Veronica arouses Peyton's suspicions when she offers to tend to a recuperating Edward; Dean leaves two women distraught...for different reasons; and Tom's brother hits town after his release from prison. Meanwhile, Reese reconciles with her father; Lane finds a job; Peyton discovers Veronica's past and makes Tom an offer he can't afford to refuse.

Veronica and Tom make indecent proposals to their respective Burtons, one of which stokes Vincent's jealousy; Lane uncovers Jeannie's private affairs after Jeannie warns her to stay away from Dean. Meanwhile, Lucille shares the Gothic history of Massick-Burton relations with Peyton; and Edward is shocked to learn of Veronica's own equally torrid past.

Veronica blows Tom's cover to protect herself from Edward's accusations; Dean learns the truth about Jeannie with the help of Lane, his son and Jeannie's mother; and Vincent offers to fill Reese in on the background of her newest fiancee's intentions. Meanwhile, Peyton confronts Tom about his childhood, then teams with him in business...and pleasure.

Edward's senatorial campaign is jeopardized by Lane's story about his affair with Veronica, together with Lucille's letter of confession to Reese about daddy's other little girl. Meanwhile, Jason objects to Dean's relationship with Lane; Tom gets a third partner on the eve of the riverboat casino's grand opening.

The dramatic opening of Lucille's trial tests the friendship of Reese, Peyton and Lane; Peyton's hotshot lawyer offers a new theory about Travis's murder, which gains legitimacy from Lane's reporting and Tom's testimony. Meanwhile, Reese comes between the Massick brothers; another paternity test is ordered.

A mysterious source feeds Lane disturbing tips about Dean's role in Travis's murder investigation; Edward is forced to admit his guilt to one daughter, breaking the other's heart. Meanwhile, Vincent relocates after Veronica visits him in prison; and things heat up between Peyton and Brian, whose political agenda may prove to be Edward's biggest worry.

Lucille is acquitted as the pieces of Travis's death finally fall into place, but her subsequent actions may lead to her downfall; Lane and Jason's chance at friendship is cut short by a violent act of revenge by Jack. Meanwhile, Reese gets caught in the crossfire when she tries to stop the Massick-Burton feud; and two of Peyton's worst nightmares come true.