Maximilian's vendetta stumbles: Friederike seems to know more about him and thus poses a real danger. But then a surprising twist plays into his hands ... Annette is worried about his sincere feelings when Etienne confesses to her that he has fallen in love with her. With her bad experiences in mind, Annette wants to take it slowly. But Etienne enchants Annette at a romantic dinner and so Annette throws her resolutions overboard and wants to plunge into an intoxicating night with the fascinating unknown ... Marian rejects Etienne's tempting offer. The risk of losing everything that is important to him is simply too great for him. With a heavy heart, he decides to give up the pub. However, an encounter with Maximilian changes everything.