Get ready, Genoa City — The Young and the Restless kicks off the week of May 26, 2025, with a power-packed Monday episode that delivers suspense, tension, and the kind of high-stakes drama fans love.

In Monday’s episode, viewers will finally witness a climactic meeting that’s been building for weeks. Victor Newman and Michael Baldwin come face-to-face with the enigmatic and elusive Aristotle Thompkins — a powerful man whose sudden connection to Lily Winters and hidden past has the entire city buzzing.

What starts as a strategic discussion quickly turns into a dangerous game of words, secrets, and power moves that could change the future of more than one family.

🕵️ Who is Aristotle Thompkins?

If you’ve been keeping up with recent episodes, you’ll know that Aristotle is no ordinary newcomer. Rumored to be Lily’s biological father, Aristotle is a wealthy financier with global connections, a shadowy past, and a reputation for manipulating people from behind the curtain.

Victor, always ten steps ahead, wants answers — and fast. With Lily recently disappearing and shocking secrets about her parentage emerging, Victor decides to cut through the noise and go straight to the source.

He calls on his trusted legal advisor, Michael Baldwin, to arrange a discreet but direct meeting. And when Aristotle agrees, the stage is set for one of the most intriguing encounters of the year.

🕯️ The Meeting Begins

The episode opens with Victor and Michael arriving at an upscale private lounge, where Aristotle has chosen to meet. The atmosphere is tense from the start. Aristotle, dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit and gold cufflinks, oozes control and confidence.

But Victor Newman is not easily intimidated.

“You know why we’re here,” Victor says bluntly.
“You’ve inserted yourself into my family’s life without invitation. That ends today — unless you give me a reason to believe you’re not a threat.”

Aristotle remains calm, sipping his drink and offering a calculated smile.

“Mr. Newman,” he replies, “I didn’t insert myself. The truth did.”

That one line sets the tone for the entire conversation — a verbal chess match where every word is a move, and every glance hides an agenda.

💥 Michael Pushes for Legal Clarity

Michael jumps in, asking direct questions about Lily’s birth, the DNA test results, and what Aristotle hopes to gain by revealing the truth now — decades later.

Aristotle insists he never knew Lily existed until recently. He claims that when he learned the truth, he only wanted to make peace and “fill in the missing pages” of her life story.

But Victor isn’t buying the humble act.

“You don’t come out of the shadows after thirty years just to play happy family,” Victor growls.
“So what do you really want?”

🧨 A Business Proposal?

That’s when Aristotle drops his own bombshell — he’s not just here for personal reasons. He’s also interested in partnering with Chancellor-Winters through one of his international firms. He claims it’s Lily’s legacy he wants to support.

Victor immediately sees the red flags. Is this about reconnecting with his “daughter” — or a hostile corporate play wrapped in emotional manipulation?

Michael warns Aristotle that any attempt to leverage Lily’s name or Chancellor-Winters assets will be met with fierce legal resistance. Aristotle calmly agrees… for now.

🧊 Victor’s Warning

As the meeting concludes, Victor delivers one of his signature warnings — cold, clear, and unmistakable:

“If you so much as cause one tear to fall from Lily’s eyes, I’ll come after you with everything I’ve got. And I assure you, Mr. Thompkins, you won’t see me coming.”

Aristotle offers only a smirk and a nod.

“Then I’ll be sure not to blink.”

🤯 What This Means Going Forward

This meeting is a major turning point. Now that Victor has laid eyes on Aristotle, he knows what he’s up against — and it’s not someone to underestimate. While Aristotle claims to be sincere, Victor’s instincts tell him there’s a bigger game at play.

And with Lily still missing, this encounter raises even more questions:

• Does Aristotle know more about Lily’s disappearance than he’s letting on?

• Is he trying to gain control of Chancellor-Winters through emotional leverage?

• Or could there be someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes?

🎭 Final Thoughts

The Young and the Restless kicks off the week of May 26 with an unforgettable Monday episode full of power plays, emotional tension, and unanswered questions. The arrival of Aristotle Thompkins brings danger and unpredictability to Genoa City, and Victor is ready for war if necessary.

This is just the beginning — and what happens next could shake the Newmans, the Winters, and Chancellor-Winters to their core.