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“Are you serious? They’re historical for witnessing a divorce?” he hissed.

“Yes, they are.”

“This is bullshit.”

“Even if it is, it’s on file.”

“Son of a . . .” He trailed off and sighed. “I’ll contest this.”

“Have fun,” I said.

“And this won’t fully stop me,” he added. “I can still rezone the land.”

My smile faded. “Can you?”

I was hoping he hadn’t known that.

“So, you’ve slowed down something, but not everything.”

“I’ll find a way to fully stop you.”

“Of course. Not only do I have to deal with the damn grant owner, but I have to deal with you too.”

“It must be so hard being an asshole.” I rolled my eyes, determined to stay calm, but what he said finally registered. “Wait a second. The grant owner is trying to stop this too?”

“He met with me in person and everything.”

I paused. “Met with in person” meant that Kevin knew who he was.

He. It was a man.

My shock must have registered because a slow smile spread on his face.

“I heard you were looking into him. I’m guessing you didn’t find anything.”

I had to collect myself. Was I shocked over this? Yes. But still. He couldn’t sense weakness. “It doesn’t matter.”

“You must all really want to know. I can help you with that.”

“Your help comes with a price.”

“It does, but it would be good for you. You’d finally know who runs that grant.”

This must have been how he’d torn down communities before. He found what they wanted and used it to his advantage. I couldn’t lie and say that I wasn’t tempted. The grant owner had been a mystery for a long time, and I’d gotten so close to figuring out who it was.

Hell, I’d seen his handwriting.

But I knew my answer immediately.

“You can take your offer and shove it up your ass. I want nothing from you. And if it means I never figure out who that grant owner is, I’ll live.”

“This is a town full of fools. Even the damn owner is one too.”

“You can call us fools all you want to. I still stopped you from taking those trees down, and I’ll do it again.”

“And I’ll continue to know things you don’t.” Kevin smiled. “Have the day you deserve, Jade!”

“Have the hairline you deserve!” I snapped back. When he disappeared into the building, I huffed and crossed my arms.