After leaving the vault, Avery reaches the foyer and is confronted by Alisa Ortega, who is furious that Avery called the police before Alisa could stop her. Avery explains that she did not call the police on Vincent Blake directly; she reported what she had to report, and Oren confirms that local police are already at the gate with state agents likely close behind.

Alisa insists she can fix the situation, but Avery refuses to let Alisa take control. Because Landon gave Avery only a two-hour head start to shape the public narrative, Avery knows that delaying would give Blake time to recover. Avery reminds Alisa that Tobias Hawthorne’s fortune will soon be hers and pressures Alisa to decide whether she still wants to work for Avery.

Alisa challenges Avery’s ability to manage the empire alone, but Avery asks Alisa not to force her to try. Alisa accepts with a small nod. Avery then addresses Oren, acknowledging that protecting her has become more than a job for him, especially now that he understands Tobias’s true purpose for Avery. Oren shifts back into bodyguard mode and asks for the plan.

Avery reveals the Blake family seal and announces that she will go to Blake’s ranch, use the seal to get past the gates, and enter alone. To reduce the danger, she plans to hold a press conference outside the gates so the world knows she is inside. Nash tries to stop Avery, but Jameson and Xander tackle and pin him in a coordinated move, allowing Avery to leave with Oren and Alisa while Nash warns Avery to play dirty.