After the previous day’s press maneuver, Avery wakes exhausted but forces herself to dress carefully. Remembering Xander’s advice about controlling the story, Avery treats hair and makeup as armor because Avery cannot afford to look weak.

A maid arrives with a breakfast tray, something Avery has not received since her first morning at Hawthorne House. The maid explains that Tuesdays are for deep-cleaning the entire house and asks to begin in Avery’s bathroom. Avery is unsettled by the staff’s expectation that she should leave even simple tasks, like hanging up a towel, to them.

Avery introduces herself, and the maid gives her name as Mellie. The exchange makes Avery reflect on the strange contradiction of Hawthorne House: Tobias Hawthorne tried to keep outsiders away, yet an entire cleaning crew enters the house weekly. Feeling the surreal discomfort of being waited on, Avery goes across the hall to Libby’s room, expecting Libby to understand.

When Avery knocks, the door opens enough for Avery to see Nash Hawthorne asleep in a chair inside Libby’s room, with his boots on and a hat over his face. Avery is shocked and backs away; Nash wakes and follows Avery into the hall.

Avery confronts Nash about sleeping in Libby’s room. Nash says Libby is going through something, but Avery pushes back, warning that Libby is not one of Nash’s projects. Nash bristles and asks what Alisa has told Avery, making Avery even more wary because Nash is Alisa’s ex and has a history of helping vulnerable people connected to the household.

Before Avery can fully voice her concern, Mellie exits Avery’s room, apparently having overheard the exchange. Nash greets Mellie casually, and Mellie smiles back, but the smile vanishes when Mellie notices Avery, Libby’s open door, and the implication of Nash’s presence in Libby’s room.