After Avery's media session, Landon drops Avery in Avery's bedroom, where a styling team is waiting to prepare Avery for the gala. Avery considers refusing to go, but Landon's questions about appearances make Avery realize that staying away could suggest fear, secrecy, or even Libby's guilt.

While Avery is in the middle of hair and makeup, Libby enters in tears and hugs Avery. Avery briefly fears Libby is about to confess to something worse, but Libby apologizes only for failing to block Drake and reveals that she destroyed her phone by putting it in a blender.

Avery understands that Libby has not been apologizing for helping Drake but for the argument they had over Drake's contact. Avery wants to tell Libby that Avery believes her, but saying it aloud feels like admitting there had been doubt. Instead, Avery jokes that Libby needs a new phone, and Libby adds that they also need a new blender.

As the stylists continue working, Avery is left with the unresolved problem: if Drake shot at Avery and Libby did not let Drake onto the estate, someone else must have given Drake access. The question deepens the danger surrounding the gala and the Hawthorne estate.

An hour later, Avery sees the finished transformation: elaborate braided hair, subtle but striking makeup, and a white-gold necklace set with three emeralds. Avery looks elegant and almost unrecognizable, and although Avery nearly backs out of attending, Libby's presence convinces Avery that this is the moment to control the narrative.