In the May 2, 2025 episode of The Young and the Restless, Genoa City is once again shaken by betrayals, power plays, and tangled relationships that threaten to unravel long-standing loyalties. At the heart of the chaos is Summer Newman, who finds herself navigating personal and professional minefields as old alliances crumble and new conspiracies take shape.

Summer, usually composed and formidable in business, is blindsided by two major developments that force her to reevaluate where she stands. One of the key blows comes from Victor Newman, her grandfather, who has joined forces with Audra Charles, the brain behind the newly launched Vbronte project—a cosmetics venture designed to challenge both Kyle Abbott and the company he leads, Zjabo.

Victor, ever the corporate puppeteer, is using his influence and money to control the playing field—but with strings attached. He’s cautious, refusing to fund Audra’s plan unless she shows tangible results. So he proposes a conditional investment strategy: for every successful move Audra makes against Kyle, more funding will be unlocked. This forces Audra into a game of corporate chess where every decision must destabilize Kyle’s leadership without drawing too much attention.

Audra accepts the challenge and proudly announces her “Vbronte” project to Kyle during a chance encounter at Crimson Lights. Though she tries to shake him, Kyle remains confident, asserting that Audra—like others before her—won’t succeed in toppling Jabou. Meanwhile, Cole, another key character, becomes seriously ill. Victoria, ever dependable, rushes him to the doctor and promises to keep his girlfriend, Claire, informed. But Claire, uneasy and skeptical, lashes out at Audra in public, exposing the deep mistrust brewing among the characters.

As Claire’s suspicions grow, she begins voicing her concerns to Kyle—not just about Cole’s health, but also about the shadowy dealings surrounding Vbronte. Kyle, now doubting everyone’s motives, starts digging into the project’s funding and quickly realizes that Victor may be the hidden hand behind it all. Determined to uncover the truth, he prepares to confront Victor, escalating the already-tense power struggle between the Abbotts and Newmans.

Summer, caught in the middle of this family and business war, is left wondering whether to align herself with Victor and Audra or stand by Kyle. Her decision could cost her dearly, personally and professionally. She faces pressure from all sides, and with her family name on the line, she must weigh loyalty against ambition.

Meanwhile, another storm brews elsewhere. Michael Baldwin confesses to his wife Lauren that he warned Jack Abbott about Victor’s quiet scheming. This revelation infuriates Lauren, who feels betrayed and questions where Michael’s loyalty really lies. Michael insists he only wanted to protect everyone, but Lauren sees his actions as reckless, potentially putting their family in danger. She urges him to distance himself from both Victor and Jack before things spiral out of control.

The tension thickens when Diane Jenkins Abbott makes an unexpected appearance, interrupting Michael and Lauren’s heated exchange. Diane instantly senses something’s off and presses Michael about his true allegiances—whether he serves Jack, his longtime friend, or Victor, the man who signs his paychecks. This line of questioning cuts deep, not just for Michael, but also for Lauren, who begins to doubt whether her husband can truly separate his personal morals from political expediency.

Diane’s interruption further complicates the dynamic, pushing Michael into an even tighter corner. With everyone questioning his motives, he realizes that trying to stay neutral may leave him isolated and distrusted by all sides.

Back in the fashion world, Chelsea Lawson stirs the pot with a bombshell revelation during a meeting at Marquetti. She tells Summer and Sally Spectra that she’s received a tempting job offer elsewhere. Though she doesn’t disclose many details, her possible departure throws the company into uncertainty. Summer fears losing one of her key creative minds, and Sally is quick to speculate that Adam Newman—with whom Chelsea has a history—might be behind the offer.

If that weren’t enough, Sally herself drops another shocker: she too has been offered a position at another company. With both top designers potentially leaving, Summer begins to feel the ground shift beneath her. Her vision for Marquetti is crumbling, and she fears being left to pick up the pieces alone.

Chelsea suggests that Sally could take over as creative director, a role she held in the company’s early days. While Sally considers it, her mind is already clouded by the other offer on the table. Summer tries to stay optimistic, but it’s clear she’s shaken by the possibility of losing both women—people she trusts and depends on.

The episode ends with layers of tension: power plays between the Abbotts and Newmans, strained loyalties in marriages and friendships, and business upheaval that threatens the future of Marquetti. Every character is facing a fork in the road, and each choice could have lasting consequences.

As rivalries deepen and motives become murkier, the battle lines are being redrawn in Genoa City. Trust is fading, ambition is rising, and the question remains: Who will come out on top in this ruthless game of power, family, and survival?

Would you like a visual summary (like a character web or power struggle diagram) to help map the relationships and conflicts?