He had let them all believe it.

He had believed it himself, in the way that men like Preston believe whatever flatters them.

But it was not true.

He had not inherited this house at all.

And the truth of who actually held the title to the roof over all their heads was about to rearrange the entire evening.

Chapter 7 — The Investor Was Me

Three years earlier, Calloway Development had come within weeks of total bankruptcy.

Two major commercial projects had failed catastrophically, and the banks, every one of them, had refused any further financing.