The Young and the Restless Recap Dec 26: Claire and Audra make a splash, Kyle and Chelsea decide their futures

In The Young and the Restless recap for Friday, December 26, 2025, Kyle makes a decision about his future, Billy and Jack weigh their options, and Sally puts Adam and Chelsea on notice.

The Young and the Restless Recap

At Crimson Lights, Michael brought Lauren up to date on the situation between Victor and the Abbotts and Diane’s request for his help. Michael said he was going to keep his promise never to keep Lauren in the dark, and in doing so, needed her to tell him what to do.

Lauren said Michael needed to decide which was more of a threat: the AI program unleashed on their nearest and dearest — or a double-crossed Victor Newman. Michael wasn’t sure how to prove Victor had the program, let alone figure out where it was stored to get it.

Lauren said that Michael was the only one who could save the day, but wanted him to be well aware of the consequences. She said that even though he’ll see it as helping Victor from himself, Victor will see it as a betrayal, and there is no coming back from that.

Jack went to Billy’s to discuss the Jabot situation. Billy wondered if Jack had made up his mind about working with Phyllis to steal back the AI program, but Jack thought putting his trust in Nikki was the better solution. However, Billy didn’t think they could count on her.

Billy pointed out that Nikki was the love of Victor’s life and vice versa. He said that having Nikki take Jack’s side wouldn’t end well, and Jack knew that. He didn’t understand how Jack could even go along with Nikki trying.

Jack told Billy that Nikki knew better than anyone who Victor was, but thought that this situation pushed her too far. Still, Jack wasn’t sure that Nikki was the sole solution and wanted to come at it from all angles.

Jack admitted to Billy that there were other ways Nikki could handle the AI app, such as not finding it, or never handing it over at all. Jack was worried about what Phyllis would do with the app if she stole it back. Billy said it was a better option than relying on Nikki. Jack said whoever got it away from Victor for them, once they had it they would destroy the program. Billy agreed.

Sally saw Adam at the GCAC bar and took the opportunity to confront him about his fake news hit pieces. She said he missed another headline: that he was a changed man. The two bickered about his journalistic integrity. Sally pointed out that he didn’t care that he ruined her launch party and said that all Adam cared about was doing his father’s bidding.

Adam sighed that he hadn’t meant to hurt Sally, but she got him to admit that he did want to hurt Billy. Sally said that she didn’t know what was worse, that Adam did it intentionally, or that it didn’t even faze him. She said that when they were together, he had a conscience and tried not to be like Victor, but now it seemed like he was turning into him.

Adam swore he wasn’t out to hurt Jack, but Sally told him that the shot fired was straight from Victor. Adam repeated that he used verified sources but Sally asked him to listen to himself.

Adam tried to turn the tables and said that Billy was the one influencing Sally and getting her to believe the lies he tells himself. Sally insisted that Billy had changed for the better. Adam got under her skin by saying that Billy could never change. Chelsea interrupted, wanting peace for the holidays.

Sally warned them that she could weaponize Abbott Communications against their businesses and families as well before leaving. Once alone, Chelsea told Adam that Sally was right, and she was done pretending everything was okay. 

At Adam’s Newman Media office, Chelsea told him that if he wanted to attack the Abbotts, he should count her out. 

At Society, Claire ran into Kyle and showed him photos from her Christmas at Newman Ranch. Kyle noted that Nick and his family weren’t there for much of it, and that Nikki and Victor didn’t do their usual pose in front of the tree while Victor gave a speech about family. Claire agreed there was some tension.

Claire said that she’d realized the problems Victor had with the Abbotts ran pretty deep and was sad that it affected her grandparents’ relationship. Kyle told her that Jack had shared the ultimatum Nikki gave her husband, and said that Victor’s hatred for his family overruled everything, even Nikki’s love.

Claire defended Victor, especially when Kyle said that Victor was unhinged and needed to be stopped at any cost. Claire wondered if Kyle only told her about what was happening with Victor so she could influence her grandfather. Kyle said Jack did want that, but Kyle told him it wouldn’t feel right.

Claire was grateful that Kyle didn’t put her in that position. “But…if you were to volunteer to help us, I wouldn’t turn you down,” Kyle added, making Claire’s smile fade quickly. Claire said she felt responsible for her grandmother’s drinking at that time, but could see Victor’s point that Jack’s radical solution endangered Nikki’s life. She told Kyle she had to remain neutral.

Kyle understood and wanted to change the subject. Kyle told her the Newmans were having a post-Christmas party for the kids, and that he was getting Ms. Martinez to take Harrison. Holden interrupted and asked Claire if she had eaten without him. Kyle quickly turned to look at Claire, realizing she had plans with Holden.

Kyle staunchly stood up to leave. Claire asked if she could see Harrison later. Kyle snapped that she should call first, and then suggested she wait til the ranch party to see him instead. He pouted that he’d leave them to their breakfast and stomped off. 

Claire asked Holden to give her a sec and chased after Kyle. Outside, she told him she knew it was hard on him. In a sudden change of tone, Kyle told her it was okay she wanted space. Kyle said he was tired of trying to convince her that he was the one for her. He added that she needed to live her life the way she wanted, and so did he. “With everything my family is going through right now, they need my focus and attention,” he added.

Kyle told Claire that they had some good moments, but it wasn’t meant to be. He said he hoped she found happiness in whatever it was that she was hoping to find. Kyle walked away, but neither saw Audra listening around the corner. She grinned happily to herself after Claire went back inside.

When Audra came into Society, she mocked Holden about Claire, who was in the restroom. She came back as Audra was asking if she was drying her tears. Claire warned Audra she wasn’t in the mood for her, and Audra understood as she’d witnessed her and Kyle’s drama outside. Audra mocked her for getting dumped by one boyfriend while the other waited to have a sunrise Vesper with her. Audra asked if Claire was so heartless that she didn’t care that she was playing both men. Claire grabbed a drink off the nearest table and threw it in Audra’s face.

Jack saw Kyle at the GCAC and asked if he was okay. Kyle told him he just made a decision that was going to change his life forever.