The halls of Newman Enterprises turn from boardroom to battleground when Victoria Newman uncovers the shocking truth about Matt Bennett. Introduced as a cyber security expert brought in by Claire Grace, Matt’s intelligence and quiet intensity made him invaluable—but something about him always felt off. His late-night mutterings, detached demeanor, and evasive habits stirred suspicion, yet Victoria ignored her instincts until one fateful night. Following a strange sound from the archives, she stumbled upon Matt removing a silicone mask, revealing a face that made her blood run cold—it was Cole Howard, her presumed-dead husband. The discovery shattered everything she believed. Cole, alive and scarred, claimed Victor Newman faked his death to conceal illegal dealings tied to the AI “Project Genesis.” As Victoria struggled to comprehend, Clare appeared, confirming she had unknowingly helped Cole. The moment exploded into chaos, setting the stage for a war between family loyalty and buried lies that threatened to destroy Newman Enterprises from within.

As Victoria’s world spiraled, the layers of deceit deepened. Cole confessed that Victor orchestrated the fire that supposedly killed him and falsified DNA results to cover his tracks. His return wasn’t just vengeance—it was revelation. He claimed Project Genesis manipulated DNA records, meaning Victoria’s own lineage was fabricated to protect Victor’s empire. Stunned, she escaped and called her father, only to find Matt—Cole—had vanished, leaving behind the mask that started it all. The next morning, Victor summoned Adam and Chance to investigate, warning that someone was trying to annihilate the family from within. Meanwhile, Clare broke down, admitting Cole had saved her once but had since become unstable and dangerous. She added one final bombshell—another Newman insider, Holden, might also be living under a false identity. The family’s web of secrets tightened, with each revelation threatening to unravel the very core of Genoa City’s most powerful dynasty.

But even as the mystery of Cole’s return dominated headlines, a quieter betrayal brewed in the shadows. Victoria, still reeling from the revelations, noticed subtle shifts in Clare and Matt’s behavior—the lingering glances, the softened tones, the nervous distance. Hoping to test their loyalty, she invited them to dinner at the ranch, only to sense an intimacy she couldn’t explain. Later that night, curiosity drove her to Newman Enterprises, where she overheard Clare and Matt in a tender exchange. “We shouldn’t be doing this,” Clare whispered. “If Victoria finds out…” The words crushed her. Betrayed by both her protégé and the man she thought she could trust, Victoria fled, her heart breaking with every step. The next day’s confrontation was explosive—Victoria accused Clare of deceit, Clare confessed to loving Matt, and Victoria’s fury reached its peak. When Matt defended Clare, it only deepened Victoria’s devastation, forcing her to fire him and sever all ties.

Heartbroken and humiliated, Victoria sought comfort from her father, who warned her that trust was a dangerous luxury in their family. But soon, a chilling truth emerged—Chance discovered that “Matt Bennett” didn’t exist before three years ago. His entire identity was fabricated, and his connection to Cole Howard was undeniable. Realizing she had fallen for another illusion, Victoria raced to confront him, only to find his apartment empty. A note awaited her: “You were never supposed to find out… Some secrets are too dangerous to stay buried.” Beside it lay a photograph of a younger Matt standing next to Cole, confirming they were connected all along—perhaps even one and the same. As the screen fades to black, Victoria kneels in shock, realizing that the man she trusted, loved, and feared may hold the key to every secret Victor ever buried. The truth about the Newmans is far from over—and this was only the beginning.