Episode 5 of Adoration kicks off with Vanessa grappling with the nuances of her novel job. In a fateful mishap, she inadvertently spills food onto a patron, prompting Giancarlo to spring to her rescue. Meanwhile, Enza expresses her gratitude to Manuela for standing by her side. Manuela, concerned, dials Andrea, Enza's husband, questioning his absence from his familial duties.
Elsewhere, Enrico's father takes him out for a rowing session, aiming to elevate his spirits above his current predicament. Their outing coincidentally intersects with the rowing coach, who reveals that the police have been probing into Giorgio's affairs, specifically concerning amphetamines found in Elena's system. Enrico's father assures the coach of his intentions to resolve the matter and subsequently confides in Chiara. He unveils that Giorgio was expelled for peddling amphetamines to the team but that he, Enrico's father, had shielded him from the consequences.
Concurrently, Christian and Vera's paths continue to cross, fostering conversations between them. Vera's spirits lift as her father arrives in the city, explaining his delay due to his girlfriend's high-risk pregnancy. He vows to assist Giorgio and asks Vera if she wishes to suggest a name for her soon-to-be-born sister. At home, Enza consults with their lawyer, her frustration evident when Andrea suddenly interrupts. Upon hearing about the police's suspicions towards Giorgio, Andrea pledges to uncover the truth. Diana's unexpected visit earns her a swift ejection by Vera.
Following the lawyer's departure, Andrea and Enza descend into another fiery dispute, with Vera siding with her father. Andrea voices his distrust in the lawyer and desires for a replacement. He later convenes with Giancarlo's and Enrico's fathers, urging them to encourage honesty from their sons regarding the drugs. Although Giorgio bore the blame, Giancarlo financed the purchase, and all the boys indulged in the pills. The parents feign agreement but, upon Andrea's departure, Sergio signals to Giancarlo's father their intention to disregard his plea.
During a break, Vanessa encounters Arianna, a casual acquaintance of Elena's, who invites her to a party that evening. Initially declining due to plans with Giancarlo, Vanessa reverses her decision after another spat with him. Frustrated by Giancarlo's perpetual niceties that overshadow their underlying issues, Vanessa, this time, faces his outright anger and subsequent expulsion. She contacts Arianna, and together, they venture to an off-town lesbian party. Giancarlo's subsequent calls are ignored, but he texts, urging her to inform her parents of their worry. Vanessa responds to her dad, assuring him she's en route home from a party.
After spending a couple of hours there, Vanessa asked Arianna to escort her back home. Just before heading back, they paused to unwind with a few drinks and a bite to eat. Vanessa subtly conveyed her difficulties with Giancarlo. While enjoying their meal, Enrico unexpectedly appeared and greeted them. Arianna immediately recognized him as Elena's beau. Once they reached Vanessa's home, she got into another heated dispute with her mother. Her father came to check on her, but Vanessa brushed him off. Later, as she pondered on Arianna kissing her girlfriend, Vanessa indulged in masturbation.
Meanwhile, Sergio and Giancarlo's father introduced Andrea to a new lawyer, who asserted that Giorgio's chances of winning the case were slim, regardless of whether he gave Elena the drugs. The lawyer advised Giorgio to swiftly opt for a summary judgment before the arraignment. However, Andrea remained unconvinced after consulting with the lawyer, prompting Giancarlo's father to scold him for wasting their time. They persuaded Andrea to reconsider and shared the plan with Enza. She was displeased to hear that the lawyer recommended Giorgio plead guilty for a shorter prison sentence. Andrea and Vera visited Giorgio and attempted to persuade him to accept the summary judgment. When Giorgio declined, Andrea informed Vera that he was returning to Rome, causing her to lose her composure. She blamed him for always abandoning her and stormed off.
At the restaurant, Melissa engaged Vanessa in conversation and learned that she was having second thoughts about Giorgio's involvement in Elena's demise. Diana persisted in her perilous game of seducing Claudio when he visited with his wife. She even had the audacity to leave his wife's sunglasses at their house after forgetting them at the restaurant. Claudio invited Diana to join him when his vacation ended and he returned to Rome. Diana agreed after Claudio clarified that his wife would stay behind.
Following her confrontation with her father, Vera encountered Christian and poured out all her troubles to him. They ended up having unprotected sex, causing Christian to panic. Vera reconciled with Diana, who offered to get her the emergency contraceptive pill. Naturally, Claudio provided Diana with a prescription when she asked. After calming down, Christian met with Vera and apologized. They decided to end their relationship before making more mistakes.
In the meantime, Giancarlo confronts Vanessa, accusing her of attending a party without his knowledge. Hurt and disappointed, she decides to end their relationship on the spot. The episode concludes with Arianna making a surprise visit to Vanessa at the restaurant, her face alight with a sudden revelation. She excitedly recounts a memory of a video captured by her friend a few months back during an outing. With anticipation building, she pulls out her phone and plays the footage for Vanessa. In the periphery of the video, a chilling scene unfolds: Enrico, his face twisted in anger, roughly pulls Elena towards his car, shouting loudly enough to be faintly audible over the background noise.
