At an ungodly hour of 3 a.m., Regus's call jolts Elaine awake, urgently summoning her to the office as The Consultant's second episode unfolds. Her initial reluctance is palpable as she proposes an 8 a.m. arrival, only to be met with a terse disconnection. Undaunted, Regus redials, reciting his demand verbatim, leaving Elaine with no choice but to oblige, her heart racing with apprehension. Before setting out, she meticulously records a video testament, a precautionary measure amidst her mounting fears and confusion surrounding Regus's motives.
Stepping into the office's eerie silence, Elaine finds Regus poring over her personnel file, branding her an "average employee" with a dismissive air. The arrival of Dana, bearing breakfast for Regus, injects a fleeting moment of normalcy before dropping a bombshell: Ahn Si-woo, Sang's grief-stricken mother, has embarked on a mission from Seoul to Los Angeles, intent on dismantling everything her son created. Elaine, labeled a "natural problem solver," is thrust into the fray, tasked with thwarting Ahn's vengeful plans.
The following dawn brings chaos as Craig arrives to witness the development slate obliterated, months of labor reduced to digital dust by Regus's impulsive decree. Fury etches Craig's face as he realizes the Kerfuffle group, now jobless, have fallen victim to Regus's unchecked power. Elaine, determined to intervene, warns of Ahn's impending arrival, but Craig anticipates an army of lawyers, convinced Regus will flee the scene. Ironically, Ahn arrives solitary, a single suitcase her only companion.
Regus rallies the staff, his bilingual prowess surprising all as he summons Ahn to the forefront, translating her every word. Her voice trembles as she speaks of her son's captivity by "the devil," yet Regus's translation twists her grief into a call for diligence, fueling confusion and outrage within the office. Elaine and Craig exchange bewildered glances, wondering at Ahn's solitude, while Craig's paranoia spirals over Regus's unknown agenda. Elaine, however, harbors a more pragmatic concern—preserving her six-month stint as a "Creative Liaison" on her resume.
Craig advocates sharing the video with Ahn, a gesture of transparency amidst the chaos. As Ahn is escorted by Regus to the Penrith hotel, their shadows stretching across the threshold, the stage is set for a confrontation that will test the limits of loyalty, deception, and the very fabric of their working world.
Elaine strides purposefully into his office, her eyes scanning frantically for the elusive physical personnel file that Regus had been perusing earlier in the day. Seeking guidance, she approaches Iain, only to be met with the disheartening news that there are no tangible copies in existence, nor is there a designated record room to house such documents. Undaunted, Elaine ventures into the designated storage room, her heart sinking as she realizes her search has been futile.
Craig, meanwhile, secures the video file on an external device, and Elaine, determined to aid in the investigation, agrees to deliver it to Ahn. Arriving at the hotel, a sense of unease creeps in as she discovers that Ahn has yet to check in. Frantic, Elaine dials Craig's number, only to hear that Regus has returned to the office, solitary and enigmatic. Elaine attempts to delicately inquire about Ahn's whereabouts, but Regus's cryptic response, laced with menacing allusions to swan pedal boats and the river's depths, sends chills down her spine.
Acting swiftly, Elaine instructs Dana to cast a wide net, contacting every hotel within the vicinity to inquire about Ahn's presence. While Dana conducts her search, Elaine sets out on foot, her steps leading her to the rocky shores where she spots a solitary pedal boat floating eerily in the pond, its presence a haunting reminder of Regus's ominous words.
Back at the office, Regus gives his nod of approval to Craig's innovative idea for the glass-elephant game, seemingly unfazed by the unfolding drama. Elaine, however, finds herself on the verge of a breakdown as she shares her findings with Craig over the phone, only to be met with an uncharacteristically dismissive attitude.
Seeking solace, Elaine retreats to the Penrith suite, reserved for Ahn's arrival. As she attempts to regain her composure, her thoughts are interrupted by the sight of Regus slipping into the store room, a locked door creaking open behind him. The camera, a silent observer, glides back into the elevator, leaving the viewer to ponder the mysteries concealed within that hidden space.
