In a hallway before the press conference, Veronika Volkova interrupts Katarina as she stands over a ruined flower. Although Katarina has never spoken to Veronika before, Veronika immediately establishes control of the encounter, coolly noting that the press conference is about to begin and reminding Katarina that Yelena and Dmitri are still in first place.

Veronika then turns to the media frenzy around Katarina and Heath. She mocks the press for caring more about sex than skating and dismisses Katarina's claim that they never wanted the attention. When Veronika says she knows how Sheila operates, she directly suggests that Sheila Lin has personal relationships with photographers and can summon them whenever she wants.

Katarina first assumes Veronika is trying to manipulate her, but the accusation lands because it fits too many recent problems. Sheila is absent, their programs have felt weak and mismatched, and the paparazzi have somehow kept finding Katarina and Heath even after changes to their schedule and apartment. Veronika leaves Katarina with a final warning that losing public attention is the real danger, then walks away.

When Heath arrives and sees that something is wrong, Katarina does not explain what Veronika said. Instead, she asks whether Heath trusts her, and Heath answers yes without hesitation. Reassured by that loyalty and newly energized by Veronika's provocation, Katarina decides not to collapse under suspicion or distraction and tells Heath that they can still win the competition.