The twelfth episode of "When The Stars Gossip" commences with the lottery-obsessed crew gathered at a bus stop, their shoulders slumped in communal despair over their fruitless endeavors. Santi muses that their greed hasCatch-22ed them into a cycle of thwarted ambition, while Mina's sister ponders whether they ought to broker a deal with Kang-su for a slice of their elusive fortune.
Seung-jun and Mina, standing hesitantly outside the fleabag hotel where Kang-su is currently ensconced, oscillate between confronting him head-on and abandoning the idea altogether. Their indecision is punctuated by the nascent flickers of romance between them; before they know it, their evening takes an unexpected turn, culminating in a night spent intertwined under the same roof.
Elsewhere, Eve and Ryong are entangled in a tender embrace when Go-eun bursts in, cradling the turtle as if it were a lifeline. Ryong, caught off guard, reluctantly grants her entrance, but Go-eun's suspicions are immediately aroused by the sight of Eve's shoes and bag discarded carelessly on the floor.
Go-eun's displeasure is palpable, yet she maintains a stone-faced demeanor, challenging Eve to a drinking duel. The stakes? The victor, the one who can outlast the other in imbibing, would win Ryong's affections. Go-eun, seething with resentment towards Eve for what she believes is a betrayal, harbors a conviction that Eve has turned Ryong against her.
Their confrontation begins with petty spats but evolves into a moment of uneasy camaraderie when Go-eun, albeit reluctantly, thanks Eve for saving Ryong's life. However, this fleeting rapprochement is swiftly overshadowed by Go-eun's skewed character assassination of her ex, painting him as a materialistic opportunist—a caricature that bears no resemblance to the real Ryong.The girls, both as intoxicated as a pair of skunks, eventually stumble back to Ryong's abode, where they make the audacious decision to share his bed, leaving him to make do with the sofa for the night.
Come morning, Seung-jun and Mina chance upon Kang-su in the hotel lobby, who is already eager to cash in his well-earned winnings. Realizing their deceit has caught up with them, the duo find themselves groveling for forgiveness in the open lobby. Kang-su, not amused by the betrayal, deduces that Ryong was the culprit who had withheld the winning ticket from him.
Elsewhere, the mothers devise a plan to invite Eve over for a heartfelt home-cooked meal, ostensibly as a token of gratitude. However, there's a hidden motive at play here—they yearn to scrutinize the woman who has captured their son's heart.
Meanwhile, Ryong and Eve are debriefed by Tae-hui at MCC after submitting their report on the shuttle incident. It seems they've been cleared of any wrongdoing, and Ryong is subsequently ushered out of the room. Yet, as he exits, the entire MCC staff turns to cast their glances upon him, fueling the persistent gossip that has surrounded him ever since his fiery outburst in the restaurant during the previous episode.When it comes to Eve, Tae-hui takes her aside and insists that seeing Ryong again would be detrimental to her reputation. Nonetheless, Eve and Ryong are determined to pursue their relationship, albeit clandestinely. Their secret rendezvous takes a surprising turn when Dong-a inserts himself into the equation, proposing that he and Eve collaborate on the Station Repair mission. As they delve into discussions about the Scorpion, the girls cunningly grill Dong-a about his past romantic interests, leaving him squirming with embarrassment.
Despite the interference, Eve and Ryong continue their trysts, reliving cherished memories together. Eve, who has often felt isolated throughout her life, confesses that during their time aboard the shuttle, she never felt lonely, a sentiment she attributes largely to Ryong.
Elsewhere, Kang-su confides in Jae-ryong, revealing that Ryong has moved on from Go-eun and harbors feelings for someone else. The Chairman, overhearing this, confronts Ryong with a stark warning: to give up his affections or face ruin and the permanent loss of his medical career. Just then, Go-eun bursts in, unexpectedly defending Ryong while scorning Kang-su. Enraged, the Chairman expels Kang-su from his presence. In the parking lot, Kang-su vents his frustration by smashing Ryong's wing mirror, vowing to bring him down with him.
To emphasize his resolve, Kang-su flaunts his lottery ticket, asserting that he now has the means to exact his revenge and weather any financial storms that may arise.
Due to Kang-su's actions, a disciplinary hearing is scheduled for the next day, compelling all members of Expedition 3 to attend. Ryong, too, holds a share of culpability in this matter. Should Kang-su expose Ryong and his involvement with the morula, it would spell trouble not only for Ryong but also unravel the clandestine smuggling operation, implicating everyone associated with it.
In a confidential moment, Dong-a interrogates Eve about her experiences aboard the shuttle, prompting Eve to confess her intimate encounters with Ryong, specifying the exact timing of these events. Dong-a's reaction is one of understandable discontent.
As Eve exits the MCC, the heavens open up, drenching the area in rain. She dashes outside, just as Tae-hui witnesses her struggle without shelter and quickly phones her. However, Tae-hui's concern turns to resentment when she spots Ryong arriving like a rescuer from a fairy tale. They cloak themselves together and walk away, leaving Tae-hui heartbroken and aware of their romantic entanglement.
Returning to the office, Tae-hui begins to connect the dots. She realizes the presence of an incubator onboard and, serendipitously, spots it in the backdrop of a video footage featuring Eve and Ryong. To everyone's surprise, this critical detail had been overlooked until now, clearly visible and undeniable. Recognizing that embryos are unaccounted for, Tae-hui summons both Ryong and Kang-su that very night. Upon their arrival, she presents the footage and accuses them of collaborating in secret.
