At a tense gathering, a woman reluctantly agrees to drink alcohol despite her allergy because it will pay her daughter Lynn's school fees, pressing Mr. Starling to honor his promise. Later, Mr. Starling coldly demands Vivian to remove her shoes, questioning whether she feels pitiful for struggling as he once did. Vivian is confronted about a silver ring she wears—an old gift from Mr. Starling—leading to a sharp rejection and a bitter exchange. Meanwhile, Tristan warns Mr. Starling not to interfere in Vivian's affairs, especially now that Vivian is involved, escalating the personal conflicts that remain unresolved.