victor that he would burn Jabot to the ground before he would let Victor attack it. Victor clapped back that Jack had lit the match and had already undone in weeks what took John Abbott decades to build.
Billy warned Victor that he was going down so hard that his head was going to spin. Victor mocked Jack for his PSA about Jabot being fine. Jack told him that they’d won as many battles as they’d lost but this time, they had the upper hand, although he didn’t see it yet. “You picked this fight, my friend. Now you’re about to lose it,” Jack said.
Victor wondered how many millions Jack had already lost trying to save Jabot. Jack said the only thing he’d lost was his appetite, then he and Billy left. Victor took out his phone and called Michael, telling him to meet him at Society.
Michael came as soon as he could, and Victor asked him if he knew of any plan the Abbotts had. Michael reminded Victor that Jabot was all they had left of their father’s legacy, and would do anything to save it. Victor said he’d go to any length to ensure they didn’t succeed.
Victor ordered Michael to go behind the scenes at Jabot and find out what they were up to. Then he wondered why Michael never followed through on the plans they made. After pointing out that Michael kept telling him he wanted their friendship back, Victor gave him a gift.
Michael was stunned when he realized Victor’s present was an original Roman coin, with the emperor Antonius Pius on one side and the goddess of loyalty on the other. Michael said that it was invaluable and didn’t know what he did to deserve it. Victor cited the night that Ian Ward was going to shoot him, and Michael could have left but stayed by his side.
Victor warned Michael that by accepting the coin, he would require Michael’s complete loyalty as he moved forward with his plans. Michael assured Victor he had his loyalty.
At the Abbott mansion, Jack was sure that Victor was putting on an act, but Billy said that Victor held the cards unless Nikki or Michael betrayed him. Billy said that he wanted Victor to lose everything that meant something to him.
Jack said that once again, Billy sounded like his desires for revenge were different than Jack’s and that he was concerned that Billy’s anger and rage would get the best of him. Billy snapped that he didn’t need to worry about that, as they wanted the same thing: to stop Victor from taking their family company, and that was all.
Nikki called Jack and offered to come over. Billy and Jack hoped it was a good sign. When Nikki arrived, Billy had left, but she told Jack that she had an update.
Nikki told Jack that although her head was telling her to stand strong in her ultimatum, after spending Christmas with Victor, her heart wouldn’t let her go through with it. Nikki apologized for disappointing Jack but said she’s not sure it would have worked, anyway.
“He’s too dug in,” Nikki added. “I thought you were, too,” Jack retorted. She said she was still committed to stopping anything she could and if there was another tactic, then she’d do it. Nikki truly believed that love would win out over Victor’s hatred.
Audra visited Sally, who gave her a present despite their agreement not to exchange gifts. Audra was thrilled to get a handbag she’d been hoping to buy as a reward for Vibrante being a success. Sally told her she deserved it regardless and wanted her to have it. Audra didn’t think anyone had ever done something so considerate for her.
Audra told Sally she’d run into Noah and that he was looking quite fine. She appreciated Sally being her only friend and said she would work that much harder to prove the haters wrong. She explained that she had another run-in with Claire and was ready to put her in her place once and for all.
Sally wondered what triggered Claire to throw a drink in Audra’s face. Audra shared how she’d overheard Kyle dumping Claire, and that she mentioned it to Claire, and accused her of playing Kyle and Holden. Sally was glad Audra didn’t strike back in the moment and wanted her to let it go in the future, but Audra said she’d get her revenge when the time was right.
Sally didn’t see the point of keeping the negative energy alive, especially with a Newman. Audra thought Claire needed to learn a lesson, and she was the one to teach it.
Sally noted that Audra had previously alluded to the fact that her history with Holden in L.A. had gotten pretty bad. She hoped that whatever it was, Claire wouldn’t find out and use it against her. Audra was distressed at the thought, but told Sally that no one would ever find out what happened in L.A.
Audra stopped herself from getting too carried away and said she was just uptight about what happened with Claire. She brushed off her and Holden’s history and said the timing of it coming up made it seem like a bigger deal than it was.
Sally was relieved, noting that she had started to wonder whether Audra and Holden had covered up a major crime or something. When Billy came home, Audra bailed, leaving Billy to think that she always left when he came in.
Sally said it was because she brought up her time in L.A. and was concerned that Audra was covering up a major secret. Billy thought it was another reason not to trust her. Sally defended her friend, but Billy told her that Audra was trouble.
Claire and Holden ran into one another in the park, and she apologized for their breakfast going sideways after throwing water in Audra’s face. Claire didn’t regret that part of it, just that she left so abruptly afterward.
Holden was surprised and thought it was out of character for Claire, but she thought it was eye for an eye, given how Audra had treated her. Holden said he’d get Audra in line, but Claire brought up his history and what happened in L.A. between him and Audra. She said she’d get to the bottom of it, regardless of how much he wanted to share.
Claire thought it was information that would tell her a lot about Audra and Holden, and that was info about him that she should know. Claire shared that Kyle decided not to wait for her anymore; Holden wondered how she felt about that.
Claire was surprised that Kyle ended things so suddenly, although she knew he wasn’t aware she was still spending time with Holden. Claire said at least now she was free to do whatever she wanted with whoever she wanted, without worrying about hurting Kyle. Holden asked if they could have a real date and bring in the new year together.
Claire agreed, but on the condition that he told her the truth about L.A. and Audra. Holden warned Claire she wasn’t going to like what she was going to hear, but she said she’d take her chances.
Holden and Claire went to Crimson Lights, where Esther was happy to see that they were together. Audra came in, so Claire went to the patio for fresh air.
Holden told Audra to stop provoking the situation with Claire and let it go. He said if she didn’t, it was going to grow into something she would regret.
Holden warned Audra that he was going to tell Claire everything. Audra could hardly contain herself, noting that Holden had more to lose than she did, and asked if he was really willing to take that risk. Holden didn’t answer and walked out to the patio.