The Inheritance Games, #4
The Brothers Hawthorne
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 20: GRAYSON
Overview
Grayson’s private conversation with Acacia reveals that she has known about him for nearly two years, while Savannah has known since she was fourteen. Acacia’s account reframes Sheffield’s life, exposing his dependence on his in-laws’ money and showing how family secrets shaped Savannah’s loyalty, resentment, and ambition.
Acacia unexpectedly welcomes Grayson but denies Gigi’s report about suited visitors, leaving that mystery unresolved. The chapter returns to the immediate plan when Gigi confirms the Trowbridge party and Savannah exposes Gigi’s arrest, pushing the siblings into an uneasy alliance.
Summary
Acacia takes Grayson into the kitchen after Savannah’s confrontation, and Grayson immediately asks how long Acacia has known about him. Acacia says she learned of Grayson twenty-two months earlier, on the day of her mother’s funeral, while Sheffield Grayson and Tobias Hawthorne were still alive. Grayson assures Acacia that he has not come to disrupt her family.
Acacia says she will not stop Grayson if he wants to know Savannah and Gigi, though Grayson clarifies that Gigi still does not know who he is. Acacia admits Savannah has known about Grayson since the summer Savannah was fourteen, and Grayson realizes Sheffield likely allowed Savannah to carry that secret. Acacia explains that her own parents apparently knew even earlier and that her family’s money funded Sheffield’s ventures, giving Acacia’s mother leverage over him.
Grayson and Acacia briefly discuss Sheffield’s image as a self-made man and Grayson’s only meeting with him after Tobias’s death. Acacia offers condolences, and Grayson, moved by her restraint and maternal warmth, apologizes more deeply than expected. Acacia tells Grayson he is welcome in the house for as long as he wants, though Grayson doubts Savannah would agree.
Acacia explains Savannah’s loyalty to Sheffield and her jealousy of Gigi’s effortless place in their father’s heart. Gigi resembled Sheffield’s late nephew Colin, while Savannah earned Sheffield’s approval through basketball, which connected her to Sheffield’s hopes for Colin. Acacia predicts Savannah will judge her for staying with Sheffield after learning about Grayson, but Acacia insists that staying was not weakness.
Grayson then abruptly asks about Gigi’s claim that men in suits recently visited Acacia. Acacia denies it, and when Grayson offers help, the arrival of Gigi ends the private conversation. Gigi announces that she texted Duncan Trowbridge from Savannah’s phone and arranged the party for the next night, calling their next move “step negative one.”
Savannah enters and reveals that Gigi was arrested, which Gigi tries to deflect with jokes before blaming the family lawyer for leaving her in jail overnight and much of the next day. Acacia is alarmed, but Grayson says the matter is handled. Acacia lets the three proceed, ending with a firm instruction for Savannah to be nice.
Who Appears
- Grayson HawthorneQuestions Acacia about family secrets and tries to protect Gigi’s arrest from escalating.
- Acacia GraysonSheffield’s widow; reveals when she learned about Grayson and cautiously welcomes him.
- Gigi GraysonEnergetic twin who arranges Duncan’s party and has recently been arrested.
- Savannah GraysonGuarded twin who knew Grayson’s identity for years and exposes Gigi’s arrest.
- Sheffield GraysonDead father whose affair, secrets, ambitions, and dependence on in-law money dominate the conversation.
- ColinSheffield’s late nephew, whose resemblance to Gigi and basketball legacy shaped family dynamics.
- Duncan TrowbridgeParty host contacted by Gigi through Savannah’s phone for the next phase of the plan.