During rehearsal Nina confronts Mr. Blake (Ethan) after he strips her of the principal role and demands an explanation. He bluntly says Chloe is a better, more suitable dancer, handing Nina a humiliating demotion. Backstage she steadies herself, uses an ice pack for an injury, and hears a colleague accuse the investor of controlling casting decisions. Angry, Nina posts her grievance online. Someone calls, pressing her to delete the post immediately to protect the company. The episode ends with Nina frozen on that command, facing the choice to erase the complaint or expose the investor's influence.