Y&R Shocking: Claire Grace Exposed as a User as Holden Novak Falls Deeper

CLAIRE GRACE’S NEW YORK PLAN HAS HOLDEN NOVAK WALKING INTO A TRAP

TL;DR: On the Thursday May 7 episode of The Young and the Restless, Claire Grace admitted that learning Audra Charles‘s secret would be a “bonus” of her New York trip with Holden Novak, and viewers are calling her selfish and childish for stringing Holden along.

The “Bonus” Confession Heard Across Genoa City

The viewer backlash is loud, and it is not slowing down. Claire Grace (Hayley Erin) said the quiet part out loud on the May 7 episode of The Young and the Restless when she accepted Holden Novak‘s invitation to fly to New York with him. She told Holden the trip was about being there for him while his biological father Malcolm Winters gets a transplant. Then she added that if he finally tells her what happened with Audra Charles in Los Angeles, she would consider it a bonus. The word bonus did a lot of damage in living rooms across America.

Is Claire Grace Using Holden to Take Down Audra?

Yes, every clue on screen says Claire Grace is using Holden to get to Audra‘s biggest secret. The bonus comment is only the latest piece. She threw water in Audra‘s face at Society back in December. She told Holden then it was an eye for an eye. She has been digging into Audra‘s Los Angeles past since November, and the only person standing between her and the full truth is Holden. Now she is on a plane with him.

Holden has been falling hard. His mother Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox) literally hugged Claire at Society on April 23 and thanked her for being there for her son. Stephanie warmed to Claire because Claire also discovered her real parents late in life. The scene played sweet. The follow up is anything but. Claire is using that goodwill to get closer to a man she sees as a means to an end.

Got a hot take on whether Claire is the new Genoa City villain or just a woman finally getting even? Write to the editor at [email protected] and tell us where you land. The juicier the take, the better.

What Did Audra Say to Claire?

Audra told Claire to her face that she refuses to give Holden a real chance because of Audra‘s history with him. The two ran into each other at Chancellor Park on May 7 and shared the only open table. Audra called Claire a nepo baby. Claire called Audra a serial thief who uses sex to get what she wants. Then Audra landed the blow. She said Holden is a decent guy that Claire will not let in because of what Audra and Holden once shared. Reading between the lines, when Audra is the voice of reason about your love life, something has gone very wrong.

The Shadow Room Secret That Started It All

The Los Angeles secret is the engine of the whole storyline. Holden punched art dealer Richard at the Shadow Room. Richard hit his head on the bar and died. Audra helped Holden bury it. Claire only knows part of the truth. She knows about the stolen cashier check and the hush money. She does not yet know about Richard’s death. New York is where Holden has promised to fill in the blank, and Claire said yes the second the offer hit the table.

What’s Next for Claire Grace and Holden?

Could this mean Holden tells Claire the full Richard story in New York? Spoiler photos confirm a romantic kiss in the city, and teasers hint the couple will explore new territory together. Don’t be surprised if Holden cracks during a late night confession after the hospital. If he does, Claire walks home with a loaded gun aimed straight at Spectra-Charles Communications, where Audra sits as co-CEO with Sally Spectra.

My gut tells me Holden‘s truth will not stay quiet for forty-eight hours. Claire has not sat on a single piece of Audra dirt yet. She is not going to start now. This has all the makings of a Holden meltdown the moment he realizes the woman in his bed used his pain to take down his old friend.

Don’t be surprised if Audra strikes first. There are spoiler whispers that she may try to turn Stephanie against Claire by leaking the Jordan Howard history. That part is not confirmed, but it would be very on brand for Audra.

Quick Answers for Y&R Fans

Q: Are Claire and Kyle back together?
A: No, Claire and Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) mutually closed their romantic chapter on April 8 and April 9.

Q: Did Holden match as a bone marrow donor for Malcolm?
A: No, Holden‘s donor test came back negative on April 10.

Q: Who are Holden’s biological parents?
A: Holden‘s biological parents are Malcolm (Shemar Moore) and Stephanie.

Drop a comment below. Is Claire selfish and childish, or is she finally giving Audra a taste of her own medicine? The comment section is wide open and we want to hear who you are rooting for.

Don’t miss our latest The Young and the Restless spoilers for more twists and turns.

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