On the Monday, June 29, 2026, episode of The Young and the Restless, Holden supported Claire, Victor showed his true feelings, and Billy demanded answers from Jill.
What happened on The Young and the Restless
At Crimson Lights, Victoria, Nick, and Claire took a break from the hospital while Nikki was in surgery. Nick stressed that they had to take care of themselves and one another to be ready to care for Nikki. Victoria didn’t like Nikki being alone, but Claire pointed out that Victor had stayed behind. The trio updated Sharon and Noah about Nikki’s diagnosis and sudden need for surgery.
Holden entered the coffeehouse and mentioned that his mother had told him about Nikki’s surgery. Victoria and Nick explained that it was possible Nikki might regain her eyesight, but it could take hours, days, or weeks. Noah panicked that they weren’t saying Nikki would definitely get her sight back. Nick conceded that the damage might be too extensive, and nothing was guaranteed.
Claire and Holden went for a walk, and Victoria headed back to the hospital. Sharon and Noah worried about Nick, who recognized that they were concerned he’d slip. Nick admitted the temptation was always there, and the more he denied it, the stronger it got. Nick accepted that he couldn’t deal with his addiction alone, and he decided to attend a meeting before he returned to the hospital.
Noah asked how Victor was dealing emotionally. Nick confided that his father had been gutted by Nikki’s condition, and he hoped his parents remembered what was important because Nikki would need Victor by her side during her recovery. Nick expected that love would eventually win.
Waiting for word
Stephanie informed Victor that Nikki’s surgery was going smoothly. Victor inquired whether Nikki’s total blindness before the procedure would affect the outcome, and Stephanie replied that it was too early to tell. Stephanie assured him that Dr. Nottingham was the best, and she guessed that Nikki was a fighter. Victor mused that he was in Stephanie’s debt forever for making the surgery possible.
Victor officially welcomed Stephanie to town. She clarified that she’d once lived in Genoa City, even though they’d never crossed paths before. She recalled her friendships with Malcolm and Neil, and she was thrilled to live closer to her son. Victor recognized that Claire and Holden had become an item. Victoria returned and confirmed the couple was together right then. A nurse announced that Nikki was out of surgery.
Claire’s Concerned
In Chancellor Park, Claire remembered sitting on the same bench with Nikki, who’d taught her how to identify different birds. Claire recalled finally feeling a sense of safety when her real family had welcomed her, and she struggled not to cry. Holden put his arm around her as she wailed that her grandmother might never see the birds again.
Claire sadly realized that Nikki might have seen her face for the last time. Holden assured Claire that he’d seen how Nikki’s eyes lit up when Claire walked into a room, and Nikki’s feelings about Claire would never change. Holden continued that his mom had raved about Dr. Nottingham, and he thought Nikki would be pointing out all the birds before Claire knew it.
Claire couldn’t stop thinking about everything that could go wrong. Holden distracted her with a story about how, as a teenager, he’d handed out flyers for a fried chicken joint while dressed up as a chicken. He shared that he’d gotten stuck in the costume and shown up at a job interview at a real estate office in the chicken suit, but he’d still gotten the job. Holden contended that Nikki had more courage than a kid in a chicken suit, and it was what would get her through it. Victoria called Claire and reported that Nikki was out of surgery.
Sharon, Noah, and Claire rushed to the hospital. An unconscious Nikki was wheeled back into the room, her eyes bandaged. Dr. Nottingham announced that she’d been able to remove the entire mass, and they would know more when Nikki regained consciousness. Victor gently touched Nikki’s shoulder and promised they’d get her through it.
Getting over Chancellor
At the Athletic Club, Billy assumed that Cane had received the same message he had from an unknown number in the United Kingdom about Jill. Neither of them had any idea what it was about. Billy speculated that Snapper had summoned them to give them some news in person, but Jill appeared and proclaimed that she was capable of delivering the news herself.
Cane and Billy hugged Jill and observed that she looked great. She revealed that she’d been busy, so she’d asked Snapper’s assistant to reach out to them. She informed them that she’d just gotten to town and that she was fine to be traveling. Billy was shocked when Jill mentioned that she’d heard Lily had put Cane in charge of running Chancellor.
Billy grumbled that it was unbelievable how many free passes Cane got. Jill acknowledged that Billy was sensitive about Chancellor, and Billy assumed she was rubbing his face in it. Jill encouraged Billy to congratulate Cane. Billy spat that it was what Jill had wanted all along. Jill argued that Katherine had wanted Cane to run the company, and he had proven his business chops.
Billy declared that he was done beating himself up and was fine with it, since his priorities had changed. Billy announced that he and Sally were getting married and having a baby. Billy doubted that Jill would have picked up the phone if he’d called with the news, but Jill insisted that she was happy for him. Billy claimed that he’d let go of the things that didn’t serve him – including Chancellor – but he wasn’t ready to congratulate Cane.
Billy accused Cane of lying, cheating, and not caring about the people he claimed to love. Cane swore he was a different man. Jill ordered the men to stop. Cane asserted that it wasn’t his fault that a jealous Billy couldn’t stand that Jill approved more of Cane being CEO than she ever would of Billy being a CEO. Billy huffed that he’d learned not to expect his mother’s approval. Cane retorted that Billy was desperate for it.
Billy wondered why Jill had never considered him good enough to run Chancellor. Jill conceded that Billy had big dreams, but he was also impulsive and made unilateral decisions. Billy accused her of never supporting or helping him before she’d handed Chancellor over to Victor. Billy demanded that Jill look him in the eye and tell him why he hadn’t been good enough, since it was the only way he’d actually get over it.
