Three days after the Derby party, the impostor using Evie’s real name saturates Lake Forbing’s social circles. Group texts report sightings, a newspaper photo features her with James, and James’s mother praises her on Facebook. A newly created profile shares a Throwback school photo that convinces old classmates she is genuine. Evie resists the urge to flee and keeps up her carefree façade with Ryan.

From a prepaid phone in her car, Evie calls Mr. Smith to report the impostor. He chastises her delay, confirms he planted the double, and pointedly shows he’s monitoring her by referencing last night’s Chinese takeout. He warns she is replaceable but promises new instructions within two weeks.

Taking this as both threat and opportunity, Evie resolves to finish the job and seize back control. She decides to go off script.

Evie stages a curb strike to pop a tire, gets the car into a nearby shop, and calls Ryan to explain; she declines his offer to send Cole for a ride. She alerts her boss she’ll be late, then leaves the car.

Using a reservation under Annie Michaels, she rents a sedan and drives west to Ryan’s East Texas business. She previously surveilled it, but with the impostor’s arrival and Mr. Smith’s pressure, she believes she missed something crucial. Determined to reassess with fresh eyes, she heads back, convinced the game has changed.