Credit: Howard Wise/jpistudios.com

At Crimson Lights, Billy teases Chelsea that she’s late. She complains about the traffic. He missed her last night but explains they may have finally settled on a way to take Tucker down once and for all — his mother’s face lit up! He’ll tell her all about it once he swears her to secrecy.

After Billy’s told her, Chelsea says it sounds exciting. Billy is stoked about beating Tucker once and for all. Chelsea asks who is doing the day-to-day corporate stuff while the execs are doing damage control. Billy tells her, “No risk, no reward.” She gives him a dirty look. He asks if he said something wrong. Chelsea says it sounds like he’s jonesing for a payoff, like in poker, “It sounds like gambling.” She thinks he’s falling into trouble and he doesn’t even know it.

Billy tells Chelsea there’s nothing to worry about and hopes she’s joking. Chelsea isn’t and reminds him what it’s like sitting at a poker table anticipating the win. Billy gabbers about everything being on the line right now and sometimes you have to play the longshot. Suddenly, he stops. “Wow. I hear it.” Chelsea hopes he doesn’t resent her for saying something. Billy is glad she spoke up — she’s supposed to keep him accountable. Billy is disappointed he didn’t see it himself. Chelsea jokes about being a buzzkill. Billy thinks he’s one step away from throwing down a couple hands of hold ‘em. “Thank you very much for the buzzkill.” Chelsea says he’s been there for her, she’s just holding up her end of the deal.

At the Abbott manse, Jack greets Ashley with, “good morning,” and is glad to not have to prepare for battle. Ashley tells him she’s considering his request. Jack thinks giving Tucker control of that company could be their ticket to getting him out of their lives for good, “That’s what we want, right?” Ashley will always be connected to Tucker because of their grandson, but other than celebrating the kid’s birthday, he won’t be in her life. She wants to know Jack’s plan.

Jack tells Ashley that Tucker will buy her half of Glissade. She says that will take a lot of his resources. Jack explains, Tucker will then take the company and try to threaten Jabot’s place in the marketplace. That will take a veritable stream of money he does not have. Ashley muses that she’ll obviously raise the price, which will mean more funds for them. Jack warns that while he’s raising money, Tucker will be doing anything he can to sow discontent inside Jabot to weaken them. He’ll try to destabilize them and take over. They’ll turn the tables on him and use his plan against him. They’ll tear his company apart from the inside by exposing his complicity in the cover-up at McCall. It’s the best way to discredit him. No board of directors will let him stand after that comes out. Jack asks Ashley if she’s in. Ashley points out there’s no other plan since Devon won’t forgive Tucker. Just being in the same area code as Tucker is disturbing for her. Jack knows this isn’t easy for her. “We have to get this man out of our lives… for everyone’s sake.”

Tucker greets Audra at her suite door and asks if she slept well. She asks why he’s shouting. Tucker is giving Kyle ample time to collect his stuff, “Is he in the shower?” Audra accuses him of having a fixation. Tucker’s cool with it, he just needs her to keep her head in the game. He needs to know that Kyle’s trustworthy and wonders where the secrets are that he’s supposed to be giving them on the Abbotts.

Audra tells Tucker she’s building the groundwork — Kyle just got back to Jabot. Tucker’s instincts are telling him that Kyle is playing them. He needs evidence if he’s to believe he’s on their side. Audra’s doing her best. Tucker urges her to get him to do something. Audra can do anything. Tucker invites her to prove it. He cozies up to the back of her and murmurs about how much he respects her intelligence. Audra isn’t sure how she feels about this, but invites him to lay it on thick. Tucker knows her better than Kyle could ever. They’ve gone places he could never conceive of. Audra asks, “So, you’re not threatened by our connection?” Tucker doesn’t think she’d throw their history away for some haircut. Audra wants to know about their future. Tucker says that’s unwritten. He goes on until he gets a text from Ashley asking to meet. He figures she’s made her mind up.

In the dining room, Diane tells Kyle she’s excited about their plan. Plus, Jill has joined forces with the Abbotts, which is enough to intimidate anyone. She tells Kyle if Tucker is planning on using him to destroy Jabot from the inside, and it’s up to him to stop him. Jack will be proud. Kyle explains that so far all Tucker wants him to do is keep his eyes open. He doesn’t trust anyone but he can keep the act up. Diane urges her son to let McCall see how devoted he is to him. He’ll maybe loop him in. They need to know his concrete plans for Glissade. Kyle muses, “Then we launch our attack.” He loves it.

At Society, Jill tells Devon and Nate that Chancellor-Winters is facing a potentially existential threat, “We have work to do.” Nate asks if this has to do with Tucker. The conversation turns to Lily’s absence. Mattie is OK, but lost her mentor at the school in the fire. Nate frowns, “I had no clue. Poor kid must be going through it.” Jill explains that Lily will be staying there with Mattie. She’s taken a leave of absence. Nate vows they’ll show Lily they can handle things on their own for a while. Jill wouldn’t bat an eye under normal circumstances, but Tucker is a wildcard. Mamie walks up and declares that Tucker McCall is coming after their company, “It is time for all hands on deck!”

