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At Newman Media, Victor checks Nikki’s desk drawers. She asks what he’s looking for and realizes he’s checking up on her to see if she’s hiding vodka. Victor denies it. Nikki insists she’s doing better every day. Victor wants to take her to lunch. Nikki has to check her schedule. The one thing she misses about Claire is that she was a wonderful assistant. Victor says they’ll find her someone even better. Nikki muses, “Hopefully someone who isn’t out to kill me.” Victor has to leave for a meeting with Nick and Adam, but asks Nikki not to forget about lunch. Once alone, Nikki closes the door and fishes her flask out of the drawer. She opens it but doesn’t drink, and instead screws the cap back on. Pulling out her phone, Nikki calls someone to say she’s having a hard time and asking to meet.

At Newman Enterprises, Adam asks Nick if he has any idea what the meeting is about. Nick guesses it’s about Victoria’s leave of absence. Adam grunts about more musical chairs in the C-suite. Nick supposes his dad might bring someone new in. Adam doubts it — he expects them to work together. Nick calls that a fantasy. Adam asks if he really doesn’t think they can pull it together and work with their dad. Nick says they could try, but eventually Adam will either get bored or feel snubbed and will self-destruct as he always does.

Jack says good morning to Ashley, who is reading news about Glissade and Tucker. She hasn’t seen a press release from McCall yet; he’s definitely laying low. Jack wonders if it’s the calm before the storm as Kyle joins them. Kyle warns Tucker could strike back twice as hard eventually. Ashley says the scandal has to affect Glissade in some way. The board members will want his head on a spike. Jack hopes he goes to lick his wounds on a mountaintop. Kyle feels he’s still out for blood after what happened in Paris. Ashley flashes to him screaming in the café and cringes. Jack hates that it’s still bothering her. Ash says that every time she sees him it comes crashing back and she’s faced with his intense rage.

Audra intercepts Tucker at the GCAC and accuses him of avoiding her. He doesn’t have answers for her, but says he’s regrouping. He’ll fill her in over breakfast, “Heads have already rolled.” They sit, and Tucker tells her he’ll mount no defense over the scandal. He’ll just let the news cycle move on. He admits the people at Glissade are angry and disgusted, but he’s firing all of them. Audra muses that the captain is going down with a sinking ship. Tucker’s not walking away because of a hiccup. Audra argues it’s more of a death rattle. Tucker will hire new people and declares that the Abbotts haven’t won, “And they won’t.”

Audra asks if Tucker is sticking with his plan to go after Jabot. Tucker replies, “All in due time.” Audra wants to know what he’ll do with Kyle’s information, but Tucker has no further use for Kyle until he finds out where he truly stands. Audra has the answer to that — Kyle has been playing him all along. Whatever product secret he passes along will merely be another set up.

At Newman, Adam insists to Nick that he’s a different man in 2024. Nick doesn’t know that guy. Adam reminds him they can put aside their differences, but Nick continues to debate. Victor arrives and Adam asks, “What can we do for you?” Victor says it’s been a difficult time for the company and it’s time to start new. They don’t know how long Victoria will be gone, so he’ll make the decisions. He’s proud of both of them and they’re going to work alongside their father. Nick is happy to step into Victoria’s co-CEO role while she’s gone. Adam assumes he won’t be picking up Nick’s laundry. Victor declares, “I have bigger plans than that.”

Victor informs Nick and Adam that they’ll be working as equals under him, “As co-CEOs, working with your father. Neither of you outranks the other.” If one of them doesn’t agree, he’ll make the final decision. Can they handle this or will they be at each other’s throats before they even get started? Adam is totally committed to making this work. Nick will do his best to give Adam the benefit of the doubt. Victor has a task for them, and asks them to draft a presentation for a meeting this afternoon. Adam says, “I guess we better get to work then.” As he walks out, Nick hangs back. He has to talk to Victor. Once alone, Nick complains to his father. Does he really expect this to work? And what happens when Victoria decides to come back? Will they both get demoted back to COOs? “Have you seriously thought this through.” Victor points, “Your task is to get along with your brother, that’s all.” Nick’s only doing it for him. He just hopes Adam doesn’t let him down again. Victor says it’s not an option… for either of them.

At Society, a man tells Nikki he’s so glad she called. Nikki thanks Seth for meeting her — she’s having one of those days. He sits and urges her to talk to him. She tells him she’s having a hard time putting the things that happened to her family behind her. Seth rants about what Jordan did to her. Nikki says the rage is sometimes infuriating, which is dangerous. Letting the anger take over makes the urge to drink worse. Seth has one question, “Why has it taken you so long to call your sponsor?”

