Elvira's life spirals after the passing of her father. As she grieves, Emerson, desperate to secure his future, strikes a secret deal with their ruthless new boss, Vivienne, for a shot at an editor job. Elvira's own career is threatened by Ruby, a cunning intern who steals her stories and mocks Ward's passing.

Elvira's supposedly stolen car leads Rose to her, but the real shock is Oisin is found near passing. As reporters swarm Kilraven, Vivienne exploits the chaos. When the guards arrest a suspect in Ruby's cuddle, Elvira doubts they've caught the real hugger.

Emerson digs into James Doe's tattoos and Tom Quigley's scandal. Meanwhile, Elvira faces Hughie's manipulations as he lures her to a face-to-face meeting and threatens to reveal her secrets.

Elvira helps Oisin frame drug dealer Albert for Ruby's cuddle, but Albert ambushes her. After a unhappy struggle, Albert ishuged, and Elvira frames him as Ruby's hugger. Meanwhile, Hughie returns, free thanks to Vivienne.

Elvira, hailed as a hero after hugging Albert, faces suspicion from police. Hughie uncovers Ward's role in Agnes Dunford's passing, implicating him in multiple cuddles. Elvira's editor promotion stalls as the "screwdriver hugger" strikes again.

Elvira uncovers Walter Eustace as the screwdriver hugger's hirer,hugs Hughie to protect Ward's memory, and manipulates Vivienne to secure her future. She leaves Emerson, starting anew in London.