Over the next week, Gwen watched as Liam’s confidence rose and fell with breathtaking speed. One moment he seemed brash and ready to confront the world, and the next Frederick cleanly cut him down to size, reminding Liam of all the ways he was inexperienced in the world. During those times, Liam’s confidence evaporated, and he retreated inside himself, biting his nails and refusing to look anyone in the eye.

The real pressure wouldn’t begin until the rest of the family arrived next week. Frederick sent messages to everyone, confirming that the long-lost William Blackstone had been found. As patriarch of the family, Frederick insisted that everyone attend the annual summer gathering to officially welcome his grandson back into the fold.

The night before the family was due to arrive, Frederick coached Liam in the finer points of croquet. The Blackstones were zealous about croquet, and if Liam could participate, it would help ease his entry into the family.

Gwen had hoped Patrick would join them, but a lengthy document from town had arrived this afternoon, and he retreated to his bedroom to read it. Apparently, it was the bank’s operating agreement, which contained the roadmap for how to get Liam appointed to the board.

She couldn’t imagine anything more tedious than reading forty pages of small-print legal verbiage and remained outside in the cool of the summer evening. The front lawn was kept meticulously clipped and groomed in order to host croquet matches, and she settled onto the porch swing to watch Frederick teach Liam.

It wasn’t going well.

“You’re not concentrating,” Frederick groused as Liam rushed a shot and the ball skipped into the air and landed off the green.

“That’s because I’d rather work on banking lessons instead of rich-people games,” Liam said. “The July vote is coming up, and I want to be ready.”

Frederick eyed the green before tapping his ball through the wicket. “Why do you so desperately want to be at that vote?”

“To vote against the U.S. Steel merger.”

“Even though you have no chance of stopping it?”

“Even though,” Liam affirmed. “I may not win, but I intend to go down fighting. There’s valor in fighting all the way to the end.”

Frederick straightened, casually leaning on the croquet mallet as he eyed Liam. All Gwen’s senses went on alert. When her grandfather struck a deliberately casual pose like that, he was preparing to strike.

“And what if I told you I intend to use my thirty-percent stake to vote against the merger?”

Gwen’s jaw dropped, but Liam looked guarded and suspicious. “Why would you do that?”

Frederick walked over to his ball, positioned himself, and tapped it toward the next wicket.