GENOA CITY FACES MULTIPLE CRISES AS VICTOR PLOTS REVENGE AND TRACI FEARS HER FIANCÉ

The tension in Genoa City is reaching a boiling point with Victor Newman orchestrating corporate espionage, Traci Abbott facing terrifying doubts about her fiancé, and a mysterious figure named Dumas lurking in the shadows.

LAUREN FENMORE BEGS NIKKI TO BETRAY VICTOR’S CONFIDENCE

When Nikki Newman meets Lauren Fenmore Baldwin at the jazz lounge, what starts as casual conversation quickly turns serious. Lauren stuns Nikki with a desperate request—to betray her husband’s confidence. The bold move comes from Lauren’s growing fear that Michael Baldwin’s unwavering loyalty to Victor could lead to disaster.

“I’m worried that this time my husband may not survive the fall,” Lauren confesses, her voice breaking with emotion.

The conversation reveals just how desperate Lauren has become, watching her husband being pulled deeper into Victor Newman’s vengeful plots. Nikki understands all too well, having begged Victor repeatedly to let go of his vendetta against Jack Abbott—all stemming from the night Jack helped Nikki during her addiction crisis.

VICTOR AND MICHAEL UNCOVER CORPORATE SPIES AND MYSTERY CONNECTIONS

Meanwhile, at the ranch, Victor and Michael’s conversation exposes the dangerous game they’re playing. Not only has Victor planted spies at Jabot, but one of them is now demanding more money after being suspected by Kyle Abbott. Victor’s fury at being blackmailed shows just how personally he’s taking this vendetta.

“The guy’s threatening me?” Victor asks in disbelief before ranting that nothing will stop his revenge against Jack.

The conversation takes an intriguing turn when they discuss the mysterious Dumas, who has connections to both Damian Kane and Billy Abbott. Victor wonders why Dumas seems to be deliberately revealing his presence, asking pointedly, “What game is he playing?”

SHOCKING THEORY: COULD TUCKER MCCALL BE THE MYSTERIOUS DUMAS?

In a surprising twist, Victor suggests that Tucker McCall might be behind the Dumas identity. Michael immediately sees the logic, noting Tucker’s connections to both the Abbotts and the Winters family, plus his history with Audra Charles and tendency to go off-grid.

“Maybe he’s back for revenge,” Michael speculates, laying out a theory that could explain the strange events unfolding across Genoa City.

This revelation adds a whole new dimension to the mystery surrounding Dumas and suggests that Tucker might be orchestrating an elaborate revenge plot that could impact multiple families.

NIKKI TRIES TO RESCUE MICHAEL FROM VICTOR’S GRIP

When Nikki arrives at the ranch and gets a moment alone with Michael, she doesn’t waste the opportunity to relay Lauren’s concerns. She reminds him that he doesn’t have to follow Victor’s orders if they make him uncomfortable.

Michael’s response is both touching and troubling: Who would protect Victor and keep him from going too far? “We almost lost him,” Michael reminds Nikki, showing just how complex his loyalty to Victor truly is.

When Michael later reunites with Lauren at the jazz lounge, the tension between them is palpable. Though he promises not to end up in prison again, he can’t quite bring himself to promise he’ll walk away if Victor crosses a line—a hesitation that speaks volumes.

TRACI’S WEDDING DREAMS TURN INTO A NIGHTMARE

Across town, Traci Abbott is living what she describes as a “nightmare,” confiding in Jack Abbott about her terrifying suspicion that her fiancé Alan might actually be his evil twin brother Martin. The fear in her voice is heartbreaking as she admits she can’t trust her own judgment anymore.

“I can’t trust my head or my heart,” Traci tells Jack in a devastated voice.

Jack’s protective instincts kick in as he insists she shouldn’t meet Alan alone and reminds her that if it is Martin, her life could be in danger. Their emotional call ends with Traci in tears, struggling with the possibility that the man she thought was “the one” might be an impostor with sinister intentions.

DIANE JENKINS PICKS UP ON TRACI’S DISTRESS

Later, Diane Jenkins encounters Traci at the GCAC and immediately senses something is wrong. Though Traci tries to maintain the façade that she’s just excited about her wedding plans, Diane isn’t fooled by her nervous behavior.

When Alan calls, Traci’s uncomfortable laugh and strained conversation only confirm Diane’s suspicions. After telling Alan how much she wants to look into his eyes again and “see the man I want to marry,” Traci returns to Diane visibly upset.

Diane’s concern appears genuine as she asks what’s going on, showing a more empathetic side to her character that might make her an unexpected ally in Traci’s time of need.

KYLE AND JACK DISCOVER VICTOR’S CORPORATE ESPIONAGE

In another shocking development, Kyle tells his father about his suspicions regarding Mathison, a Glissade executive who’s been asking unusual questions about products outside his department—the same questions Victor had asked when trying to get Kyle to steal sunscreen formulas.

Jack and Kyle quickly deduce that Victor has planted spies throughout their company, raising the stakes in the corporate war. Always strategic, Jack suggests they might beat Victor at his own game by outbidding him for Mathison’s loyalty.

Kyle notices his father seems distracted and learns that Jack is worried about Traci and her fiancé, though Jack keeps the details confidential to respect his sister’s privacy.

With corporate spies, mysterious revenge plots, and a potentially dangerous impostor threatening Traci, Genoa City is facing crises on multiple fronts. Will Michael finally choose Lauren over Victor? Can Jack and Kyle outmaneuver Victor’s corporate espionage? And most urgently—is Traci in immediate danger from the man she’s planning to marry?