Thicker than blood, more precious than oil, Riverdale's big business is maple syrup.

Since the town's founding, one family has controlled its lucrative syrup trade: the Blossoms.

They were part of the fabric of daily life. Rich or poor, old or young, they consumed Blossom maple syrup by the bucket.

That sickly, sweet smell was inescapable.

The death of Jason Blossom precipitated a crisis: with the heir gone, who would inherit the family business?

Certainly not Cheryl.

It was a question that brought the wolves to Riverdale, and now, the Blossoms were circling the wagons against possible attack from within their own ranks.

"Polly hasn't been returning my calls," Betty said to Jughead. "I mean, I get that she doesn't wanna talk to Dad, but what did I do wrong?"

"Nothing," Jughead assured. "We'll figure it out."

Betty felt so tempted to kiss Jughead, but before she could, Alice burst into the room.

"Rise and shine," said Alice. "Breakfast is ready."

"I'm not hungry," said Betty.

"Oh, enough is enough, Elizabeth. We have a big week ahead of us. The Blossoms have always been a thorn on our side, especially since, according to your milquetoast father, Great-Grandpappy Blossom killed Great-Grandpappy Cooper. Well, it's about time someone brings them to heel. I'm writing a searing, no-holds-barred takedown of their clan."

"And you think that will bring Polly home?"

"Maybe, maybe not, but it will make me feel better. Word has it that the Blossom board of trustees has descended upon Riverdale like a cabal of vampires. Why? That's a story. I just need to find a way in."

"The lawyers are coming over this week to take our statements for your dad's hearing," Hermione told Veronica. "We're both gonna have to testify on his behalf."

"What if they ask about what he did?" asked Veronica. "Embezzling all that money? Will I have to lie?"

Hermione struggled to find the right words, but she eventually found them. "You might have to shade the truth a bit."

"Mom?"

"Baby, I just made a mess of things. Your father knows about Fred and me. Someone got to him before I got the chance to say anything."

"Wait, Dad knows?"

"Yes, and on top of that, the Blossoms are still after the drive-in land, and Fred still doesn't know that we own it."

"Maybe it's time you tell Mr. Andrews the truth."

"And risk having him walk off the project? We've bet everything we have on the SoDale construction."

"Mom, this is a small, gossipy town. You need to tell Fred about the land before someone else does."

Archie was just minding his own business in the student lounge when Cheryl came in.

"Hey, Archie," she greeted. "Did you know today is the official start of maple syrup season?"

"No, I didn't," Archie replied.

"Well, it is, and every year, we host a tree-tapping ceremony, a tradition that honors the Blossom bloodline."

"Sounds cool."

"It's beyond cool. It's also incredibly exclusive. Family and inner-circle only. Do you wanna be on the list?"

Archie didn't respond right away.

"The maple-tapping's something Jason and I have done together since we could walk," Cheryl went on. "It was our special thing, but I… I can't face it alone. If you come as my escort, I think I can get through it."

Archie wasn't really interested, but he didn't wanna be blunt about it.

"Cheryl, I would love to help, but I've got other things going on," he said. "Maybe invite Kevin or Reggie?"

Cheryl was angered by this. "You don't get it, do you? I don't want Kevin or Reggie. I want you. You defended me to Sheriff Keller when not even my parents would." Tears started to form around her eyes. She stormed out before Archie could see them. "Never mind. Forget I asked."

In English class, Ethel was reading a poem in front of the entire class.

"'They put me in a wooden box as I desperately opposed,'" she recited. "'But all my screaming was for naught; my mouth had been sewed closed. Curled up in bed was just a girl, needing Daddy's arms to hold her.'"

Veronica paid close attention to Ethel's speech. She sounded like she was fighting the urge to cry.

During free period, Veronica found Ethel in the student lounge.

"Hey Ethel," she greeted. "I just wanted to tell you how moved I was by your poem. It felt like you were tapping into something pretty dark, but also real. I don't wanna overstep, but is everything alright?"

Ethel didn't respond for a good five seconds. Veronica feared she overstepped again.

But Ethel eventually spoke up. "Things at home aren't great. My mom and dad are fighting, but they won't tell me what it's about. It's like this really bad thing happened, and I can't do anything to stop it."

