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As Audra drinks alone in the jazz lounge, Holden approaches and says it looks like she could use some company. She informs him that she’s waiting for someone, so he should move along. He assumes she’s waiting for Nate’s new rival, Kyle. Annoyed, Audra tells him this is none of his business. Besides, it’s not what he thinks. He starts speculating on what they could be discussing. She says this is boring. She wants to forget what happened between them in LA but he keeps showing up and making it harder.
Kyle Reassures Claire
Claire and Kyle walk into the Athletic Club, chatting about her learing something new from her grandmother daily. Some cocky new exec at the company was trying to “mansplain” a real estate deal to Nikki without realizing she set it up. Claire’s famished and looks around for a seat, but Kyle explains that he needs to meet Audra briefly in the lounge to go over a proposition. She doesn’t see why they need to delay their date for Audra. Kyle is sure this is a sign that Audra has taken the bait and won’t be able to resist bragging about what she’s up to. Then he can take that information and turn it against her. Kyle’s sure this is the simplest way to neutralize Audra. Claire seems unconvinced and wonders if she should tag along and referee. Her boyfriend would love that, but is sure that Audra will be more candid if it’s one-on-one. That’s what has Claire worried. Kyle promises there is nothing to worry about and he’ll be back before she knows it.
Entering the lounge, Kyle spots Audra and Holden together. When he interrupts, Audra explains they both live at the club, so it’s hard not to cross paths. Holden takes the hint and heads upstairs. Kyle assumes that Holden is still eager to revive his “business history” with Audra. She suggests he not read anything into that. Kyle admits he was surprised by her text, especially since she keeps warning him that she will blow him out of the water. “I just love to shake things up,” Audra says. She explains there is already a lot of buzz about how Vibrante could be a real “game-changer” for the industry. Kyle hasn’t been hearing it.
Audra explains that if they’re smart, they can control the narrative by playing up the competition between their companies. “We make it the perfume war of the century,” she suggests. Everyone will want to check out the products in the battles for beauty. They can exploit their acrimonious past and be the new McDonalds vs. Burger King, hiring influencers to argue about them.
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Kyle admits this is intriguing, but it benefits Vibrante, not Jabot. She’s sure this could give his company a much-needed refresher. He’s not buying it. To try to convince him, Audra uses an example from Miracle on 34th Street. That doesn’t help talk him around. She reminds him of the Jabot sunscreen ad and his wardrobe malfunction. That was a great success, so she suggests they co-ordinate exposing themselves by leaking faked texts and such to reporters to cause a stir. Kyle agrees to think about it, but urges her not to pop the champagne. “I’m putting the bottle on ice,” she assures.
Holden Questions Claire
At the Club bar, Claire sighs and orders a vesper. Passing by, Holden spots her, and asks if he can join her. He’s happy to see her drinking a vesper. They order another one and Holden wonders why Kyle is drinking with Audra while she’s up here. He questions her boyfriend meeting with someone he is supposed to be in competition with. Claire says she has no idea; they keep their personal and professional lives separate.
Holden asks if Kyle and Audra ever had a non-professional relationship. Claire wonders why he’s so interested. He’s vague. Sipping her drink, she suggests perhaps he’s jealous of Kyle and Audra. Holden claims he’s just a curious guy. When he asks what it’s like to be the granddaughter of the great Victor Newman, she groans, but confesses that Victor adores his family and would take a bullet for any of them. She loves him dearly. Holden brings up Victor’s long rivalry with the Abbotts and guesses he can’t be happy about her dating Jack’s son.
Before Claire can respond, Kyle and Audra arrive and ask if everything is okay. Claire says everything is fine. Holden says he doesn’t like to drink alone. “Or let a woman drink alone,” Audra adds. After a few snipes between the men, Claire declares she’s even hungrier than before their meal was interrupted. Audra apologizes for stealing Kyle. Claire snaps that she didn’t. As Audra takes off, Holden chases her into the foyer. He asks her to clarify if she’s actually planning to work with Kyle or set him up to fail.
