CHAPTER 70: GRAYSON

Grayson realizes that he can open the puzzle box if he can get it back to his hotel room. Gigi notices his expression and presses him, but Grayson hides his conclusion by suggesting that they examine the box again for something that fits its opening. Privately, Grayson connects Sheffield Grayson’s routines with the safe-deposit box key, the faux USB drive, and the bank, concluding that he already has what they need.

Kimberly Wright suddenly appears in Colin’s bedroom doorway and orders Grayson to put the box down. Her anger is aimed specifically at Grayson, whom she sees as an intruder in her dead son’s room. Kim bitterly tells Gigi and Savannah that Sheffield never considered her good enough to be their aunt and kept her away from the twins after Colin died.

Kim reveals that she has learned Grayson and the boys outside are Hawthornes. She says Sheffield used to drink bourbon and talk about the Hawthornes, blaming Toby Hawthorne for setting the fire that killed Colin and accusing Tobias Hawthorne of covering it up. Gigi steps in front of Grayson and insists that even if the accusation is true, Colin’s death is not Grayson’s fault.

Kim tells Grayson that Sheffield hated every Hawthorne and meant to make them pay, but Grayson stops her before she can say more. When Kim demands that they leave the box behind, Savannah joins Gigi in standing with Grayson. Grayson then shifts tactics: he calmly reassembles the box, takes hundreds of dollars from his wallet, reminds Kim that Sheffield is gone and has no money left to give her, and offers the cash.

Kim accepts the money and relents, telling Grayson to take the box and leave. Grayson secures the box while also gaining a clearer sense that Sheffield’s actions were driven by a long-standing grievance against the Hawthorne family, tied to Colin’s death and the alleged fire.