VICTOR NEWMAN’S MASTER PLAN: USING HARRISON TO REUNITE KYLE AND SUMMER WHILE CLAIRE BECOMES COLLATERAL DAMAGE

The chess master of Genoa City is at it again, and this time Victor Newman has set his sights on manipulating his own granddaughter’s love life! After Phyllis Summers’ dramatic kidnapping and rescue, Victor appears to be using the crisis as the perfect opportunity to push Kyle Abbott and Summer Newman back together — with innocent Claire Grace caught in the crossfire.

Let’s be real here. Victor hasn’t “forgotten all about the Abbotts” like he claims. The Mustache is playing his favorite game: using family as pawns to strike at his enemies. And poor Harrison Abbott is being positioned as the perfect excuse for this reunion.

THE PERFECT STORM: PHYLLIS’S KIDNAPPING CREATES AN OPENING

When Summer sought comfort from Kyle following her mother’s traumatic kidnapping, little did she know she was playing right into her grandfather’s hands. The intimate conversation at Crimson Lights between the exes raised eyebrows — especially Claire’s, who walked in to find them looking cozy.

Despite Claire’s attempt to mark her territory with a kiss, the damage was done. The moment Claire left for work, Summer pounced, immediately asking Kyle to lunch. Subtle? Not exactly. The sugar-dumping tantrum was a dead giveaway of Summer’s true feelings. Was this jealousy spontaneous, or part of Victor’s orchestrated plan?

VICTOR’S “UNITED FRONT” STRATEGY EXPOSED

The real bombshell dropped when Summer and Kyle encountered Victor at the GCAC. While smugly eating his potatoes, Victor couldn’t resist needling Kyle about Jabot. Classic Victor move — pretend you’re being polite while twisting the knife.

But it was Summer’s revelation afterward that exposed Victor’s true agenda. She told Kyle point-blank that her grandfather has been suggesting they should be a “united front because they share a child.” Pushing the “family first” narrative is Victor Newman 101 — especially when it benefits his schemes.

Kyle was rightfully confused, but the writing is on the wall. Victor is using Harrison as emotional leverage to manipulate both Kyle and Summer. After all, what could be more noble than reuniting for a child’s sake? It’s manipulation disguised as family values, and it’s pure Victor.

CLAIRE GRACE: THE NEWMAN WHO’S NOT PROTECTED

Here’s the most fascinating twist — Claire is a Newman by blood, yet Victor seems perfectly willing to sacrifice her happiness to achieve his goals. The newest addition to the Newman family is quickly learning that sharing DNA with Victor doesn’t guarantee protection from his schemes.

Kyle’s concern that Claire is “stuck in the middle” shows he at least recognizes the emotional minefield Victor has created. But is he strong enough to resist the pressure? After years of being manipulated by both the Newmans and the Abbotts, Kyle’s resolve will be severely tested.

THE ABBOTT-NEWMAN FEUD NEVER ENDS

Let’s not forget what’s really driving this. Victor’s hatred for Jack Abbott runs bone-deep, and using Kyle as a weapon against his father is just another chapter in their decades-long feud. As Summer astutely observed, her grandfather’s actions are “mostly about Victor hating Jack.”

By pulling Kyle away from Claire and back toward Summer, Victor achieves multiple wins: he hurts Jack, controls Summer’s life, and gets to play the devoted great-grandfather to Harrison. It’s diabolically brilliant in that special Newman way.

SUMMER’S ROLE: WILLING PARTICIPANT OR ANOTHER PAWN?

Is Summer actively participating in her grandfather’s scheme, or is she another pawn in his game? That coffee scene speaks volumes — furiously dumping sugar into her cup while watching Kyle and Claire make dinner plans shows she’s not exactly over her ex-husband.

Whether Summer is consciously working with Victor or simply being manipulated herself remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: she’s not discouraging her grandfather’s matchmaking efforts, merely claiming she’s “not advocating for this” herself. A classic case of protesting too little?

MEANWHILE, ANOTHER POTENTIAL SCHEME BREWS

While Victor works his manipulation magic, another potentially dangerous situation is developing across town. Amy’s suspiciously rushed hospital admission has both Nate and Damian concerned, though for potentially different reasons.

Devon and Lily aren’t buying Damian’s concerned son act, with Lily explicitly stating she feels “there could be an ambush coming” for their cousin. Their suspicions may be well-founded, especially with Holden’s continued presence in Genoa City raising red flags.

Holden’s aggressive pursuit of reconnecting with Audra seems perfectly timed with Nate’s sudden departure to Chicago. The revelation of Audra’s wild past — drinking margaritas and singing Metallica songs — hints at vulnerabilities Holden might exploit.

Are Damian and Holden working together on some larger scheme? And could this somehow connect to Victor’s machinations? In Genoa City, separate plot threads have a way of weaving together in unexpected ways.

THE REAL VICTIMS: HARRISON AND CLAIRE

As the adults play their manipulative games, let’s not forget who stands to get hurt the most: innocent Harrison and trusting Claire. Harrison is already hearing gossip about his grandmother Phyllis from other children, though thankfully he’s handling it well so far.

But how long before he becomes aware he’s being used as a pawn in his great-grandfather’s schemes? And what about Claire, who’s finally found happiness with Kyle only to have it threatened by Victor’s interference?

One thing’s certain — Victor Newman may have gone too far this time. Using his own great-grandson as leverage and potentially hurting his granddaughter in the process crosses lines even for the notorious Mustache.

Will Kyle recognize the manipulation before it’s too late? Can Claire stand her ground against the combined forces of Summer and Victor? Or will the Newman patriarch claim another victory in his never-ending war against the Abbotts?

The game is on, and in typical Genoa City fashion, no one is safe from the fallout.