Graydon twirled a pen with surprising speed and agility, listing names for his ally.

"Alice Kelly comes from a finance family and married into a family of lawyers. Like most in your circle, her family is sexist, so she has no stake in the family business. A powerful outside ally would benefit her; I'm willing to bet that's how Aaron approached her.

"Roger Clark and Kyle Griffith are similar: from old Harvard families without businesses. They'll inherit money, but otherwise must forge their own paths. Offering them jobs at a leading financial institution would easily secure their help.

"Cameron Singleton…a Harvard Business School graduate (undergrad elsewhere) and a world champion poker player. He's the key.

"He was the first to join the board. I think Aaron used his poker winnings to buy shares independently of his family. He's been planning to leave the Hales for a long time."

Lacy scowled. Leave the Hales? Marrying him would be pointless if he left! She loved him, but leaving their circle was unacceptable. She was the queen of society; he, the most eligible bachelor. They were meant to rule together!

Something was fishy. If he'd planned to leave high society since college, why get engaged to a socialite? Bethany Carlisle wouldn't want to leave either.

"Why would he do that?" Lacy asked suspiciously.

Graydon shrugged. "I don't know. He's a mystery. His actions are traceable, but not necessarily explainable."

His tone was exasperated, yet fond, as if speaking of an old friend—though she was certain they'd never met.

"you seem awfully interested in Aaron."

"I won't deny it, but I bear him no ill will. I find him, and especially his actions since high school, fascinating."

High school. That's when Aaron changed. Keeley Hall—he changed around the time he started associating with her. But she claimed they hadn't seen each other since graduation.

Her eyes narrowed. "Do you know Keeley Hall?"

"No. Why? Is she related to Aaron? I thought his fiancée's name was Bethany," he said with interest.

"It is…but I have a strange feeling. They went to the same high school, and he practically clung to her. It was beneath his dignity."

Graydon checked his phone. A small smile touched his lips.

"Interesting…very interesting. Were you aware they were Facebook friends?"

"What?" Lacy cried, grabbing his phone. She didn't know Aaron had a Facebook account!

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It was there in black and white. They had four mutual friends: Cameron and Jennica Singleton, Robert Hall, and Aiden Quinn. They were even tagged in wedding photos.

That liar! Keeley said she hadn't seen Aaron since graduation, but they were in a wedding together—for one of Aaron's shareholders?! Even worse, he was friends with her father!

Lacy checked her Facebook. She searched Aaron's name and found nothing. He'd blocked her!

Her hands shook with anger. How dare he block her but remain friends with that "worthless peasant"?

"What's the big deal?" Graydon asked casually. "He's engaged; she's no threat."

Her eyes flashed. "You know I drugged someone in high school, but you don't know whom?"

He raised an eyebrow, pleasantly surprised. "Keeley Hall? My source said the girl you drugged hated Aaron. Honestly, did she?"

"Yes," Lacy admitted reluctantly.

Max certainly thought so; Keeley avoided him, and slapped him after he kissed her at a dance.

If she hated him so much in high school, why were they Facebook friends now? It didn't add up.

Perhaps they reconnected at the wedding…but Lacy ran into Keeley at a bridal salon. They must have met during wedding planning. And it didn't explain Aaron's friendship with Keeley's father.

Facebook wasn't popular until college; he couldn't have been friends with Robert Hall in high school while he was with Keeley. He must have been visiting her father's house since returning to New York.

"This adds spice," Graydon said, amused. "You look like you're having an epiphany."

Through gritted teeth, she said, "He's friends with her father."

"My, my. People usually add friends' parents only if they're close or dating?"

He checked his phone. "Hmm. No Bethany Carlisle on Aaron's friends list."

"That means nothing," Lacy dismissed.

Not everyone used social media. She'd seen Keeley—she was the real deal. Alistair had heard her talking to Aaron on the phone.

"Well, would you look at that," Graydon said mildly.

She peered at his phone. A wedding photo; the focus was on the bride and groom, but in the corner was Aaron—with a black eye?—smiling softly at Keeley Hall as they danced.