The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 1
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with Avery, the protagonist, in the grand library of Hawthorne House, surrounded by reminders of the Hawthorne dynasty. Her lawyer, Alisa Ortega, insists on discussing her upcoming eighteenth birthday and the implications for her massive inheritance. Avery, however, is more focused on a bet with Jameson Hawthorne to uncover hidden passages in the mansion. Her dismissive attitude toward Alisa’s concerns highlights her determination to prioritize the game over her impending wealth and legal matters.
Amid the tension with Alisa, Avery’s interactions with the Hawthorne brothers add depth to the scene. Xander, her self-proclaimed BHFF (Best Hawthorne Friend Forever), interrupts with his trademark humor, offering a distraction that Avery declines. Nash, the eldest Hawthorne brother, lingers protectively, hinting that Alisa’s agenda involves establishing a trust for Avery’s inheritance. His presence underscores the family’s protective dynamic, even as Avery asserts her independence by dismissing him.
Alisa persists in discussing Avery’s birthday, proposing an extravagant party to manage public perception. Avery firmly rejects the idea, unwilling to turn her personal milestone into a media spectacle. Her refusal reflects her resistance to the spotlight and her desire to maintain control over her life, despite Alisa’s insistence on the importance of optics. The exchange reveals Avery’s growing frustration with the expectations tied to her newfound status as the Hawthorne heir.
The chapter culminates with Avery’s triumph in discovering another hidden passage, marking her twelfth victory in the bet against Jameson. Her playful taunt and disappearance into the wall symbolize her defiance and focus on the game, even as Alisa’s unresolved concerns loom in the background. The scene captures Avery’s balancing act between her personal ambitions and the pressures of her inheritance, setting the stage for future conflicts and revelations.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Avery’s upcoming eighteenth birthday regarding her inheritance, and why does Alisa Ortega want to discuss it?
Answer:
Avery’s eighteenth birthday is significant because it marks the approach of her fulfilling the one-year residency requirement at Hawthorne House to inherit Tobias Hawthorne’s fortune. While she becomes legally emancipated at eighteen, the actual inheritance (reportedly $46 billion) only transfers after she completes the full year living in the house (which occurs in early November). Alisa wants to discuss establishing a trust and birthday party arrangements, likely to manage the public and financial implications of Avery becoming the world’s richest teenager. The chapter shows Alisa pushing these discussions despite Avery’s resistance.2. Analyze the relationship dynamics between Avery and the Hawthorne brothers as demonstrated in this chapter. What does each brother’s interaction reveal about their role in Avery’s life?
Answer:
The chapter reveals distinct relationships with three Hawthorne brothers: Xander serves as Avery’s playful BHFF (“Best Hawthorne Friend Forever”), using humor and distractions (like potential explosions) to lift her spirits. Nash acts as a protective older brother figure, staying to monitor Alisa’s conversation with Avery and offering insights about the trust. Jameson, though absent, remains a competitive presence through Avery’s secret-passage bet. These dynamics show the brothers fulfilling different emotional needs—Xander provides levity, Nash offers security, and Jameson maintains an intellectual/rivalrous connection that drives Avery’s actions.3. How does the setting of Hawthorne House’s library contribute to the chapter’s themes of legacy and power?
Answer:
The grand library—with its two-story shelves, priceless books, and mahogany desk—physically embodies Tobias Hawthorne’s legacy and the dynasty he built. Avery’s search for hidden passages (like the triggered bookshelf) mirrors her navigation of the Hawthorne family’s secrets and power structures. The description of Tobias’s potential “ghost” watching her underscores the weight of his expectations. This setting reinforces themes of inheritance and control, as Avery must literally and metaphorically uncover hidden mechanisms to claim her place in the Hawthorne legacy while resisting external pressures (like Alisa’s party plans).4. What does Avery’s refusal to celebrate her birthday with a lavish party reveal about her character development and priorities?
Answer:
Avery’s adamant refusal (“No party, Alisa”) highlights her rejection of the “Cinderella story” narrative and public spectacle. Unlike traditional inheritors, she prioritizes personal goals (like winning the bet against Jameson) over social validation. Her focus on finding secret passages—and triumphant reaction to discovering the twelfth one—shows she values intellectual challenges and independence over celebrity status. This aligns with her pragmatic view of the inheritance as a responsibility (“I have other things to focus on”) rather than a windfall, demonstrating maturity in resisting Alisa’s media-savvy but superficial suggestions.5. Why might Nash distrust Alisa Ortega, and how does this tension reflect larger conflicts in the story?
Answer:
Nash’s distrust of Alisa (he “hadn’t for months”) likely stems from her role as a gatekeeper to Avery’s inheritance and her tendency to prioritize public image (“optics”). His warning about the trust suggests he views her motives as financially or politically motivated rather than in Avery’s best interests. This tension reflects broader conflicts between the Hawthorne family’s insular world and external forces vying for control of the fortune. Nash’s protective stance—honed from managing his brothers—positions him as a guardian of family autonomy against outsiders like Alisa, who represent institutional and societal pressures.
Quotes
1. “This house. This dynasty. I could almost imagine the ghost of Tobias Hawthorne watching me as I knelt and ran my hand over the mahogany floorboards, my fingers searching for irregularities in the seams.”
This opening passage establishes the weight of legacy and surveillance that permeates Hawthorne House, introducing the central theme of inheritance—both literal and psychological—that drives the protagonist’s journey.
2. “A bet to win. A Hawthorne to best.”
This terse declaration captures Avery’s competitive dynamic with the Hawthorne brothers and foreshadows the high-stakes gamesmanship that defines their relationships, while hinting at unresolved tensions.
3. “Xander ‘I’m a Living, Breathing Rube Goldberg Machine’ Hawthorne poked his head into the library. ‘Avery, on a scale of one to ten, how much do you need a distraction right now, and how attached are you to your eyebrows?’”
This humorous exchange exemplifies the eccentric energy Xander brings to the story, contrasting with the serious financial discussions while showcasing the found family dynamics central to the narrative.
4. “‘Dollars to doughnuts,’ he said, turning to amble out of the room, ‘she wants to talk to you about establishing a trust.’”
Nash’s folksy wisdom reveals his protective instincts toward Avery while exposing the underlying tension about her impending inheritance—a key conflict that will drive future chapters.
5. “I triggered it, and the entire curved shelf arced backward. Number twelve. I smiled wickedly. Take that, Jameson Winchester Hawthorne.”
This triumphant moment demonstrates Avery’s growing mastery of Hawthorne House’s secrets and her determination to prove herself against Jameson’s challenges, marking a significant character beat.