During a free gap in Avery's modular schedule at Heights Country Day, Max calls her back. Avery ducks into an empty classroom and gushes about the freedom, facilities, and classes at her new school, but Max reminds Avery that the enormous inheritance is the more urgent subject.

Avery tells Max that Jameson showed Avery the puzzle-like letter Tobias Hawthorne left him and that Jameson seems to view Avery as part of a riddle to solve. Max jokes about the attractiveness of the Hawthorne brothers, giving Avery a moment of normalcy and laughter that Avery badly needs.

The conversation turns serious when Max explains that reporters have contacted Max and even come to Max's house. Max's parents are alarmed and may restrict Max's communications, making Avery realize that the media attention surrounding the inheritance is reaching people close to her. Max urges Avery not to look at the news and asks whether Avery is okay; Avery downplays the danger by saying her lawyer and head of security think a murder attempt is unlikely.

After Max hangs up, Avery goes to the cafeteria and sees Thea, who invites Avery to sit with her polished group of friends. Avery remembers that Thea is Zara's niece and that Zara wants Avery gone, but Avery sits anyway. Thea apologizes for being intense earlier, then baits Avery by saying Avery would want to know the truth about the Hawthorne brothers.

Thea and the other girls describe the Hawthorne brothers as once being adored, magnetic, and almost magical, but their tone suggests something changed. Avery senses that she is missing a major piece of history. When Thea warns that the brothers are not what Avery thinks they are, Avery suspects Thea may be trying to scare Avery into leaving Hawthorne House, which would cost Avery the inheritance.

As Avery prepares to leave, Thea follows with a sharper warning: the last girl at Heights who became entangled with the Hawthorne brothers and spent time at Hawthorne House died. The revelation reframes Thea's behavior as more than social hostility and raises the stakes of Avery's connection to the Hawthorne family.