The halls of Crimson Lights are still, the hum of quiet mourning hanging in the air. Claire Grace Newman sits alone, her heart a shattered mosaic of grief. Her father, Cole Howard, is gone—and the weight of that reality hasn’t quite settled yet. As she quietly mourns, Holden Novak enters and spots her, his concern genuine.

“I heard about your dad,” Holden begins gently. “I’m really sorry, Claire.”

She nods, struggling to keep her composure. Not everyone knows yet. Most loved ones still can’t be reached. She wants to believe that Kyle Abbott, the man she needs now more than ever, somehow senses her ache across the distance.

Holden reassures her, “Kyle would be here if he could.” But Claire shakes her head—timing has a cruel way of getting everything wrong.

  

Trying to comfort her, Holden opens up about losing his own father to cancer. His vulnerability cuts through the sorrow, and Claire admits the most painful truth: “It’s hard to imagine never hearing his voice again.”

Holden doesn’t try to fix her pain. Instead, he tells her it’s okay to feel every part of it. Grateful for the compassion, Claire finds herself slowly leaning on him.

With a small smile, Holden offers, “Let me be your distraction. Breakfast?”

Claire hesitates. She admits she loves reading and horseback riding—but breakfast might be too much, too soon. Holden doesn’t press. He casually adds his number to her phone. But as he turns to leave, Claire surprises him.

“Wait,” she says. “Let’s go. I changed my mind.”

Elsewhere, at the Dumas Estate’s inner court, Kyle and Audra are deep in a marketing meeting, huddled over ideas to use influencers for their new fragrance war. The air is thick with perfume and flirtation.

Kyle is clearly distracted by the scent Audra wears. “What is that top note?” he wonders, more to himself than to her.

Their chemistry is electric—until Cain Ashby walks in, all steel-eyed and unannounced.

“Am I interrupting?” he asks, knowingly.

Kyle and Audra quickly reposition themselves. “We’re just working,” they claim.

But Cain isn’t buying the innocent act. “You’re both in committed relationships… or am I mistaken?”

Audra smoothly reiterates their bond is professional. Kyle agrees. But Cain, perceptive and calculated, isn’t so easily swayed.

He reminds Audra that Nate’s a decent man. Then turns to Kyle—“I’m sorry things didn’t work out with Summer.” He gives Audra a nod, impressed she managed to snag Victor Newman’s endorsement for her company, Vibrante.

“You’re a woman of many talents,” he tells her.

“I take big swings,” she replies, her tone daring.

Their flirtatious banter doesn’t go unnoticed. Kyle jokingly calls Audra “invasive.” Audra, unfazed, offers Cain a sniff of her fragrance—testing how well he understands women.

They talk shop about promotion strategies, and Cain questions why Jabot is even involving itself in a petty rivalry with a startup like Vibrante. Kyle and Audra maintain it’s about visibility—but Cain sees through them.

“You’re playing with fire,” he warns. “Jack won’t like bad press.”

Audra bites back, “Jabot is already a sinking ship. I’ve got Victor’s backing.”

Kyle, offended, snaps, “That’ll never happen.”

Cain, amused, proposes a delay in revealing his identity—giving their “battle royale” time to unfold. Kyle thanks him, and the trio toasts to an all-out marketing war. Audra and Kyle high-five in triumph, unaware of the storm they’re stoking.

Meanwhile, over at Society, Chelsea is floored when Adam returns so soon from his mysterious journey.

“I have a lot to tell you,” Adam says, clearly shaken.

They sit. Chelsea breaks the terrible news—Cole didn’t make it.

Adam, stunned, tries to process it. “Nikki… she must’ve felt something was wrong. I didn’t expect this.”

Chelsea, voice soft but firm, tells him it’s time to step up and talk to his sister. Then, shifting gears, she asks about the elusive Aristotle Dumas.

Adam reveals the shocker: Cane is Dumas.

Chelsea’s jaw drops. “I would’ve bet it was Colin.”

“Well,” Adam admits, “We were both right. Colin helped him build it.”

Chelsea immediately distrusts the whole thing. “You expect me to believe this empire isn’t soaked in crime? Is Colin even really dead?”

Adam doesn’t answer, but he shares her skepticism. The story is massive—and it’s theirs to uncover.

She eyes him. “You climbed a mountain for this?”

“There was no other way,” Adam replies.

Chelsea can’t help but note the irony. While power players are trapped abroad, Cane has flown home and bought up prime real estate.

“What’s his endgame?” she wonders.

They both agree on one thing: Cane is dangerous.

When Adam asks who Cane’s point man in town is, Chelsea lowers her voice. “I know exactly who it is.”

She gestures across the room as Claire and Holden enter. “That shark,” she says, “is Holden Novak. Used to work for Damian.”

Adam is impressed—and intrigued.

Chelsea fills him in on Holden’s approach while Adam was away. She’s convinced the man is circling like a predator.

Claire waves at them, and Chelsea forces a smile.

Adam shakes Holden’s hand, offering his condolences.

“I never met Dumas,” Holden says. “And Damian and I… we’re not close anymore.”

Adam offers to connect him with Devon, but Holden pushes back. “I’m weighing my options. You ask a lot of questions.”

Adam apologizes. The tension lingers.

As Claire thanks Chelsea for supporting Victoria, Holden and Claire sit down for lunch. Adam suggests Holden stop by Newman Media.

Holden chuckles. “Are you offering me a job?”

“Not yet,” Adam smirks.

Holden considers it, then heads off.

Chelsea, watching him go, murmurs, “You handled that well.”

Across the room, Claire beams. “Working with my uncle could be amazing.”

Holden shrugs, his eyes on the menu. Claire starts to panic—she needs to check on her mother.

Holden gently assures her it’s okay. “Take things one at a time.”

Claire confesses her growing anxiety about Kyle and Audra being isolated together.

Holden tries to remain neutral. “Audra’s… intense.”

“But I trust Kyle,” Claire says firmly.

“Then don’t worry,” Holden says with a smile.

Back in the train car, Kyle and Audra return buzzing from their run-in with Cain. They pour drinks and toast to what lies ahead.

“To getting everything we want,” Audra whispers.