The Young and the Restless Recap Jan 9: Cane has shocking info for Phyllis
In the Young and the Restless recap for Friday, January 9th, 2026, Jack and Kyle try to make a deal with Victor, Cane has shocking news for Phyllis, and Audra and Holden make up, then he and Claire make out.
The Young and the Restless Recap
At Crimson Lights, Audra and Holden got closer — verbally and physically. Audra was being flirty and Holden reciprocated but also noted how she pushed him away when he came to town. Audra reminded him about the chemistry they once had.
Holden and Audra playfully reenacted the conversation they’d had the first time they met. Audra pulled out her phone and showed him a photo of a portrait she had done of him that he once posed for.
Holden retreated when they talked about their former feelings. He said there were reasons why they didn’t trust one another. Audra smiled and flirtatiously asked if they could be friends with caution. As they giggled together, Claire walked in and stared.
Claire asked Holden if they were on for dinner, and he said that they were. Audra cheerily wished Claire a happy new year and said she hoped they enjoyed their evening. As she walked away, Claire called her back and wanted to know what was up.
Audra told Audra she just didn’t want to fight anymore as it wasn’t worth it. She suggested they both live their own lives. They need to be friends, she said, but they could drop all the resentment. Claire didn’t believe her 180 but Audra wouldn’t fight back and walked away.
Once alone, Claire wanted a better explanation out of Holden. He said that he’d promised Claire that he could get Audra to back off, and he did. Claire still wanted to know what he said to turn it around.
Claire asked Holden if he made a trade with Claire: she would be nice, and he wouldn’t tell their background. Claire noted that whatever happened in L.A. must have been horrible if she was willing to be nice to Claire to hide it.
Holden lightened the mood and said that he had it all under control, and she just didn’t have to worry about Audra anymore. He distracted Claire with a long kiss.
At the GCAC, Cane asked Phyllis why she hadn’t put the brakes on the AI program already, and why she gave it to Victor. Phyllis admitted she wanted Victor to do her dirty work.
Cane pointed out that Phyllis could’ve taken the program and ruled Genoa City by now. She said that she needed Cane.
In a conversation with flirty undertones and innuendos, Phyllis told Cane she needed him because he knew the app’s inner workings, and there wasn’t time for her to figure it out. She said she could get it back, but asked whether Cane was going to work with her on it. Cane said he’d been torn between being who his family wanted him to be and who he’d become.
However, he felt that Lily made her choice by leaving, and now it didn’t matter. He shared the text from Mattie that said she and Charlie wanted to cut ties with him as well.
Cane said that being Dumas made him a success, and it was time for him to embrace that and the lessons that he’d learned. “That’s what I’ve been telling you,” Phyllis said. “Well, I’m finally listening,” Cane replied.
Cane told Phyllis she didn’t need to hack into Victor’s system and steal the AI program back. He said that it had a built-in trigger that could be activated to turn on its host. “It can take out Newman Enterprises the way it took out Arabesque. I can make that happen,” Cane told her.
Phyllis asked why he never told her about the trigger all this time. “Why didn’t you use it on Victor before now?” Phyllis asked. “Because stealing Newman Enterprises wasn’t going to win me back Lily and the kids, but I guess it doesn’t matter anymore,” Cane told her. “Oh my god, we’re going to take Victor down,” Phyllis whispered excitedly.
Next to a sleeping Nick while he recovered from surgery, Sharon was telling him how she’d had it with hospital rooms when Noah and Sienna walked in. Sharon turned her scolding onto her son.
Sharon couldn’t believe that Noah went home and came back out. She said that she questioned his judgment as there was a maniacal man out there trying to kill him, and he was giving him more opportunities.
Sharon was mad that Noah defied her and said that if she could go 48 hours without someone in her family getting hurt or being kidnapped, she’d be a lot better. She said that the doctor said it was a bad break, but the surgery went well.
Nick woke up, and although he was groggy from the drugs wearing off, he wanted to know where Matt was. When he found out Matt was out there, Nick added to Sharon’s scoldings about Noah being out and about.
Noah pointed out that Nick went off with Adam alone deep into the woods and wanted to know what his plan had been. Nick didn’t tell him, and Sharon said he needed rest.
Noah tried calling Victor for an update but it went to voicemail. He and Sienna lamented who was more to blame about Matt being in Genoa City. Noah ended up comforting Sienna and told her not to blame herself.
Back in Nick’s room, Sharon was talking to him when he suddenly grabbed his leg in immense pain. He asked her to go get the nurse.
At the ranch, Jack and Kyle came over to see Victor and Adam. They told him that as they mentioned on the phone, they had Matt Clark and wanted to know what he was worth in a trade. Adam said he was a worthless loser, but Jack asked for Victor’s opinion. Adam accused them of lying, then mocked them for the explanation he refused to let them share.
Jack offered some clarification, and Kyle added that they had all of the Newmans followed. Jack pitched a trade of Matt for the AI program. He said if he didn’t, then they’d set Matt loose.
Adam changed his tune and said that Matt wanted to hurt their family. Jack said the offer was a win-win: safety for both of their families. He asked Victor if he agreed, but he just smiled.
Victor told Jack to release Matt and he’d find him.
As Victor told Jack that just because he’d do anything to protect his family meant that he’d give in to Jack’s desperate attempt to bribe him, Nikki walked in and told him to stop.
In front of Jack, Kyle, and Adam, Nikki pleaded with Victor to give Jack the AI program so that they could get rid of Matt Clark for good. She reminded him that Nick was in the hospital and Noah nearly died already because of him.
Jack and Kyle pitched that they would destroy the app together, and no one would get hurt from it ever again. Nikki asked Victor to do it for her. Victor told Jack to show him proof that he had Matt.
Jabot security brought in Matt.
“What an honor. Two visits with Victor Newman in the same day,” Matt scoffed. Victor told him t was the last one he’d ever have. “How is little rich boy Newman doing? Is he all right? I hope he’s alright. He crashed the car; if I were you wouldn’t let him drive that sweet ride you have out there,” Matt quipped.
Nikki told Matt what she thought of him and how he was a despicable human. “You have no manners,” Matt sighed. He said he expected better hospitality from the Genoa City elite in the room. Adam told him he was lucky he was still breathing.
“You like to play games? This time you won’t get away,” Victor snarled. Jack interrupted him, saying, “Actually, Mr. Clark is in my custody.” He said what happened next depended on if they had a deal or not.
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