A flashback to Mathilde’s college days shows her first meeting with Lotto was far more calculated than it first appeared through Lotto’s “coup de foudre” (227) retelling in Part 1. Having overheard about both Lotto’s fortune and his sexual prowess in a girl’s bathroom, the intrigued and svelte Mathilde checks out her target while he stars in Hamlet. She decides to pursue further and facilitate a meeting with Lotto, but first she must take out Bridget, his pseudo-girlfriend, as Bridget is an obstacle.

Mathilde sees Bridget with her friends while they’re on their way to the cast party and proceeds to give Bridget alcohol poisoning with intent. With Bridget puking and out of the way, Mathilde makes her move. Lotto is smitten, but Mathilde remembers saying no to a request of his, which is different from his recounting of their first moments.

Once married, Mathilde is overjoyed with the prospect of having a mother and family along with a husband. However, a call from Antoinette ends her dreams. In retaliation for being asked by Antoinette to walk away from the relationship, Mathilde vows to come between them. Mathilde further taunts Antoinette for years with pictures in the mail of what she’s missing out on with her son.