Avery arrives at the Texas Lone Stars stadium as the team’s new owner, dressed for a public role that feels unnatural to her. Reporters mob the bulletproof SUV, and Alisa instructs Avery to lower the window, smile, and shout support for the team. Avery obeys, sticking to safe media-trained enthusiasm while avoiding hostile questions, including one about an alleged assault on Skye Hawthorne.

Before Avery can roll the window back up, Avery spots Ricky Grambs, her estranged father, among the crowd. Ricky has ignored Avery for most of her life, but now that Avery has inherited billions, he has appeared. Avery shuts the window and turns away, while Libby insists she did not know Ricky would be there and believes Ricky only wants to talk.

Oren treats Ricky’s appearance as a security matter and orders a discreet report. Alisa reminds Avery that the law firm can handle Ricky, then checks whether Avery is all right, likely concerned about Avery’s ability to face the public event. Avery insists she is fine and prepares to enter the stadium.

Grayson Hawthorne emerges from an elevator and asks why Avery would not be fine. When Avery mentions her deadbeat father, Grayson immediately asks Oren whether Ricky is a threat. Avery reacts sharply, remembering Grayson’s promise to protect her and his simultaneous rejection of a romantic future between them. Avery tells Grayson she does not need protection from Ricky because she has long protected herself.

Avery enters the owner’s suite with Alisa and Oren, deliberately ignoring Grayson. There, Zara Hawthorne-Calligaris greets Avery with a pointed remark about not being sure Avery would appear. Avery realizes Zara was prepared to command the room in Avery’s absence, and Avery frames the night as another game of influence and power.