The narrative returns to the present and to the video call between Vivien and McAllister’s team. Vivien explains what she is sure her interlocutors already know: that Pangu is a primordial god who created the world in ancient Chinese mythology. Sarah Khan reveals that Canadian intelligence found the word “Pangu” in the files of a captured UFWD operative, where it appeared to signify destruction. Vivien initially dismisses this, but she acknowledges that the mythological Pangu is a figure of destruction as well as creation. Alan Zhou verbalizes what both he and Vivien understand: The name is meant to terrify a Chinese audience, not Westerners. He suggests that the term may be a distraction planted for them to find. Though Vivien ends the call abruptly, she is privately unsettled. She retrieves a cherished book on Chinese legends given to her by her father and stares at an illustration of Pangu, believing the entity has returned.

Alice arrives in snowy Akron, Ohio, to investigate Liam Palmer’s death. After contacting Liam’s employer, she gets the address for his family and goes to their home. She is greeted by his mother, Mary Palmer. While waiting for tea, Alice sees photos of Liam with a young Asian woman and feels a pang of jealousy. The woman is revealed to be Liam’s younger sister, Mae, who is deeply suspicious of Alice. Mae says that Liam warned them that strangers might come asking questions, and reveals her belief that his death was not an accident. To prove she is a friend, Alice shows them the photo Liam sent, pointing out the coconut bun and confirming her knowledge of his fatal allergy. When Mae remains skeptical, Alice places a video call to her mother. Awed by the famous dissident, Mary and Mae immediately trust her. Mae then reveals that a package from Hong Kong arrived for her the day before.

The package from Liam contains a li bien ball—a glass ornament with a scene painted on its interior surface. Alice observes that the painting of a mountain is crude. They speculate that the object is a coded message, and Alice takes a video of it. Mae accompanies Alice to Liam’s downtown condo to search for more clues. The elevator in the building malfunctions, unnerving Alice. They find the condo neat and undisturbed, as if Liam planned to return, but discover nothing of significance. Before leaving, Alice records a video of the condo. Mae allows Alice to borrow the li bien ball to show to her mother. Alice then proceeds to Garnett Foods, Liam’s workplace, to meet his colleague, Barb. Elsewhere, Vivien receives an encrypted message in Mandarin that reads, “Stay off elevators.” At Garnett Foods, Alice meets Liam’s colleague and friend, Barb, whom she suspects was romantically involved with Liam. Barb leads her to Liam’s office, which, like his condo, smells faintly of Polo cologne. The office has been completely stripped of all files and personal effects.

The scene shifts briefly to McAllister’s office, where McAllister and colleagues discuss a rash of elevator malfunctions starting in Turkey and spreading around the world.

In Liam’s office, Barb explains that unknown men cleared the office the day before. Alice deduces that they were likely government agents who suspected Liam was a double agent. Barb asks Alice to be honest with her about why she’s there. Alice confesses that she’s trying to figure out what really happened to Liam, and she shows Barb the photo with the coconut bun. Barb argues that the photo must have been tampered with: Liam would never even hold a coconut bun, as his allergy was so severe that just touching coconut would cause severe skin irritation. She identifies a man in the photo as a company fixer, and Alice notes to herself that the man is also an MSS agent. As Alice prepares to leave, Barb discreetly slips something into her pocket. The elevator is slow to arrive, and just as it does, Alice receives Vivien’s warning text. The elevator car drops slightly as the doors close, and Alice pushes her way out, pulling Barb with her just in time. An alarm immediately sounds from the now-stuck elevator.

President Pardington tries unsuccessfully to contact Chinese President Chen Jiayang. In Beijing, Chen meets with his Standing Committee, furious with his Minister of State Security, Wang Lai, for his incompetence. Wang arrives late and reports that elevators are frozen worldwide. He reveals that both his and Chen’s wives, along with Chen’s grandchildren, are trapped in an elevator together at the university. Simultaneously, President Pardington’s chief of staff, Kathleen Wells, informs him that his own son is also stuck in an elevator. Wang reports that the disabling signal originated from Shaanxi province, Chen’s birthplace, making the attack a personal affront. Both the American and British intelligence agencies independently confirm the signal’s origin. The word “Pangu” is mentioned in both the American and Chinese crisis meetings, causing panic.

Vivien Li studies a map of Xi’an in Shaanxi province, recalling a visit there in her youth with her future husband, Liu. In 1974, on the outskirts of Xi’an, archaeologists discovered an army of ancient terracotta warriors that had been buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang in 209-210 BCE. The discovery inspired Vivien and Liu to begin their own long-term project of dissent against the Communist regime. Resolving to act, she leaves her study. In the White House, President Pardington confronts the Chinese ambassador, claiming to have proof the attack originated in Xi’an and mentioning Pangu. As the startled ambassador departs, an aide brings news that the elevators in Turkey have begun to fall. The same report reaches President Chen in Beijing.

A global catastrophe begins as elevators worldwide simultaneously fail and start to fall. The outcome for the passengers depends on their height; those in elevators only a few floors up sustain injuries and severe psychological trauma, while those higher up are less fortunate. The world watches helplessly as the disaster unfolds. Many passengers inside the falling elevators who have internet access realize their fate and spend their final moments sending frantic messages to their loved ones before the inevitable impact.

The death toll quickly climbs past one hundred thousand worldwide. President Chen’s wife is hospitalized with broken ribs, having used her body to cushion the impact for their grandchildren, who were trapped on the elevator with her; Wang Lai’s wife is critically injured. The UK’s Deputy Prime Minister is killed, and Alan Zhou is badly hurt. In the Oval Office, President Pardington learns that his son, Timothy, has survived.

In China, President Chen tells Wang Lai that the attack was years in the making and that someone powerful inside the government is protecting the culprits. He fears that America will retaliate, possibly even with nuclear weapons. He instructs Wang to travel to Xi’an.

Meanwhile, President Pardington convenes his crisis cabinet, who are demanding retaliation against China. He orders the Joint Chiefs of Staff to prepare invasion plans, and the US Seventh Fleet begins moving toward the South China Sea. Pardington rejects calls to ground all air traffic, choosing to project an image of resilience. Intelligence chief Grant McAllister reports that Chen’s and Wang’s wives were among the victims, suggesting Chen is not behind an attack that would endanger his own family. McAllister speculates that the perpetrators may be a dissident group with roots in the Tiananmen Square uprising—former students and teachers who have spent decades infiltrating the government. Pardington concludes that this rogue element is a greater threat than the current Chinese regime and directs all resources toward stopping the next attack.