In The Young and the Restless, Ian Ward proves once again that he is a master of manipulation and deceit. This time, he sets his sights on Tessa, using her compassion to fuel his own dark agenda. When Ian accidentally learns

that Tessa is a friend of Mariah, he sees an opportunity to exploit this connection for his own gain. While Jordan, a fellow manipulator, is skeptical of Ian’s plan, she ultimately agrees to assist him, hoping it will bring some

benefit to her as well. Ian, however, is focused on his own goals and quickly devises a new scheme to get closer to Tessa.

Aware that Tessa has heard of him through the negative stories surrounding Mariah’s past, Ian realizes he must approach her differently than he has with others. He knows that if he acts in his usual manipulative way, Tessa will be wary and suspicious of him. So, Ian crafts a clever disguise, choosing to pose as a homeless man in need of help—a perfect cover, especially with Christmas approaching. Tessa, having experienced homelessness herself, will be unable to ignore a man in such dire need.

One cold evening, Tessa encounters Ian, now dressed as a vulnerable, shivering homeless man on the side of the road. Without hesitation, Tessa offers him help, inviting him into the guild and offering him warmth and food. Ian, ever the skilled actor, spins a tragic tale of how he lost everything due to a series of unfortunate events. He plays on Tessa’s empathy, claiming that she is the light in his dark life. Tessa, moved by his story, begins to feel a growing responsibility to help Ian, unaware that she is falling into his trap. As she grows closer to him, Ian watches her closely, observing her every move and word to better manipulate her.

Though Ian is working alone on this plan, he still consults Jordan for guidance. Jordan is curious about Ian’s new approach, though she remains uncertain about the outcome. Ian is confident that with his charm and Jordan’s manipulative expertise, he can lure Tessa into his web without her even realizing it. But as with all deceptions, the truth can’t stay hidden forever. If Mariah discovers Ian’s true intentions, she will undoubtedly do everything in her power to protect Tessa from his manipulations.

As Christmas draws near, the atmosphere in Genoa City grows more complicated, with Ian’s plot adding new layers of trouble. Ian has successfully deceived Tessa into trusting him, but his plans go much deeper. He uses information he gathers from conversations with Tessa, Mariah, and Clare Grace to further his agenda, intending to cause discord in relationships and exploit any vulnerabilities. Tessa’s growing trust in Ian makes her a key player in his dangerous game, but she remains unaware of the true nature of the man she’s helping.

Ian’s manipulations extend beyond Tessa—he also seeks to exploit the connections he has with Sharon and other characters in Genoa City. By gathering sensitive information, Ian aims to create rifts between Tessa and Mariah, undermining their relationship. His ultimate goal is to destabilize the lives of those close to Sharon and use Tessa to manipulate them further. The danger of Ian’s presence is felt more acutely as his web of lies and deceit tightens around everyone.

The tension escalates as Tessa grows closer to Ian, and it becomes clear that she may soon discover the truth. The emotional conflict Tessa will face when she realizes that she has been used by Ian promises to be a pivotal moment in the story. Will she confront Ian directly, or will she seek help from Mariah and the others? The fallout from this revelation will not only impact Tessa’s relationship with Ian but also her bond with Mariah. As the truth comes to light, Tessa will be forced to reckon with her guilt over being manipulated, and Ian will be confronted with the consequences of his actions.

Ian’s plan is far from over, and his schemes will continue to shape the lives of everyone in Genoa City. The stakes are high as Tessa, Mariah, and others must confront Ian’s dark machinations. The twists and turns of this storyline promise to keep viewers on edge as Tessa’s trust in Ian is put to the ultimate test. Will she be able to escape Ian’s grip before it’s too late, and will Ian finally be exposed for the manipulative and dangerous figure he truly is? The answers to these questions will unravel in the coming episodes, setting the stage for a dramatic and emotionally charged showdown.