Veronica nodded, understandingly. "Like you're trapped in a slow-motion car crash. I know the feeling. Listen, Ethel. It sounds like you need some cheering up, which happens to be a Veronica Lodge specialty. If you're free tomorrow, come over for lunch and pampering." She noticed Kevin sitting nearby. "Kevin will be there. Come on, it'll be fun."

"Alright, sure."

"Great. See you tomorrow."

Later, Kevin confronted Veronica in the hallway.

"What was that about?" he demanded.

"Ethel's poem was a cry for help if I ever heard one," Veronica explained. "The likes of which I vowed never to ignore. Not after…"

She paused, not wanting to say anymore.

Kevin caught this. "Uh-oh. Do we need to sit down?"

Veronica sighed. "So, last year at Spence, my best friend, Katy Keene, and I kind of terrorized this girl, Paige. One time, we made her drink gutter water."

"Ew! Why?"

"Because she was there. She was a misfit, and we were class-A brutal bitches. Anyway, by December, Paige couldn't take it anymore."

"Wait, you drove her to suicide?"

"No, but she did transfer schools and go into therapy."

"So now?"

"If I can make Ethel Muggs' life a little better, even for one afternoon, I'm going to do it."

Archie just got a drink from the water fountain.

"Archibald," a voice called.

Archie jumped back in fear, only to realize it was Penelope.

"I was going to get Principal Weatherbee to summon you," she said.

"Hey, Mrs. Blossom," Archie greeted nervously.

"Have a moment to chat? About Cheryl. I believe she invited you to our tree-tapping ceremony."

"Yeah, she did, and I told her I didn't feel comfortable going."

"Cheryl tells me you have a keen interest in football. Is that true?"

Archie nodded.

"Did she tell you her great-uncle Harrison sits on the board of the University of Notre Dame?" Penelope asked.

Archie shook his head.

"It's amazing," he said. "But crazy hard to get into."

"Surely not for a talent like you," Penelope retorted. "Especially not if I put in a word on your behalf."

"Mrs. Blossom…"

"At Jason's memorial, you brought me his football jersey. That was an act of kindness on a day of despair. You're good, Archie, unlike most people in this town."

Archie was surprised by all of this. "Mrs. Blossom, I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll reconsider escorting my daughter to the tapping. It's just an afternoon, and it would mean the world to Cheryl."

Seeing a chance to follow his passion, Archie decided to agree to it. "Alright, I'll do it."

"I swear, Archibald, when the light hits you just right…" Penelope stopped herself from saying what she wanted to say. "I'll give Cheryl the good news, and I'll call Uncle Harrison."

With that, Penelope left.

Jughead met up with everyone in the lounge during lunch break.

"You're just in time," said Veronica. "We're celebrating."

"Archie told us he's getting accepted into Notre Dame," Kevin added.

"Maybe," Archie clarified. "If it does, though, it'll be huge for me."

"You applied?" Jughead asked.

"Not exactly. Mrs. Blossom came by earlier and said she'd put a good word in for me."

Jughead was suspicious. "What's she getting out of it?"

"I told her I'd take Cheryl to their family's tree-tapping thing."

"Are you sure it's a good idea?"

"I'm doing someone a favor for my football, Jughead. I need to make connections outside of Riverdale."

"That's the way of the world," Veronica remarked. "It's all about connections, but Jughead's right. These kinds of favors always come with a price tag. Betty, back me up here."

"I think it's a great idea, actually," said Betty. "While you're there, would you talk to Polly for me? I just wanna make sure she's okay."

Archie nodded. "Definitely."

"Thank you."

Archie turned to Veronica. "And don't worry, Ronnie. I can take care of myself."

"Famous last words, Archiekins," said Veronica.

Riverdale

Chapter 9

La Grande Illusion

Archie escorted Cheryl to the ceremony.

"When Jason died, I thought I'd trapped my last tree," Cheryl admitted. "Now, don't be nervous. All you have to do is hold the bucket steady, and I'll handle the rest."

Archie looked around at all the unfamiliar faces in the area. "Who are all these people?"

"Entre nous, they're Daddy's board of trustees. They smell blood in the water. That's why they're here." Cheryl sighed. "They're worried that Daddy's losing his grip on the company and they're looking for a way to take it away from us."

"They can do that?"

