The Young and the Restless Recap, December 15, 2025: Victor uses Jack’s defensive moves against him

On the Monday, December 15th episode of The Young and the Restless, Billy and Sally launched Abbott Communications, Lily and Cane created a stir, and Victor attacked Jack in the media.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

On the Crimson Lights patio, Cane pulled away from his kiss with Phyllis and declared that it was a mistake. He stressed that he’d told her they could have been friends, but she’d be his enemy from then on because she’d played him, lied to him, and screwed him over. “Back at you,” she indignantly replied. Cane leaned in close. “No way in hell,” he growled into her ear, and he walked away.

Inside the coffeehouse, Phyllis ran into Daniel and Tessa. Phyllis tried to make a quick exit, and Daniel voiced surprise that she had no nosy questions or unsolicited advice. Phyllis announced that she was going to the Abbott Communications launch party, but Daniel questioned why she’d support Billy after he’d screwed her over. Daniel surmised that his mother only wanted to cause problems, and he warned her not to crash the party. Phyllis revealed that she’d been invited.

Phyllis suggested that Daniel be her plus-one if he was worried. Daniel agreed to go with her to keep her from making trouble, but he wanted Tessa to go with them. Phyllis protested that she only had a plus-one and not a plus-two. Daniel revealed that he had his own invite, and he knew Tessa was free that night. Phyllis urged him not to pressure Tessa, but Daniel insisted that Tessa’s presence would make what might be an unpleasant evening less unpleasant. Tessa agreed to go, and Phyllis forced a smile.

Cane met Lily at the Athletic Club bar, and she complained that he wasn’t wearing the retro attire that had been part of their deal. She directed him to Fenmore’s, and he said he’d be back as he ran into Abby and Devon on his way out. Abby asked Lily why Cane would be back, but Lily changed the topic to Dominic’s rehearsal. Nate returned from taking a business call and wondered if Lily had changed her mind about letting Cane accompany her to the party.

Devon expressed disbelief, and Lily insisted it was just an attempt to try to get along with the father of her children. Devon agreed not to make a big deal about it as long as the night wasn’t about reconciling with her ex. Victoria arrived in a poodle skirt, and Lily noted that Victoria was Nate’s date. Nate explained that he and Victoria were two friends enjoying an evening together. Victoria added that she was there to support Billy, and she thought it would be less awkward if she didn’t show up alone.

Cane returned and asked if his outfit was retro enough. Lily told him it would do. Cane greeted Victoria and inquired whether Victor would be there. She firmly replied no, and Cane said he’d been looking forward to congratulating Victor on beating him at his own game – since not many had. “Not many are Victor Newman,” Adam quipped as he and Chelsea arrived.

At the new Newman ranch, Michael informed Victor that Jabot had transferred all its assets, and the company was on life support. Victor crowed that it was a move of desperation. Michael pointed out that there was no longer a Jabot to attack, but Victor intended to use Jack’s defensive tactics against him. Victor hesitated to divulge anything further because he didn’t want to spoil the surprise. Victor called Adam and summoned him to the ranch.

Adam told Chelsea that he had to tend to something for Victor, but he’d be back as soon as possible. Chelsea cited Adam’s concern about his dad going after Jack. Adam groaned that he couldn’t keep putting himself in the middle, but it might be one of those times. He headed to the exit and ran into Jack, Diane, and Kyle. Kyle taunted that Adam was afraid of the competition. Adam retorted that the business world didn’t stop because of a party, and there were always wars to wage. Adam left.

At the jazz club, Sally fretted over details for the launch party, and Billy assured her that everything was perfect. She worried that it was the biggest night of their lives, and the launch had already been taken away from them once. Billy was confident that people would leave knowing there was a new player in town, and she’d be the star of the media world. They kissed.

Sally was puzzled when she saw Phyllis’ name on the guest list. Billy admitted that he’d invited Phyllis because he felt bad for her, and he also wanted to rub her face in the company’s massive success. Sally worried about Phyllis making a scene, but Billy insisted that all eyes would be on Sally and Abbott Communications. Sally clarified that they were co-CEOs, but Billy considered her the head honcho who would take the company to the top.

