The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 63
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnAvery, accompanied by Jameson and security personnel, arrives at Wayback Cottage to confront Eve and Grayson. The tension is palpable as Avery questions Mrs. Laughlin about Grayson and Eve’s whereabouts, leading her to the kitchen where Eve sits with Mallory while Grayson stands protectively nearby. Avery’s urgency is evident as she demands to speak with Grayson privately, but Eve insists on joining the conversation. The scene sets the stage for a confrontation, with Avery’s suspicions about Eve’s true motives beginning to surface.
Avery reveals her discovery about Vincent Blake’s son, Will, and his connection to Toby, implying that Eve might be hiding something. She confronts Eve directly, demanding to see the contents of her locket, which she suspects holds a family seal linking Eve to Blake. Grayson intervenes, but Avery persists, accusing Eve of being related to Blake and questioning her loyalty. The atmosphere grows increasingly hostile as Mallory and Mrs. Laughlin react defensively, adding to the escalating tension.
The confrontation intensifies as Avery exposes the Laughlins’ secret: Mallory had a relationship with Will Blake, resulting in Toby’s birth, and the Hawthornes adopted him to protect him from Vincent Blake. Mrs. Laughlin pleads for Avery to stop, but Avery continues, revealing the painful truth about Toby’s origins. Eve, meanwhile, seizes the opportunity to manipulate Mallory into confessing more, further fueling Avery’s suspicion that Eve is working for Blake.
The chapter culminates in a clash of loyalties and revelations. Grayson is torn between protecting Eve and heeding Avery’s warnings, while Jameson stands firmly by Avery’s side. Eve’s emotional appeal to Grayson contrasts sharply with Avery’s insistence that she cannot be trusted. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with Avery echoing Tobias Hawthorne’s final message: “Don’t trust anyone,” hinting at the looming threat of Vincent Blake’s involvement and setting the stage for the next dramatic confrontation.
FAQs
1. What key revelation does Avery make about Eve’s identity in this chapter, and what evidence supports this claim?
Answer:
Avery discovers that Eve is related to Vincent Blake, likely his granddaughter through his son Will Blake. The evidence includes: 1) The Blake family seal (a small metal disk) that Vincent exclusively gave to family members, which matches Eve’s locket contents; 2) Isaiah’s prior revelation about these disks being family tokens; 3) Eve’s defensive reaction when Avery demands to see the locket. This connection suggests Eve may have been working for Vincent Blake all along, infiltrating the Hawthorne circle under false pretenses (Chapter 63, pp. 255-256).2. Analyze the significance of Mallory Laughlin’s reaction to Avery’s accusations. What does this reveal about the Hawthorne family’s past?
Answer:
Mallory’s visceral distress—including a “high-pitched mewling sound” and her mother’s plea to stop—confirms Avery’s theory that Toby Hawthorne is actually Mallory’s son with Will Blake (aka “Liam”). This reveals the Hawthornes orchestrated a massive cover-up: they adopted Toby to protect him from Vincent Blake, likely because Will disappeared or was killed after his relationship with the underage Mallory. The Laughlins’ complicity suggests fear of Vincent’s retaliation, adding layers to Tobias Hawthorne’s feud with Blake (Chapter 63, pp. 256-257).3. How does Eve’s behavior in this chapter demonstrate dramatic irony, given what Avery now knows?
Answer:
Eve’s actions take on sinister double meaning once Avery uncovers her Blake connection. Her “canny look” and strategic pauses suggest calculation, not innocence. When she claims the locket is sentimental (“You know what this means to me”), it ironically confirms its true purpose as a Blake identifier. Her “hurt” reaction to Avery’s accusation mirrors Vincent Blake’s manipulative tendencies, making her earlier bonding with Grayson and Avery seem like an act—a twist readers grasp before the characters do (Chapter 63, pp. 255-257).4. Why does Grayson initially defend Eve, and how does this reflect his character arc?
Answer:
Grayson intervenes when Avery confronts Eve, giving her an “icy” look and later sharp commands. This mirrors his protective instincts (seen previously with Avery) but now misplaced due to emotional manipulation. His arc here highlights vulnerability: Eve has exploited his guilt over Emily and desire to atone by “saving” another damaged girl. The tension between his loyalty to Eve and Avery’s proof tests his growth—can he prioritize truth over emotional ties? (Chapter 63, pp. 255-257).5. Evaluate Tobias Hawthorne’s warning “Don’t trust anyone” in the context of this chapter’s revelations.
Answer:
The warning becomes tragically prescient. Eve—seemingly a vulnerable ally—is likely a Blake plant, proving even those closest can’t be trusted. The Hawthorne-Laughlin adoption secrecy also reflects this theme: kindness (adopting Toby) required deception. Avery’s realization that Eve’s locket matches Blake’s seals underscores how trust enables exploitation. The chapter positions trust as both necessary (Avery/Grayson/Jameson’s teamwork) and dangerous, echoing Tobias’s lifelong paranoia (Chapter 63, pp. 257).
Quotes
1. “I know that you’re related to Vincent Blake.”
This internal thought from Avery marks a crucial turning point where she realizes Eve’s true connection to the villainous Blake family, setting up the chapter’s central confrontation.
2. “Vincent Blake had a son… His name was Will. I think he was Toby’s father.”
Avery’s revelation about the hidden Blake-Hawthorne bloodline exposes the deep historical connection between the two families and explains Toby’s mysterious origins.
3. “You were trying to protect them from Vincent Blake.”
This insight into Mrs. Laughlin’s motivations reveals the long-standing fear of Vincent Blake’s influence and why Toby’s true parentage was concealed for decades.
4. “That’s why you’re here… What did Vincent Blake offer you if you brought him answers?”
Avery’s accusation exposes Eve’s potential ulterior motives and raises the stakes by suggesting she may be working for the enemy all along.
5. “Don’t trust anyone… Because if Eve’s here, Vincent Blake might not be far behind.”
This chilling warning encapsulates the chapter’s tension and paranoia, using Tobias Hawthorne’s final message to heighten the sense of impending danger.