The Inheritance Games, #4
The Brothers Hawthorne
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 58: GRAYSON
Overview
Gigi forces her way into the investigation and pushes Grayson and Savannah to reconsider whether Sheffield’s photographs are meaningless decoys or intended clues. Savannah stops shielding Gigi and admits the accusations against their father, deepening the sisters’ shared need to understand Sheffield’s abandonment and possible crimes.
The chapter shifts Gigi from protected outsider to active participant, while Savannah’s final statement confirms the investigation has a next destination beyond the photo box.
Summary
Gigi, still drunk but focused, insists on joining Grayson in the black-card suite. Savannah follows, while Xander and Nash settle in as Grayson opens the briefcase of photographs connected to Sheffield Grayson’s bank box.
Grayson examines the backs of the photos and finds only dates written on them, no obvious message. Gigi spreads the pictures out and suggests that Sheffield may be trying to tell them something, but Savannah challenges that hope by raising the possibility that their father left because he did not care.
The sisters’ tension turns personal. Gigi says she has been searching for answers partly for Savannah, because Savannah was everything Sheffield wanted in a daughter; Savannah answers that even that was not enough. Savannah admits that she came prepared to prove Sheffield innocent if possible, but what she may really want is to understand why he left and why nothing ever satisfied him.
When Gigi asks what Sheffield needs to be proven innocent of, Savannah chooses honesty instead of protection and tells her that their father is suspected of embezzling from their grandmother and emptying their mother’s trust. Gigi reacts with stunned humor, revealing she became drunk from one mimosa and too much coffee.
Gigi then unexpectedly forgives Savannah for trying to protect her and forgives Grayson, calling him the Lord of Lies because he needs her in his life. After teasing Grayson and trying to tickle him, Gigi returns to the photographs, but Savannah cuts off the distraction by saying they do not need the pictures because they already know where they are going next.
Who Appears
- Grayson Hawthorneexamines the photo briefcase, manages Gigi’s chaos, and continues pursuing Sheffield’s clues.
- Gigidrunkenly joins the investigation, pushes for answers, learns the accusations, and forgives Savannah and Grayson.
- Savannahadmits Sheffield’s suspected thefts to Gigi and redirects the group toward their next lead.
- Nash Hawthorneaccompanies Gigi to the suite and dryly questions her mimosa-fueled drunkenness.
- Xander Hawthornesettles into the suite and humorously interprets Gigi’s gesture about drinking one mimosa.