Evie regains consciousness after the bomb explosion to find The Villain cradling her head, his body having shielded her from the blast. She is bleeding from a scalp wound, and he tears a piece of his cloak to stanch the bleeding. When he asks why she didn't run, Evie realizes her ankle is injured. He carefully removes her boot and sock to examine the swelling, determining the ankle is sprained but not broken. His touch lingers, and Evie finds herself flustered by the physical closeness and his unguarded demeanor.

As Evie stands with his help, she stumbles into his chest. They survey the destruction together: the adjacent tower has been completely destroyed, a large portion of the manor's west wall has collapsed—including what appears to have been a study or small library—and the end of the parapet is gone. Evie breaks down crying over the damage, and The Villain hands her a surprisingly light-blue handkerchief, dismissing the destroyed tower's contents as unimportant, though Evie senses the loss means more to him than he admits.

The Villain lifts Evie into his arms and carries her back inside. A crowd of onlookers scatters at his glare. During the carry, Evie's lips accidentally brush his shoulder, causing him to stumble. When she apologizes, he tells her to stop apologizing so much, threatening to dock her pay if she continues doing so unnecessarily. Once inside the main office, he addresses the staff, announcing that someone planted an explosive in his office and that Evie found it before it caused worse damage. He warns that if anyone has information, they should come forward—or he will come find them.

As he carries Evie toward the healer's quarters, she asks about the attempt on his life. He reveals he is not surprised: he believes someone deliberately sent him away to the compromised safe house so he wouldn't be present when the bomb detonated. The traitor wanted to strike where it would wound most. He places Evie on the examination table just as Tatianna arrives, alarmed. Tatianna hugs Evie and begins tending to her. The Villain instructs Tatianna to heal Evie's sprained ankle quickly, then announces he will personally escort Evie home—surprising both women before he steps outside to wait.