Young and the Restless: Adam Rises as Favorite While Victor Turns on the Rest

The Young and the Restless could soon see Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) in a position he’s really never been in before. Because soon, Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) might see his namesake son as the golden boy for a change, you know, the one that the mustache puts ahead of all his other kids, including Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) and Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle).

Right now, Victoria’s making decisions that Victor’s going to hate once he finds out. And Nick’s about to do some things Victor won’t approve of, in and out of rehab. Meanwhile, Adam’s being a good boy.

Young and the Restless: Adam Jumps to Fave Newman Child?

So, we could soon see Adam in the position of Victor’s favorite child, at least for a moment. And it may all be down to choices Victoria and Nick make in their love lives. And Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) may have a hand in this family upheaval as well.

So, we all know Adam’s got a history of getting on Victor’s bad side. Adam and Victor have been at odds so many times over the years. They’ve been full-on enemies at several points. If you recall, Adam conspired to send Victor to prison at one point, and then he did the same to Adam. It was really messy and ugly. But lately, aside from the debate about targeting Sally Spectra (Courtney Hope), which Adam and Chelsea didn’t want to do, Adam has been on Victor’s good side.

And at this point, Adam’s tired of being the black sheep of the Newmans. He mentioned that not too long ago. It came up when Victor appointed Victoria as CEO of Newman Enterprises when they got it back from Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford). And at the time, Victor also promised Nick a job there, too, once he’s out of rehab.

Adam Protects Sally on Y&R

Meanwhile, Adam and Chelsea were left empty-handed because Newman Media was still merged with Spectra Charles. And when Adam tried to convince Victor that he and Chelsea could build something new, Victor said, “Whatever, but he’s still going to target Sally.” And that’s why, if you recall, he went behind Victor’s back.

So back then, Adam told Sally he’s been doing everything right, and Victor still didn’t put him in charge of the family company. So Adam felt like basically all his effort was for nothing. This drama led to Adam buying Newman Media from Sally, which ticked off Victor. But things pivoted because Nick collapsed and Billy Abbott (Jason Thompson) moved in on Chancellor, and that changed the focus.

So, Adam then began using Newman Media to target Billy. So, that has him getting a pat on the head from Victor. And as you know, Adam’s always been desperate for Victor’s approval. And now, Adam’s living in Victor’s old house, and he’s doing what he’s told. And Adam has always hoped to be named as CEO of the family company, not through shenanigans, not through bribery, leverage, you know, but legit because Victor wanted him there.

And of course, Adam’s been CEO before, but he doesn’t want to do it in a shady way. He wants to earn it. And based on changing dynamics in the Newman family, it might happen. Victor might put Adam in charge of the company and name him the golden boy. Based on current storylines, it looks like Victoria and Nick may both end up on Victor’s bad side.

Young and Restless: Nick’s Choices Annoy Victor

Let’s start with Nick. Now, I don’t think this is anything to do with his addiction that sets Victor off. He’s fully supportive of Nick getting clean. He doesn’t blame him for the addiction. But while Nick’s in rehab trying to stay clean, Marie Kirkland (Jade Harlow) has become close to Nick. And already it’s more than friendship because Marie and Nick slept together. So, it’s very intense. It’s complex. And you can see this week that Marie is leaning on Nick. And I fully expect him and Marie to start an official romance. We all know Nick has that hero complex. He needs to save everybody, especially the women in his life.

He already saved Marie’s life when she overdosed in the motel room when they met. And now Nick’s trying to help Marie stay clean while trying to stay clean himself. So Nick’s trying to save her every day in rehab. And Victor is already concerned about Nick and Marie because we heard Victor telling Nikki he’s afraid Marie is going to be a bad influence.

I get that because Nick should be focused on his own recovery and not Marie’s recovery. And since she and Nick are both addicts, if Marie falls off the wagon, Nick might tumble right with her. Plus, rehab and twelve-step programs strongly recommend against starting new relationships while in recovery. But on the other hand, Nick feels ashamed around his family, but with Marie, he doesn’t because Nick and Marie are in the same boat and they understand each other.

 Victor Terrified of Losing Nick on Y&R

But of course, Victor only cares about Nick’s well-being after watching him overdose and basically die right in front of him. So, Victor is afraid to lose him. And if Nick gets involved with Marie in rehab and, you know, stays with her after he gets out, I don’t think Victor’s going to tolerate it. On top of that, I expect Nikki keeps pushing for Jack to be Nick’s sponsor.

So, if he’s with Marie and also spending time with Jack as his sponsor, Victor may lose it, and he may tell Nick, “Get rid of that trashy woman and drop Jack. I’ll find you a better sponsor or else.” And because of his hero complex, I doubt that Nick would do what Victor says about Marie. And he may be stubborn about Jack as well. And Nikki may be fighting Victor about Jack.

So, in the end, Victor may tell Nick he can’t work at Newman Enterprises. I can see Victor lashing out, telling Nick, “Until you start living the way that I approve of, you know, you can’t be around us.” Meanwhile, Adam’s going to be the good child for a change.

Young and the Restless: Victoria Enrages Victor

So, now let’s talk about Victoria, because she just slept with Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor), and Victoria and Kyle agreed it was a one-time deal, but it’s not. It soon turns into a full-blown fling. And actor Michael Mueller said that soon enough there are feelings forming between Victoria and Kyle, but they are going to agree to keep it a secret affair. Now, I think the Abbotts won’t actually care if he’s with Victoria, other than not wanting more trouble from the mustache.

But Victor hates the Abbotts, and he will not tolerate this. If you recall, he really hated when Kyle was dating Claire. Victor even offered to fund Audrey’s company, Vibrante, if she would seduce Kyle away from Claire. And Kyle now despises Victor for nearly getting his parents killed. So they are at the worst point ever with each other.

So once Victor finds out Kyle is sleeping with Victoria, especially after dating Claire, I think Victor is going to blow his top. And Victoria said something recently that might have been foreshadowing. She told Kyle she is due for Victor to disown her again on Young and the Restless. And he might. Victoria already knows her daddy Victor will hate her being with Kyle. And the fake corporate rivalry that’s allowing Victoria to spend time with Kyle is going to be another thing Victor’s going to blow up about.

Young and Restless: Victor Flips on Nick & Victoria

You know, he’s going to figure out they’re having an affair and then all heck’s going to break loose. And if Victoria sticks with Kyle and refuses to dump him because she’s caught feelings, you know, Victoria doing that on top of Nick choosing Marie in defiance and both of them going against what Victor wants, that’s when things may change.

If all these stars align, I could see Victor making Adam CEO of Newman Enterprises, disowning Victoria, and kicking Nick out of his life. And of course, Victoria would be angry if Adam wound up with the CEO job, but if she was happy with Kyle, you know, Victoria might decide, all right, it’s a fair trade. As for Nick, he can be very stubborn. I think he would dig in his heels and say he didn’t want to work at Newman anyway, so Adam could finally get everything he’s always wanted because Victoria and Nick may soon defy Victor.