Monique arrives at Evelyn’s office nervously, while Grace drops off a charcuterie platter and leaves. Monique immediately raises the stakes, telling Evelyn she needs a realistic publication timeline for the book or, failing that, an excerpt for Vivant’s June issue. Evelyn refuses to discuss timing but agrees to allow an excerpt if Monique stops pressing for a release schedule.

Emboldened, Monique pushes further for a Vivant cover photo shoot. Evelyn repeatedly declines, but Monique threatens to walk away from the project unless the cover is secured, arguing she cannot risk her job without a tangible payoff. Evelyn recognizes Monique’s leverage and, impressed by Monique’s resolve, reconsiders.

Evelyn ultimately consents to the cover on strict conditions: starting Monday, Monique must be present “every waking moment,” and she cannot repeat questions if Evelyn refuses to answer them. Monique and Evelyn seal the agreement, with Evelyn acknowledging Monique’s growing savvy and Monique admitting she’s learning from Evelyn’s tactics.

As they resume recording, Monique frames where the narrative stands—Evelyn in love with Celia, divorced from Don, and facing a potential career downturn. Realizing Evelyn has just broken her long-standing refusal to do a Vivant cover to keep her, Monique concludes that Evelyn urgently needs her for undisclosed reasons—and she begins to feel afraid of what that implies.