The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 69
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with Xander retrieving and playing two seemingly garbled audio files from separate USBs. When combined, the files reveal a clear message from the late Tobias Hawthorne, addressing Avery and the Hawthorne brothers. His voice, eerily present, immediately shifts the atmosphere in the room. The recording begins with Hawthorne reflecting on his life, acknowledging his luck and cunning in achieving greatness, while also hinting at the mystery surrounding Avery’s connection to him and the Hawthorne family.
Hawthorne’s message takes a darker turn as he reveals his calculated plans, implying that Avery was chosen as his heir not out of benevolence but as a strategic move to protect his legacy. He warns of Vincent Blake, a dangerous adversary who, now that Hawthorne is dead, poses a significant threat to Avery and the family. The recording suggests that Blake’s motivations are tied to long-held secrets and a desire to claim Hawthorne’s fortune, painting Avery as a deliberate target in this high-stakes game.
The emotional weight of the message is palpable, particularly as Hawthorne addresses the Hawthorne brothers directly. He expresses hope that Avery has bridged gaps he couldn’t, subtly acknowledging his own failures as a patriarch. The brothers’ reactions—especially Nash’s conflicted demand to turn off the recording—highlight the complexity of their relationship with their late grandfather. Hawthorne’s cold pragmatism is further underscored as he admits to using Avery as a disposable shield, a revelation that leaves her reeling.
The chapter closes with Hawthorne referencing Avery’s mother, Hannah Rooney, and his failed attempts to manipulate her. This cryptic mention hints at deeper family secrets and connections yet to be uncovered. The recording leaves Avery and the brothers with a sense of unease, as they grapple with the realization that Hawthorne’s machinations extend far beyond his death, binding them to a dangerous and unpredictable fate.
FAQs
1. What was the purpose of combining the two audio files from the USBs, and what did they reveal when played together?
Answer:
The two audio files were designed to be played together as complementary pieces—one served as a decoder for the other. When played separately, each file produced only garbled noise, but when combined through an audio editing app, they revealed a clear message from Tobias Hawthorne. The message addressed Avery directly, acknowledging her as his chosen heir and explaining his motivations for selecting her. It also revealed his awareness of Vincent Blake’s potential threat and his strategic planning to protect his legacy through Avery, essentially using her as a shield against Blake’s ambitions.2. How does Tobias Hawthorne’s message reflect his manipulative nature and his view of Avery’s role in his plans?
Answer:
Tobias Hawthorne’s message demonstrates his calculated and manipulative approach to legacy protection. He admits to choosing Avery not out of benevolence but as a strategic move—he saw her as disposable, a “target” to draw Vincent Blake’s attention away from his grandsons. He acknowledges his own ruthlessness, stating, “I really am that much of a bastard,” and reveals he manipulated events from beyond the grave to control outcomes. His apology to Avery is hollow, as he prioritizes his family’s safety over hers, reinforcing his cold, chessmaster-like mentality.3. Analyze the reactions of the Hawthorne brothers to Tobias Hawthorne’s message. What does this reveal about their relationships with him and with Avery?
Answer:
The Hawthorne brothers’ reactions are tense and emotionally charged. Nash briefly demands to turn the message off, suggesting unresolved anger or pain, while Jameson’s physical shift toward Avery hints at protectiveness or solidarity. The message implies Tobias believed Avery could reach his grandsons in ways he couldn’t (“made you whole”), which unsettles them. Their presence in the room, despite resisting Tobias’s games, shows they’re still entangled in his web. Avery’s observation that they “bore [his] mark” underscores how deeply his influence shaped them, even as they grapple with his posthumous manipulations.4. What critical revelation does Tobias Hawthorne make about Vincent Blake, and why is this significant for Avery and the Hawthorne family?
Answer:
Tobias reveals that Vincent Blake, his longtime rival, will likely target Avery and the Hawthorne legacy now that Tobias is dead. He describes their past “armistice” and implies Blake harbors resentment over Tobias’s success. The most alarming revelation is that Blake’s threat is tied to a hidden truth—possibly about Toby (Tobias’s son) or Hannah Rooney (Avery’s mother). This is significant because it confirms Avery’s danger is systemic, not accidental, and that Tobias foresaw Blake’s retaliation. It also raises stakes for the family, as Blake’s motives appear deeply personal and vengeful.5. How does the chapter underscore the theme of fate versus free will, particularly in Tobias Hawthorne’s posthumous control over the characters?
Answer:
The chapter highlights Tobias’s godlike orchestration of events, reducing the characters to pawns in his “game.” His audio message suggests he predicted Blake’s actions and Avery’s discoveries with eerie accuracy, making fate seem inescapable. Yet, the brothers’ resistance (e.g., Nash’s defiance) and Avery’s realization of her disposability introduce tension—do they have agency, or are they bound by Tobias’s design? The layered audio files symbolize his control: just as the messages only make sense together, the characters’ lives only “decode” per his plans. This duality forces reflection on whether they can break free or are doomed to follow his script.
Quotes
1. “What is the human condition, if not Why me?”
This quote captures Tobias Hawthorne’s philosophical reflection on life’s inherent questioning of purpose and suffering. It represents a key moment where the late billionaire reveals his introspective side while addressing Avery, framing her entire journey through this existential lens.
2. “I got lucky. Right place, right time, right ideas, right mind… If only that were it.”
A rare moment of humility from Tobias Hawthorne where he acknowledges the role of chance in his success, yet hints at deeper complexities. This quote is significant as it shows the billionaire’s self-awareness about his fortune while teasing darker truths yet to be revealed.
3. “I really did paint a target on your forehead… Blake was always going to make his move. Hunting season, he might call it—playing the game, destroying all opponents, taking what was mine. And that, my dear, is why it is now yours.”
This chilling admission reveals the true purpose behind Avery’s inheritance - she was deliberately chosen as a decoy target. The quote represents the chapter’s major revelation about Tobias Hawthorne’s manipulative endgame and the danger now facing Avery.
4. “But better you than them.”
A brutally concise statement showcasing Tobias Hawthorne’s ruthless pragmatism. This six-word quote perfectly encapsulates his willingness to sacrifice Avery to protect his blood relatives, serving as the moral climax of his recorded message.