At Society, Nina and Christine reunite as the author is in town for a few days. She’s over the moon that her son, Chance, finally has a job that won’t get him shot. She couldn’t be prouder of him. “Jill better keep him happy, or else.” Christine confides that she could use a friend. Nina guesses, “Because of Danny.” She asks what happened between them again. Christine replies, “Phyllis.”

Christine details how she tried to take the high road, but the news of their weekend getaway set off Phyllis. She got under her skin. “That woman!” She knows it wasn’t a good look, and it really rattled Danny. Nina blames Phyllis for pushing her buttons. She offers to strangle her. Christine warns that Danny’s backed away from both of them. She fumes that the judge should have put Phyllis away for murdering Stark. Nina urges Christine not to give up.

Christine admits she’s not happy with Danny’s behavior, which is ludicrous. Nina agrees. Christine complains that he keeps saying he cares for both of them, which fuels the fire. “The fact that he could have any sort of attraction for her, it’s so disturbing.” Nina suggests she back away and create some distance. “Let Danny know, with your actions, that he’s in danger of losing you again.” When he sees her pulling away, he’ll realize what’s at stake and get with the program.

At the GCAC, Phyllis walks in just in time to hear Danny planning his tour over the phone. She confronts him about planning to leave just as they’re so close to getting back together. Danny rants about her not being able to respect reality. He has no romantic feelings for her! Phyllis feels something powerful between them, whereas he and Christine are like watching paint dry. She understands why he’s hesitating; she didn’t expect this either. Danny doesn’t buy what she’s saying. He tells her this is exhausting. He’s added dates and it’s time he left Genoa City. Phyllis muses that dates can be changed, “Is there anything I can do to change your mind?” Danny snaps, “Not a thing.”

Phyllis supposes Danny’s leaving then, and that’s that. He says he’s leaving in two weeks. Phyllis wants to have dinner together before then. “Just a dinner with me. To say goodbye before I have to share you with the rest of the world.” Danny says they’ll set something up in a week or so. Phyllis asks, “How about tonight?”

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Nikki arrives at her office with a bodyguard and gushes over a bouquet of flowers. It turns out they’re from Seth, thanking her for being a good friend. She sends the bodyguard out and calls Seth, who is on the patio at Crimson Lights. She tells him the flowers are beautiful. Seth thanks her for being kind. He says he has news and asks if she can meet him for a coffee. When he says he’s not drinking, Nikki says she’ll come with her bodyguard.

At the ranch, Victor greets Victoria, Cole, and Claire. Victoria says she was just showing her daughter her guest suite. Claire gushes about the bedroom. She tells Victor the place is like a fantasy. Victoria tells her there’s a spring-fed lake as well. Victor asks if she rides. Claire would love to learn. Cole says there are plenty of people to teach her. Claire is grateful and thanks them all. Victor tells her once the Jordan saga comes to an end, she can decide where she wants to stay. “With your parents, or here. You’re a Newman now. That will never change.” Victoria hugs Claire.

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Claire hopes to prove herself worthy. Cole says that’s not how family works, “You don’t have to prove a thing.” Victor assures her she already has by wanting to help them bring Jordan to justice. Claire hates what she’s done to them… and to her. She doesn’t feel any connection to her. If Nikki hadn’t stopped her that day in the cabin… All she’ll ever be to her is a threat to be dealt with. Victor says he’s started the ball rolling. The news of her release has hit the media. He’s sure that once her aunt gets wind of it, she’ll reach out.

Nikki and her bodyguard arrive at Crimson Lights, where Esther asks about the man behind her. Nikki confirms he’s her security and orders a tea, assuring Esther everything will be fine. She then joins Seth on the patio. He thanks her for freeing up time to meet with him and asks, “What’s the deal with the guard?” Does it have to do with the woman who forced vodka on her? Nikki confirms that the woman has escaped from prison. Seth can’t believe that the woman would come after her again. Nikki says she’s insane and obsessed with blaming her for things she had no part in.

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At the dive bar, Jordan searches Claire’s name online and muses, “Okay, Claire. Where are you now?” She finds a report that Claire has been taken in by the Newmans and fumes, “Claire, don’t you see what they’re doing? They’re going to destroy you. Just like they destroyed my sister.”

At the ranch, Victor explains to Claire, Victoria, and Cole that the media will do a story on them. Claire is surprised they’re going public so soon. Victoria asks if she feels ready to handle the change. Claire has no idea what this is going to mean. Cole warns once the story hits, there will be a lot of attention focused on the three of them, but mostly her. Victor agrees; they’ll come at her from all sides. Victoria says she’ll prepare Katie and Johnny, so no one is blindsided. Victor explains that Newman Media has the exclusive, that way they keep control over it all. Victoria tells Claire this will publicly cement her place in the family. Claire has one question: “Why isn’t Nikki here? Is she alright with me moving in?”

