At Society, Nate’s on the phone with Devon. They’re both upset about not hearing from Lily. He disconnects as Victoria arrives. Downing her wine, she explains that her plans for Phyllis have changed.

He learns she’s planning to weaponize Summer’s anger against her mother – his words, not ours. Victoria wants the redhead to understand she’ll be completely alone if she doesn’t give the company back. The snag is that Nick isn’t keen. Nate reminds her she opted not to turn her kids against Billy… will she show the same grace to her brother? In a word, no, she won’t.

Nate wants this to work out for Victoria, but does she have other options if it doesn’t? Victor’s daughter, unsurprisingly, won’t give up. That said, she’s irked that Daddy is confiding in Adam and not her these days. All the more reason to be the one to return the company to her father.

Nate continues to campaign for Victoria to have a contingency plan if Newman’s gone for good. He makes some suggestions, but she shoots them all down. “I want Newman Enterprises back and I’m going to get it.”

Couples Therapy

At the Club, Jack spots Victor and can’t resist needling him. The Black Knight calls him a blathering idiot and Ol’ Smilin’ counters with a dig about the loss of Newman Enterprises. The Abbott skeddadles when Nikki appears to grill her husband about where he’s been, and joins Diane at the bar. They watch Victor and Nikki, and gleefully toast to the fall of the House of Newman.

Across the room, Victor refuses to tell his wife where he’s been or what he’s been up to. She’s about as happy with this as you’d guess. Victor will only say he gave Cane Ashby a few incentives to make things right. He won’t elaborate, but confirms Lily and her children are fine. He promises they’ll get everything back soon.

Diane spots Nikki and Victor toasting and is instantly nervous. She hopes it’s not a sign that things are turning around. Jack’s certain the damage done to the Mustache and his legacy will prove to be irreparable. Diane’s unconvinced. Jack takes a call and Diane heads to the powder room… right behind Nikki. Catfight?!

In the bathroom mirror, Diane tells Nikki to stop using her family’s tragedy to gain sympathy with her husband. The blonde isn’t surprised she’s threatened by their friendship and is sure to tell her she doesn’t deserve Jack. Diane doubles down, warning Nikki to stop playing damsel in distress. The Newman informs her nothing will change. “Oh, and that lip color?” she zings. “Not one of Jabot’s best.”

Nikki rejoins Victor, who is on a call. She realizes something is very wrong. As they head out, Diane rejoins Jack, who asks about her run-in with Nikki. Unsurprisingly, she doesn’t admit to what she said in the powder room.

Daniel’s Done

On the coffee house patio, Tessa finds Daniel writing a song and wants to help. She needs a distraction, and explains that Mariah found out she filed for divorce and was fine with it. She felt shut out of her estranged wife’s pain. Daniel agrees and the collaboration ensues until Phyllis bursts in and declares, “Daniel Romalotti, I will never, ever forgive you for this.”

They argue as Daniel puts his coat on and urges Tessa toward the door. Phyllis accuses him of filling Summer’s head with the idea that she’s the bad guy. Daniel basically says that’s because she is. Phyllis rants about him and Nick getting in her daughter’s head. He won’t get away with it!

Daniel isn’t buying that Phyllis did this “for the family,” and stops her from running Tessa off. Red tries offering him a job, but Daniel doesn’t want one from her. He warned his mother that she’d lose them if she went through with this. “You have gone too far. I am done!” he declares.

The Final Scenes

Outside Society, Victoria thanks Nate for being a calming influence. It feels like a kiss moment as he tells her how much he cares. Wait for it… Yep, there’s the lip lock.

On the patio at Crimson Lights, Phyllis wants to give her family a life they’ve never even dreamt of and questions if Daniel means what he said about “forever.” He turns and walks out with Tessa as Sharon appears and eyeballs Phyllis.

Victor and Nikki arrive at the ranch, where Nick’s waiting. They break the news that the judge threw out Matt Clark’s case because the detective in the case was compromised. That means he’s free.