"If they all vote together, they can. When Jason died, it was a PR debacle. Now, here's Polly, pregnant and unwed. It's no wonder they've descended upon us like some biblical plague."

By the time Cheryl was done talking, she and Archie were in the crowd with everyone else.

Clifford opened a scroll and read it aloud. "'Nearly 100 years ago, Grandfather Blossom came to this sacred maple grove. The annual tapping ceremony portends each season's bounty.'" That's where he stopped reading. "Now, I've performed this ceremony many times in my life. Jason, when he came of age, performed as well. In his place, I put forth my daughter, Cheryl."

Archie took the bucket and held it in front of the tree.

Cheryl stood there, seeing everyone staring at her. She felt this unease seeing her entire family watching her.

Archie noticed this. "Hey, don't worry. You can do this in your sleep."

Cheryl hit the spile, and sap started oozing out of the tree.

The crowd applauded.

Veronica, Hermione, Betty, Kevin, and Ethel ate lunch at the Pembrooke.

"This cuisine is to die for," Kevin complimented.

Veronica noticed Ethel wasn't eating. "Ethel, aren't you hungry?"

"No, not really," Ethel replied.

"Anything we can help with?"

"Um, my parents…" Ethel fought the urge to cry as she admitted what was going on. "All they do is yell at each other."

"My parents are fighting right now, too," Betty empathized. "It's terrible."

"I think my dad's had some bad luck with his savings," Ethel went on. "Now my mom says we're going to have to sell the house. My dad is so… crushed. I wish I could do something to help him."

Hearing all that, Veronica felt nothing but sympathy for Ethel.

"Girl, we have a lot more in common than I thought," she remarked. "We lost our place at the Dakota. Look, losing the home you've lived in your whole life sucks, but you have your family, and you have us. You've got this, Ethel Muggs."

Hermione almost flinched hearing Ethel's last name.

"Muggs?" she asked for clarification.

Ethel nodded. "It's Dutch. We lost the third G when my grandpa, Manfred, came over."

Veronica noticed the look on Hermione's face. It was a look of worry, like she knew something no one else did.

The entire Blossom family gathered for their family photo.

"Archibald, come join us before the snow starts again," Clifford called.

Archie got in the frame.

The photographer counted down, then snapped the photo.

Then everyone went to do their own things.

Archie noticed he was standing next to Polly. Seeing his chance, he took it.

"Polly, Betty's worried about you," he said. "Why won't you call or email her? She fought for you, Polly, and now you're treating her like the enemy."

"Polly, come along," Penelope ordered.

"Tell Betty she shouldn't worry," Polly told Archie.

She then walked off to join the Blossoms.

Once dinner was over, Hermione led Veronica away for a private discussion.

"Polly, there's something you need to know about that Muggs girl," she said.

"What?" asked Veronica.

"Her father, Manfred Muggs, invested with your dad. It's probable they lost a lot when your father was arrested. Maybe everything."

"Mom, they're being kicked out of their house! Their home!"

"Well, from what I know, the Muggs family is going to testify against your father."

"They should! How many, Mom? How many families like Ethel's?"

Hermione just shrugged. "It's the risk of doing business."

"Could Mr. Andrews lose everything for doing business with you and Dad?"

"I'm not sure."

Veronica groaned. "My God."

Archie and the Blossoms headed back to the mansion. Archie couldn't help but overhear a conversation between the two people in front of him.

"I don't buy this shitshow for one second," said one person. "Cliff can't control his own family, let alone the company."

"Agreed," said another. "And if he tries to put Cheryl forward as a successor… Do you remember what she did at the funeral? Crocodile tears."

"Hey!" Archie shouted.

But Cheryl grabbed his hand. "Archie, you don't have to."

Archie forced himself free and kept his focus on the Blossoms in front of him. "No, Cheryl loved Jason! What was she meant to do at his funeral? Not cry? Yeah, Jason was on the football team, but Cheryl was at every single game, too, doing as much to help the Bulldogs win as he did. If there's one thing that I've learned being in Cheryl's class, it's to not underestimate or bet against her."

The Blossoms were completely taken aback by Archie's stunt. Archie just walked around them and kept going.

Hermione met up with Fred in his office.

"Fred, we need to talk," she told him, then took a breath. "Hiram and I are the anonymous buyers. You're working for Lodge Industries."

Fred couldn't describe the anger he felt. "How do you not tell me that?"

