CHAPTER 88: JAMESON

Jameson reenters Vantage after winning the game and feels, for the first time, that the place belongs to him. Zella and Rohan comment from behind him, but Jameson focuses on the house until Branford arrives and demands a private conversation with his nephew.

Upstairs, Branford confronts Jameson about the reckless leap that nearly killed him. Jameson insists that he does not have a death wish, and his thoughts turn to Avery, whose importance has changed the way Jameson thinks about danger and survival.

Branford shifts from anger to responsibility, saying the family has allowed Ian to get away with too much for too long and that it ends with Jameson. Jameson says he wants nothing from Ian, but Branford warns that Ian will want plenty from Jameson now that Vantage is his.

When Jameson brings up his earlier offer to give Vantage to Branford, Branford refuses it completely. Branford says Jameson won fairly and, more importantly, proved his honor by choosing to save Zella when he believed that choice might cost him the game. Branford promises to protect Jameson’s claim to Vantage and explains that the estate has a trust he will continue to administer.

Jameson struggles with Branford’s care, asking why Branford would do anything for him. Branford says that if Branford had known about Jameson at birth, Branford would have acted, and Jameson realizes that this uncle might truly have come for him despite Tobias Hawthorne. Branford also orders Jameson to share what is needed to protect him, but Jameson refuses to reveal his own secret as long as the Proprietor keeps his word.

The conversation turns to Branford’s secret: his son’s true paternity. Branford insists the secret must remain hidden because the boy already has a good father and a title, and exposing the truth would ruin lives. Jameson accepts that some secrets are best forgotten, internalizes Branford’s judgment that he acted with honor, and ends the chapter feeling that he no longer needs anyone’s approval.