This week on The Young and the Restless, the Newman Ranch becomes the backdrop for more than just business as Cole Howard is dispatched by Victor under the pretense of a publishing inspection. But Cole finds something—or someone—far more distracting than spreadsheets: Chelsea Lawson, knee-deep in hay and charm, helping train a prize stallion. Their flirtation simmers with unresolved tension, and when a supposed tour leads to a secluded loft, the sparks ignite into a passionate, impulsive tryst.

As Cole and Chelsea navigate the blurry lines between curiosity and consequence, Victoria Newman is left juggling high-profile events and a suspiciously absent Cole. Enter Marcus Reed, a magnetic consultant whose charm makes Victoria feel seen and valued—perhaps more than Cole ever did.

But Genoa City doesn’t let secrets stay buried long. Victoria starts to piece things together, from Cole’s hay-scented jacket to his evasive answers. Meanwhile, Nate spots telltale signs of a fling, and Victor—always ten steps ahead—pulls strings from the shadows, manipulating events to undermine Victoria’s control and tighten his own.

The fallout builds toward a fiery gala confrontation where truths may explode. Will Victoria discover Cole’s betrayal from Marcus? Will Chelsea protect her secret or sacrifice her heart? And will Victor’s plan to destabilize his daughter succeed—or backfire spectacularly?

Elsewhere, Abby returns from Europe changed, torn between the thrill of a new connection and the steady love of Devon. As family ties stretch and realign—with Chance stepping back into Dominic’s life and Summer Newman stirring old embers—the lines between loyalty, love, and ambition blur. At a vineyard retreat, decisions loom, secrets threaten to surface, and amidst the echoes of children’s laughter, every adult must choose between the safety of the known… and the seductive pull of the unknown.

The drama is only just beginning.