"You never would've gotten involved."

"Damn straight, because I didn't sign up to go into business with a criminal like Hiram Lodge!"

"I'm trying to turn Lodge Industries legitimate. That means partnering with people like you, good people."

Fred calmed down a little bit, but he was still upset. "This is why Cliff Blossom bought out my crew, and sent thugs to beat up teenagers?"

"Clifford didn't send those thugs. Hiram did. He was trying to stop us. He found out about you and me from Clifford."

"So you dragged me into a war between Clifford and Hiram? That's great."

"I know you're angry, and I know that I have no right to ask this, but please stay on the project. If you jump ship, I can't bounce off of someone else."

"So I do all the grunt work while your husband's taking potshots at me and you're playing both sides? I gotta take a walk."

With that, Fred stormed out of the office.

"You know, Archibald, when Cheryl told me you wanna come with us, I was a little taken aback," Clifford admitted to Archie. "Your father and I haven't seen eye-to-eye lately."

"I came for Cheryl, Mr. Blossom," said Archie. "And because I'm grateful for what Mrs. Blossom is doing for me."

"Notre Dame, you mean? Yeah, that would be quite a feather in your cap now, wouldn't it? You know, we can be extremely generous, Archibald, to the right people. Later this week, we're hosting a banquet for the board at the Belmont Lodge. It's a simple thing, a little dinner, chit-chat, dancing. We would love you to attend as Cheryl's escort. You two make quite the pair."

"Mr. Blossom, I'd love to, but…"

"But nothing," Cheryl interrupted. "You have to come. I'm wearing viridian." She turned to Clifford. "He'll need a proper suit, don't you think, Daddy?"

"I'll have my tailor fit you," said Clifford. "If that's not a problem."

"It's no problem, Mr. Blossom," Archie assured. "It's just that, like you said, my dad works construction. A fancy bouquet isn't really our thing."

"That's precisely why you should come. People like you are the bedrock of our town. You're hard workers."

"Plus, we won't take no for an answer," Cheryl added.

Seeing no choice, Archie complied.

Later, Archie ate pie with Betty and Alice in the Cooper household.

"Who ever would've thought?" Alice remarked. "Archie Andrews is our fox in the henhouse."

"Tell us about Polly," said Betty. "How is she? Did she seem okay?"

"The Blossoms are treating her great," Archie explained. "But I don't think she's coming back. I don't think she wants to."

"That doesn't make any sense. That's not Polly."

"She made her choice. You need to live with that."

"No. I know my sister. She wouldn't do that to us. Something else is going on."

"What else did you see?" Alice asked. "Anything else in the thick of it? Anything about the board?"

"Cheryl said that they're worried that after all the scandal with Jason and Polly, that they might try to steal the company from Mr. Blossom," said Archie.

Alice started to get excited. "Did you hear that, Betty? This is our story. A hostile takeover. No wonder the trustees are in town. The Blossom empire is crumbling."

"Okay, but if you write a story attacking them, while Polly's still in Thornhill…" Betty tried to warn.

"Enough about Polly, I mean it. She betrayed us, not the other way around."

The next day at school, Betty found Cheryl chatting with her Vixens.

"Cheryl, can we talk?" asked Betty.

"Scatter, my Vixens," Cheryl ordered.

Once all the Vixens were gone, Betty spoke again. "Polly. Look, I don't know what kind of Stockholm Syndrome spell you cast on her, but I want to talk to my sister."

"Let's not fight, especially when we should be celebrating."

"Why? What happened?"

"Haven't you heard? Doctor Patel confirmed it this morning. Polly is having twins. Bless our Blossom genes."

"And she didn't call to tell me. Can you please just give her a message from me?"

"As long as it doesn't upset her."

"Tell her she should call our mom. She's trying really hard to hide it, but I can tell she's hurt and upset."

"I'll pass your message along, if I remember."

"Cheryl!"

"That was a joke. Of course I'll give her your message, but no promises that she'll care or respond."

Cheryl walked past Betty, bumping her side on the way.

"Alright, Ethel, open your eyes," Veronica ordered.

Ethel uncovered her eyes to reveal expensive clothes and jewelry lying around the couch and table.

"What is happening?" she asked excitedly.

