On the day of Lane and Dean's wedding, Peyton steals away for a close encounter with Nick; Edward and Veronica almost get caught in a steamy engagement of their own; and the bride tries to numb her cold feet by mixing drugs and alcohol.

Edward's unholy union to Eleanor shocks the women in his life, especially his mistress; Dean is knocked for a loop when Lane's mood swings intensify; and Cassie's singing career hits a snag. Meanwhile, Peyton moves in on Nick, who finds himself single after Reese learns of his deadly past dealings; and Veronica gets herself a new, equally vengeful partner in crime.

Eleanor receives tragic news while dealing with the fallout from the scam; an enraged Nick interrupts Tom's evening with Reese; and Lane takes illegal steps to feed her growing addiction. Meanwhile, the loss of her job at the Treasury steers Cassie into a new career; and a proposal is made to keep Edward and a grieving Eleanor from testifying against each other.

Reeling from Nick and Reese's reunion, Peyton turns to Tom to make the new lovers pine for former flames; Lane continues to investigate Burton Industries while on a steady diet of painkillers. Meanwhile, Reese makes herself the company's new partner; and Cassie's sting at the River Run factory collapses, endangering her father.

Reese recovers her mother's lost will-giving her half of Burton Industries. But she may lose Nick, who spends a steamy night alone with Peyton. Meanwhile, Lane's story on Edward places her and Dean in harm's way; Cassie begins to exploit her roommates for information on the Burton family; and Reese has a run-in with Veronica.

Peyton schemes to keep Reese from Nick-and his fortune; Wheeler is reunited with his daughter, whose homecoming is shrouded in mystery; Reese learns her mother's dying wish. Meanwhile, Lane clashes with her publisher on a story about the closing of a Burton factory.

Tom points fingers to clear himself of the riverboat fire; Lane's innocent kiss with Terry sets Dean ablaze with anger, but it's she who cools to the idea of spending more time with her lying ex. Meanwhile, Peyton blocks Nick's funding for his part of the boat; and Edward loses Reese as an employee when she meets a shady character on her father's payroll.

The newly elected Edward campaigns to persuade Reese that Nick is a gold digger; Lane's work with Terry unsettles Dean; and Peyton is snagged in her own trap when she tries to land a loan from Charles. Meanwhile, Tom recognizes Veronica's assassination ruse; and the riverboat's new owner and Reese get caught in a deadly revenge plot gone awry.

Dean is shocked by Lane's past when a man she knew in New York arrives in Savannah; Nick helps Reese plug the leak on Edward's election committee, as he makes amends with Veronica. Meanwhile, an amorous Charles helps Peyton deliver a vicious birthday surprise for his wife; a prominent resident is targeted by death threats; and Reese decides to sell her share of the riverboat.

A cash-strapped Dean and Lane hit it big at Veronica's charity auction; Brian makes it clear that his engagement to Peyton is over; and Edward's senatorial campaign develops a media leak. Meanwhile, Reese's fantasies with Nick become reality; Tom aligns himself with Edward's hidden foe; and Peyton takes a swing at landing another Alexander man.

Peyton becomes a pawn when some racy photos of her with Nick land in the wrong hands; Jason's reaction to Lane and Dean's engagement causes concern for all; and Nick gets a new job - plus a role in his employer's fantasies. Meanwhile, Reese learns of the part Tom played in getting her drug charges dropped; and Peyton has it out with both of her blackmailers.

Reese and Dean search for Lane as the conditions of her prison turn deadly; Peyton unknowingly helps Nick get rid of the emerald - earning her a sparkler of her own from Brian. Meanwhile, Tom turns the tables on the police after he fails to goad Veronica into confessing her crimes on tape; and the Alexanders turn out for Edward's fund-raiser.

A tragedy ruins the captive Lane's hopes for escape; and Eleanor sets out to tarnish Peyton's image, although Brian's father takes a shine to her. Meanwhile, Tom makes a deal to implicate Veronica in Reese's drug bust; Nick and Peyton learn of the emerald's whereabouts; Dean and Reese grieve together after a friend's ""death.""

A familiar face returns to town, causing double trouble for Peyton and Reese, who barely avoids Veronica's trap for Tom; and Lane's kidnapper makes explosive plans for Dean's demise. Meanwhile, Lucille settles the score with her own captive, Edward.