Maxton Hall: Episode 2 of "The World Between Us" opens with a nostalgic glimpse into James' childhood, where a young and eager boy sat across the chessboard from his father. Mortimer, with his wise yet stern demeanor, emphasized to James that the key to victory lies in annihilating the enemy, leaving them with no choice but to concede. This lesson of domination and forcing surrender was instilled in James from a tender age, shaping his competitive spirit.
Now, as James prepares for school, he assumes the Dean's ban on Lacrosse is merely a suggestion, brushing it off with the belief that his father's financial support for the team will shield him from any repercussions. However, he is startled to learn that the order originates directly from his own father, and he is relegated to attending the party planning committee instead. Vowing to confront his father and seek revenge against Ruby, James' anger begins to boil. Yet, Lydia's cautionary words ring in his ears, warning him not to further antagonize Ruby, lest the situation escalate further.
On the inaugural day, James managed to rattle Ruby's nerves by proposing a superior concept and successfully steering the committee towards adopting this fresh approach with the party looming just days away. He persuaded them to abandon the monochromatic theme and embrace a Victorian-inspired one, sparking a lively debate between the two. Despite their heated exchanges, Ruby ultimately emerged on the losing side of the vote.
Confronted with the new direction, Ruby struggled to conceive of an apt poster that would encapsulate the Victorian theme. Lin suggested approaching James and pleading with him to allow them to photograph the Beaufort's extravagant collection. However, James was unyielding and refused to lend a helping hand, further exasperating Ruby. With few options left, Ruby resorted to her sister Ember, asking her to hurriedly design a dress for the event. The two sisters labored through the night, but Ruby's concentration was briefly diverted by an argument with James on the committee's group chat, resulting in her accidentally burning the dress while ironing it.
Meanwhile, James attempted to discuss Lacrosse with his father, but his dad firmly insisted that he must learn from the consequences of his actions. Mortimer admonished James to focus his attention on the business and the impending reception, where they would unveil their latest collection. The reception was a resounding success, and James was officially named as the face of the collection, marking a triumphant moment for him.
As the days ticked by, Ruby's anxiety over the poster escalated, and she frantically sought a fresh plan. During a fiery class debate, her anger boiled over, and she engaged in a heated confrontation with James. She let her emotions run wild, lashing out at him, accusing him of being a spoiled brat who owed everything to his family's illustrious name. The barb hit a raw nerve, and James, stung by her words, abruptly stormed out of the classroom, leaving Ruby with a pang of regret.
After class, Lydia and Sutton convened in a cozy café, where they reluctantly came to the conclusion that breaking up would be best for both of them. Sutton worried that their relationship might hinder Lydia's chances of reconciling with her father, and he longed for her to fulfill her potential unhindered. Lydia's heart broke as she realized they had to bid farewell.
Meanwhile, James and his friends threw a lively party, but the atmosphere was tense. Alistair attempted to broach the subject of Ruby's hurtful words, but James shut him down, refusing to discuss it.
Over the weekend, Ruby sought solace with her father, who advised her to apologize if she feared hurting someone. Taking his advice to heart, she tracked down James and offered her sincere apologies. She conceded that his idea for the party had been brilliant. When he inquired about the poster, she revealed that the gown had been destroyed in a fire. The two seemed to reach a tentative truce, and the tension eased.
James spent the remainder of the weekend mulling over Ruby and sketching her face in a portrait. He also obliged his father by meeting with potential investors. Mortimer was eager to secure funding from Mr. Ellington for their new collection and saw an opportunity to connect James with Elaine, Ellington's daughter, who had a secret crush on him.
After the meeting, James sent a text to Ruby, informing her that he was on his way to pick her up. He had reversed his decision and grudgingly agreed to let her use one of the dresses from the Beaufort vault for the posters.