"I was purging my closet, thinking you would look magnificent in some of these," Veronica explained before picking up a scarf. "Here. Try this on."

Ethel put it on and admired herself. "This is so nice."

Veronica placed a red bow on Ethel's head. "And I love this. It is so you, Ethel."

"Ronnie, I can't take all this."

"I want you to have it. These things… my dad gave them to me whenever he did something wrong. I guess it was his way of making up for it."

"Did it work?"

"What girl is immune to the charms of a Givenchy bag?" Veronica looked at the pearl necklace she was wearing. "And I still wear these pearls he gave me."

"Okay, but you don't have to give me anything. I just wanna be friends."

"Me too, Ethel."

The two hugged each other.

At the Andrews house, Fred heard a knock on the door. He answered to see Cheryl was there.

"Mr. Andrews," she greeted. "You're looking extremely DILF-y today. Is Archie home?"

"Yes, but…" Fred tried to say.

Cheryl just went inside.

"Alright, come in," Fred said sarcastically.

Cheryl found Archie eating pizza with Jughead.

"The ice woman cometh," Jughead remarked.

"Hey, Cheryl," Archie greeted.

"As a Maj thank-you for coming to the maple banquet tomorrow," said Cheryl. "I wanted to give you this."

She tossed Archie a small box. Archie opened it to reveal a football with Jason's name signed onto it.

"Okay, that's all," said Cheryl. "I'm going now. My claustrophobia acts up in small houses. See you tomorrow."

Cheryl left without saying anything else.

"I'd give that back if I were you," Fred advised.

"Dad, come on," Archie argued. "The Blossoms, they're helping me get into a really good college where I can keep playing football."

"And since when did the Blossoms ever give a damn about you?"

"They see a lot of potential in me."

"The Blossoms tried to run our business into the ground."
"Maybe if you tried talking to Mr. Blossom…"

"I did try talking to him, Archie, and he laughed in my face. Don't think for a second that the Blossoms are looking out for you. They're using you, Archie. They view us as dirt under their shoes. I'm over it."

Betty and Alice went to the Register where Hal was working. Alice handed Hal a flash drive.

"What's this?" asked Hal.

"The biggest story we've ever broken," Alice explained. "A tell-all expose on the Blossom clan and all their glorious corruption."

Hal turned to Betty. "Can you please tell me what your mother is talking about?"

"It's time they finally answer for everything that they've done for us, including taking Polly," Betty replied.

"By the way, Polly's living with the Blossoms now," Alice added. "So congratulations. You got what you wanted. She's officially out of our lives."

"I'm not publishing your personal vendetta," said Hal.

"Well, it's a good thing I don't need your permission."

She tried to log in to the computer, but it wouldn't allow her in.

"What did you do, Hal?" asked Alice.

"Well, you kicked me out," said Hal. "So, now I'm kicking you out."

"If we expose the Blossoms, maybe, just maybe, we might have a chance to get our daughter back."

"You are done, Alice. You're fired."

"Fine, Hal."

Betty and Alice walked out of the building.

The moment the door shut, Alice fell to her knees and cried. She couldn't hold it in any longer.

"I want my daughter back," she said through sniffles and coughs.

"I know, Mom," Betty assured, hugging Alice. "I do too."

Archie had just been given a suit for the banquet.

"Black piping for the velvet, of course," said the tailor. "I'll take measurements for the pants."

"Before we do that, can I talk to you, Mr. Blossom?" asked Archie.

Clifford nodded, and directed his tailor to leave the room.

"Things aren't going great for my dad's company," Archie explained. "And I know you two have been at odds, but I've been wondering, instead of getting me accepted into Notre Dame, will you help my dad?"

"Are you negotiating on behalf of your father?" Clifford questioned. "I'm impressed. In fact, I'm trying to imagine if Jason would ever have given up something like that for me. I don't believe so. It speaks to your character, son, but I'll tell you what. We've already called the board of Notre Dame, and they're very excited to meet you. Let's just get through this banquet, sit down mano-a-mano, and discuss what I can do regarding your father."

That's when the tailor came back in.

"Is it satisfactory?" he asked Clifford.

"It's more than satisfactory," Clifford answered.

In the Blue and Gold, Betty was pacing in front of Jughead.

"My parents are unbelievable, Jughead," she ranted. "Polly is locked in that house, like a character out of Jane Eyre, and what are they doing? Changing each other's login accounts and making spiteful news articles."

