The morning after Avery’s conversation with Jameson, Alisa arrives at Avery’s room and is initially stopped by Oren. Alisa has come because she has learned about Eve’s appearance and is angry that Avery did not call her immediately. Avery argues that Eve is not a legal threat to the will, but Alisa insists the situation is bigger than probate because Avery has also received threats.

Alisa confronts Oren over being excluded and defends her earlier decision to move Avery back to Hawthorne House while Avery was in a coma. Alisa argues that the choice secured Avery’s right to live in the house and benefit from its protection, and that Avery must contact Alisa when danger escalates. Avery learns that Nash, despite his strained relationship with Alisa, was the one who called her because he trusts Alisa’s competence.

Oren asks what has happened, and Alisa reveals new pressure around Avery and the Hawthornes: a smear campaign on gossip sites, a sudden increase in the value of photos of Avery with any Hawthorne, and trouble at companies tied to Tobias Hawthorne, including CEO turnover, scandals, and FDA investigations. Oren connects this to the possibility that someone is undermining Avery’s security, while Avery links the events to the threatening language about vengeance and winning in the end.

Alisa says the likely motives to watch for are wealth, power, and connections. She advises that Eve be kept satisfied, away from the press, and under surveillance while the firm assesses the legal strategy, possibly a settlement and NDA. Alisa also notes that if Toby’s captor demands ransom, the firm can arrange it, making Avery wonder if the incomplete riddle is leading toward demands for Toby’s return.

Before leaving, Alisa points to a leather satchel from the law firm. Tobias Hawthorne ordered it kept secure and unopened unless specific conditions were met, then delivered to Avery. Alisa reveals that the condition was Avery meeting Evelyn Shane, which shocks Avery because it proves Tobias knew about Eve all along. Avery realizes her assumption that Tobias chose her only because he did not know about Toby’s biological daughter was wrong.