Purpose: Family pressure + Milo sees Vivian's world clearly
The Dinner: Eleanor Sterling (60s, steel magnolia) interrogates Milo while Vivian's brother Oliver (perpetual graduate student) tries to help and fails. Family stories emerge: Vivian's grandmother Adele built the ballroom from nothing after her husband's death. Vivian has been trying to live up to her ever since.
Milo's Insight: He realizes Vivian's perfectionism isn't snobbery — it's grief and fear. He starts to genuinely care.
The Twist: Eleanor offers Milo a job. "If you're serious about my daughter, you need stability." She's trying to split them by offering what Vivian thinks she wants.
Vivian's Reaction: Furious at both of them. Accuses Milo of infiltrating her family. Accuses Eleanor of manipulating her. For the first time, screams that she's not Grandmother Adele and never will be.
Milo's Choice: He refuses Eleanor's offer publicly, defends Vivian's right to her own identity, and leaves — but not before telling Vivian that her grandmother's legacy isn't the building, it's the courage to build.
Falling Action: Vivian finds Adele's old journals. Discovers her grandmother was actually chaotic, experimental, often failed. The "perfect" reputation was constructed later.
Chapter Hook: Vivian calls Milo to apologize. He's not answering. He's been hired for a destination wedding... in the same location as Zara's upcoming site visit. They'll be trapped together for three days.