On the January 16 episode of The Young and the Restless,

Claire Newman (Hayley Erin) made a startling revelation to Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) that left viewers questioning her true loyalties.

Claire admitted that she had lied to Jordan (Colleen Zenk) to protect Victoria and Nikki from her aunt,

and then confessed to having told her aunt the exact opposite: that she couldn’t bear to be with the Newmans anymore.

The question arises: which version of events is true? Is it possible that both stories are true, or is Claire simply playing a much deeper game?

Looking Out for Number One

Claire has been under the thumb of her manipulative and dangerous aunt, Jordan, for years.

Raised to hate her biological family and only trust Jordan, Claire’s upbringing has shaped her into someone who values loyalty—albeit loyalty to the wrong person. But what if Claire took away more from her twisted upbringing than just blind loyalty to Jordan? What if, rather than staying loyal to one person or family, Claire learned to prioritize herself above all else?

In recent episodes, Claire’s behavior seems to align with a more self-serving agenda. It’s clear she understands the importance of keeping all her options open. After all, why else would she simultaneously pursue ties with both the Newman and Abbott families? Claire has been positioning herself to be a key player in both dynasties, ensuring that if things go awry with one, she has another powerful family to fall back on. Her interactions with Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) suggest that she’s playing the long game, making moves to secure her own future regardless of who stands in her way.

This maneuvering isn’t the behavior of a naive, innocent victim, but rather the calculated move of someone who is out for their own gain. In many ways, Claire seems to be following in Jordan’s footsteps—using people for personal benefit while maintaining an air of loyalty. But as the scheming deepens, it becomes clear that Claire is no longer merely a pawn in Jordan’s twisted game. She’s learning how to be a manipulator in her own right.

Death to Smoochy: Protecting Herself

In a shocking moment, Claire told Victoria and Nikki that Jordan must be eliminated in order to protect the Newman family. But could it be that Claire’s primary motivation isn’t to protect her family but rather to protect herself? After all, Jordan knows far too much about Claire’s past—things that, if revealed, could destroy the image Claire is trying to build within the Newman family. In a bid to safeguard her position and her secrets, Claire may believe that the only way to neutralize the threat Jordan poses is to eliminate her once and for all.

However, if Claire were to be rid of Jordan, she’d also lose an ally who could potentially help her take down the Newman family, should she ever want to exact revenge. This leaves Claire in a precarious position—she can’t afford to anger Jordan too much, nor can she let her hold over the Newmans slip. In her mind, getting rid of Jordan may be a necessary evil to ensure her safety, but it also places Claire in a vulnerable position. The more she attempts to balance both sides, the more she risks exposing herself to both the Newmans and Jordan.

Playing Both Sides

Despite her confession to Victoria and Nikki, Claire has more to consider. If her alliance with the Newmans doesn’t work out, she can still fall back on Jordan, who might be the perfect ally if Claire ever decides to take revenge on the family that rejected her. For all of Claire’s talk about loyalty and family, she’s playing a dangerous game of chess, using her connections to manipulate both sides.

In her mind, being associated with Jordan and the Newmans provides a dual advantage: while she remains part of the powerful Newman clan, she also keeps Jordan as a secret weapon, should she need her help down the line. Claire intends to be the one who emerges victorious, no matter who is left standing when the dust settles. Whether it’s the Newmans, Jordan, or even the Abbott family, Claire’s ultimate goal is self-preservation, and she’s willing to use anyone and everyone to ensure that she’s the last one left in control.

Claire’s actions on The Young and the Restless are anything but straightforward. With her conflicting stories and seemingly contradictory loyalties, it’s clear that Claire is playing a much bigger game than anyone realizes. Whether she’s protecting herself from the threat Jordan poses or setting the stage for her own rise to power, Claire is a master manipulator who understands how to navigate the dangerous world of family politics.

As viewers, we are left to wonder: how far is Claire willing to go to achieve her goals, and what will happen when her web of lies unravels? One thing is for certain—Claire’s journey is far from over, and the drama is only just beginning. Will she betray the Newmans, or will she continue to play both sides against the middle? The answers may surprise us all.