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Back at the bar, Claire assures Kyle that she’s fine. Holden just asks a lot of questions and thinks he knows the answers. He fills her in on the idea that Audra pitched to him. She doesn’t think it’s such a bad idea. Kyle agrees, but he has no desire to help his ex succeed and he knows Audra doesn’t want to help Jabot. Claire suggests this may have nothing to do with Jabot… and everything to do with him.
Sally Worries About Phyllis
Billy trails behind Sally as they jog into the park. As they stop for a breather, she says this was a nice distraction from Phyllis, but her guard is still way up with that woman. Billy threatens to take his shoes off and touch grass again so that they can calm down. Sally is concerned about Phyllis and her “not-so-veiled threats.” That woman is capable of anything and her threats are the only thing that Sally takes seriously. Billy explains Phyllis throws threats around like other people say “thank you.”
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Sally reminds Billy that things are even worse because Phyllis is in “mama bear” mode and out to protect Daniel. She had to deal with this once when Phyllis came after her because of Summer. Billy promises that Phyllis will have to come through him first. Although she appreciates his gallantry, Sally can handle that woman herself. He assures her their company will launch and they needn’t worry about Phyllis. Sally tells him he’s made her personally and professionally happy. She’s glad she has a stake in what they are trying to accomplish. That’s why she wants to focus on the good. If Phyllis pushes her, she will push back hard.
Phyllis Pitches Amanda
On Crimson Lights’ patio, Phyllis spots Amanda talking on the phone to Dumas and hangs back to eavesdrop. Amanda tells her boss that the Winters family are not backing away from their demands to speak to him. When she gets off the line, she turns and finds Phyllis smiling at her. It sounds like she’s not the only one looking for an audience with the mysterious man. The lawyer doesn’t appreciate her spying. Her friend says it was just serendipity and begs again for a chance to speak to Dumas, confident she can change his mind. Amanda will not risk her new and lucrative job for her.
As they get a table, Phyllis asks why this Dumas guy is obsessed with hiding in the shadows. Her friend shoots back by asking why she’s obsessed with going after him. “Everything I’m doing now, I’m doing for my son,” Phyllis insists. Daniel needs to find some peace and passion in his work again. Amanda feels for Daniel and knows that her friend needs something to focus on too… But what is her agenda with Dumas?
Phyllis admits she does have an agenda and it will blow her mind. She asks if Dumas is planning a corporate takeover of Chancellor. If he is, then she’s all for it. She’d love to see Victor and Nikki fail after what they did to her and Billy. Amanda assumes that she wants Dumas to put her in charge of the company if he manages to wrangle it away from the Newmans. Phyllis feels this is achievable. Amanda thinks this sounds brazen and inspired… but she doesn’t think she has a shot at changing her boss’ mind.
Phyllis suggests that she and Amanda do this together. They could run Chancellor and be dynamite. “Do you know what happens to dynamite when it’s lit?” Amanda asks. Phyllis thinks they could blow more than minds. Amanda is happy with what she’s doing and wants to remain stable. Phyllis tries to spin other ways they could blow, but this isn’t convincing the lawyer, who has no desire to be the head of legal at Chancellor again. “We would rock,” Phyllis persists.
Phyllis slouches in her chair as Billy and Sally walk in. Sally checks her phone as Phyllis snaps at Billy for all his “wellness checks” and accuses Spectra of knifing her in the back. Spreading her arms, Phyllis declares that Sally will find out that what she did to her was a huge mistake. Once she shouts that she is about to bounce back and show everyone what she can achieve, Sally snipes that it sounds like it was a good thing Billy let her go when he did.
Phyllis warns Sally not to get cocky. She hasn’t earned anything other than an extravagant gift from her latest conquest. “Is that the price a roll in the hay is going for with you these days?” Phyllis asks. Sally fumes. Phyllis reminds her of the price that Adam and Nick paid. Sally declares that Phyllis being single as long as she has clearly left her with a lot of steam to blow off. Billy tries to calm everyone and Phyllis keeps warning that what she has planned will blow everyone out of the water. After she swans out, Billy asks Amanda if anything is actually going on. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?” she says.
