Episode 3 of "Old Money" picks up right where we left off, with Osman and Nihal locked in an intense, silent standoff at the docks, their eyes locked on each other as if the world around them had ceased to exist. Meanwhile, Engin lurks in the shadows, keeping a watchful eye on Nihal. As soon as he spots Osman, a surge of urgency washes over him, prompting him to leap into his boat and speed across the water towards Nihal’s residence.
Arriving with a flourish, Engin positions himself between Osman and Nihal, effectively cutting off any further interaction and ushering Nihal back into the house. Once inside, amidst the softly glowing lamplight, they engage in a heartfelt conversation. Nihal, with a hint of vulnerability, confesses that Osman has managed to infiltrate her thoughts, finding his way deep beneath her skin. He seems to possess an uncanny knowledge of how to push her buttons, reaching her in ways few others can.
In an attempt to shield Nihal from further turmoil, Engin proposes a solution: he offers to assist her in purchasing the house, thereby freeing her from the clutches of the Bulut family. However, Nihal, with a steely resolve, declines his help, insisting that she is determined to tackle this challenge head-on, all by herself.
Switching gears, Engin makes a call to Morris, a potential business ally for the Buluts, and successfully persuades him to stay at his place. The news of Morris's accommodation arrangement with Engin sends ripples of concern through the Bulut camp. Mahir, ever the strategist, quickly surmises that their business deal might be hanging by a thread, given Morris's affiliation with the old money clique. He even casts doubt on the loyalty of their CFO, murmuring darkly that "those people" always stick together, no matter what.
The following day, the Bulut brothers embark on their mission to fetch Morris from Engin's abode. Along the journey, they indulge in a bit of merriment, drinking and teasing Arda unmercifully, jesting that he holds the key to practically everyone's contact details, a veritable treasure trove for any situation they might encounter.
Yet, as they approach Engin's house, the brothers' demeanor shifts dramatically. The lighthearted banter gives way to a serious, businesslike air. They collect Morris, and Osman, ever the gracious host, extends an invitation to Engin to join them for a round of drinks. Engin, however, politely declines, mentioning that he has a prior engagement with Nihal later in the day.
Engin orchestrates the events of that evening, arranging for the Bulut family to drop Morris off at Nihal’s residence. Pinar and Berna are also present in the gathering. As Osman and Nihal engage in conversation, Nihal remarks, with a tinge of irony, that she seems to get along swimmingly with everyone except Osman. As the Buluts prepare to depart, Engin seizes the moment to pull Nihal aside, his actions seemingly motivated by a desire to spite Osman.
The following morning, the brothers burst into Berna’s office with fury. Engin has launched an assault on their business endeavors, attempting to thwart their deal with Morris. The brothers perceive this as a clash between old and new money, and given Berna’s association with the old guard, they suspect her involvement. Mahir is convinced that Engin’s aggressive maneuver is personally driven, fueled by both the Buluts' burgeoning success and Osman’s budding relationship with Nihal.
Berna attempts to set the record straight with the brothers, explaining that while Nihal may have been born into affluence, her upbringing was far from the privileged existence they imagine. After high school, Nihal was devastated by her mother’s passing and, driven by grief, she journeyed to France. Her father, largely absent, offered little support, and complications with dormitory accommodations left Nihal homeless for weeks. She resorted to sleeping in parks until she secured a job at a hot dog stand. The owners, taking pity on her, provided her with a place to sleep in the back, enabling her to complete her education. Nihal never seeks their assistance nor dwells on her past struggles; when questioned, she simply states that it’s water under the bridge.
Despite Berna’s heartfelt account, Mahir remains skeptical, suggesting that whatever hardships Nihal endured were merely for the sake of gaining life experience—a grand adventure she could regale others with in the future. Berna is taken aback by his callous remarks and the pervasive sentiment of “us versus them.” In a moment of candor, she admits to coming from old money herself. She recounts attending the finest schools, benefiting from private tutors, and having a personal chauffeur to ensure her academic pursuits were uninterrupted. She leveraged her education and life experiences to forge a successful career.
Berna questions whether the brothers doubt her loyalty, but Osman interjects before she can finish. He asserts that she is unparalleled in her field and that they are incredibly fortunate to have her on their team.
After his conversation with Berna, Osman shoots a text off to Nihal, inquiring about the reports. Nihal tersely responds that they don't provide progress reports and suggests that if he truly wants to know how things are faring, he should pay a visit to the workshop himself. When Osman further probes, asking if she'd like him to come by, she simply ignores his question.
Meanwhile, Berna spots Nihal at the docks and, in a fit of anger, hops onto her boat and speeds off to Engin’s house. She marches right up to him, confronting him about his pursuit of Osman. Berna knows full well that Engin's actions are driven by his feelings for Nihal and is quick to remind him that they're not an item.
Engin, undeterred, retorts that the Osmans have overstepped their bounds and expresses his unwavering certainty that he and Nihal will end up together. He recounts a near-miss moment they shared in Madrid, convinced that Nihal has returned this time for him.
A flashback reveals a fleeting encounter between Engin and Nihal in an elevator. Engin, bold and brazen, asks for a kiss, but Nihal, ever elusive, walks away without a word.
Back in the present, Engin tells Berna that Nihal will eventually be his, but for now, she's just enjoying life and having fun. He insists that he's letting her savor her freedom, confident that she'll come around in the end. Berna tries to caution him against targeting Osman, but her warnings fall on deaf ears.
Feeling frustrated and furious, Berna decides to drown her sorrows in drinks and invites Nihal and Pinar to join her. The girls indulge in some gossip, dissecting Pinar’s failed relationship and lamenting how Osman seems to be bullying her. In a drunken haze, Nihal decides to take matters into her own hands and calls Osman, accusing him of bullying her. To her surprise, Osman picks up and, without missing a beat, asks for her location.
Osman arrives at the bar where the girls are drinking, and the tension between him and Nihal is palpable. He playfully toys with Nihal’s hair, his fingers brushing against her skin in a gesture that sends shivers down her spine. Nihal, caught off guard, blushes furiously and suddenly excuses herself to the bathroom. When she returns, Osman is nowhere to be found, having slipped away unnoticed.
Engin places a call to Pinar and discovers that the girls enjoyed a lively night out, with Osman tagging along. Seething with jealousy and a sense of betrayal, Engin launches a calculated assault on the Buluts' business empire, strategically cutting off ties with their key partners.
Osman had managed to seal a crucial deal with Morris, outmaneuvering Engin with a superior proposal. Yet now, a colossal multi-billion-dollar business conglomerate is descending upon their enterprise with relentless force, casting a shadow of impending doom. Mahir, consumed by anxiety, fears this marks the end of the road for them. Unfazed, Osman remains resolute, vowing to navigate through the storm. He is determined to keep playing the game, no matter the stakes.
Meanwhile, Nihal secures a pivotal meeting with Oyka, only to be met with the harsh reality that, given her family's current predicament, securing a loan from any bank or individual is an impossibility. With no other recourse, she faces the grim prospect of surrendering their cherished home. Her father, displaying a resilient spirit, declares his readiness to start anew and suggests that Nihal could return to France.
As the episode draws to a close, a somber Nihal reluctantly signs the agreement to hand over their opulent mansion, marking a poignant moment of surrender and loss.
