Welcome back, Young and the Restless superfans, to another deep dive here on Soap Family — and hold onto your seats, because this latest twist is guaranteed to leave you reeling. Let’s talk about the absolute bombshell that has rocked Genoa City to its core: the supposed death of Cole Howard on July 3rd.

Fans were blindsided by the shocking announcement. The moment news of Cole’s sudden death from Legionnaire’s disease in a Chicago hospital dropped, hearts broke across the fandom. It seemed unbearably final, and longtime actor Jay Eddie Peck even took to social media with a heartfelt farewell, confirming his exit from the show. But the more you look at the details, the more you have to wonder: was Cole’s death even real?

If you ask me, something is not adding up — and I believe Cole might still be alive. That’s right. His “death” might not be a tragic ending at all, but rather a cunning move orchestrated by none other than the master manipulator himself, Victor Newman. Because if there’s one thing Victor does better than anyone, it’s staying five moves ahead of the rest of Genoa City while everyone else can barely keep up.

Let’s rewind for a second. Cole made his highly anticipated return in 2023, helping to close out the twisted Jordan storyline, and even reuniting with Victoria and his daughter Claire in a surprisingly touching moment of family healing. It was a cathartic, emotional reunion — the kind soaps do best. We saw hope, forgiveness, and the spark of a family trying to piece itself back together after years of pain.

But then, just like that, Cole was snatched away, apparently dead from a sudden illness. No funeral. No onscreen body. No real closure. Fans were left confused and unsatisfied — because let’s face it, Y&R knows how to deliver a gut-wrenching death scene, and this… wasn’t it. The whole thing felt too abrupt, too hollow, almost like it was missing the dramatic punch we’ve come to expect.

So why would the writers bring Cole back only to kill him off again so quickly? There has to be something deeper in play — and who better to pull the strings behind the curtain than Victor Newman?

Let’s not forget Victor’s playbook. The man has faked deaths, swapped identities, rigged entire takedowns, and never once flinched from manipulating reality if it meant protecting his empire. Remember how he orchestrated Jordan’s final defeat, literally trapping her in a cage? Victor doesn’t do anything halfway — his schemes are next-level, layered, and practically bulletproof.

And here’s another key clue: Victor personally oversaw Cole’s transfer to a hospital in Chicago. That alone is suspicious. If Victor was in control of Cole’s care, who’s to say Cole ever died at all? Victor could have easily arranged for him to slip underground and disappear, right where no one would look.

Why? Enter Kane Ashby. Kane has returned to Genoa City with a massive chip on his shoulder and some very dangerous ambitions. He’s been scooping up properties, teaming up with the ever-scheming Phyllis in shady business maneuvers, and has his sights on a corporate power grab that could rock Newman Enterprises, Jabot, and Chancellor to the ground.

But what if there’s more to Kane than just a resentful ex? What if the rumors are true — that Kane might actually be hiding under a new identity as Aristotle Dumis, with ties to global crime networks and deep corruption? Victor is not the kind of man who will let someone like that sneak into his empire without a fight.

So what if Victor decided to turn Cole into his secret weapon? By faking Cole’s death, he removes Cole from public suspicion, freeing him up to go undercover and investigate Kane from the shadows. No one would expect a dead man to show up with evidence to blow the whole scheme apart. It is absolutely classic Victor Newman — a long game of chess while everyone else is still trying to figure out the rules.

With Jay Eddie Peck confirming his exit from the show, the door is now wide open for a recast. Y&R has a long history of seamlessly replacing actors to keep storylines alive and full of surprises. Picture this: Victor has Cole working covertly, laying low, and then—BOOM—a brand new actor arrives, ready for the dramatic unmasking in a courtroom showdown or a boardroom power struggle.

Can you imagine the shock? Victoria, grieving for her lost love, and Claire, still struggling with her father’s absence, would be blindsided. The audience, too, would be floored. Cole returning from the “dead” to expose Kane’s lies could go down as one of Y&R’s greatest reveals ever.

Of course, there will be consequences. Victoria might feel utterly betrayed that Cole kept her in the dark about his plan. Claire, after clawing her way back to stability, could spiral again upon learning her father faked his own death. Victor’s manipulations always come with fallout, and this would be no different.

But you know Victor. The ends justify the means. He’s determined to protect his legacy, no matter who gets hurt along the way. And if taking Kane down means sacrificing his family’s peace for a while, then so be it — Victor has never shied away from hard choices.

Imagine the possibilities for the next chapter: Kane is sitting smugly in a Newman boardroom, ready to sign a deal, when a stranger enters — Cole Howard, very much alive, carrying evidence that destroys Kane’s carefully spun web of lies. The look on Kane’s face would be priceless, and the audience would be on their feet.

The truth will eventually come out, as it always does in Genoa City. And when it does, the fallout is going to be volcanic. Victoria will have to reconcile her heartbreak with gratitude for Cole’s sacrifice. Claire may need therapy to process the emotional whiplash. And Victor? He’ll likely stand tall in the middle of it all, convinced he did the right thing, no matter who disagrees.

So Young and the Restless fans, don’t get too comfortable mourning Cole Howard just yet. In the world of Victor Newman, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Expect masks to fall, secrets to be revealed, and a high-stakes drama that will leave you breathless.

Sound off below — do you think Cole is really alive, working undercover for Victor? Or is this truly goodbye? Don’t forget to smash that subscribe button for more of our breakdowns, hot takes, and jaw-dropping theories about Genoa City’s most twisted stories.