The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 24
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with Avery waking up to Alisa, her lawyer, knocking on her door. Oren, her security head, initially blocks Alisa’s entry, but Avery lets her in. Alisa brings a mysterious leather satchel and immediately chastises Avery for not informing her about Eve, the woman claiming to be Toby Hawthorne’s daughter. Alisa emphasizes her role in protecting Avery’s legal interests, referencing her past decision to move Avery back to Hawthorne House during her coma, which secured her inheritance and security team. The tension between Alisa and Oren is palpable as they debate whether the situation is a legal or security matter.
Alisa reveals she learned about the threats against Avery from Nash, surprising Avery given Nash’s strained relationship with Alisa. The lawyer asserts her competence and urges Avery to involve her in future crises. The conversation shifts to a smear campaign targeting Avery, with gossip websites offering high prices for compromising photos. Alisa also mentions instability in companies tied to Tobias Hawthorne, hinting at a larger conspiracy. Oren and Alisa agree to collaborate, with Alisa vowing to investigate the business disruptions while Oren handles security.
The discussion turns to Toby’s potential kidnapping, with Alisa suggesting they keep Eve under surveillance and prepare for possible ransom demands. Avery reflects on the incomplete riddle and the uncertainty of Toby’s fate, wondering if the captor is waiting to make demands. Alisa assures her the law firm can handle any financial arrangements, but Avery remains uneasy about the unfolding situation. The chapter highlights the growing complexity of the threats against Avery and the Hawthorne legacy.
Finally, Alisa directs Avery’s attention to the leather satchel, revealing it was left by Tobias Hawthorne with instructions to deliver it under specific conditions. Avery is intrigued but wary, as the satchel represents one of the few direct communications from the late billionaire, whose only previous message to her was an apology. The chapter ends on a suspenseful note, leaving the contents of the satchel and its implications for Avery’s future unresolved.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Alisa’s confrontation with Avery and Oren in this chapter, and what does it reveal about their relationships?
Answer:
This confrontation reveals several key dynamics: First, it shows Alisa’s professional frustration at being excluded from security matters despite her legal expertise (shown when she says “you damn well pick up the phone”). Second, it highlights Oren’s protective instincts prioritizing security over legal counsel (“this was a security issue, not a legal one”). Most importantly, it exposes lingering tension from Alisa’s controversial decision to move Avery back to Hawthorne House during her coma—a decision that ultimately secured Avery’s inheritance but created distrust. The revelation that Nash called Alisa despite their strained relationship further underscores how seriously they’re taking the current threats.2. Analyze how the chapter builds suspense regarding the leather satchel. What narrative techniques are used, and what questions does this create for readers?
Answer:
The chapter uses several suspense-building techniques with the satchel: 1) Delayed revelation (Alisa doesn’t immediately explain its contents), 2) Mysterious provenance (it came from Hawthorne’s lawyers with strict delivery conditions), 3) Connection to the larger mystery (it’s the second physical message from Tobias after his cryptic “I’m sorry”). This creates key questions: Why was this satchel held back until now? How does it relate to Eve’s appearance and the threats? Is it another puzzle piece in the “riddle” Avery mentions? The unresolved nature of this detail maintains tension while hinting at deeper layers to Tobias Hawthorne’s plans.3. How does the chapter develop the theme of power dynamics through the business “turbulence” Alisa describes?
Answer:
The business turbulence (CEO turnover, FDA investigations, etc.) serves as a metaphor for the invisible power struggle surrounding Avery’s inheritance. Just as unseen forces are destabilizing Hawthorne-linked companies (tripling paparazzi prices, creating scandals), someone is systematically challenging Avery’s position. This parallels the “avenge/revenge” motif Avery recalls, suggesting the antagonist is using economic warfare as part of their strategy. The professional responses—Alisa’s legal maneuvering and Oren’s security precautions—show how institutional power is being marshaled against this shadowy threat, emphasizing that modern power battles extend beyond physical confrontations into corporate and media realms.4. What does the exchange about Nash reveal about character relationships and the current crisis?
Answer:
Nash’s unexpected call to Alisa—despite their personal rift—serves multiple purposes: 1) It underscores the severity of the threat (enough to overcome personal animosity), 2) Shows Nash’s protective instincts toward Avery, 3) Validates Alisa’s competence when she notes “he knows I am good at my job.” This moment also subtly contrasts with Avery and Oren’s earlier exclusion of Alisa, suggesting that Nash’s pragmatism in crisis may become a model for others. The detail about gossip websites targeting Avery further connects to Nash’s role as the Hawthorne brother most exposed to media scrutiny, hinting he may recognize patterns others miss.5. How does the chapter use legal and security terminology to create a sense of escalating stakes?
Answer:
The dialogue is saturated with professional jargon—”attorney-client privilege,” “probate,” “NDA,” “ransom arrangements,” “surveillance”—which serves two purposes: First, it realistically portrays high-stakes wealth management (contrasting Avery’s casual sweatpants with this formal world). Second, each term escalates tension: “ransom” implies kidnapping threats, “NDA” suggests damaging secrets, and “surveillance” confirms Eve is suspect. The legal-security debate between Alisa and Oren (“ironclad will” vs. “security issue”) further shows how multiple systems are being engaged to protect Avery, emphasizing that the threats now require institutional—not just personal—responses.
Quotes
1. “Since I am the only one in this room who can claim to make the good, smart decision under fire—when things start going up in flames, you damn well pick up the phone.”
This fiery statement from Alisa underscores her frustration at being excluded from critical decisions despite her proven competence. It highlights the tension between security, legal, and personal dynamics in the Hawthorne household.
2. “Gossip websites, mostly. Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Avery, but one of my connections in the press has informed me that the going rate for pictures of you with any of the Hawthornes has inexplicably tripled.”
This revelation about the smear campaign and media interest signals escalating external threats against Avery, suggesting a coordinated effort to undermine her position and the Hawthorne legacy.
3. “Avenge. Revenge. Vengeance. Avenger. I always win in the end.”
This ominous internal monologue (likely referencing the captor’s taunts) crystallizes the chapter’s central threat - an unseen adversary playing a long game of vengeance, with Avery and the Hawthornes as pawns.
4. “An incomplete riddle. A story—and we’re at the mercy of the storyteller.”
This poignant reflection captures Avery’s vulnerable position - forced to react to an unfolding mystery where someone else controls the narrative, mirroring the book’s overarching themes of power and manipulation.
5. “Mr. Hawthorne’s instructions were that it was to remain secure and unopened, unless certain conditions were met, in which case it was to be delivered promptly to you.”
The mysterious satchel represents another of Tobias Hawthorne’s posthumous puzzles, maintaining the novel’s signature blend of suspense and legacy, while hinting at new revelations to come.