At Seán Óg's pub, Rushborough holds court with the men, exuberantly celebrating the morning's gold-panning success and the bottle of gold dust on the table. He pockets the bottle as a sentimental keepsake and excuses himself early, leaving the men to discuss next steps with Johnny. Johnny steers them toward investing in Rushborough's company before the mining shares get expensive, while Francie remains skeptical and tensions flare among the men. Cal waits for the right moment to publicly challenge Johnny.

Before Cal can speak, Trey arrives at the alcove. She tells Johnny she eavesdropped on Rushborough's directions, went digging at the foot of the mountain, and produces a baggie of gold dust. The men erupt in laughter at having wasted their efforts salting the river. Trey leaves, the men grow more eager to invest, and Cal, recognizing this has tightened Johnny's grip on Ardnakelty, drops his planned confrontation and heads out.

Cal ambushes Johnny on the mountain road. Johnny first tells Cal that Rushborough wants him out of the scheme, then admits he owes Rushborough money and that Rushborough is a violent man who tortures children for debts. Cal beats Johnny in a brutal, near-silent fight and orders him to leave Ardnakelty by Monday morning, threatening to kill him otherwise. Johnny warns that Rushborough will retaliate against his family, including Trey, but eventually agrees and stumbles home.

Trey waits up at home and is shocked when Johnny arrives bloodied. He grabs her, accusing her of betraying him to Cal, but she denies it and stands her ground. While Sheila silently tends his broken nose, Johnny resolves to push the scheme forward despite the setback, and instructs Trey to ask Cal in the morning to back off. Trey privately recognizes the power she wielded in the pub and reaffirms her commitment to the revenge plan for Brendan. She comforts a frightened Alanna in bed.

Cal returns home exhausted to find Lena waiting at his lit-up house. Noreen had told her about Trey's appearance at the pub. Lena examines his injuries, and Cal silently embraces her, drawing comfort from her presence.