More: Y&R nemeses reunited at Bold & Beautiful

Sitting, Mamie finds it fortuitous that she came upon this little tribunal. Her invitation must have got lost. Jill admits she wasn’t invited, “The three of us can handle this crisis.” She called the meeting to bring Nate up to speed and Mamie already knows what she was going to tell him. Mamie tells Devon that Jill has forgotten how much she’s already done. Jill thinks Mamie should phone in her suggestions from an island somewhere. Mamie’s not going anywhere.

At the Abbott house, Jack tells Ashley, “If we take away everything that once fueled his fire; money, power, you, he has nothing. That is how we defeat the enemy.” Ashley is here for it. She gets a text and tells Jack, “And so it begins.”

In Audra’s suite, she asks Tucker what’s going on with him and Ashley. He says he doesn’t trust him and all he wants is her half of the company they bought together. Audra complains that he hasn’t told her that plan. Tucker likes to keep her hungry. Audra needs to know more. Tucker tells her to just keep doing what she’s doing. Offer Kyle the world and then leave him in ashes. First, she has to convince him that Kyle is truly on board. Audra sighs, “So, it’s just another Tuesday.” Tucker is off to meet Ashley and jokes, “If I’m not back in 24 hours alert the authorities.”

In the dining room, Kyle and Diane discuss keeping Jack out of the loop about him being a double-agent. Diane thinks it’s for the best. She worries about Tucker finding out what he’s up to. Kyle wants to know what’s next after they take him down. Diane guesses Jack will want to absorb Glissade into Jabot. Kyle feels that makes sense.

More: Will Ronan return?

As they make their way to the door, Kyle and Diane run into Ashley and Tucker, who have just met up. Tucker needles Kyle about having to take the COO job at Jabot. Diane interjects and Kyle tells his mother not to let McCall push her buttons. Tucker asks them to pass along a message to Jack — he’s no longer interested in Jabot and has a new mission in life if he can get Ashley’s approval. Ashley and Tucker go to their table. Diane hopes Jack has convinced her to side with the family. Kyle hopes so, because whatever she does next is a game-changer. At the table, Ash tells Tucker this won’t take long at all.

At Society, Devon complains about the distrust and fighting between Mamie and Jill. The women insist they’re having fun. Devon reiterates they need to talk about things that really matter. Jill suggests Mamie hit the spa and they can just text her to let her know what they come up with. Nate wants to stay on the sidelines. Devon thinks it would be foolish to refuse Mamie’s help and feels Lily would agree with him. Mamie is ready to roll up her sleeves. Jill reminds her she has no say and no power in the company. Mamie accuses her of being intimidated. Jill says Nate and Devon are just too polite to tell her to zip it. Nate thinks if they want to prove to Lily they can keep things afloat without her, they’re off to a bad start. Jill agrees they need to get down to business and warns Nate not to take advantage of his family’s love. Devon says he’s looking forward to seeing what his cousin can bring to the table. In light of Lily’s absence, they need him. Nate nods, “You’ve got me.”

Devon says that Nate knows their company as well as any of them. He asks if Jill minds if they take off to the office to discuss ideas. Jill consents and promises she and Mamie will be on their best behavior when Devon expresses concern. After the guys leave, Mamie tells Jill, “I thought we were together on this idea about Tucker.” Jill said they had a common enemy — Mamie does not have the background or the skills to help them with this crisis. Has she ever gone up against an enemy like Tucker McCall?! Mamie sneers, “I did just fine going up against you. Tucker McCall will be a piece of cake.”

At Crimson Lights, Billy and Chelsea continue to discuss bringing Tucker down. She thinks a lot is riding on Kyle. Maybe he could use Billy’s advice. Billy doesn’t think Kyle wants advice from his uncle, or from anyone.

At the Abbott mansion, Jack tells Kyle and Diane that Ashley’s agreed to sell Tucker her half of Glissade although she’s a little hard to read. “So far, so good.”

More: Y&R’s Christmas gift to Nikki

In the Club dining room, Ashley tells Tucker she’s decided to sell him her half of Glissade. He notes she’s suspiciously amenable today. Ashley muses, “You want the company, let’s make a deal.” Tucker says she’s been angling for something since she got back from Paris, he just can’t figure out what it is yet. Ashley says there is no angle, but she admits she’s been mercurial. She tells him the company won’t be cheap, “I’m going to make you pay. I’ll be in touch.” As she walks out, Audra comes down the stairs and watches Tucker.

At Crimson Lights, Nate asks if Devon is expecting a call from Lily. He says either that or from the police station if Jill and Mamie need them to bail them out. Nate thinks they’re two thoughtful and intelligent women and will be fine. He urges his cousin not to get involved or take sides. “I want to thank you,” he tells Devon, “For everything. I won’t let you down.” Devon replies, “You better not.”

On the patio, Chelsea wants to know if Billy would rather have a firepit or backstage passes to his favorite band. Billy wonders if this is a Christmas gift question. He has everything he wants, including a woman who makes him happier than he deserves and makes him a better person. They kiss.

More: Melissa Claire Egan’s Daytime Emmy nod

At Society, Jill asks how much it will take for Mamie to go away, “I will write that check.” Mamie can’t be bought. Jill muses that it was worth a try; it worked before. She will give her anything to go away. Mamie wants to ask her the same, “What will it take to make you go away.”

Next on The Young and the Restless: Devon and Nate reach an agreement, Heather makes herself at home with Daniel during Lily’s absence, and Victoria and Cole vow to find out the truth about Claire.