Gold Digger

Lottie and Ollie head out for a walk and lunch. Ollie suggests a fancy restaurant, but Lottie refuses, pointing out that she’s in ratty cleaning clothes and reeks of bleach. Ollie takes her to his fishmonger friend instead, where they grab salmon bagels and settle in at a park.

As they chat, Lottie opens up about her past. She entered foster care at age 10. Her father died when she was six, and her mother, addicted to alcohol, neglected her. Although her mum stayed sober for years, she relapsed and died from liver failure six months ago. Lottie warns Ollie that she carries a lot of baggage—especially if their relationship becomes public.

Ollie listens intently, offering support without hesitation. He’s impressed by Lottie’s strength and resilience. His empathy deepens, and his feelings for her grow even stronger.

Lottie calls someone “lovebug” on the phone, stirring jealousy in Ollie. Though he knows it’s irrational, he wonders if she’s seeing someone else. Over the past two weeks, they’ve shared daily lunches, with Ollie keeping things slow and respectful, wanting to earn her trust before more sexual intimacy.

The next night, they’re set to attend a gala, and Ollie looks forward to treating Lottie like the fancy lady she deserves to be. He dreams of providing for her—no more leftovers or part-time classes but instead relaxation and full-time student life.

Ollie asks about the phone call, and Lottie reassures him that she’s not involved with anyone else. She promises to explain her complicated life at the gala tomorrow. Ollie admits that he’s falling for her, and she finds it sweet but has to leave to avoid being “late again.”

Later, Ollie vents to Claire about how Lottie never has time for date nights. Claire points out that it’s good for Ollie to not always get his way and to learn that Lottie has her own life. He mentioned his impatience to Margot, and Claire warns him that that wasn’t the best move.

The next night, Lottie cancels attending the gala with Ollie, giving him an excuse. She doesn’t tell him that she has to be with Hayley and her new therapist. She’s not ready to share Hayley’s struggles—her selective mutism, her trauma, and the custody battle with Brenda and Tony.

Margot appears unannounced at Lottie and Hayley’s door. Lottie is startled and embarrassed by their modest apartment, sending Hayley away to her room. Margot, knowing about Hayley’s therapy and Lottie’s past, wants to make a deal. Lottie is flabbergasted by Margot’s use of a private investigator, but Margot defends herself, arguing that anyone connected to the royal family must be vetted.

Margot offers Lottie $50,000 to stay away from Ollie, citing the cost of Hayley’s therapy, college, and Lottie’s past. Though hurt, Lottie knows that the money would be life-changing for her and Hayley. In the end, she sacrifices her budding love for Ollie, deciding that Hayley’s well-being is worth more.

After accepting Margot’s money, Lottie submits her two-week notice. At the mansion, Ollie is cold since Margot told him about the deal. He warns that any contact means returning the $50,000. Hurt, Lottie tries to explain, but Ollie dismisses the sum as “measly,” which highlights their class divide. She knows that he won’t understand and leaves heartbroken.

Later, Vicky visits Lottie, bonding with Hayley over their neurodivergence. She offers Lottie a job as her executive assistant, valuing Lottie’s emotional intelligence to help navigate social situations and build her financial-advising career. Vicky admits that people don’t like her, finding her blunt and awkward. Lottie hesitates, but Vicky promises minimal contact with Ollie, avoiding a contract breach with Margot. Lottie accepts, drawn to the well-paying opportunity and Vicky’s sincerity.

Three months later, Lottie attends a business party at a restaurant with Vicky, coaching her through networking with Mr. Arkins, a key client. Using subtle nonverbal communication cues like a wrist squeeze, Lottie helps Vicky navigate social interactions beyond financial statistics. Each cue has a meaning that helps Vicky understand the social norms and adapt.

Lottie is unsettled when she sees Ollie there, something Vicky failed to mention. Despite trying to avoid him, Ollie corners her in private, insisting that he could have given her the $50,000 if she had just asked. Lottie is angry that he seems to care now, months later. She can’t take the emotional upheaval, so she denies Ollie’s advances and apologies, still not telling him about Hayley. Their argument intensifies, and Ollie accuses her of being a “gold digger” who manipulated his family for money.

Lottie, Vicky, Felix, and Ollie meet with Harry, their other partner, about a business deal. At first, people were shocked that Lottie entered the corporate world. With Vicky’s help and designer outfits, she transitioned well and earned her role. With her insight into reading people, Lottie has saved the company from deals with dishonest people, for example.

Now, she helps navigate a complex business meeting, including dealing with Harry’s ego. Lottie tries to ignore Ollie, as usual. By the meeting’s end, she hopes that she won’t have to see Ollie again for a while since he’s always cold to her.

After the meeting, Lottie rushes to pick up Hayley from school and take her to therapy, but Ollie follows, demanding to talk. She tries to escape, but she’s slow in heels, and he persists. He accuses her of leaving Vicky hanging, but Lottie’s explains that her work hours are only until three o’clock in the afternoon each day, which Ollie doesn’t understand. Their argument turns into a heated near kiss, but Lottie rushes off.

Later, Hayley excitedly asks about seeing Florrie again. Hayley explains that she really liked her and her talkative nature; they played together in the library. She admits to Lottie that she spoke to Florrie, which is monumental. Lottie’s heart breaks knowing that Florrie is Ollie’s niece, meaning that Hayley can’t see her again.

At a business dinner with Vicky, Felix, Ollie, and Felix’s girlfriend, Lucy, Lottie supports Vicky, who struggles with night driving due to sensory overload. During dinner, Vicky bluntly asks if Felix and Lucy are sleeping together, and Lottie helps smooth over Lucy’s embarrassment.

Ollie mocks Lottie for being a former cleaner and now giving orders to Vicky, London’s top financial advisor. Insulted, Lottie tries to leave, but Ollie stops her to apologize. She retorts that to him, she’s just an unqualified cleaner who wronged him. She insists that she never blackmailed his family, but he doesn’t understand her need for the money. Though Ollie tries to reconnect, Lottie shuts him down to protect her heart.

Struggling with heartbreak, Ollie falls into a cycle of dates and drinking but reflects on his mistakes and Lottie’s betrayal. Though he’s still hurt by her betrayal, he realizes that he doesn’t have the right to judge her or berate her.

Mrs. Higgins alerts him to an intruder, but it’s a young girl in the library. Ollie kindly engages with the little girl—whom he doesn’t realize is Hayley—until his mention of social services causes her to panic.

Lottie arrives frantic, and she’s relieved to find Hayley safe and sound. Moments later, the police arrive. Lottie had called them when Hayley ran away.