"I wish I'd seen that," Jughead remarked, chuckling.

Betty just glared at Jughead.

"Sorry, that wasn't funny," Jughead admitted.

"It's like, you know, how in a time of crisis, people either come together and fall apart," Betty went on. "It feels like we're falling apart, and the way things are going pretty soon, we're not gonna exist anymore, and there's nothing I can do to stop it."

Jughead put his hand on Betty's shoulder. "Betty, don't do that. Don't give up. Your family is definitely splintering right now, but it won't fall apart because of you, because you're holding them together. You're stronger than all the white noise, so don't let go."

Betty started to tear up. "I won't."

The two hugged each other.

Kevin found Veronica getting stuck from her locker.

"Oh my God," he said. "Remember when you went swooping in to save Ethel 'cause you thought she might be suicidal?"

Veronica started to panic. "Oh no. Did she hurt herself?"

"No, but her dad did. He accidentally swallowed a whole bottle of sleeping pills."

Kevin did say more, but Veronica didn't pay attention. She stormed off, barely keeping it in.

Veronica went into the bathroom and started crying her eyes out.

She felt nothing but unrelenting anger towards her father for putting the Muggs in the situation they were in. She tore off her pearl necklace.

That's when Betty came in to see if Veronica was okay. Veronica hugged Betty and cried on her shoulder.

At the start of the banquet, Clifford tapped a glass with his spoon to get everyone's attention.

"We were tested this year," he said. "As a town, as a company, mainly as a family, and it may not have been Jason's hands that stoked the maple this year…" He turned towards Cheryl. "But it was the hand of hope."

Everyone applauded, then they started eating.

"Don't think they're being nice or genuine," Cheryl warned Archie. "They wanted me to fail the tree-tapping, but you're going to help with all that."

"I'll do whatever I can," Archie assured.

That's when Clifford tapped Archie's shoulder and whispered, "Archibald, may I have a word?"

Archie got up and followed Clifford.

"I just wanted to let you know that I've decided to help your father," Clifford informed.

"You will?" asked Archie.

"Well, you helped our family, especially Cheryl. You and your father have a very bright future with us."

"Thank you, Mr. Blossom."

Clifford took Archie's hand and shook it. "Clifford, please."

"Please, I don't want you doing any more favors. I like Cheryl, and I'm happy to be here for her as a friend."

"You know, I'm gonna be honest with you. Cheryl's a bright girl, but the Blossom board are very skeptical of having her play an active role in the company. Now, someone with your stock and character by her side, tempering her more erratic behavior…"

Archie scoffed.

"You know, it's about having the right picture," Clifford went on. "Having you with us, with Cheryl, it tells a very appealing story, which is something I think we can all use right about now. You'll help us, won't you?"

"Excuse me," Polly butted in. "May I have this first dance with Archie?"

"I think that's an excellent idea," Clifford replied.

Polly took Archie's hand, and they started on the floor.

"Polly, can we talk about what's going on here?" Archie asked.

"Just keep dancing and smiling," Polly whispered, warningly. "If Betty keeps asking Cheryl about me, she needs to stop."

Archie noticed what looked like Cheryl and Clifford in a heated conversation, but he brushed it off to continue his own. "As long as she's worried about you, she'll never stop."

"Yes, she will, if I tell you the real reason I'm here. The Blossoms had something to do with Jason's death, I'm sure of it. They threatened him and I'm gonna prove it."

By this point, Clifford and Cheryl had gotten up, but Archie tried to ignore it and focus on Polly. "Is that why you keep blowing Betty off?"

"It has to be believable, and I don't want her trying to rescue me. Can you please tell her that?"

Archie turned back to Cheryl and Clifford.

"I'm so done with this!" Cheryl shouted.

"Don't make a scene," Clifford warned.

"No! I'm done!"

Cheryl stormed out of the room.

"Polly, will you excuse me?" Archie asked before going after Cheryl.

Betty and Veronica made it to the hospital. There, they met up with Ethel and her mother.

"Hey, Veronica," Ethel greeted, sniffing. "Mom, these are my friends, Betty and Veronica."

"Hey," said Veronica. "We heard what happened, and we wanted to give you these."

She offered the two flowers.

