In the latest developments on The Young and the Restless, Victor Newman finds his grip on power slipping as his daughter Victoria defies him. Once his most trusted heir, Victoria is now pursuing her own path, aligning herself with her ex-husband, Billy Abbott, much to Victor’s chagrin. This betrayal strikes a nerve with Victor, who cannot tolerate his daughter’s defiance, especially when it involves the man he despises the most.

Compounding the situation is Victoria’s current boyfriend, Cole Howard, whom Victor has never fully approved of. Seeing an opportunity to manipulate the dynamics between them, Victor decides to use Cole as a pawn in his plan to regain control over Victoria. His goal is to sow doubt in Cole’s mind, hoping to create a rift between them that would push Victoria back into the fold of Newman Enterprises.

Victor skillfully plants seeds of insecurity in Cole by highlighting Victoria’s tumultuous romantic history. “You’re just the latest in a long line of men who thought they could hold her heart,” he says, calmly yet with a biting edge. “Every one of them has been discarded.” He points to Billy, JT, and Deacon as examples of her past relationships, warning Cole that he’s on thin ice.

Cole, already feeling the pressure, begins to doubt Victoria’s commitment. Memories of her emotional distance and her ongoing connection with Billy haunt him. Victor’s words resonate deeply, making Cole question whether he is just another temporary fixture in her life.

Noticing Cole’s growing uncertainty, Victor leans in closer, his piercing gaze locking onto Cole’s. “If you don’t take control, you’ll lose her,” he warns. “She’s helping Billy, and that makes a fool out of you. You need to show her who’s in charge, or you’ll end up like the others—discarded and forgotten.”

Fueled by jealousy, Cole grapples with the idea of Victoria still being tied to Billy. The thought of her helping the man who has hurt her repeatedly infuriates him. Why is she so willing to protect Billy at the expense of her relationship with Cole? These questions swirl in his mind, amplifying the doubts Victor has instilled in him.

The tension culminates when Cole confronts Victoria during a work discussion. “Why are you still helping Billy?” he asks, his voice tight with emotion. “It feels like you’re choosing him over me.” Victoria, taken aback, responds defensively, insisting that her actions are about business, not personal relationships.

“This isn’t about sides,” she argues. “It’s about doing what’s right for our future.” But Cole, feeling cornered and betrayed, shakes his head, frustration boiling over. “You’re protecting him, and I’m just supposed to pretend it doesn’t bother me?”

Victoria tries to reason with him, reminding him that she shares children with Billy and that their history complicates things, but Cole remains unconvinced. Victor’s words echo in his head, feeding his insecurities: “It feels like I’m just another man in your past.”

Hurt flashes across Victoria’s face as she realizes how deeply Cole is affected. “Is this really about me leaving you?” she asks, shocked. “You think I would abandon you because of my complicated past?”

As tensions rise, it’s clear that Victor’s manipulations are taking a toll on both Cole and Victoria’s relationship. The drama continues to unfold, leaving viewers anxious to see how this power struggle will impact their lives and the future of Newman Enterprises.