Reply to First Lie Wins- can we discuss ending?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]If you believe the simple denouement that George is Mr. Smith, then you've been duped by the obvious, just like the losers searching for Ralph Tate's ugly painting. Ryan is Mr. Smith, forced into assuming this role along with all the other nefarious businesses when his grandfather, the original Mr. Smith, died. Evie (Lucca) always wanted the sweet house and the husband, and Ryan fit the mold. Ryan wanted out of the Mr. Smith-business, so he slowly and selectively eliminated the "employees." By setting up the fake Lucca Marino and killing her off, he thought he could keep the real Lucca, with whom he was falling in love, from ever being able to leave him and return to her past identity. But as in all things, Lucca lied first, convincing Ryan that she loved him by changing his stolen business accounting turned over to "Mr Smith" to make his business look unworthy of takeover. Then she made him believe she "caught" George as the real Mr. Smith, so Ryan could exit that con game for good. Devon went to Ryan's home in Lake Forbing (see chapter 21) to set up the whole tech room so Lucca could assume the role and run it as Miss Smith, completely separate from Ryan. And with that, author Ashley Elston has set us up for a sequel.[/quote]

I can see how Ryan being the real Mr. Smith can fit - meaning they set-up George and sacrificed him to the previous crime victim. But Ryan is still going to his East Texas business at the end of the story, suggesting he's continuing with his crooked side gig. So either (1) he really was Mr. Smith and they've partnered up or (2) he's continuing on with his old business and she's taking the lead on the Smith business/solo managing the Smith business?
But if Ryan is not Mr. Smith, I don't understand how he gets mixed up with George. "Mr. Smith" presumably wants to take over Ryan's business, but there's no suggestion as to how he gets roped into the whole scheme. So that would lend weight to the Ryan = Mr. Smith interpretation. Plus, he does have the nasty cruel side Lucca witnessed at his East Texas office.
Regardless, Ryan doesn't turn a new leaf at the end - even if Lucca continues on with the Smith business without him.[/quote]

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