Mr. Shaw arrives to investigate a woman named Joy Spence, requesting to stay near her, but her family objects, claiming she never existed. A heated confrontation ensues when another woman exposes Joy as a fraud who deceived Mr. Shaw with a false identity and background. Zoey, the daughter of the Spence family, nervously confesses that she posed as Joy three years ago and fears repercussions now that Mr. Shaw is the powerful top scholar. Despite her parents’ insistence on marriage for status, Zoey worries her past deception could ruin everything if discovered. She resolves to keep her true identity hidden so Mr. Shaw believes Joy is dead.