Our recap of Episode 8 of "Red Swan" dives right back into the fray, with Do-yoon sprinting towards the harbor, his heart pounding with the urgent need to rescue Wan-soo. A brutal knife duel ensues with the relentless assassin, leaving Do-yoon wounded yet unyielding. With a fierce determination, he slices the assassin's hand, propelling her into the frigid waters before leaping aboard the boat and piloting it away, Wan-soo safely in his arms. Exhaustion finally claims him, and he slips into unconsciousness.
Dawn breaks as Yong-guk and Kyeong-ju hurry to the residence, only to confront a gruesome scene of blood and chaos. Out at sea, Do-yoon's senses gradually return, and he awakens to an overwhelming concern for Wan-soo. Their reunion is marked by a passionate kiss, a fleeting moment of intimacy amidst the storm. Returning to the house, Wan-soo awakens disoriented, mistaking Yong-guk's embrace for Do-yoon's.
As the couple maintains a facade of happiness for the cameras, Wan-soo's thoughts linger on Do-yoon, her gaze frequently straying towards him. In private, she tenderly nurses his injuries while they strategize their next move. Do-yoon confesses his suspicions about Mr. Han, yet they both acknowledge the dire need for evidence to unravel his true motives.
Later, Wan-soo, following Do-yoon's instructions, subtly probes Yong-guk about Yong-min's legitimacy as his brother and the mysterious death of the Chairman. Her questions hint at a sinister connection, suggesting the same hand that seeks her life may have also struck down the Chairman. Yong-guk is taken aback, revealing Yong-min as his stepbrother and confessing his ignorance about the truth behind his father's death. He clings to the belief that his father's demise was a sordid affair, his body discreetly returned to conceal the truth.
Meanwhile, Hyun-soo drops a bombshell, exposing the fraudulent shaman who's been peddling 'Water of Life' to the Chairwoman for exorbitant prices. This revelation serves as a catalyst, pressuring Mr. Han to expedite his efforts in securing Hyun-soo's freedom and proving his hold over the Hwain Group's dirty secrets. The media frenzy ensues, painting Chairwoman Park as a laughingstock. Once again, Mr. Han vows to rectify the situation, proposing a devious plan—releasing photos of Wan-soo and Do-yoon in a compromising position, fabricating a sensational affair to divert attention.
To persuade Chairwoman Park, Mr. Han divulges the true motive behind Do-yoon's entry into the company, insinuating that he seeks vengeance for Ju-hyuk's demise through Hwain, though he conveniently omits his own role in orchestrating the tragedy. Chairwoman Park, desperate to salvage her image, reluctantly agrees to the media maneuver.
Wan-soo maintains a facade of amity towards Mr. Han, her suspicions towards him simmering beneath the surface. Han, unrelenting, warns So-dam of dire consequences should she fail her next mission, falsely placing the blame on Chairwoman Park for the order. Simultaneously, he orchestrates a leak about Wan-soo's affair, unleashing a media frenzy that hounds Yong-guk on his way home, demanding a statement.
Arriving home, Yong-guk confronts his mother, lashing out at her for attempting to tarnish Wan-soo's reputation and accusing her of being the true adulterer. Chairwoman Park, stung by the accusations of shamelessness and ruining her son's life, attempts to justify her actions, citing a forced marriage and her role in building Hwain. However, Yong-guk remains unyielding, insisting she should have concealed her affair from him.
Ta-era, eavesdropping on their heated exchange, is crushed to realize Yong-guk's heart will never belong to her. Heartbroken, she decides to pack her belongings and leave, accepting her unrequited love.
Later, in a drunken stupor, Yong-guk reminisces about his love for Wan-soo, revealing he visited her mother after her passing, only to be hurt by Wan-soo's silence about the loss. Wan-soo, at the time, had clearly defined their boundaries, acknowledging that their marriage could not be salvaged due to a lack of love.
The next day, Mr. Han orchestrates Hyun-soo's release and proposes a new deal, tasking him with taking the money under his name and disappearing after delivering evidence incriminating Hwain Group. Moreover, he reveals Wan-soo's affair with the bodyguard and instructs Hyun-soo to retrieve the original ledgers from Do-yoon. Shocked by this revelation, Hyun-soo confronts Do-yoon.
In a dramatic turn of events, Do-yoon confronts Hyun-soo, inquiring why he fails to shield Wan-soo, and their discourse delves into the enigmatic ledgers. Do-yoon confesses his profound affection for Wan-soo, vowing to be her shield. He unmasks Mr. Han's deceit, revealing that the truth, if uncovered, would imprison Chairwoman Park, sparing Wan-soo and her brother. Moved by this revelation, Hyun-soo aligns with his sister, uniting their forces.
Do-yoon's relentless pursuit of Mr. Han's machinations leads him to breach the latter's sanctum once more, probing the depths of his safe. This foray uncovers a bombshell: Yong-min is none other than Mr. Han's son, hinting at a sinister plot. Narrowly evading detection as Mr. Han returns, Do-yoon witnesses Yong-guk's confrontation, filled with venomous accusations of betrayal and infidelity. The tension escalates to physical violence, with Mr. Han's threat of murder met with Yong-guk's own dire warning—all centered around Wan-soo's safety.
Back at the mansion, Yong-guk's rage spurs him to imprison Do-yoon, but Wan-soo's timely intervention and the servant's warning thwart his plans. Fueled by pride, Yong-guk initially offers a duel, yet his temper flares anew, brandishing a gun. Wan-soo's impulsive confession of love for Do-yoon—a sentiment not reciprocated—serves as a shield, as she pleads for Do-yoon's freedom to continue his investigation. Yong-guk's heart is shattered by the sight, while Do-yoon is stunned by Wan-soo's confession.
As emotions simmer, Wan-soo comforts Yong-guk, granting Do-yoon his solitude. Weeks later, the arrival of New York lawyers ignites a new chapter, as they embark on executing the Chairman's will. Mr. Han's desperate inquiries are met with Ailee's stoic silence, revealing the Chairman's foresight—knowing of Yong-min's true parentage, he traveled to New York to secure his testament's integrity, timed for his 70th birthday.
The family gathers, anticipating the will's contents, only to be stunned by the revelation of an 18 trillion Won slush fund, donated entirely to the Wow Foundation. Wan-soo's unique position as the sole authority to access the funds in a secret Swiss account becomes apparent. The episode culminates in a hilarious yet poignant scene, as Chairwoman Park and Yong-min's disbelief and fury know no bounds, their world crumbling before their very eyes.
