Claire Throws Water on Audra’s Accusations — and Sally Reads Adam the Riot Act

Lauren and Michael grab a table and discuss his plans to help Diane. The AI simply existing is bad enough, but Victor having it makes it even worse. When he informed Victor that Jabot was shutting down, Michael had hoped that would be enough to put the Mustache off the attack, but it only made matters worse.

Lauren is surprised when Michael asks what she thinks he should do. She points out that double-crossing Victor would make him more angry and dangerous than they have ever seen. Part of her wants her husband to run away from this, but she doubts there is anyone else who could put a stop to Victor’s plans.

Esther interrupts to take another jab at Gloria, and Michael jokes about his brother’s crazy family. Returning to whether he should cross Victor, Michael teases Lauren that if he gets caught, they’ll have to run away to a tropical island. Lauren is on board if it means saving their friends. Admitting this terrifies her, she urges him to find a way to pull this off that Victor will never figure out.

Audra Eavesdrops

Claire bumps into Kyle at Society and shares her Newman family Christmas photos with him. They discuss the tension between Nikki and Victor. Kyle thinks Victor should put his love for his wife over his hatred of Jack and the Abbotts. Claire feels he’s being unfair. He insists her grandfather needs to be stopped by any means necessary.

Claire wonders if Kyle is trying to manipulate her onto his side. He denies it. Claire is hardly blind to Victor’s flaws, but she can understand why he’s so hostile to Jack. At the same time, she’s also grateful to Jack for saving her grandmother, especially since she helped push her off the wagon. That said, she’s determined to remain neutral. They switch the topic to Harrison’s Christmas.

Holden interrupts and asks if Claire ate without him. Kyle takes the hint and abruptly heads for the door with Claire trailing behind. Once they get outside, she stops him. He tells her he needs to focus on his family right now and understands that she’s moving on. As Kyle wishes her the best and walks off, Audra, eavesdropping from around the corner, smiles.

Sally Reads Adam the Riot Act

At the Club, Adam runs into Sally, who confronts him for going after Billy and the Abbotts on the night of her launch. Adam claims he was just reporting facts. Sally accuses him of lying about being a changed man. Adam didn’t see any denial on the Abbotts Communication site. Sally didn’t want to give it traction. He repeats that he told the truth. Sally reminds him he lied to her face about cheating with Chelsea.

Sally calls Adam out for cruelly ruining her big night and not thinking about how it would impact her. All he cares about is doing his father’s bidding! Adam had not intention of hurting her. She counters that he knew it would hurt Billy… he doesn’t think when it comes to him or Victor. Adam knows he’s hurt her, but he’s grown. She had to have seen it with Connor. Sally sees that, but he’s far from the man he was with her and is becoming exactly like his father.

Sally accuses Adam of despising Billy and doing something callous to Jack… and it’s come straight from Victor. Adam tries to defend himself and she asks if he even wants to be his own man. Getting defensive, Adam accuses her of believing Billy’s lies. Sally insists her boyfriend has changed. Adam snarks that he talked her out of leaving fashion at the top of her game… how is that putting her first?! Sally argues he did the same thing to Chelsea. Adam thinks she’s worried, deep down, that the old Billy will come back.

When Chelsea joins them, Sally asks how she feels about the damage done to Jabot. Before she storms off, she reminds them that she has a media company too and can publish about them. Chelsea has to admit that the redhead is right. She can’t stand to continue doing what they have been doing.

Jack and Billy Debate Their Next Move

At Billy’s, he and Jack go over options to save Jabot. Jack doesn’t trust Phyllis and is reluctant to put any faith in her and her selflessness. Billy isn’t about to trust Nikki. They debate whether she is ready to cross her husband. Jack is confident that Nikki has been pushed too far this time.

As Jack prompts Billy to confirm they will destroy the AI immediately if they can get their hands on it, Sally arrives and recaps her fight with Adam. Billy is sure the Newman is ready to slit their throats, but Jack seems to take something else from what Sally says.

Kyle’s Lady Drama

When Jack arrives back at the Abbott manse, he finds Kyle sitting pensively in the dining room. Kyle informs him that he has just made a decision that will change his life.

At Society, Audra heads inside to tattle to Holden about what she saw happen between Claire and Kyle. When Claire appears, she barks at Audra to shut up and the ladies get into it. Audra takes a stab at Claire for turning from one man to the other, and the Newman suggests the brunette wants to get her claws into Kyle again.

Audra declares she doesn’t give a rat’s ass about Kyle and accuses Claire of playing the men. Fuming, Claire grabs a glass of water and throws the contents in her face. Holden tries to hide his amusement as an outraged Audra drips.