CBS Y&R FULL [12/20/2025] – The Young And The Restless Spoilers Fridays, December 20 Update

In Genoa City, power never moves in clean, predictable patterns. It twists through fear, ambition, and constant calculation, and loyalty is always temporary. Diane Jenkins knows this better than almost anyone. When she approaches Kyle Abbott with steady confidence, she isn’t acting on impulse or emotion. She believes she has finally identified a way to corner Victor Newman—not through open confrontation, but by exposing the patterns he relies on to control everyone around him. Diane speaks like someone who has studied the game long enough to know where the pieces will fall, and that certainty unsettles Kyle. It suggests patience, preparation, and a willingness to accept collateral damage if it means making Victor’s power visible and therefore vulnerable.

At the same time, Phyllis Summers is moving on instinct alone. Fueled by resentment and a fierce refusal to be sidelined, she leaves Victor a sharp voicemail, making it clear she won’t be ignored or quietly erased from whatever deal they once shared. For Phyllis, this isn’t about negotiation—it’s about control. She believes that asserting her presence equals leverage, even as she senses Victor may already be rewriting the arrangement to suit himself.

Billy Abbott witnesses this unraveling firsthand. When he suggests that Victor is backing out of their agreement, he isn’t guessing—he’s confirming what he already knows. Phyllis denies it immediately, because admitting Victor’s betrayal would also mean admitting her own miscalculation. Billy isn’t fooled. He has seen Victor use people until they are no longer useful, then discard them without hesitation. His warning lands hard: if Jabot collapses, Phyllis will walk away with nothing—not even the illusion of victory she’s been clinging to.

Billy doesn’t approach her with anger, but with brutal honesty. He states plainly that she stole the artificial intelligence and handed it to Victor, believing it would secure her power. He also knows Victor is already breaking whatever promises were made. Billy’s offer isn’t about revenge—it’s about survival. He urges Phyllis to get the AI back and tells her she can name her price, because unlike Victor, he understands that trust requires real guarantees. This places Phyllis at a crossroads, forced to see that her alliance with Victor may have been built on illusion rather than leverage.

Meanwhile, Daniel Romalotti finds himself trapped in a tightening web he didn’t create. Decisions are being made above him, and he senses that standing still may be just as dangerous as choosing the wrong side. His unease grows as alliances shift and secrets harden into threats.

Phyllis asks for time to think, but Billy warns her bluntly that time is not on her side. If Jabot falls, she will be abandoned by both Victor and the Abbotts. His message is final, and when he leaves, the urgency between them lingers. That tension spikes when Daniel appears, immediately sensing something is wrong. Phyllis deflects by confronting him about Tessa, framing her concern as protective while avoiding the real issue. Daniel, however, cuts through the distraction and asks directly if she stole the AI and gave it to Victor.

Phyllis lies without hesitation. Daniel doesn’t push the lie, but he makes it clear that both he and Summer are worried she’s in over her head. Phyllis insists she’s on the verge of winning and that her actions will ultimately heal their family, even as her confidence masks growing desperation.

Elsewhere, Jack Abbott releases a calm, carefully crafted video meant to reassure the public that Jabot remains strong and transparent. Behind the composed message, the strain is obvious. That strain erupts when Adam Newman and Chelsea Lawson casually offer holiday greetings. Jack responds with barely restrained fury, accusing Adam of betraying him by publishing reports that served Victor’s narrative while ignoring the full truth. To Jack, this is no longer just business—it’s personal.

Adam defends himself by insisting the reporting was factual, but Jack rejects the explanation outright. He demands accountability, not excuses, and tells Adam that forgiveness is no longer possible. When Adam offers to arrange a meeting to tell his side of the story, Jack dismisses him entirely, ending the relationship with devastating finality.

Left behind, Adam and Chelsea are shaken. Chelsea voices what Adam struggles to admit—the truth was distorted. She reveals that key facts were deliberately omitted to serve Victor’s agenda, and she confesses she’s seriously considering leaving Newman Media. Continuing down this path feels wrong, and she’s no longer willing to carry that shame.

Back at the Abbott mansion, pressure mounts. Kyle warns Summer that Victor is aggressively pursuing them. Diane, frustrated by their reliance on Phyllis, argues that someone driven by self-preservation can’t be trusted to save anyone else. She then hints that she may have found another way to stop Victor—one that doesn’t involve Phyllis at all.

Billy later confirms that Phyllis is still weighing her options, which only reinforces Diane’s belief that hesitation equals weakness. When Jack returns, Diane suggests they may not need Phyllis anymore. The idea signals a major strategic shift. The Abbotts now stand at a crossroads, forced to choose between risky alliances and a new path that could cut Victor Newman off at the source—no matter who gets caught in the fallout.