Avery tries to focus on what the phone call revealed instead of the threat to Toby and the timer counting down. She identifies that Toby’s captor described himself as old, knew Avery’s full name, and enjoys wordplay, riddles, and games—traits that remind Avery of Tobias Hawthorne, though Tobias is dead.

Grayson asks what they are meant to solve, and Avery and Jameson conclude that the delivery must contain another part of the same larger riddle. Eve, not yet caught up, asks what riddle they mean. Jameson explains that earlier clues were straightforward, but this time the captor has raised the stakes by tying the puzzle directly to Toby’s safety.

The group searches for more clues in the box, the burner phone, the recording of the call, the combination, and the calendar entry marked "Niv," but nothing obvious appears. Avery asks Oren whether the call can be traced, and Oren warns that a smart opponent likely routed it through untraceable internet channels. When Avery asks whether the police could help, Eve objects because involving them might get Toby killed.

Oren says discreet police inquiries might have been possible, but his three most trusted contacts have recently been transferred. Avery recognizes this as part of a coordinated campaign against her: attacks on Hawthorne interests, pressure on security, paparazzi, and now weakened law-enforcement options all point to someone with wealth, power, and connections.

After listening to the recording again, Jameson notes that the caller said Avery could call him Luke, not that Luke was his real name. Grayson agrees the distinction could matter. Before they can pursue it, Thea calls Avery with worse news: a photo of Eve outside Hawthorne House has gone live on a major gossip site, paired with Emily’s picture and an exposé reviving rumors that Grayson and Jameson killed Emily Laughlin.