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In Victor’s office, Michael updates his former boss on his falling out with Cane, who wants a yes man. He insists the “game is afoot” and it’s their move. Baldwin is stunned to see Jack walk in.

Jack explains that a common enemy has taken precedence over their rivalry. Victor sniffs that he hasn’t yet agreed to becoming allies. Jack suggests he consult his advisor, Michael. It’s made clear that Victor still doesn’t trust Baldwin… or Jack. The two men work to convince the Newman that working together is the right answer in this moment.

Jack reports that Jill is coming into town tomorrow. He’s sure she’ll help them with Cane. Michael and Victor remind him how fond she is of Cane. Jack argues she doesn’t know Ashby’s plans. She’ll get him in line. Debate ensues as Jack reminds them Chance died on Cane’s property… she’s already halfway there. Michael fears Cane will feel isolated if Jill turns on him. Victor explains that’s when he will screw up and become vulnerable. Surprised, Jack asks the Mustache if he’s come around to the idea of teaming up.

Will Kyle Make Things Far Worse?

At the park, Kyle persists in ranting at Claire about spending time with Holden, who is a player. Claire needs time to see who she is and what she wants. Of her and Holden, he sneers, “What it’s not like that?” She snaps, “It’s none of your business what it’s like,” she retorts. This finally shuts him up.

They resume arguing and Kyle condescends to Claire by suggesting she’s falling into a trap set by the charming and smooth Holden. Claire insists it’s not a romantic escapade and makes a dig about him and Audra in France. Kyle fumes. This is about revenge. “Well done, Claire,” he applauds. “Victor would be so proud!”

Claire accuses her ex of trying to make her feel bad about doing something she wants to do (ya’ think?). Kyle denies it, prompting Claire to go over her childhood for the umpteenth time. She declares that Holden is her friend, and she’s going off to live her life and learn something about herself. Kyle, inanely, asks, “Why can’t you do that with me?” Claire says she has to experience real life away from him.

As things escalate, Audra happens along and watches as Claire lashes out about Kyle lying to her about his time in France. He’s being a hypocrite and needs to let her be! Kyle hollers about her being alone with another guy who is pretending to be her friend. Claire accuses him of being jealous. This is about his ego!

Kyle reminds Claire that she’s naïve, and asks if Holden told her he’s interested in her. Claire smirks, “Do you have any idea how you sound right now?” Kyle screams, “Why are you being so blind?!” Claire lets him know how much damage he’s done today, and stalks off. Audra sidles up to Kyle, smirking.

What Will Lauren Ask Nikki?

At Crimson Lights, Lauren tells Nikki she needs her help. “Has Victor brought Michael back in? Is that why my husband is suddenly working for Cane?” They go over the estrangement between Michael and Victor, and Cane offering Baldwin a job. Lauren’s sure Ashby wants her husband to take the fall for him. Nikki asks why she thinks Victor is involved. Lauren says Michael denied it, but she knows he was lying. Nikki admits they may have found an excuse to reunite.

They go over how brutal Victor is to Michael, and Nikki likens the Baldwin to a third son, claiming he’s the same way with Adam and Nick. Changing the temperature, Lauren fumes that Nikki is as guilty as Victor is if she just turns a blind eye and lets this all happen. Nikki stares at her pal in shock.

Lauren reminds Nikki that Michael walked away from Victor because he was tired of his viciousness toward Jack. Nikki protests; she’s begged Victor to get past his hatred for the Abbott! She cannot change his mind; is she supposed to leave him?! She loves the man the same way Lauren does Michael. Invoking the ‘D’ word from Bold & Beautiful, Nikki declares those two stubborn men are their destiny. Lauren cries that she’s just so tired and asks Nikki to find out what’s going on for her.

Will Victor Align With Jack?!

At Victor’s office, Michael speculates that Cane’s AI may be all talk. Jack and Victor manage to agree that they can’t take that risk. The Mustache grunts that they’ll see how things go when Jill arrives. Jack and Michael marvel that he’s signaling an alliance.

Later, when Nikki arrives, Victor tells her, “You just missed Jack Abbott.” She learns that Jill will arrive tomorrow. Nikki tells her husband that she ran into Lauren, who is concerned about Michael working for Cane. Victor correctly guesses that Fenmore is actually worried that Michael’s back with him. Nikki asks if it’s true.

Victor plays dumb with Nikki, who declares that he’s impossible, kisses him, and trots off. Next, Victor takes a call from Jack, wondering if he got cold feet due to Michael’s concerns. The Newman assures him everything is on track and disconnects.

The Final Scenes

At Society, Michael meets up with Lauren, and wonders about the twinkle in her eye. His wife insists it’s just love. As they move on to small talk about wedding gowns, she steps away to take a call from Nikki, who says Victor’s stonewalling her… but she feels Lauren is right and something is going on between Michael and Victor. Lauren rejoins her husband and confronts him. “Once again, you’ve lied to me!” Michael admits he spoke to Victor again, but insists it doesn’t matter because Cane fired him. Lauren forces him to confess that if Cane hadn’t let him go, he’d once again be working for Victor. She hisses, “This never ends!” and storms out.

At Crimson Lights, Claire replays the scene with Kyle in the park in her head, tears up, and spills her coffee.

At the park, Kyle tells Audra to “keep walking”. Audra taunts that she can’t leave him in misery… it wouldn’t be nice. Sitting beside him, she snarks about him and Claire not making up. Kyle counters that she has no job and no Nate. They debate who “created this drama”. Audra points out that Kyle had free will. She thinks Victor was right about him all along.

Kyle tells Audra she’s poison. She needles that he’s obsessed with her, reminding him he couldn’t stop kissing her. Kyle rants about this illusion she has that she’s irresistible. He, Nate, and Holden have had her and moved on. Audra smiles, “Yeah, to your would-be wifey.” Suddenly, it dawns on Audra that she succeeded in proving Kyle’s not worthy of Claire’s love. Victor should give her the reward that he promised. Kyle, looming over her, warns that if she tries to profit off the damage she caused, he’ll stop at nothing to take her down. She’ll wish she’d never met him.