CHAPTER 56: GRAYSON

After Eve leaves, Grayson returns to the hotel and tries to reassert control. In the elevator, he hits the emergency stop and uses photos on his phone—especially memories of his brothers and Avery—to steady himself. The reminder of what is real and important convinces Grayson that Eve no longer has power over him.

When Grayson reaches the top floor, Savannah is waiting outside the black-card suite. She tells Grayson that she went to Duncan’s house and learned from Duncan’s father about the FBI, the frozen accounts, and Acacia’s trust. Savannah understands that Grayson sought access to Sheffield Grayson’s safe-deposit box for evidence, but she also recognizes that Grayson’s priority is protecting family, not exposing Sheffield.

Savannah decides that Acacia is not strong enough to protect the family and that Gigi is too vulnerable, so Savannah and Grayson need to handle the crisis. Savannah shares a discovery from Sheffield’s calendar: the letters on the withdrawal slips may not be initials but names written without vowels. Sheffield used the same shorthand for family events, such as Savannah’s games and references to Acacia and Juliet.

Grayson connects “KM” to Kimberly Wright, Sheffield’s sister and Colin’s mother, not a mistress. Savannah says Sheffield had described Kimberly as an addict and kept her away from the family, but Grayson reveals Kimberly is now sober. Savannah insists that Gigi should not know about the withdrawals or Sheffield’s possible crimes, while Savannah herself does need to know.

The conversation is interrupted when the elevator opens. Xander steps out with Nash, who is carrying a limp Gigi, abruptly shifting the focus from investigation to an immediate crisis involving Savannah’s twin.