The Young and the Restless Recap, January 9: Jack offers Matt Clark to Victor in exchange for the AI program 

The Young and the Restless recap for January 9, 2026, features Jack and Kyle using a captive Matt Clark to force Victor into a corner, Cane deciding to shed his good guy image to resurrect Aristotle Dumas, and Claire questioned Audra's sudden attitude shift.

What happened on The Young and the Restless

Audra continued to flirt with Holden outside of Crimson Lights, going out of her way to touch him. He agreed to keep quiet about their past in Los Angeles if she backed off from Claire. Audra tried to form a team with Holden, but he called out her con. Holden acknowledged Audra's flirtation skills and asked her what she was really after.

Audra admitted to flirting with Holden, and she said it was because she felt like it. She wanted Holden to recognize their existing connection and how fun it once was. Audra reminded him that they always had chemistry, but Holden feigned ignorance.

Holden once posed for Audra's artwork, and she felt like she captured the real him in those moments. Holden thought that those days were in the past, and he was weary that her new attitude wouldn't stick. They had reason not to trust each other, and while Audra understood that, she asked if they could be friends with caution.

As they agreed to rekindle their friendship, Claire walked onto the Crimson Lights patio, stunned to see them together. Claire greeted Audra with a simple hello, and she was taken aback that Audra returned her level of civility. She demanded transparency about why Audra and Holden had suddenly mended fences.

Audra wanted the animosity between her and Claire to stop. She asked for the two to co-exist since they lived in the same town. Claire didn't believe Audra for a moment, and she recognized how much of an about-face this was. After Audra left Crimson Lights, Claire asked Holden, "What the hell was that?"

Claire couldn't fathom why Audra was nice to her. It was entirely out of character. Audra went from being out for blood to being surprisingly reasonable. Holden asked Claire to give "peace a chance" and asked if they could stop talking about Audra.

Before they did, Claire asked Holden if he had made a trade with Audra. She wondered if Holden got Audra to back off from provoking her in exchange for his silence about what really went down in Los Angeles. Holden talked his way around it, and things ended with him and Claire kissing.

Back at the GCAC, Phyllis continued her pitch for her and Cane to steal Newman Enterprises from Victor. Phyllis maintained her confidence level, even in the wake of Cane asking why she hadn't pulled it off already if she was capable. Phyllis explained that she and Victor had a deal, and Cane didn't understand why she went to Victor to begin with.

Phyllis wanted Victor to do her dirty work, since Victor was already hated by so many. She asked Cane if he wanted to join her and destroy Victor, and reminded him that they once planned to take down every corporation in town.

Cane wondered why Phyllis didn't use the AI program to take over all of those companies. She could've decimated all of them by now, but since she didn't, Phyllis needed Cane. Phyllis asked Cane to reassess his charm and likability because she didn't need him to achieve her dreams.

Phyllis was capable of getting the program back, but nobody knew the ins and outs of the software more than Cane. She asked Cane if he was ready to commit to her plan, but he was uncertain. Despite his trepidation, Cane remarked that there was no use trying to be a better person, since his entire family had turned their backs on him.

Cane was ready to return to the Aristotle Dumas persona, the character that made him a billionaire. He needed to remember what level of success that brought him to. It was time for Cane to become that man again. This was the first time that Cane meant what he said, and he told Phyllis, "Newman Enterprises doesn't stand a chance."

Cane shocked Phyllis when he revealed that the AI program had a built-in feature that could turn the software against its host, meaning they wouldn't need to use it on Newman. Instead, the program would do the heavy lifting for them. Cane had this ability the entire time, but he refused to do it in the past because Lily and the kids would've frowned upon it.

Sharon spoke to Nick at his bedside, encouraging him that the surgery on his leg was successful. Sharon ranted about how often she'd waited in hospitals lately and how tired of it she was. Noah and Sienna arrived at the hospital to check on Nick's condition, but Sharon yelled at them for leaving the house.

Noah apologized for taking off before. However, Sharon scolded both of them for putting themselves in harm's way by being susceptible to Matt. Noah didn't want to be treated like a child, and Sienna defended Noah's action. Sharon accused Noah of piling onto the drama their family had endured.

Noah shifted gears to Nick's condition, and Sharon updated him on the severity of the leg break. Sharon wanted to find peace and stop going through endless torment. It had been the most difficult year of her life in that it was filled with one dangerous situation after another.

Matt was still on the loose, but they assumed that he was injured and they didn't need to be on such high alert. Sharon admitted she was on edge, which Sienna accepted responsibility for. She believed that Matt wouldn't be filled with such vitriol if she hadn't betrayed him. Sharon, however, knew that Matt would've inevitably targeted her family at some point, even without the affair.

Nick regained consciousness, and Sharon welcomed him back to the land of the awake. Sharon explained to him what happened in the crash, and the details started to return. Nick joked that his NFL career would be ruined due to his broken leg.

Noah and Sienna entered the room and told Nick that they were glad he was going to recover. Nick wanted answers, though. His focus was on finding Matt Clark. Nick told his son that he and Sienna weren't safe in the open. Matt's potential injuries gave the couple a false sense of security, which Nick pointed out.

At Victor's ranch, Adam answered the door, and Jack requested that he and Kyle enter the house. Victor wanted the visit to be short and sweet, so Jack got to the point and told him that they had Matt Clark. Jack asked Victor how far he was willing to go to get his hands on the man who had been tormenting his loved ones.

Adam accused the Abbotts of lying about having Matt in custody. He wanted details about how they managed to get their hands on the most wanted man in Genoa City. Jack confirmed the validity of Kyle's claims and explained that Matt was alive and well in the middle of his living room just that night.

Adam asked if they had Nick followed, but much to their surprise, Kyle revealed that their entire family had been followed. Jack wanted possession of the AI program in exchange for handing over Matt to the family. Jack offered to set Matt loose into society if they didn't comply with their wishes.

Adam didn't think Jack was acting like himself, but Jack urged him to test that theory. This was Victor's best chance at ensuring the safety of his family. Jack asked Victor if they had a deal, and Victor admitted that he wanted Matt to pay for hurting his family.

Victor refused to make a deal with Jack and Kyle. Jack was disgusted that Victor was willing to put his family in danger just to spite him. Nikki came into the room and urged Victor to "stop it" and told him that enough was enough.

Nikki wanted Victor to see reason. She didn't trust his judgment when it came to handling Matt Clark. Nikki insisted that Victor hand over the AI software, so the war could come to an end, and Matt could finally be put behind bars where he belonged.

Victor asked for proof that Jack had Matt, and Kyle motioned for Matt to be brought into the Newman household. Victor told Matt that he wouldn't win his latest game, but Jack chimed in and said Matt was in his custody and asked if they had a deal.

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