Claire builds an army, Sharon breaks free

At Society, Victor met with Adam. He told his son that he was the perfect man to help get rid of Ian, knowing how his mind worked. Adam said he was ashamed that he once worked against him with Ian. Victor assured Adam that it was water under the bridge. Victor said they had to get rid of Ian.

Victor asked Adam to launch a full-scale attack on Ian, focusing on the legitimacy of his release and the absurdity of him being a priest. Adam didn’t think Ian would be so affected by a smear campaign, but Victor wanted everyone who saw Ian to question him. Victor said it was just the beginning and had more planned.

Adam knew how psychotic Ian was and was all for bringing him to his knees. He said if Ian was in town he had a plan and there were no weaknesses to exploit. Victor said Ian had a massive ego and would react out of arrogance. Victor said that when Ian reacted, he would crush him like a shell.

Adam said he was on board because the sooner Adam was out of their lives the better. Adam wanted Victor to know that he could never make up for Victor being shot and being involved with Ian. “I want you to know that I will always have your back. Whatever you need, you can count on me,” Adam told him. Victor appreciated that he said that. Victor asked when he and Connor moved into the ranch so he could better protect them.

Adam shared Victor’s safety concerns and immediately wanted to move in with Connor and Chelsea. Adam credited Connor with Chelsea’s invitation and being the reason she accepted. Victor was happy that they would all be under the same roof at the ranch.

Victor said the police found video footage of Sharon being abducted. Adam was surprised and worried that it was already too late. Victor said they hadn’t hoped she was strong enough to hold on until they could find her.

Adam had to say goodnight to Connor. He asked that Victor not drop by unannounced for sugar, but if he brought tequila it would be well received. Adam told Victor that his plan for Ian was good. Victor swore that he would stop that man from harming his family again.

Nick came over to Sharon and found Mariah waiting; Faith slept upstairs. Nick said the police had security footage of Sharon being kidnapped near Society. Nick told her the details of what he saw on the footage and that he couldn’t recognize who did it. Mariah and Nick were determined to find Sharon and bring her home.

Nick said that if the plan was to kill Sharon, they would have thrown her over the bridge in the car. He thought that whoever they were, they spared her to play with them and expected a ransom. Mariah weighed the chances that Ian was behind Sharon’s disappearance.

Nick thought the person who took Sharon looked familiar, but the video was grainy and he couldn’t tell. All he knew was that if they found that person, they would find Sharon. Mariah suggested that Ian’s partner in crime was someone he visited in prison and cared for before they were released. Nick agreed and thought they should get a list of prisons he visited and the ones he recently released.

Nick called Chance, who told him he wanted the name lists. Mariah knew it was good news but was surprised. “Is it strange that I hope Ian is as innocent as he claims?” Mariah wondered. She explained that if Ian was innocent, then none of this was her fault. If Ian killed Heather and kidnapped Sharon, he did it somehow because of her, and she couldn’t handle it. Mariah cried as she hoped it wasn’t Ian. Nick comforted her with a long hug.

Mariah freshened up and apologized to Nick for losing it. She said Ian had broken so many lives and now he was there again because of her. Mariah had kept it in and hadn’t even talked about it with Tessa. Nick assured her that she had nothing to feel guilty about. He said she didn’t bring Ian and it wasn’t on her as she was a child and also a victim and reminded her that Ian’s hatred of the Newmans went back a long time. “Being raised by Ian … I still have nightmares,” Mariah confided. She said she wakes up to the amazing life she has. “It’s all because of Sharon,” Mariah said. The thought of that monster hurting Sharon more than he already had killed her. Nick knew Sharon would tell her she knew how much Mariah loved her when they brought her home.

Nick said they would get through this. Mariah wished there was more they could do, but Nick didn’t know what she was talking about. He pointed out all the things she did for her siblings and how she ran Cassidy First, plus she was a great wife and daughter. Nick knew he had trusted her a lot. “There’s this thing you do. You never give up,” Mariah said, adding that Nick kept them grounded and made them believe everything was going to be okay. “We’re going to find Ian and who the hell is he works with. We’re taking your mom home,” Nick told her. Mariah swore when they did that she would never let anyone hurt Sharon, ever again.

At the ranch house, Nikki and Victoria spent a long time considering the possibility of teaming up with Claire and killing Jordan. Finally, Nikki spoke. “Say we agree on this… killing Jordan. Could we actually pull it off?” she wondered.

Victoria couldn’t believe her mother entertained murder. Nikki said that given the terror that Jordan put them through, it would be a great relief to see justice and know that they were protecting their loved ones. Victoria reminded Nikki that she was the one who called the EMTs when Jordan drank a vial of poison.

Nikki pointed out that Claire was right. “Her only motive is revenge. She won’t stop until we’re dead. So maybe we stop her first,” Nikki explained. Victoria did not want to stoop to Jordan’s level of violence.

