As the first episode of Maxton Hall's second season unfurls, Ruby finds herself caught in a whirlwind of memories with James in Oxford. Her heart still simmers with the embers of their passion, but as she narrates, dreams can swiftly transform into nightmares. The scene abruptly shifts to an accident, with a woman sprinting towards an overturned car. What transpired?
We flashback to the day the students return to Maxton Hall, and Ruby eagerly awaits James at the school gates, only to find him nowhere in sight. Only the dependable Lin is there, eagerly awaiting an update on Ruby's adventures in Oxford. She notices Ruby's distraction and suggests that James might be running late due to the need to explain his missed interviews.
A few steps away, the boys from the lacrosse team discuss their upcoming game and drinking plans, one of them mentioning James, wondering where he is. They thought he was with Ruby and are surprised to see her alone.
Director Lexington summons Ruby to his office to discuss the opportunity for her to organize the Campbell annual charity gala. Although Ruby is a big fan of the philanthropist, she's uncertain if she can handle it with everything else going on. Lexington reminds her that if she seizes this chance, it will benefit not only the school but also Ruby herself. He encourages her to apply and provides her with the necessary documents to fill out within two days.
As the day drags on, Ruby grows increasingly anxious about James' absence. She asks Alistair to check on James after training. At home, Ruby's mother worries that she's taking on too much, but Ruby insists she can do it as long as she focuses. Ember teases her about James, adding a playful note to the already charged atmosphere.
As the car pulled up outside, Ruby sprinted towards it with her heart pounding, hoping it was James. But alas, it was Lydia, searching for her brother. As they chatted, Lydia's phone rang, and the news of James's discovery sent a jolt through Ruby's veins. Determined to find out what was going on, Ruby tagged along reluctantly.
Their destination was a party where James was found engrossed in his alcohol-fueled escapades. He ignored her presence and was seen kissing Elaine, a sight that shattered Ruby's heart into a million pieces. Unable to bear the betrayal, she fled the scene, seeking solace in the arms of a sympathetic partygoer who offered her a ride home.
Back at her room, Ruby spent the next day locked away in her bedroom, refusing to eat or even see her parents or Ember. In her rage, she ripped apart the portrait James had given her and tossed his jacket aside. Meanwhile, James awoke with a hangover, the memory of the previous night's events still fresh in his mind. Mortimer turned to Lydia for help, frustrated that James was not in a state to face the press waiting outside.
Lydia and Mortimer put on a united front for the press conference, while James remained in his room, high on drugs and alcohol, trying to numb the pain. Lydia pleaded with him to snap out of it, but James was not in the mood to please his father.
The news of Cordelia's death spread like wildfire, and Lin paid Ruby a visit to break the news. Together, they rushed to the Beaufort mansion to offer their condolences. Ruby found James in his dark room and comforted him, momentarily forgetting his betrayal. But when she saw Elaine's sweet message on his phone, her heart shattered again.
As she prepared to leave, James begged her to stay, saying that Elaine meant nothing and that he acknowledged his mistake. He continued to plead with her, and Ruby was torn between her anger and his vulnerability. She asked him to seek help before he kicked her out loudly.
Ruby returned home and locked herself away again in her room, while at the Beaufort mansion, Mortimer comforted James, promising that they would always be a family.
The following day, Lin reaches out to Ruby via a phone call, gently reminding her of the application process for orchestrating the Campbell gala. She whispers a whisper of encouragement, whispering that amidst the tumultuous sea of James's presence, Ruby must remember her own strength, a life she carried before James's entrance.
Ruby settles into her work, filling out the application with the same diligence as a butterfly preparing for its transformation. She likens their journey together to the metamorphosis of a chrysalis, ready to break free and soar into a new phase of life. The scene intertwines with the somber notes of Cordelia's funeral, where James appears lost and adrift.
Ophelia, Cordelia's sister, introduces herself to James and Lydia with a firm yet compassionate demeanor. Mortimer attempts to dissuade her, but Ophelia stands her ground, determined to fight for her sister's legacy and children.
Meanwhile, James and Lydia realize that the family rivalry runs deeper than they initially thought. James finds himself aligning with Ophelia, a move that Mortimer sees as a betrayal. He lashes out at James, reminding him that Cordelia was right in her assessment of James as a disappointment.
In a fit of anger and despair, James storms off, stealing a car in a frantic attempt to escape his emotions. Lydia gives chase, but he is too quick for her. James drives away in a state of mental turmoil, trying to reach out to Ruby but finding her unreachable amidst her school duties.
The episode concludes with a chilling note of tragedy as James gets into a serious accident, the final chapter in a tale of family dynamics and personal growth that will forever change the lives of those involved.
