178 Victoria’s suspicious activity.

Esme drifted off to sleep, a peaceful smile playing on her lips. Silas, however, remained wide awake. Ruby's words echoed relentlessly in his mind, a puzzle he couldn't seem to solve. He couldn't stop thinking who the mastermind was.

He considered the possibilities. Could it be an unknown enemy of Esme's parents? Or was it someone else close to him, trying to push Esme out of his life?

The questions circled in his mind ominously. Silas felt a wave of chills washed over him. His mind instinctively picked the second question, which seemed more convincing.

If it were an enemy from Esme's parents' past, surely they would have been aware and warned her. And such an enemy would have struck long before now.

The more he thought, the more convinced he became. Dread coiled in his gut. Driven by his growing concern, Silas glanced at the clock, ignoring the late hour, and dialed Caleb's number. After a long ring, Caleb's raspy voice answered the call.

"Hello?"