"That's very kind," said Mrs. Muggs. "Thank you."

"Please, don't thank me," Veronica requested, sounding a little harsher than intended. "We're just glad Mr. Muggs is gonna be okay. We'll see you at school, Ethel?"

Ethel nodded.

Betty and Veronica were about to head out, but Veronica stopped herself.

Betty knew where this was going. "Vee, you don't have to do this."

"Yes I do," Veronica insisted before turning back to Ethel. "There's something I need to tell you. My name is Veronica Lodge. My father is…"

"Hiram Lodge," Mrs. Muggs interrupted. "And you're showing your face here?"

"Mom, she's my friend," Ethel defended.

"She's not your friend. Her father is a criminal, and is the reason your father is the way he is."

Ethel turned to Veronica. "Ronnie, is that true?"

Veronica nodded. "Yes, and I'm sorry. I wish I could do something."

"You wanna do something?" Mrs. Muggs asked. "Then tell everyone your father is ruining lives, that he deserves to sit behind bars for the rest of his miserable life."

Mrs. Muggs carried Ethel away from Veronica.

Betty and Veronica left the hospital.

Archie found Cheryl standing in front of the Blossoms' pool.

"Cheryl, what's wrong?" asked Archie.

Cheryl responded with her own question. "What did my dad say to you? That everyone thinks it's a train wreck?" She sighed. "Jason was the golden boy, but me… people hate me, Archie. At school, that's fine, but this is my family."

"Forget them, Cheryl. Forget what they think. I think you're awesome."

Cheryl wrapped Archie in a tight hug. "Oh, Archie, sometimes I think you're the only decent person left in Riverdale. The only person who doesn't want something from me, or wants me to apologize for who I am and what I want."

The moment was ruined when Archie heard voices nearby. He followed the voices.

What they saw was Penelope and Clifford having a conversation.

"They seem satisfied, but Uncle Bedford keeps asking about the drive-in land," said Penelope.

"I am so close to getting that land back," said Clifford. "Hermione Lodge will crumble."

"Who would've thought she would be so resourceful? Maybe you should've sent her to jail instead of Hiram."

Archie gasped, and made a run for it.

Veronica returned to the Pembrooke.

"Hey," Hermione greeted. "How was your night?"

Veronica sat on the couch, next to Hermione. "I just got back from the hospital. Mr. Muggs is in there…" She started crying. "Because he tried to kill himself because of what Daddy did, and for all I know, continues to do. I am done lying for Dad."

She got up and headed to her room.

Archie was about to leave the mansion when…

"Archie!" the voice of Cheryl called.

Archie turned around to see Cheryl following him.

"I thought it was Cinderella that ran away from the ball, not Prince Charming," she remarked.

"Cheryl, I can't do this," said Archie. "I'm leaving."

Cheryl's face turned menacing. "Archie Andrews, if you leave, the radiant sun that is the Blossom family stops shining on you, and everything we've given you disappears. Are you sure you wanna give that up? Are you sure you wanna do that to your dad?"

"Cheryl, I came here as a favor for your mom, to help you."

Cheryl scoffed. "Oh, Archie, don't start lying now. You may not want anything from me, but you do want something from my mom and dad. That's why you're here, which means, as much as I want you to be better than anyone else, you're not. You're just like the others."

"I'm sorry, Cheryl, but I can't do this anymore. Goodbye."

Archie left the mansion.

Alice was just minding her own business when Betty and Jughead approached her.

"Mom, Archie just told me about Polly," Betty informed. "She's safe. She didn't choose the Blossoms over us. She's actually there to spy on them."

Alice teared up a bit. "You know, when I went after this story, I thought in the back of my mind, 'What if this is it? What if this is the time she doesn't come back?'"

"She will, and right now, she's our woman on the inside. We're going to write this story."

"Come write with us, at the Blue and Gold," Jughead offered.

"The school newspaper?" asked Alice.

"Yeah, that's what we are, and I'm pretty sure its operating budget is bigger than the Register's."

Alice nodded, accepting the offer.

The next morning, Hermione entered Fred's office. He was there, like she hoped he would be.

"Listen," she said. "So many families have been hurt by my husband. I don't want yours to be another one. I've decided to sell to Clifford before things get worse."

"No you're not," Fred assured. "I'm staying with the project."

"That's great. Thank you."

