The Young and the Restless spoilers document that Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) has been reeling since returning from France.

Audra Charles (Zuleyka Silver) is in trouble as she continues to demonstrate, and her link to Holden Novak (Nathan Owens) reinforces Kyle’s problems.

Claire Newman (Hayley Erin) loves Kyle but is in a first-time relationship. That means she doesn’t have comparison ability.

Holden’s revealed interest in Claire confirms Kyle’s suspicions. So, viewers are watching to see if she maintains a friendship with Owens’ character or is in the process of switching love interests.

Claire Newman Mimics Grandfather’s Tone

Claire defaults to her childhood experiences with Jordan Howard (Colleen Zenk) whenever she believes anyone is trying to protect her, as conversations with her grandfather demonstrated.

But that was before she realized Victor Newman’s (Eric Braeden) opinion shouldn’t be rejected because it represented wisdom.

Victor’s defense of Kyle hasn’t become full-throated. It’s more nuanced, with Claire’s first-ever boyfriend passing Victor’s hard test.

An equally intriguing development is Claire’s continued belief that her childhood experiences mean she doesn’t need anyone, be it Kyle, Holden, or whoever, protecting her.

That often-repeated line in Genoa City, Wisconsin, is one that Claire’s mother, Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle), used throughout her early adult years and still mentions on occasion.

Devoted viewers know that Claire is like her grandfather, believing that she only needs help when asking for it.

Holden Novak’s Backstory Isn’t Known

Viewers only know scant details about what happened between him and Audra in Los Angeles, California. That was before both characters were written into GC.

Apparently, Audra became involved in a sordid scenario. Holden helped her get out of it. That’s the gist of that hidden plot.

But if that’s it, then Audra is the villain, and Holden was simply helping a woman he cared about. Yet, this is daytime. So, there must be more or a twist.

Holden recently told Claire that he can no longer deny his feelings for her. She didn’t expect to hear him make that admission. Plus, she rejected Kyle’s awareness of that reality because of her defensive ego mechanism.

The confrontation between Kyle and Holden at Crimson Lights was a preview. Holden senses that Kyle is losing his grip on Claire and that she can be taken. She might rationalize that as her choice rather than a reactionary rebound after the fact.

Kyle Abbott Distracted By Personal Business

Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) needs his son’s full focus. But Kyle can’t offer it because his heart is exposed.

Kyle must resolve the rift with Claire. It feels more likely than not that she’ll become involved with Holden, which will deepen Kyle’s distraction.

So, Jabot remains at greater risk because Jack and Diane Jenkins Abbott (Susan Walters) are its only protectors.

Meanwhile, Kyle is enmeshed in love matters, and his post-Summer Newman (Allison Lanier) soul mate is growing closer to a man he doesn’t trust. But she does, and that’s probably leading to a deeper hurt for her.