At a family banquet, Ayla is pressured by the Eatons to hand over her savings and shop deeds so relatives can seize control before a household member marries Adjutant Jensen's pregnant daughter. When Ayla's poor sister insists on attending, the Eatons condition her presence on turning over assets and mock Ayla for relying on Zaiden's goodwill. Ayla refuses to be bullied, threatens to transfer all her assets directly to her sister instead, and declares that none of the shops will go to the Eatons. The family reels as she says, "Those shops aren't yours to decide anymore."