The Young and the Restless recap, October 1, 2025: Lauren walks out on Michael over his lies

Here’s your recap for The Young and the Restless episode from Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Michael poured himself some coffee in Victor’s office as he recapped his latest status with Cane. Victor accused Michael of having failed. Then, Jack entered and wondered if Michael was there as a friend or foe. The Jabot executive urged Victor to work together. Jack asked Michael what he was doing there if he wasn’t working with Victor. The mogul said he wouldn’t let Michael betray him again.

“Just when you thought you were out, he pulls you back in,” Jack quipped to Michael. Jack explained to Michael that they share a common enemy — Cane. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend?” Michael suggested to Jack. “A friend would be overstating the case,” Jack countered.

Jack agreed that Michael was their best shot at getting to Cane. Victor suggested they each take care of each other’s families. “We can hate each other later. It would be my pleasure,” Jack said. “Let’s take care of Cane first.” Michael supported Jack’s position.

Jack said Jill was coming to town tomorrow. He added that Jill would not let Cane go down a dark road. Michael wasn’t sure how that would work. Jack noted that Jill lost her grandson, Chance, on Cane’s property. Michael theorized that Cane might feel isolated. What would happen then? Victor said Cane would feel vulnerable.

Victor said that if Cane wants attention that he’ll get more than he bargained for. Michael and Jack surmised that Victor was close to an alliance.

Claire argued with Kyle in Chancellor Park. He accused her of going to Los Angeles with Holden. Claire countered that she wasn’t going there with Holden. She was meeting up with him when they would both be there. Kyle failed to see the distinction.

Claire said she didn’t want to have an argument with Kyle over Holden and Los Angeles. “It is a conversation. We used to have them all the time,” Kyle countered. Claire wanted to know how she was so wrong with her own life. She accused Kyle of thinking she was a terrible judge of character. “Why not there?” Claire shot back when Kyle asked why Claire was going to Los Angeles with Kyle.

“I’m not going to be lounging in his train car in France,” Claire snarked at Kyle about what she’d be doing in Los Angeles with Holden. “This is all about me and my mistake,” Kyle responded. “I hurt you, so you want to hurt me. Well, well done, Claire! Victor would be so proud!”

Claire said she was a weapon (of Jordan’s) for years, and now he had been given this privileged life. She needed to figure things out. Kyle wanted to know why Holden was a part of all that. Claire said Holden was her friend. She wanted to learn something about herself. “Why can’t you do that with me?” Kyle asked.

Claire said she wants to figure out what real life was away from Kyle. “It’s about me wanting to learn who I am on my own,” Claire stated. As their argument continued, Audra approached, unseen. She couldn’t help but smile at the two former lovebirds squabbling.

Kyle said that they know nothing about Holden except that he used to work with Damian, is working for Cane, and has a history with Audra. Wasn’t Audra enough of a red flag? Kyle asked why Claire couldn’t see his point of view. She said that Kyle didn’t know him. Claire said the only thing going on in Kyle’s head is that she might fall into bed with Holden. Claire asked if Kyle would ever know how much damage he inflicted today. Then, she walked away. A smiling Audra appeared. Kyle was not happy to see her.

“Keep walking, Audra. You’ve done enough,” Kyle firmly suggested to Audra. She snarked back to him: “This is a delicate time for a man𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 dumped by his psycho girlfriend!” Audra helped herself to a seat next to Kyle. “You were so sure you and Claire would kiss and make up,” Audra said. “You wanted to screw up my life, but you were certain it wouldn’t bite you in the ass.”

Audra commented on Kyle and Claire’s fight. He said it was private. She suggested that he not argue in a public place. Audra didn’t buy Kyle’s assertion that this was all her fault. She taunted Kyle about Claire being with Holden. “I guess Victor was right about you all along,” Audra snarked at Kyle.

Kyle called Audra poison. “That’s you, every breath,” Kyle stated. “Why are you so obsessed with me?” Audra asked. She said, sure that they had “hate 𝓈ℯ𝓍,” but he should let it go. Audra claimed victory. She said Victor should reward her because she did end up breaking up Kyle and Claire. Kyle said if Audra tried to profit from his misfortune, she would regret it.

