Olive reaches the shared hotel room relieved to find two beds. Adam returns, stunned by how she looks, and they banter as he reassures her about the talk and hands her a protein bar. She discovers he is an SBD keynote speaker. He encourages her to be confident and heads to deliver his keynote while she prepares for her session.

Olive’s panel includes Tom; her presentation has minor stumbles but lands well with engaged listeners and supportive friends. Afterward, while collecting her USB, Tom approaches, first with professional small talk, then veering personal.

Tom invades Olive’s space, attempts to kiss her, and when she pushes him away, he insults her, claims she only advanced because of Adam, and threatens to replicate her work using the protocols she shared. He asserts Adam will believe him over her and pressures her to join his lab, framing it as her only option. Shaken, Olive flees.

Back in the room, Olive breaks down. Adam arrives, kneels beside her, and gently presses for the truth. She hides Tom’s assault, claiming anonymous critics called her work derivative and only selected because she dates Adam. Adam grows protective, rejects the criticism, and tells her she’s a great scientist. She clings to him, steadies, and thanks him.

When she dreads the department social, Adam decides to skip conference obligations and take her for a drink, pointedly calling her his girlfriend. Olive follows him out, buoyed by his support despite the unresolved threat from Tom.