A woman claiming kin of Ayla arrives at Eaton Manor demanding to see her. The Eaton family calls her a beggar, offers money to leave, and orders guards to remove her. Staff accuse her of ingratitude—reminding her Ayla paid for the family's expenses—and a man sneers that "that woman doesn't deserve to be my wife." Another guest says he met Comm. Neal's adjutant's daughter abroad and will demote Ayla when she arrives. Zaiden learns Lea left to follow the expelled woman and cannot be found, leaving Ayla's position unresolved.