The fourteenth episode of "When The Stars Gossip" kicks off with a poignant funeral ceremony aboard the MCC, honoring the mice who perished in their relentless quest for greatness. Sobs and melancholic squeaks fill the air, creating an atmosphere heavy with grief. The narrative then shifts to the challenges of mouse births in space, prompting reflections on how much harder it would be for a human infant to be conceived and born in such an unforgiving environment.
In the lab, a heart-melting scene unfolds as the CGI mouse, donning an adorable cone, finds itself immersed in a bout of depression. Tae-hui's timely arrival offers a glimmer of hope as he attempts to cheer up Eve. This heartfelt interaction precedes Eve's fateful encounter with Ryong and the receipt of their marriage papers, leaving her with a myriad of thoughts swirling in her mind, especially concerning the dramatic revelation about her birth mother.
Eve retreats to the warmth of her home, savoring the culinary delights prepared by Na-mi. Meanwhile, Ryong examines the morula with utmost care, holding onto a surprise for Eve that he chooses to keep under wraps—at least for now. Eve, mindful of her impending departure in three days, gently nudges Ryong to expedite his plans.
Later, Eve visits the restaurant to return the dishes, sharing her appreciation for Na-mi's culinary artistry. With a heavy heart, she discourages Na-mi from pursuing the Christmas Eve event, ultimately bidding her a poignant farewell. Her journey, fueled by the quest to unravel the mystery behind her mother's abandonment, seems to have reached its conclusion.
Elsewhere, the lottery gang makes a solemn visit to Kang-su, who is engrossed in his own sorrow. They present him with his space suit, perhaps hoping to regain his favor, though their true motives—whether genuine concern or a desire for the lottery ticket—remain ambiguous.Elsewhere, within the state-of-the-art IOU Mission Control hub in Houston, a meticulous examination of all items retrieved from the space shuttle is underway. Among these precious artifacts lies Ryong's phone, which harbors a damaging message. Recall how this crucial piece of evidence powered down due to an exhausted battery, leaving its contents temporarily inaccessible. Nevertheless, the American team diligently verifies the translation and promptly communicates the findings back to Korea.
Before the results of this intricate investigation can be revealed, Eve arrives unexpectedly to visit Ryong amidst his duties. Her curiosity piqued by the mysterious gift she received, she finds herself holding a tome on obstetrics, handed over by Ryong with a mischievous grin. This heavy volume, as it turns out, harbors a hidden secret—it's the very book that concealed the stash of alcohol. With a wink and a nudge, Ryong suggests she share its contents with her space-bound comrades, but Eve rebuffs him sternly, even playfully threatening a slap if he's not more discreet.
As they stroll towards lunch, Eve subtly inquires about the morulas, her curiosity obvious despite her circuitous approach. Ryong, ever honest, fills her in on the details, revealing how her comrades had aided him while keeping her in the dark. Meanwhile, back at MCC, storm clouds gather. Tae-hui has been briefed about the incriminating message on Ryong's phone, and the outlook is grim. Should Ryong succeed in implanting the illegally conceived embryo in Seoul, the KSA would bear the full brunt of the responsibility. In a rush to prevent this delicate situation from spiraling out of control, Dong-a and Tae-hui swiftly depart to manage the crisis.
In a rush, everyone dashed towards the hospital, driven by an unwavering determination to locate Ryong. Dong-a, sharp-eyed, spotted Jae-Ryong amidst the crowd and confronted him head-on, culminating in a tense confrontation within the sterile confines of the operating theatre. Ryong, with quick thinking and silvered tongue, wriggled out of the tight spot by asserting that the Ryong in space had perished, and upon his return, he had conjured another version of himself on Earth.
Meanwhile, Eve found herself under the scrutinizing gaze of Tae-hui, alone and interrogated at MCC. The surgical endeavor had proven futile, leaving everything hanging by a fragile thread. Consequently, the morulas were escorted back to MCC, where personnel verified their extraterrestrial origin. However, the absence of the microscope cast a shadow of doubt over the authorities' minds, leaving them puzzled about Ryong's modus operandi.
Following Dong-a's swift and resounding slap across his face, Ryong was grilled about the entire saga. Yet, he steadfastly maintained Eve's innocence, insisting she had no inkling of the unfolding drama. He also shielded the MZ Group's name from the scrutiny, shouldering the entire blame and justifying his actions as an attempt to curry favor with the chairman. He clung to his narrative of initially seeking to wed into the family, viewing this deception as his pathway to acceptance.
Tae-hui laid into Eve, relentless in his rebuke, until she reluctantly agreed to a fleeting five-minute encounter with Ryong. With the stakes sky-high, Eve emphasized the necessity to safeguard the space agency and uphold the integrity of Korean space exploration. In this dire strait, betrayal became her only option, as she realized she had to prioritize the greater good over her personal ties.