Victor assures Claire that Nikki is on board. She convinced him to let her go into work for a while. She has a member of the security team with her.

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At Crimson Lights, Nikki asks Seth about his news. He tells her he’s admitting himself to rehab. She’s thrilled. Seth thought reaching out to her would help his sobriety, “And that’s what Isabelle encouraged me to try, but I think I need more structured help.” Nikki asks if this Isabelle is the same woman he mentioned last time. He says yes. She can’t place her from their meetings. Seth thinks maybe she was avoiding her. Nikki asks why she would be avoiding her.

Seth reminds Nikki that she and Isabella were friends back in their drinking days, and then got sober together. Nikki has never known anyone by that name. Seth doesn’t know what to say. She confided in him and asked him not to bring it up. Seth feels terrible, because she was the one who encouraged him to patch things up with her. Nikki asks exactly what she said to him and learns that she urged him to reach out and get close to her again. Nikki asks what she looks like. Seth describes her as having red hair and glasses. Nikki doesn’t know anyone like that. She asks, “How did she know that you knew me?”

At Society, Nina tells Christine that if she gives Danny a little incentive, he’ll come around. Christine hopes so. One thing is for sure — the situation with Phyllis has to end.

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At the GCAC, Phyllis manages to talk Danny into having dinner tonight so he can get back to setlists and such. Phyllis moves in close and says, “I just have one final request.” Danny informs her he knows where this is going and they’re not having a private dinner. Phyllis isn’t thinking of anything risqué — she wants him to cook for her.

At the ranch, Victor says he’s going to meet with security and takes Cole with him. Victoria asks Claire if she’s hungry. Claire says, “Not just yet.” She tells her mother than she gets the feeling she still has issues with this arrangement. Victoria assures her it’s only with her dad’s plan. She’s thrilled that she’s home with her family. Claire marvels at having two brothers and a sister. She wants to know everything about them. Victoria assures her they will accept her and she’ll tell her all kinds of stories about them. Claire can’t wait.

At Crimson Lights, Seth tells Nikki that Isabelle said she heard him speak at AA a few times, which is how she realized he and Nikki knew each other. Nikki asks if it’s possible she was wearing a wig. Seth supposes it’s possible. “Nikki, you’re not worried about this person, are you? You don’t think she’s the woman who gave you the alcohol, do you?” Nikki says it’s possible. Seth confides that she’s been texting him non-stop and he hasn’t responded since she’s still drinking. Nikki asks for the number she texted him from. She wants to compare it and see if she’s been using him as a cover to stalk her. Nikki asks Seth not to ignore her texts and to string her along and keep her on the hook where she is concerned. “Get back to me and tell me what came of it, if anything.” Seth worries he’s put Nikki in danger. Nikki tells him, “On the contrary, you may just have given me the upper hand.”

At Society, Christine decides Nina’s right. “It’s time to end the cycle.” She calls Danny and gets voicemail. She asks him to meet for dinner or drinks tonight. “It’s important.”

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At the GCAC, Phyllis purrs, “I want you to make the sauce.” She goes on, “I mean, Christine got it. It’s only fair I get to taste it too.” Phyllis says she’ll make all the arrangements for the restaurant. All Danny has to do is cook… to say goodbye to an old friend.

At the dive bar, Jordan is putting on her coat to leave when Seth walks in. He asks her, “What aren’t you telling me? What are you trying to pull with Nikki?”

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Nikki arrives at the ranch and greets Claire, who tells her it’s so good to see her. She hopes she’s not startled that she’s there. Nikki has been expecting her. “Welcome to your new home.” Victoria asks about the office. Nikki says it’s wonderful to be out of the house. She hopes Claire will be happy there. Claire thinks she will be, but right now, Jordan is weighing on her. She’s anticipating how Victor’s plan will unfold.

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Nikki muses that it may not take long. Victor and Cole rejoin them. Victor hands Claire a phone and tells her that per the judges ruling, it’s monitored. Claire asks how Jordan will know to contact her on it. Nikki announces she may have a way for Claire to contact her. “And if I’m right, your aunt has already made her first mistake.”

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Next on The Young and the Restless: Danny and Christine make a decision about their future, Chelsea and Adam receive information to help Connor, and Billy opens up about his past struggles.

Don’t miss our look back over the best and worst of February Sweeps in the gallery below.

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