After Ed McKay, a member of the County Board of Supervisors, is assassinated, Chase is encouraged to run for the office. When Chase begins campaigning against Angela's virtual monopoly of the water rights in the valley, she does everything in her power to see Chase defeated. Despite this, Chase wins the election. After Emma is caught shoplifting in a jewelry store, Angela threatens the owner that she will destroy him if he decides to prosecute.

During breakfast, Lance presents the paper for Melissa to see and thinks he is off the hook. However, Melissa knows that Richard printed this because she would not sell him her father's property. When Angie learns that Richard's evidence is from the paternity results that Lance gave him, Angie denounces Lance's inheritance. At home, Cole, referring to the same article, thinks Melissa finally told the truth about Cole's fatherhood to Joseph. Although Cole's murder charges were dropped, Chase knows they will never hear the end of this until Carlo Agretti's murderer is found. At the hospital, Angie visits Elliot McKay, who, although quite ill, defiantly rejects Angie's offer to buy his vineyard. In town, Vickie meets Nick, who professes his love for her. At The Globe, Melissa confronts Richard about the newspaper article and when Richard refuses to print a retraction, Melissa threatens to sue him for libel. Richard welcomes the extra publicity.