Claire told them that when she was with Jordan, she felt no fear or guilt. She knew Jordan was pure evil and would keep coming after the family. Claire pointed out that anyone in their orbit could also become her target or collateral damage. Nikki agreed and reminded Victoria about her sponsor, Seth, whom Jordan pushed in front of a car. Nikki said she wouldn’t let Jordan attack Claire even if she had to put a stake in her heart.

Victoria was worried about being caught. Claire pointed out that the only people who knew Jordan was in town were the three of them. The prison didn’t even know she was missing, so no one would look for her. Victoria said they could spend years in prison, but Nikki and Claire thought it was worth the risk. Claire told her she was sorry, but she couldn’t be talked out of it.

Claire calmly told Victoria that she knew what had to be done and couldn’t be stopped. Victoria was worried that Jordan would get hold of and hurt Claire or worse. Nikki said Victoria was right and it was a dangerous game that could go horribly wrong. Claire insisted she knew how to play Jordan and she had already started laying the groundwork when she lied to Jordan. She bought it.

Claire hatched a plan to convince Jordan that she had faked herself to become part of the Newmans and that it was all part of a grand scheme to make them believe that she loved them and wanted to be a part of the family. Claire said that Jordan would believe her when she told her that she intended to befriend the Newmans in order to steal a few million dollars and disappear. Claire thought Jordan would be so busy congratulating herself that she wouldn’t see them coming and she wanted her right where she wanted her.

Victoria hated the idea of ​​using Claire as bait. She wasn’t too keen on the killing part either. Claire said Victoria used that word because she thought it would keep her from following along. “I prefer to think of it as neutralizing her,” Claire said simply. Victoria pointed out that Jordan had never wanted money. All she ever wanted from the Newmans was their blood. “I refuse to waste yours!” Victoria told Claire firmly.

Claire was calm, cool and collected as she told Nikki and Victoria that she could handle anything Jordan threw at her. She didn’t want to take the situation to Victor, but Claire knew he would take over. She thought Cole wanted them to show mercy, but they knew what that looked like. Claire was sure there was only one solution. Claire thought that was her only path to vindication for almost having them killed, but Nikki told her that she was as much Jordan’s victim as they were. Victoria again tried to talk sense into Claire, but she said she was going to go out and disappear until it was done. “You won’t be able to stop me,” she added.

Claire insisted she knew the risk, but it was life and death. Claire said the father was already out there. She reminded Victoria that Jordan burned down her house and that Johnny and Katie could be in danger next. Nikki believed they had no choice as too many lives were at stake. “But here’s the thing. We do, the three of us. And we never want to talk about it again. Do we agree?” asked Nikki. Just then Victor walked in. “What are you planning?”, they looked at him like deer in headlights.

Victoria made up an excuse for her and Nikki telling Claire family stories, but Victor remarked that they must have been bad. Victoria said they all had Ian Ward in mind. Victor told them about the video footage of Sharon being abducted. Victor’s phone was buzzing and he had emails to answer, so he left them alone. After Victor left the room, Claire asked if they all agreed. “God help us. We cannot fail,” said Victoria.

In the old sewer, Sharon hit the chain with the metal bar, but it wouldn’t break. She cried as she paused, frustrated. Sharon took a swig of water from her bottle and then fainted. She had the same thing as she did in Heather’s apartment. She realized her water was drugged. She began to break down, but then realized that she needed to escape as soon as possible because she would need water to survive. “Noah, Mariah, Faith,” Sharon called out until she found the strength to break the chain.

Sharon stood up but couldn’t see straight. “No, no… I’m getting out of here. I’m going home,” Sharon told herself. “Just a few more steps and I’ll be free,” Sharon muttered before collapsing to the ground.

Next week on The Young and the Restless:

At the jazz club, Sally stood next to the table where Jack and Billy were sitting and told them she wouldn’t interrupt. Jack insisted that he and his brother had just finished as he smiled knowingly at Billy. “Good. Because I have a surprise for you,” Sally told Billy.

At Society, Ian told Tessa, “I tried to destroy every ounce of goodness in that girl. And that’s why I hate myself. I have to do this, Tessa. And you have to help me!” Tessa looks nice.

“Pretty sure Ian’s not wearing that shade of lipstick,” Chance tells Nick, holding up a glass he found in Ian’s motel room. Chance deduces that Ian’s accomplice could be a woman.

“As long as Jordan breathes, she’s a threat to everyone we love,” Nikki tells Victoria and Claire at the ranch. “That’s why we need to figure out our next step, where to take her so we can end this,” Claire tells them. “I have an idea. Get your coats, let’s go,” Nikki says. Around the corner, Victor is eavesdropping.

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