Nikki concedes she should have reached out sooner. Seth reminds her he’s there for her. He feels she’s been avoiding him and they both know what that’s a sign of. Nikki nods, “White-knuckling.” She opens up that her family has been very supportive, but today her husband was going through her desk drawer. Seth asks, “Did he find it?” Nikki says no. Seth wonders if that’s because it wasn’t there, or because she hid it well. Nikki purses her lips, “You know me too well.” Seth knows the disease. Nikki admits her flask was in there. She keeps it there as a test to prove she can say no to it. Seth thinks that’s an excuse. Nikki finds it a relief to talk to someone who understands and has no judgement. Seth tells her she has to do this for herself, “And you don’t have to white knuckle it. That’s what sponsors are for.” Nikki confides that it’s harder this time. Seth reiterates that she doesn’t have to face this alone.

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At the Abbott house, Kyle and Jack discuss Ashley. Jack’s concerned about her emotional well-being and he thinks the best thing they can do is get rid of Tucker for good, “We need to finish the job.” Kyle relays that he’s told him he found a new product, but he’s waffling. Jack muses, “So, the ball is in Tucker’s court.”

At the Club, Audra tells Tucker that Kyle tried to get her to switch allegiances — she was tempted since he’s been less than forthcoming about the details of his plan. But she knows McCall will come out on top. “I have more of a connection to you than I could ever have with Kyle.” She insists she hasn’t fallen for the Abbott and that her loyalty is with him. Theirs is the strongest connection she’s ever had with anyone, “It will always be you.” Tucker’s happy to hear that. Just then, Ashley walks in and frowns when she spots McCall.

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Ashley posts up at a table nearby and Audra watches Tucker eyeballing her. McCall tells Audra that Ashley accused him of being physically violent the other day. Audra says, “Sounds like you caused quite a scene.” Tucker says his wine glass tipped over and he may have shoved a chair, but there were no violent acts. “She seems to genuinely believe that’s what went down.” Audra wonders if he’s refusing to admit what went down because he’s hoping on some level he can still salvage his marriage. Across the room, Ashley flashes to Paris again and gets up to walk out. Tucker follows her calling her name.

Tucker catches up with Ashley in the foyer by the doors and she snaps that she has nothing to say to him. He says it’s like she’s fleeing the room because he’s in it and wonders how they’ve gotten to this point, “Are you saying you’re afraid to be around me even in public?”

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At Crimson Lights, Nick asks Adam for his ideas about the new acquisition. Adam gives his point of view and Nick debates him. Adam sighs. If this is how Nick is going to play this, they’re doomed. Nick suggests they do their own presentations and let the best man win. Adam scoffs. They’re five minutes into their partnership and he already wants to run to Dad and let him decide. Nick decides Adam’s right — he’s not trying. Adam suggests Nick take the chip off his shoulder and at least pretend they can get along.

At Society, Nikki tells Seth he’s right about her avoiding him. In the past she relied on dear friends to support her recovery. Maybe that’s why she waited so long to reach out — she misses her friends and was worried she wouldn’t be able to do this without them. Victor walks in and Nikki introduces Seth, who says he’s Nikki’s AA sponsor. Victor hopes he’s very discreet. Seth reassures him. Victor doesn’t anticipate any missteps for Nikki and turns to ask her if she agrees.

At the Abbott mansion, Jack asks Kyle to follow up with Tucker and tell him if their deal is a no-go they need to know. Kyle pulls out his phone and texts Tucker to let him know. Jack thinks McCall may be onto Kyle’s act. He thinks of him as an Abbott. Jack warns he’s cunning and a sociopath.

At the Club, Audra picks up Tucker’s phone and reads Kyle’s text.

At Society, Victor is set to leave Nikki and Seth to talk, but Seth says he was just leaving. Once alone, Victor asks Nikki why she never mentioned the guy before. She reminds him anonymity is important in AA. She never felt the need to reach out until recent events. Victor wonders why she needed him today. “You haven’t been honest with me. Are you struggling more than you’ve been letting on?”

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At Crimson Lights, Nick and Adam settle on a name for the new acquisition. Adam floats another idea and Nick decides he likes it. “Looks like I owe you a brownie,” he smiles.

At the Abbott mansion, Kyle tells Jack he can handle Tucker. Jack warns him not to be overconfident. He might be onto him. Kyle doesn’t believe that’s the case. He’s in a corner. Jack argues he’s enraged and looking to lash out at them. Kyle thinks this has to work so they can move on and be done with the guy once and for all.

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At the GCAC, Tucker asks Ashley if she’s convinced herself that he was actually violent in Paris. She warns him against trying to gaslight her — that’s exactly what happened. Tucker says it didn’t. Ashley fumes, “Well, one of us is wrong, and it’s not me.” With that, she storms out.

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Next on The Young and the Restless: Ashley reunites with Cole, Kyle loses control, and Summer surprises Chance.