Lauren put it on the table with Nikki at Crimson Lights. She wanted to know if Victor had rehired Michael. Was that why Michael was working for Cane?

Nikki couldn’t give Lauren the answer she wanted. Nikki asked Lauren what Cane had to do with all this. Lauren said that Cane offered Michael a job. Lauren suspected that Cane wanted Michael on his team so he could take the fall for him. Lauren suspected that Michael was lying to her when he said that Victor had nothing to do with him and Cane. Nikki noted that Victor had talked about destroying Cane.

Nikki suggested that Michael and Victor’s bond was unbreakable. Lauren wondered if that was a good thing or not. Nikki offered that Michael was like a son to Victor. She noted that Michael had proven many times that Victor could count on him. Nikki added that she learned a long time ago that there were things in Victor’s life she needed to stay out of. Lauren accused Nikki of turning a blind eye.

Nikki said she wasn’t her husband’s keeper, no more than Lauren was hers. Lauren reminded Nikki that Michael quit because Victor’s plans got too vicious. She reminded Nikki that Jack saved her life. Nikki shared that she’d begged Victor to stop his feud with Jack. “I just accept it, and try to do damage control — or what? Leave him?” Nikki asked. “Well, we both know that’s not going to happen,” Lauren deadpanned. Nikki noted that Jack and Victor were stub𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 men and were Lauren and Nikki’s destiny. Lauren apologized for lashing out. She said she was tired. She thought Michael was tired of doing Victor’s bidding, too.

Lauren acknowledged that Michael missed Victor and what could be called a “friendship.” Nikki gently suggested, “You could call it a family.” Lauren begged Nikki to find out the truth about Victor and Michael’s current relationship. “Boy, that Cane Ashby is really determined to make his mark on Genoa City,” marveled Nikki.

“We’ve been talking about him for how long with no end in sight,” Lauren concurred. Nikki noted that Chance and Damian would both be alive had Cane let them go down the mountain. Nikki said she was sick to death of Cane. She hoped that they could soon forget that Cane ever existed.

Nikki arrived at Victor’s office. He told her she had just missed Jack. Nikki quipped that it was odd because nothing was broken. She shared that she’d talked with Lauren. Victor lied by saying that he didn’t know Michael was working with Cane. He also didn’t care. Victor said Lauren was concerned about her husband following his orders. “Have you brought Michael back into the fold?” Nikki asked.

Nikki accused her husband of giving her non-answers. Nikki called Victor impossible. “I’ve heard that before,” Victor said. “I wonder why,” Nikki said.

Meanwhile, Michael met Lauren at Society. He thanked her for ordering his favorite drink and meal. She asked if he had anything else on his wish list. “What comes after dancing?” Michael asked. Lauren said what always comes after dancing for them! Lauren revealed she wanted to recreate their last romantic evening up until the moment it all went wrong.

Michael said the only good thing about fighting with Lauren was making up. Lauren said the good thing about getting older is that they know what matters. “I do so adore you,” Michael said. “And, I, you,” Lauren replied.

Lauren said she was helping get Cricket some lingerie for her honeymoon. Her phone rang. Lauren took the call. It was from Nikki. Nikki told Lauren something was going on between their husbands. Michael asked if that was the unmentionable department. “It was the nɑƙeɗ truth,” Lauren stated. “Once again, you’ve lied to me.”

Lauren demanded to know what the deal between Michael and Victor was. She said she would not accept another lie. “I spoke to him,” Michael confessed that he had talked to Victor. Michael hastened to add that Cane backed out, so it’s all moot. Michael admitted that he would have worked for Victor again. Lauren got upset and left, leaving Michael alone.

At Crimson Lights, Claire sat alone in a booth with a coffee. She flash-backed to her argument with Kyle. She spilled her coffee and got upset as she recalled her fight with Kyle.

Meanwhile, Victor answered his phone. Jack called Victor to see what was going on. “Everything’s on track,” Victor said. “Don’t worry.”

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