Claire Drops a Bomb on Nate — and Adam Plans His Own Attack on Cane

In the jazz lounge, Adam and Chelsea discuss — what else? — but Cane, and why he’s been so quiet since their coverage went live. Adam warns they need to be prepared for a counterattack that could come where they least expect it.

Chelsea wonders if Cane or Lily told their kids before the news broke. Adam says they’d have been foolish not to prepare them (guess they were foolish!). Chelsea figures they’ve lit a fuse and Cane’s ready to explode. Adam wishes he would make his move, and confides that he disagrees with his father’s strategy; Ashby will never trust Victor.

Chelsea thinks it would be smart for Cane to partner with the Mustache… he’s probably too intimidated to go up against him. Adam teases that she’s enjoying this intrigue, and then hints that he has a plan of his own that might win this war.

Can Sally Sell Billy on Audra?

Sally and Billy jog into the overlook, where she reminds him that he handed over the reins of Abbott Communications to her (in case he’d forgotten). They discuss the upcoming launch and she alludes to having a secret weapon. Billy’s taken aback to hear she’s hired Audra Charles as her right hand, but Sally brings him around by explaining Audra distrusts Victor and by pointing out that her pal won’t let up until she comes out on top.

Billy, unsurprisingly, steers the convo to getting Chancellor back. Sally wonders if he’s prepared for full-scale battle on all fronts. How will anyone walk out unscathed? Billy remains confident… he has his own secret weapon. Victor and Cane will both lose. Sally complains about the pressure of running an Abbott family company. Billy assures her she’ll be spectacular.

Will Claire Out Audra?

At Society, Holden keeps Tessa, Claire, and Daniel entertained with Vespers and a story from when he was young, dumb, and full of… himself. When Audra and Nate walk in, Claire’s expression darkens.

Holden notices, but doesn’t see why the fun has to stop because of Audra. Meanwhile, Nate irks Audra by insisting on checking on Claire. Pasting a smile on her face, she joins him. Claire looks pointedly at Audra as she reflects on “fighting back” when life hits you.

Daniel and Tessa extend their condolences to Nate while Claire glares in Audra’s general direction. When Nate finally leads Audra away, Claire continues to eyeball her. Tessa asks Claire, “What’s going on?” Claire tells her, “I’ve had it with that woman.” She rises and makes her way over to Nate, who’s ordering at the bar. Audra heads over in a panic as Claire says she’s sorry to drop this on him, but his girlfriend made a deal with her grandfather to get Kyle to cheat on her. “With her,” Claire concludes, jerking her thumb in Audra’s direction.

Audra protests to Nate that Kyle made this up and planted it in his little girlfriend’s head. Kyle is the one who was hitting on her. Doing her best Maury Povich, Claire declares that is a lie. Audra insists Kyle was rubbing sunscreen on her in France and following her around. Claire brings up the kiss between the two of them right there in Genoa City. Audra fibs that Kyle came onto her again. Claire argues that she kissed Kyle, not the other way around. Turning to Nate, Claire informs him that Victor was bankrolling Vibrante in exchange for her breaking up her and Kyle. That’s the kind of woman he’s involved with. She bumps Audra’s shoulder as she leaves the joint with Holden tailing her.

Nate remains dazed as Audra insists Claire was outright lying. Nate, exhausted after his brother’s funeral, says he’s having a hard time knowing what to believe. Audra’s irked by him doubting her, but he just doesn’t think Claire would have a reason to lie. He squints that Audra’s been acting dodgy since she got back from Nice and she walked away from Vibrante suddenly. Some of what Claire said holds water. Audra snarks, “The hell it does.”

Alone at their table, Daniel and Tessa feel bad for Claire being upset by Audra just when she was having fun. Tessa admits she was having fun too. The camera zooms in as she places her hand on Daniel’s, and says it’s all thanks to him. Daniel shrugs that he didn’t do anything special; the four of them hit it off. Tessa disagrees. Outside of Aria, he’s been the one bright spot in her life. She feels she can be happy again when she’s with him. Daniel feels exactly the same about her.

Another Billy and Adam Clash

In the jazz lounge, Chelsea warns Adam not to go against his family. He assures her he won’t; he’ll just hit Cane from a different angle. Right then, Billy and Sally walk in. Making a beeline, Sally accuses them of stabbing Billy in the back. Adam argues they only printed the truth. Billy tells Chelsea, “It’s not too late to redeem yourself.” The news comes out about Sally running Abbott Communications and Chelsea and Adam are both impressed, but Chelsea asks where that leaves Billy. He crows that he has exciting news of his own and he’ll enlighten her very soon… via Abbott Communications.

Once alone, Adam tells Chelsea he’s sure Billy is down and out. Chelsea narrows her eyes. She knows Billy… he’s not down and he’s definitely not out. He wouldn’t hand over the reins to his company unless he had something big in the works.

Did Audra’s Plan Work… at a Cost?

At the overlook, Holden tells Claire he’s impressed with the way she spoke to Audra, who’s not used to that. “What did she do?” he inquires. Claire explains she’s trying to gaslight her into thinking Kyle’s been hitting on her. Holden asks why she’d do that. Claire says she made a deal with Victor, who agreed to fund her company. Holden admits it’s on brand for Charles.

After Claire rants for a bit, he has to ask: Is there any chance Audra’s not lying about what happened in Nice? He knows first-hand how easy it is to sucked back into her charms. Claire says, “I love Kyle.” Holden nods, “But, you still have doubts.” She hates it, but she does.

Can Audra Wiggle Out of This One?

Still at Society, Audra tells Nate she’s sure Claire believes Kyle’s lies; she’s gullible and vulnerable. Nate asks if Kyle is supposedly lying to cover up his lust for her? Audra snaps that Victor was right about Kyle the whole time… he’s going to break Claire’s heart and can’t help himself. Nate frowns, “Tell me, Audra. Just how do you know that’s what Victor thinks?”