- Emily targets Mason Treadwell, an author with ties to the Graysons and the Clarkes; Conrad shows how dirty he is willing to get in the divorce.
- Daniel demands full access to his grand-paternal trust fund as condition to join the hedge-fund for good, but Conrad dares only release the cash, not the shares which cold topple the balance in Victoria's favor is she gets some from the divorce. Emily and reconciled ally Nolan remember her lawyer Ryan Huntley helped ruin her and father David Clark's lives. When Victoria hosts at a literary event Mason Treadwell, the renowned biographer the Graysons paid to publish the story that ruined David's reputation, Nolan and Emily find out he still type-writes without copies, as for his tape recordings, and torch his home after he fails to respond to blackmail to admit his book was false. Victoria tells Huntley she only pretended pregnancy while signing her prenuptial, so their claim to have a court dismiss it would be void, but he bribes an MD. As the summer ends, Declan fears Charlotte's prep school program leaves practically no quality time for him.—KGF Vissers
- Emily sets her sights on a new target when a famed author who has deep ties with both the Graysons and the Clarkes returns to town; Conrad proves how dirty he's willing to get when Daniel gets dragged into the divorce; Jack finally let's his guard down with Amanda; and a stunning revelation is unveiled and becomes a game changer for Emily and the Graysons.—ABC Publicity
- Emily is reading a book about her father written by Mason Treadwell. We see the image of her reading the same book as a child and crying. Daniel comes home and says he has decided to put business school on hold to stick with the family company. He tells her he's thinking about moving back home. He brings up them moving in together after the season, but Emily says she doesn't want to move in with anybody until she's married.
Victoria, Emily and Nolan attend a Treadwell (Roger Bart) reading where Emily introduces herself and has him sign a copy of his book. She introduces him to Nolan and he seems interested in writing the biography of the young billionaire. He'll be reading excerpts from his upcoming memoire at Victoria's. She wants them to have lunch.
Emily calls Jack at the bar and thanks him for his help with Tyler. As he hangs up, Amanda pushes for a trip to Atlantic City. Jack declines and it seems she doesn't think he's fun.
At lunch Victoria tells Treadwell she wants him to interview Amanda. He doesn't like the idea and she reminds him that she made his career. He reluctantly agrees.
Emily reads her father's journal. David thought Treadwell would be an impartial observer who could help him. She watches an old news clip where Treadwell practically says he thinks David is mentally ill. She draws an X through Treadwell's picture on the dust jacket.
Treadwell drops by the bar and introduces himself to Amanda, explaining their history. He wants them to get together.
Huntley tells Victoria that Conrad is trying to strong-arm her out of her shares of the company. He suggests that she combine her shares with Daniel's, which are part of a trust from his grandmother.
Declan takes Charlie to visit her potential boarding school. It seems like they aren't going to have much time together and it bothers him.
Daniel asks Conrad about releasing his trust, calling it a show of faith and saying he wants "a seat at the table." Conrad sounds supportive. Conrad's attorney Barbara Snow (Merrin Dungey) drops by and Conrad tells her to have release of the shares contingent upon Daniel marrying.
Emily and Nolan stop by Treadwell's cottage. He shows them the only working copy of his memoirs, as well as all the audio recordings of his interviews. He mentions the interview with Amanda.
That evening, Amanda is getting pretty crazy behind the bar and Jack asks her to tone it down. She doesn't and goes as far as to make out with a cute blond woman to create a reaction, and then announces dollar shots as she pours hard liquor into any paying customer's mouth. Emily stops and talks to the increasingly jealous Amanda. She asks about Treadwell and Amanda says "so what?" Emily tells her there is more to the story of her father, but needs Amanda's help.
Meanwhile, Jack tells Declan he's worried about being over his head with Amanda.
The next day, Emily, Daniel and Nolan spend time at the shooting range. Daniel mentions a meeting with a prospective investor and takes off. After he leaves Emily tells Nolan she wants them to control the story with Amanda's meeting with Treadwell. We get a flashback to Treadwell's interview with young Amanda, when he used a different first name. Back then Treadwell told her he didn't think David was guilty. Alone on the firing line, Emily coolly shoots the center out of the target.
Daniel meets with potential investor Sophie Arnault (Morgan Hewitt), the very young granddaughter of a billionaire. Instantly she seems interested in Daniel.
Amanda speaks with Treadwell wearing a hidden earpiece. Emily is feeding her answers from a remote location. Emily has Amanda ask about why he didn't follow-up on what she told him when she was a girl. He says he just printed what he thought was the "most logical." She charges him with being in Victoria's pocket and tells him an upcoming public reading at Victoria's is his last chance to come clean.
Daniel tells Victoria he thinks the meeting with Sophie was a "date" of some kind. He mentions the wedding provision and says he's thinking about marrying Emily. He loves her and thinks this could be a sign. She is opposed and wants them to discuss it later.
Before the reading Ashley (on Victoria's orders) tells Emily about the terms of the trust.
Treadwell arrives and tells Victoria about his meeting with Amanda. We flash back to an interview with the Graysons. When he begins to ask about Daniel, Conrad stops the interview. He tells them he's printing the story and has nothing to lose. Victoria stops him and says "perhaps there is an arrangement to be made." In present day Victoria threatens to expose him if he turns on her.
During the reading Treadwell mentions his interviews with young Amanda. Ultimately he confirms what was in his book, to the displeasure of Emily and Nolan.
Emily tells Nolan she never thought Treadwell would come clean. She says she needs him to take Treadwell to dinner and talk about him writing Nolan's biography.
After Nolan and Treadwell leave for dinner Emily shows up outside Treadwell's home in traditional "breaking and entering" garb.
Huntley thinks Victoria should give Daniel her blessing to marry Emily. He reminds her that rushing into a marriage may not be the best recipe for a successful one.
Jack apologizes to Amanda and says he should have followed her lead and tried to have more fun. He wants them to go to Atlantic City.
Emily breaks into Treadwells stash of interview tapes. She flashes back to weeping while reading his book when she was a girl. Young Amanda was so upset she set the picture of her father on fire. In present day Emily sets a lit cigarette on the lone copy of his memoires. She walks away as his cottage burns.
Nolan and Treadwell come home to find his home ablaze. He drops to his knees and weeps.
Emily drops by to see Daniel, wearing lingerie under a trench coat.
The next morning Emily goes through the tapes she stole from Treadwell. She plays one of her father telling Treadwell about being in love with Victoria. David tells Treadwell in the interview that Charlotte is his child.
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