The Young and the Restless Recap, January 29: Claire and Kyle reconsider their future

On the January 29, 2026, episode of The Young and the Restless, Chelsea and Nikki learned the details of Victor's plan, and Claire and Kyle agreed to dinner together.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

The Young and the Restless' Kyle opens up to Diane about his breakup with Claire | Image: CBS

At the Abbott mansion, Diane saw Kyle picking up the aftermath of Harrison's failed art project to get him and Claire back together. Kyle explained what Harrison was up to and how he created a Newlywed Game-type experience to bring them closer. Diane thought it was clever, and she asked if it worked.

Kyle admitted that Harrison managed to get him and Claire on the same page for a portion of the game. It had been a while since Kyle saw Claire smile the way that she did. There was a nostalgic feeling to it, but their time as a couple had passed. Kyle and Claire had fundamental issues that couldn't be resolved.

Diane encouraged Kyle not to be too hard on himself about the downfall of his relationship. Kyle hated that he ruined things with Claire, but he was self-aware enough to know that he forced things. He felt entitled and tried to fast-track the relationship when Claire wasn't ready.

Kyle was grateful for the time he had with Claire, but he was ready to let it go. Forcing Claire into a reconciliation wasn't working, so it was time to leave it alone. Kyle was certain that Claire had fully moved on, and he needed to do the same.

Diane wondered if Kyle had opened up to Claire about how he felt. Kyle recognized that he had pushed Claire away and understood her need to explore life and find herself. She spent so much of her life under Jordan's manipulations, and now Claire had a chance to be herself.

The Young and the Restless' Claire had second thoughts about Kyle | Image: CBS

Claire dropped by the ranch to visit with Nikki. Both women found it strange that they weren't at the office during the week. It had become complete turmoil for the Newman family. The AI program infected every part of their empire like a fast-moving toxin, leaving nothing untouched.

Nikki told Claire that Victor was determined to reclaim what was his and would do whatever it took to achieve that. Victor kept Nikki in the dark about the details of his plan, which worried her. Nikki wanted to watch Cane and Phyllis fall off their newly acquired throne, but she was concerned that the fight could impact Victor's health.

Claire offered to help her grandmother in any way that she could. Nikki appreciated how dedicated Claire was to the family. Nikki remarked that they tried to make up for everything they missed in Claire's life. Jordan swiping her as a baby took away decades that they could've spent together, decades as a member of the Newman family.

Nikki asked Claire how she was doing. Claire didn't want Nikki to worry too much about her with everything facing Newman. Regardless of what their family company dealt with, Nikki assured Claire that she always had time for her.

Claire said she had plenty of distractions to keep her occupied, which prompted Nikki to ask about Holden. Things were complicated on that front. Claire kept Holden in her life, despite her better judgment. Holden's past with Audra remained a source of tension, whatever they were.

Audra did a sudden about-face, which set off further alarm bells. Her new demeanor was random and out of nowhere, and Claire trusted Holden even less. She believed that Holden continued to withhold the full story of what happened with him and Audra.

Claire's stance on Holden prompted Nikki to ask whether Claire was considering rekindling things with Kyle. Claire and Kyle wanted different things at this stage of their lives. She was appreciative that Kyle finally came to that conclusion after months of trying to convince him.

Nikki noticed how gleeful Claire was when speaking about Kyle. However, Claire believed that Kyle wanted to maintain their breakup, even if she still missed him. Nikki left her with a piece of encouragement that if she and Kyle were meant to be, they'd eventually reunite.

The Young and the Restless' Chelsea was shocked to learn Victor's plan for Lily | Image: CBS

Chelsea and Adam got drinks at Soceity, and she couldn't believe that they might be forced out of their offices. Cane and Phyllis wasted no time ousting the family from their headquarters. However, Adam urged Chelsea not to pack things up just yet. There was a lot of fight left. Victor had a plan in motion, and at the very least, it could buy their family some time.

Adam asked Chelsea to delay the move for as long as she could. Chelsea found Adam's vague statements somewhat concerning and requested transparency about what Victor was plotting.

Adam declined to tell Chelsea the plan and said that even Nikki was kept in the dark. If Victor wanted nobody to know what he was working on, Chelsea thought it must be a dangerous plan. She knew Adam better than anyone, and she saw how conflicted Adam was.

Adam confessed that he wasn't confident in Victor's plan. There was a chance that the plot would work, but it came with significant risks. Chelsea thought it sounded sketchy, and she asked Adam one more time, "What is Victor asking you to do?"

Chelsea pointed out that Victor protected all of Adam's siblings, but he left Adam to handle this secret plot. Adam didn't take it the way Chelsea did. Chelsea reminded Adam that they were supposed to be a team, and as partners, she needed him to trust her enough to be open and honest.

Adam agreed to come clean, and he confessed that Victor planned to use Lily and the twins as leverage to get Cane back to the negotiation table. Chelsea panicked and asked if Victor would resort to kidnapping the trio. Victor had gone through great lengths in the past, so abducting Lily and her kids wasn't out of the realm of possibility if it meant getting Newman back.

Adam explained that they needed to act fast, and Chelsea admitted that she believed the plan could work if properly executed. The biggest hurdle was Lily and the twins being on opposite coasts, and Adam didn't think Victor could pull it off without actually kidnapping them. Would he be willing to go that far to reclaim his vast corporate kingdom?

Chelsea commended Adam for taking a step back and questioning his father's choices, reflecting on his growth as a father. Adam's desire to keep things calm for Connor outweighed Victor's penchant for revenge. Unfortunately, Chelsea didn't see another way to get the company back, but she wanted to ensure Lily and the twins' safety.

The Young and the Restless' Nikki convinced Chelsea to tell the truth | Image: CBS

Later on, Nikki summoned Adam and Chelsea to the ranch. With Victor out of the house, Nikki hoped to convince Adam to be forthcoming about their plan. She had a lot on the line because of what Phyllis and Cane did to Newman. Nikki offered to help Adam pull off whatever nefarious plan he had cooked up with his father.

Adam declined to disobey Victor's wishes, but Chelsea stepped in and said that she could. Adam asked Chelsea to stop speaking, but she believed they needed Nikki's help to pull off the plan. Nikki was disgusted that Chelsea was in the loop instead of her. Adam wished that they wouldn't put him in an uncomfortable position with Victor.

Nikki's jaw dropped to the floor after Chelsea laid out the entire plan. The goal was to keep Lily and the kids safe, but all sugarcoating aside, it was still an abduction. Nikki said that if the plan worked, Victor would be a genius.

Despite all of his flaws, Victor truly is several steps ahead. Nikki had one condition: Lily needed to be roped into the plan for this to work.

The Young and the Restless' Kyle agreed to a dinner with Claire | Image: CBS

Claire and Kyle bumped into each other at Crimson Lights after an entire episode of debating their future. Kyle told Claire that he and Jack tried to bargain for the AI program, so they could destroy it for good. This scored points with Claire, and she appreciated Kyle's concern for the future of the Newmans, despite everything Victor had done to them.

Kyle didn't think anyone could get Cane and Phyllis to let up on their relentless attack on the Newmans. Claire asked Kyle to be honest about how he felt regarding the plight facing Newman. She wanted to know if it was payback for everything Victor threw at his family.

The question was a tricky one for Kyle to answer. He asked if they could disagree about the topic of Victor, and he knew where Claire came from. The Newman-Abbott feud was best left off-limits for their conversations.