The season finale begins with two returns that change everything. Byron arrives from New York with glowing reports of Guinness’s success — but Patrick Cochrane also returns, and his goal is vengeance. The docks, now under heavy construction, are unrecognizable, a fitting stage for his anger. Arthur’s campaign posters blanket Dublin, his speeches echo across the city, and the sight only fuels Cochrane’s rage.

Arthur is spiraling, obsessed with the race and pushing Byron harder than ever. With only three weeks to go, the pressure is unbearable.

Cochrane seeks out Ellen, reminding her that her freedom was bought by Edward and demanding she stay away — he plans an attack on the Guinness family on election day. His target is unclear — perhaps Arthur, perhaps Edward — but his warning is chilling. Ellen, shaken, writes to Edward, begging him to protect his brother.

Rafferty tries to find out more, but this time the city is silent. No one will talk. Edward goes to Ellen himself, confesses that he still loves her, but she sends him away. Adelaide doesn’t have to wait long to see through him — she finds him at the brewery and, in a rare moment of honesty, the two have a conversation that clears the air.

Christine and Benjamin remain passionately entangled, but the risk of scandal is too high. Anne warns them that, in such a volatile moment, the family cannot withstand a public disgrace.

Arthur faces a storm of his own. Olivia travels to London for an abortion — the child is Rafferty’s. Arthur has long tolerated their marriage as a façade, but he will not raise another man’s heir. When Olivia returns, she lashes out at him for leaving her alone. She loves Rafferty, and Arthur, for the first time, admits to feeling jealous. His ultimatum is brutal: she can leave him and live with Rafferty, but without a penny and with Rafferty out of work, or she can stay, end the affair, and keep the life of wealth and status. Olivia does not hesitate — she chooses comfort. But she and Rafferty agree to fake a breakup and continue seeing each other in secret. Rafferty swears that one day, they will be together openly.

Rather than being crushed by the assassination threat, Arthur seems newly emboldened. Rafferty uses fists to hunt for Cochrane, and Byron uses bribes and alliances — but Cochrane is a ghost, striking fear with his invisibility.

Election day arrives. For the first time in a long while, the Guinness brothers stand shoulder to shoulder, united and resolute. The risk has never been greater. Arthur wins the election — but victory feels fragile, haunted by what might happen next. Ellen is there, not to celebrate, but to spot Cochrane before he strikes.

The plan is flawless: a fight breaks out in the crowd, eyes turn away, and then — the gunshot.

The screen cuts to black.

House of Guinness ends its first season not with triumph, but with dread. We don’t know if the bullet found Arthur, Edward, or someone else. All we know is that this family, now more powerful than ever, is about to face its most dangerous reckoning yet.