"Don't thank me. I'm doing it for you. You see, from now on, everything I do around here is going to be legal. A hundred percent above board."

"Agreed."

"Also, my stake is 20%. If I'm gonna put myself on the line, I need some skin in the game."

"That's a really big share."

"I'm sick of people using me and my family as pawns."

"Sure. Anything else?"

"Yes. You and me. Whatever was going on back there, it's over. From now on, we're just business partners. That's it."

"Right."

Veronica found Ethel in her English classroom writing in her notebook.

"Ethel, I meant what I said," said Veronica. "I'm sorry for everything my family did to yours."

"It's not your fault what your dad did," said Ethel. "And you were there for me when no one else was, more than once. Seat's not taken if you want it."

Veronica sat in the seat next to Ethel.

It seemed to her that the sins of the father would remain simply that.

Archie Andrews returned from the brink with one last bit of news.

"At the banquet, I heard Mr. and Mrs. Blossom talking," he told Betty and Jughead. "It sounded like Clifford Blossom was responsible for sending Veronica's dad to jail."

The pieces started coming together in Betty's mind. "If Clifford Blossom put Hiram in jail, tore apart his family, then maybe Hiram was trying to do the same thing to him."

"Yeah," Jughead agreed, making some arrangements to the corkboard. "By going after what the Blossoms value most: their family and legacy."

With the festivities over, the Blossom relatives left.

"Did it work?" Penelope asked Clifford. "Are the vultures appeased?"

"We're not out of the woods, yet," said Clifford.

Winter had come early to Riverdale, brutal and unforgiving.

But it would be nothing compared to the storm that was gathering: a storm of chaos named Cheryl Blossom.

Cheryl grabbed the family photo and scratched out Archie's image with a red marker.

That's when she heard a knock on the door.

She snapped out of it and tried to look presentable.

"Yes?" she asked.

The door opened to reveal Polly.

"Goodnight, Cheryl," she said.

Cheryl smiled. "Goodnight, Polly."

Once Polly shut the door, Cheryl erased Polly's image from the photo.

Riverdale

A.N.

Four chapters left of season 1. Hope to be done by the end of the month.

Quite a bit to unpack with this episode.

First off, Ethel. She's definitely a character that could've been handled better. I mean, she was promising in Season 1, but Seasons 2 and 3 made her nothing more than a plot device, she was only in ONE episode of Season 4, she was COMPLETELY GONE in Season 5, and she came back in Season 6, but only in the weird alternate universe, Rivervale, and not in the main universe. Thankfully, Season 7 did her justice, but I already mentioned at the start of the first chapter why Season 7 completely ruined the show.

It doesn't help that Ethel is played by the same girl who played the Stranger Things character, Barb, a character that died WAY TOO SOON. It makes me think Netflix just hates Shannon Purser.

The other thing worth noting is the whole thing with Archie and the Blossoms. I mainly got rid of the Archie and Cheryl kiss.

I did this not just because of my promise to not pair Archie, Betty, or Veronica with anyone other than each other in this story, but because when you think about it, Cheryl kissing Archie has some very weird implications.

I mean, it's made pretty clear that the reason why the Blossoms wanted Archie was because he reminded them so much of Jason, them both being red-headed football players and all that. As a result, Cheryl kissing Archie gives off an incestuous vibe if we're to believe Cheryl was using Archie as a replacement for Jason.

What doesn't help is that in the very next episode, Veronica explicitly states that Cheryl might've loved Jason "in a way that you shouldn't love your brother".

I guess this is why they made Cheryl a lesbian. To avoid the incest allegations.

If you ask me, incest is the WORST kind of shipping, since it's literally shipping people that are RELATED TO EACH OTHER! I can't tell you how many artworks I've found on Deviantart, and fanfics I've found on AO3, that do this sort of thing. It just disgusts me.

This is another reason why I've gotten rid of Bughead in this story. Betty and Jughead may not be related by blood, but they share a half-brother. Some might say this doesn't make Betty and Jughead related to each other, but, come on, the actors themselves suggested the possibility in an interview somewhere.

Anyway, I'm going on vacation with my family for Spring Break. Unlike last year, though, I'm still gonna be able to update, though likely not as much, over the vacation, because I have a new computer that I can bring with me on the go.

That's all I have to say. Thanks for reading.