Episode 3 of "The Leopard" rewinds the clock by two decades, unveiling the nuptials of a youthful Calogero Sedàra to the stunning Bastiana, sealed with the generous gift of a pair of goats and gleaming coins to her family. Enchanted by her beauty, he remains unperturbed by the arduous nature of her childbirth, welcoming their daughter with open arms. He meticulously nurtures Angelica into the epitome of grace and sends her off to France, his pride evident even now in her refined demeanor. His alibi that Bastiana is unable to attend the gathering is a calculated move to highlight Angelica's radiance, a ploy not lost on Bastiana, who arrives deliberately tardy.
During the dinner feast, Calogero subtly probes Fabrizio's stance on reunification, while Fabrizio maintains his characteristic neutrality. Upon discovering Tancredi's alignment, Calogero subtly cues Angelica to engage in conversation with him. Concetta, who has been vying for his attention throughout the evening, feels disheartened as he willingly lavishes it all upon Angelica. He had previously declined to discuss his missing eye with her, yet readily recounts the tale when Angelica inquiries, portraying himself heroically albeit with a coarse jest that leaves everyone, except Angelica and Calogero, astounded. Concetta, offended, calls him out and storms away in fury.
Stella, perceiving Fabrizio's silence as stemming from his affection for Angelica and partiality towards Concetta, insists that he must champion his daughter's cause. He heeds her advice and confronts Tancredi, reprimanding him and querying the seriousness of his intentions towards Concetta. Tancredi, perplexed and fearing he might make a misstep, desires to depart. Fabrizio, concerned, persuades him to stay the night.
The following day, the family embarks on a visit to the nearby convent, an atmosphere steeped in history and tradition. Fabrizio extols Concetta's virtues, unaware that she has already forgiven Tancredi, driven by the depth of her love for him. Desiring to unite their lives, Concetta harbors dreams of marriage, while Fabrizio remains circumspect about Tancredi's predicament. Distressed, he learns that his family's long-standing patronage of the convent has been usurped by Calogero.
Inside the hallowed church, Bastiana and Angelica turn a cold shoulder to the Salina women as they kneel in collective prayer. As they depart, Angelica stages a dramatic apology for her previous night's behavior, seeking to mend fences. Meanwhile, Fabrizio's local source, Ciccio, uncovers Calgero's ambitious plan to introduce a tax system, with proceeds dedicated to the town's welfare. To curry favor, Calgero has lavishly loaned his wealth, ensnaring the locals in a web of obligation. His riches have swelled by stockpiling essential supplies, whose value skyrockets amidst war or calamity. Unrelenting in his pursuit, Calgero aims to embody the status of "The Leopard."
Angelica now frequents their company, forging a friendship with Concetta and attempting to enchant Fabrizio. Though aware of the Sedaras' schemes, Fabrizio finds it increasingly arduous to thwart their designs. Tancredi reappears for the town's festive celebration, yet his gaze is fixed solely on Angelica. His indifference towards Concetta leaves her bewildered. Fabrizio, discerning Tancredi's true intentions, harbors hope it might still be Concetta who captures his heart, but Tancredi dashes these dreams. His companions jest, asserting they'd shun Concetta's meekness, preferring the fiery spirit of Angelica. Indeed, Comrade Tassoni waltzes with her, while Tancredi and Fabrizio cast dagger-sharp glances in his direction.
Calogero endeavors to persuade Fabrizio about the tax system, but Fabrizio counters with accusations of embezzlement, further digging by suggesting caution in allowing one's daughter to dance with an unknown. Just then, Tassoni becomes overly familiar, prompting Tancredi to intervene. The spectators observe this altercation while Fabrizio keeps his eyes on Concetta.
That evening, the youthful crowd coerces Concetta into a game of hide-and-seek, with everyone but her taking cover. As Concetta searches, Angelica conceals herself with Tancredi. Comrade Cavriaghi, uninterested in hiding, attempts to woo Concetta instead. She asserts her pledge to Tancredi, surprising him when he reveals that Tancredi had asked him to court her.
Meanwhile, Tancredi leads Angelica to a confessional room. Curiosity piqued, she inquiries if he has ever been there with Concetta before kissing him. Fabrizio catches them in this intimate moment and escorts Angelica home abruptly. She rambles about her aspirations and how her dreams hinged on marrying into wealth. She even hints at becoming a prince's mistress, planting a kiss on his cheek.
Returning home, Tancredi declares that he has always been dependent on Fabrizio's largess and, for once, desires something untarnished—Angelica.
The next morning, Fabrizio presents Calogero with Tancredi's proposal but warns him that Tancredi possesses little in material terms. Calogero, thrilled at the prospect of his daughter marrying into aristocracy, boasts of his vast properties that he claims will make up for Tancredi's meager finances.
Stella is enraged, foreseeing Concetta's heartbreak. She scorns Angelica's humble origins and questions Fabrizio's desire to forge a kinship with the Sedaras. Fabrizio reminds her of the Sedara estates that will become theirs upon marriage, insisting that Concetta should not marry someone who does not cherish her, believing she will eventually move on. As Stella predicted, Concetta is devastated and disowns Fabrizio as her father.
At the conclusion of "The Leopard" Episode 3, the vote is cast, with Fabrizio siding with reunification. Donnafugata's majority favors the motion, and Calogero claims a unanimous decision. However, Ciccio and his men create a disturbance, revealing that they voted against it. That night, revelry fills the air while Concetta sulks at home, nursing her broken heart.
