Young and the Restless gives Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn) circling the drain when Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford) rolls up on him with one of her harebrained schemes to conquer the world together—if he’ll just forget boring old Lily Winters (Christel Khalil), as Phyllis likes to call her.
We’re going to talk about how Cane might trick Phyllis and gaslight her into doing what he wants with no intention of being loyal or following her plan.
Young and the Restless: Jack Abbott Seeks Proof of Victor Newman’s AI Theft
Recently, Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) went to Cane asking for proof that Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) used stolen AI to destroy Arabesque. Jack told Cane he’d pay a lot for that proof, and it would also serve as revenge against Victor, who wiped out Cane’s company using that same technology.
Cane told Jack he had an idea about how to get proof, but it wouldn’t be easy. Right now, Phyllis—who magically went from Googling “what is AI” to being an AI expert—was the one who originally stole the software from Cane.
Cane knows Phyllis could steal it back and potentially uncover proof that Victor used it against Arabesque. Victor also used the AI against Matt’s company, so evidence of that could still be sitting on Victor’s servers.
Young and the Restless: Phyllis Summers Plots a Newman Enterprises Takeover
At the moment, Phyllis is desperate to get Cane back into her bed and make him her partner in crime. What she really wants is Dumas, but Cane is who she has, and she’s trying to make it work. Phyllis’ goal from the beginning was to take Newman Enterprises away from Victor.
She openly told Cane she wanted Victor answering to her. Phyllis hates Victor for very good reasons, and this week she’s pushing Cane to stop wallowing over Lily and help her take over the world.
Young and the Restless: Cane Ashby Hits Rock Bottom After Family Rejection
Cane is furious and heartbroken that Lily left town to get away from him. While Phyllis tries to lure him in, Cane receives a text from his kids, Mattie Ashby (Lexie Stevenson) and Charlie Ashby (Noah Alexander Gerry), telling him to stop calling because they’re cutting all ties.
At that point, Cane has no one left but Phyllis. He’s defeated, isolated, and inching toward a breaking point. Cane wants payback on Victor for stealing the AI, on Jack for rubbing his misery in his face, and on Phyllis for handing his technology to Victor in the first place on Young and the Restless.
Young and the Restless: Will Cane Gaslight Phyllis in a Secret Revenge Plot?
Phyllis may be last on Cane’s revenge list because he needs her help to get proof against Victor. Cane may let Phyllis believe she’s worn him down and agree to partner with her. He could gaslight Phyllis into thinking he’s fully committed while quietly plotting his own version of justice.
In the back of his mind, Cane may still believe proving himself could bring Lily back. But let’s be honest—he’s also craving payback. If Lily is truly done with him, Cane may decide to embrace the chaos that comes with Phyllis.
Billy Abbott Overhears the Dangerous Plot on Y&R
According to late-winter spoilers, Jack and Victor eventually unite against Cane, while Phyllis and Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) score a win. While Cane and Phyllis talk about taking over Newman Enterprises, Billy secretly eavesdrops and hears Phyllis lay out her plan to strip Victor of his empire.
Billy slips away without being noticed. He originally came to talk to Phyllis but walks off after hearing everything. That moment could change everything.
Young and the Restless: Cane Ashby Slips Back Into Darkness
Cane may eventually be exposed for using Phyllis while also plotting revenge against her. Lily walked away in part because of Phyllis’ involvement, and seeing Phyllis kiss Cane before New Year’s sealed her belief that he hadn’t changed.
Cane can’t convince Lily otherwise. In his pain and anger, he may manipulate Phyllis while hoping Lily eventually sees the truth. If Phyllis realizes she’s being played, she’ll explode. Billy could then become her only remaining ally, fulfilling the spoiler about their big win.
Young and the Restless: Billy Abbott’s Inner Battle and the Return of Dumas
Billy has tried to be better for Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope), but his obsession with Victor never fully fades. Phyllis represents temptation, while Sally represents restraint. Billy may ultimately tell Phyllis and Cane that he’s in, reviving the three-way alliance they discussed months ago.
Meanwhile, Michael Baldwin (Christian Jules Leblanc) and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) are working to frame Cane for the missing AI, giving him even more reason to embrace his darker side. By the time Lily returns to Genoa City, Cane may fully become the villain she always believed he was.
