a subplot focuses on jack's ongoing conflict with race maggad iii, and the ailing state of the "union-register" since maggad bought it. maggad's downsizing policy leads to more space in the paper devoted to advertisements than to news, fewer staffers employed, and stories that are deferential to business interests and lacking in depth. jack finds an ally in macarthur polk, the newspaper's former publisher, who owns a large number of shares in maggad's publicly traded company. maggad is desperate to buy the shares back before two foreign companies initiate a hostile takeover. polk dies and names jack as trustee of his shares, with instructions that maggad can have the stock back only if he sells the "union-register" back to polk's widow ellen. maggad reluctantly agrees. ellen restores the paper's obituary section to its format prior to maggad's purchase, arranges for more reporters to be hired, and expands its news coverage. emma is promoted, and the novel ends as she is trying to talk jack back from his leave of absence from journalism.