Sally asked Billy to promise that she wouldn’t have to do it alone, since she wanted a real partnership in which he’d let her know if he disagreed with her or had better ideas. Sally was adamant that they always put what was best for the company first, and Billy said it was why he trusted her implicitly. She cooed they were strong enough to deal with whatever or whoever tried to get in the way of them doing something great, and nothing would stop them. They ascended the stairs.

Photographers snapped photos of the guests as the party got into full swing. Sally’s jaw dropped when Cane and Lily walked in together. Billy stormed over to confront Cane, and Lily explained that Cane was her guest. Billy insisted that Cane leave, but Sally intervened and welcomed Cane and Lily to stay and enjoy themselves. Billy and Sally stepped away, and she reasoned that Cane could look at everything they’d accomplished and envy how they’d bounced back.

Diane grumbled to Jack that Cane was the last person she’d expected to see there, and she was appalled that it appeared he was Lily’s date. Across the room, Devon objected to Lily wasting her time with Cane, but Abby acknowledged that Cane seemed to be working hard to prove himself. Abby figured it was easier to make peace with exes than live in tension.

Lily caught Jack and Diane trying not to stare at her and Cane. Lily accepted that people considered her a hypocrite for being there with him after saying she was done with him. Cane sensed that deep down, she knew he deserved a second chance. Lily cautioned that it would take more than penny loafers and white socks. Cane shared that he was pushing through reconnecting with the old Cane one day at a time, but it was easier with her.

Phyllis, Daniel, and Tessa arrived at the party. Phyllis approached Cane and Lily, and they made awkward small talk about the event. After Phyllis stepped away, Lily commented that Cane hadn’t been lying about things being done between him and Phyllis. Phyllis chugged her drink.

Kyle joined Victoria, Nate, and Chelsea and noted that Claire wasn’t there. Victoria revealed that Claire was helping Katie get ready for a dance at Walnut Grove. Nate assumed Connor was also at the dance, but Chelsea reported that her son was sitting that one out while he adjusted to a new doctor and OCD treatment protocol.

Billy requested everyone’s attention and welcomed the guests to the launch of Abbott Communications amidst cheers. He declared that the night marked a dramatic shift in the Abbott family’s legacy and the promise of a new player in the media world. Billy introduced Sally as the driving force behind the company. Sally commended Billy for not giving up after they’d had to call off the original launch.

Sally announced that they were there to make Billy’s idea to change the way people viewed and used media a reality. She thanked their friends, colleagues, family, and investor for having faith in them. Sally gushed that she and Billy believed in one another and in what they could accomplish together as co-CEOs. Phyllis guzzled another glass of Champagne as Sally raved about building Billy’s dream alongside him.

Adam arrived at the ranch, and Michael updated him about Jabot moving forward with transferring and liquidating its assets. Adam remarked that all Victor had to do was sit back and wait for the implosion, since the world would see it as an unstable company. Victor was determined to exploit it because public perception was everything. Adam assumed his father had called him there to use Newman Media as a weapon against Jack’s defensive move against him. Victor thought it was fitting to do it on the night of the Abbott Communications launch party.

Michael urged Victor to take time to think things through, since the news would spread like wildfire once Adam released the social media posts. Victor stressed that the point was that he wanted Jack’s reputation destroyed before he blinked an eye. Michael thought it was cold, but Victor lectured that Michael’s hesitation was what had made them part ways before. Victor bellowed that it was “them against us,” and it was happening. Adam reported the story was a go.

At the party, Sally proclaimed that what set Abbott Communications apart was their core value of restoring connection to the constant connectedness they all found themselves in. The guests’ cell phones began to chime with alerts as Sally elaborated on her vision of a new communications era where decency, fairness, and civility prevailed. Expressions on people’s faces darkened as they checked their messages. Sally pledged that her company would be tech-forward but also transparent and spin-free.

After Sally ended her speech, Billy stepped away to check his phone. Sally rambled about the rush she’d felt, but she stopped short when she saw the look on his face. Billy swore it had nothing to do with Abbott Communications, but Sally knew something had happened.

The guests reeled from the news that Jabot was self-imploding. Victoria wondered if Chelsea had known about the attack, but a stunned Chelsea swore she never would have approved the story. Victoria was certain it was her father’s work. Chelsea hissed that Adam had done as he was told. Phyllis approached Jack and asked if Jabot was going down. Jack seethed.

Meanwhile, Victor proposed a toast. “To Jack Abbott, the architect of his own downfall!” Victor cried.

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