In Virgin River season 4, a new villain came to town, and the recent finale hints

there’s more in store for this crook in season 5. Lumber mill by day and underground

drug ring by night, Emerald Lumber has already created many issues for the residents of Virgin River.

Season 4 finally reveals the head of Emerald Lumber operations, and it looks like she could spell trouble for Jack in Virgin River season 5.

Season 4 of Virgin River follows Jack and Mel as they adjust to the news that Mel is pregnant. While the baby’s paternity remains a mystery until the Virgin River season 4 ending, Jack is fully ready to support Mel’s baby alongside Charmaine’s twins. Part of this requires finding a new source of income to support the oncoming three children. This prompts Jack to start his own glamping business with fellow Virgin River townsfolk, Nick, being his financial backer. In the end, Jack discovers he is the father to Mel’s baby but not Charmaine’s twins as previously thought.

While the fallout from Charmaine’s lie will be dealt with in Virgin River season 5, the baby drama seems to be coming to an end. This means season 5 is ready for a new villain to shake things up for the community of Virgin River. Introduced in Virgin River season 4 as the head of Emerald Lumber and its drug ring, Melissa Montgomery appears ready for a Virgin River takeover in season 5. It isn’t until the last episode of Virgin River season 4 that her connection to the town is revealed. Mel and Jack sit down for dinner with Nick and Jo Ellen, where Nick announces that his sister will join them, and in walks Melissa.

Why Jack Could Be Melissa’s New Target

As Mel and Jack leave the dinner table, there’s no doubt there’s a calculating look in Melissa’s eyes. Unknowingly, Jack entered into business with Melissa. While Nick provided the money for the glamping business, Nick could have used funds from the family business AKA Emerald Lumber. He gets his income from his bed and breakfast and from a family trust that Jo Ellen mentioned earlier in the season. His sister runs the trust and gives Nick a check every month. Whether or not Nick knows where this money comes from remains unknown, though he appears to be kind-hearted and well-loved in the Virgin River cast.

Melissa is aware that the government is onto her operations at Emerald Lumber. As a result, she likely will get more creative in how she runs the drug ring. With a new business in town that she has financial access to, she may use Jack’s new glamping venture to launder money for the drugs. If Nick is aware of the family business, he could help. More likely, however, is that Melissa threatens Jack like she did Brady. Melissa forces Brady to remain at Emerald Lumber by threatening Brie. In Virgin River season 4, Brady and Jack made small moves to fix their relationship at the request of Brie (Jack’s sister and Brady’s girlfriend). If Brady told Jack about these threats toward his sister, Jack would step in as the protective older brother he is. No matter how it happens, Jack and Melissa are sure to clash in Virgin River season 5.