Episode 4 of "Snakes and Ladders" kicks off with Dora and Tono returning home from their respective festive gatherings. Dora's sharp eyes catch a glimpse of a bruise marring Tono's face, prompting her to inquire about it. Tono casually brushes it off as a mere fall, but Dora senses a lie lurking beneath his words. Determined to uncover the truth, she reaches out to Muriel once more for his assistance.
The following morning, Dora steps into the school premises clad in her teacher's uniform, ready to assume Miss Paula's class duties. Meanwhile, Tamara finds herself engrossed in a chat with fellow moms, who fill her in on Miss Paula's impending retirement. Intrigued, Tamara heads to the hospital to visit Miss Paula herself.
There, Miss Paula confides in Tamara, revealing that her decision to retire stems from a lack of trust in her own abilities as a teacher. A simple chocolate, presumably from Muriel's company, had landed her in the hospital, shaking her confidence to its core.
Inspired by this revelation, Tamara conceives a novel idea and identifies a potential candidate for the headmistress position: Miss Vero. She pays Miss Vero a visit at the school, pitching her vision for a campaign centered around overhauling the school cafeteria's menu to eliminate sugar. Unbeknownst to them, Josefina eavesdrops on their conversation, her curiosity piqued.
After the school bell rings, Dora convenes with Muriel. Concerned about Tono's wellbeing, Muriel assigns Lopitos, his trusted driver, to delve into the matter and report back with findings. Elsewhere, Nicolas, Tono, and Juana seek thrills under the cover of night. However, Nicolas hesitates, his conservative political ambitions clashing with his desire for adventure. He opts to stay in the car with Tono, while Juana ventures out.
The following morning, as the sun cast its golden rays upon the school grounds, the mothers gathered around Josefina to discuss a crucial alteration to the school's menu. With a solemn promise, she assured them that the canteen would henceforth be devoid of any sugary delights, chocolate included. Muriel, with a hint of suspicion in her eyes, was convinced that Tamara's influence had orchestrated these recent shifts.
Within the confines of the classroom, the early hour of eight o'clock found Dora grappling with the challenges of teaching. During an art lesson, Alfonso, one of the students, deliberately upended a jar of paint onto her, causing her to leap back in shock. Dora sternly warned him, her voice tinged with concern, that his carelessness could have left her blind in one eye. Later, Josefina stepped in, compelling Dora to offer Alfonso an apology. She held firm to the belief that no student should bear the weight of unhappiness within the school walls, fearing that such sentiments might be relayed to their parents—a prospect Josefina did not relish.
Vicente, haunted by the discovery of a man's shirt in Tamara's car, found himself in a state of unease. Under the cloak of night, while Tamara slept peacefully, he surreptitiously synced her phone to his, granting himself access to all her incoming texts and messages. Meanwhile, Dora relentlessly prodded Roque to endear himself to Tamara. When he sent her suggestive photos accompanied by a text proposing physical intimacy, Vicente, keeping a watchful eye, caught the exchange. However, Tamara remained unresponsive, merely deleting the incriminating images.
The subsequent morning dawned with Muriel's anger still simmering over Tamara's confrontation and subsequent threat to his business. Despite Dora's plea for patience and restraint, Muriel resolved to gift Choquita chocolates, ostensibly for her birthday, to take to school and share among her friends. At school, Dora's heart sank as she spotted Choquita clutching the sweet treats. Obligated by the new school rules, she had no choice but to confiscate them. Vincentin, sensing an opportunity, attempted to reclaim the chocolates, but Dora stood her ground, determined to uphold the regulations.
Later, Dora was summoned once more to Josefina's office, this time for causing Choquita distress. Josefina, invoking the anti-sadness policy, reminded Dora that while confiscating the chocolates was necessary, she could have handled the situation with greater finesse and sensitivity.
Meanwhile, Tono and Nicolas carry on with their clandestine love affair in the confines of his car. Juana rings in with news about a robbery they had set their sights on for the night, yet Nicolas fails to pick up. Undeterred, Dora decides to venture into the house solo. Unbeknownst to them, Lopitos, who has been surreptitiously trailing Tono, captures the tender moment between Nicolas and Tono on camera.
Later, under the shroud of nightfall, Tono unveils his sexuality to his mother, who had already harbored suspicions. He shares his feelings for Nicolas, explaining that since he started mingling with them as per her advice, he had to embrace their lifestyle. Hence, he found himself needing more money to keep pace.
At school, Muriel confronts Dora about her theft of the chocolates that made Choquita weep. He believes Dora has strayed from the path and abandoned her support for Tamara and Vicente. Dora asserts their unity, urging Muriel to be patient until the opportune moment arrives, allowing them to revel in the downfall of Tamara and Vicente.
Elsewhere, Vicente pours his heart out to the governor about his marital woes and his longing to return to Spain. The governor, in a fit of disclosure, reveals that Tamara and Muriel were once engaged. Their wedding was almost upon them, but Muriel jilted her days before, having impregnated another woman. Vicente is taken aback. The governor brushes it off as water under the bridge and tasks Vicente with facilitating his Spanish citizenship while he works on granting Vicente's wish. He also promises to protect Dora.
Now, without Paula as a rival, Josefina seizes the moment to showcase her ambition. She aspires to retain her position as principal and forms an alliance with Tamara to abort the impending elections.
The following morning, the governor dispatches his men to Dora's abode, extending an invitation for dinner that evening. Muriel offers to assist her with a makeover before the crucial dinner meeting. Meanwhile, Tono unburdens himself to Nicolas about being used as a cash cow by his gambling-addicted father. Nicolas, offering financial assistance, is politely declined by Tono. Lopitos, still in his hiding spot, continues to record their conversations.
As the episode concludes, Dora arrives at the hotel for her dinner appointment with the governor. The governor is immediately captivated by her presence.
