The Inheritance Games, #4
The Brothers Hawthorne
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 75: JAMESON
Overview
Ian interrupts the Game and reveals that he has struck a deal with Katharine, expecting Jameson to hand over the two keys Jameson and Avery have earned. The confrontation forces Jameson to see that Ian used him and does not value Vantage, family, or Jameson beyond the game. Jameson refuses to yield, and Rohan's arrival shifts the danger back onto Ian while Jameson recommits to winning on his own terms.
Summary
Ian appears inside the Game, and Jameson immediately understands that Ian is asking him to surrender the keys and the victory. Jameson silently gives Avery the newly found maze-headed key, as if Jameson does not trust himself to hold it while facing Ian.
Jameson questions why Ian is there, realizing Ian is not supposed to be on the grounds and suspecting Katharine must have told Ian where to come. Ian confirms that the Factotum does not know about his interference and frames the situation as favorable because Jameson and Avery have two keys while Ian's brother has only one.
Ian reveals that he and Katharine have made an agreement. Ian expects Jameson to hand the keys to Katharine so that everyone but Ian's older brother will be satisfied. When Jameson asks about Vantage, Ian dismisses it as irrelevant, making Jameson realize that Ian's earlier suggestion that Jameson might inherit Vantage was impulsive and already forgotten.
Jameson feels the betrayal sharply because Ian recruited him as the player capable of beating impossible odds, only to discard him once the plan changed. Avery presses Ian and Katharine about what Katharine or Ian's other brother offered, but Katharine refuses to disclose the terms and demands the keys.
Jameson refuses. Ian tries to pressure Jameson as a father figure and then threatens him, insisting that Jameson must obey because Ian is not wired to lose. Jameson recognizes that Ian does not truly care about Vantage, family, or Jameson himself, and Jameson chooses not to surrender.
Rohan suddenly appears, signaling that Ian's unauthorized interference has been noticed. Jameson decides Ian's fate is no longer his concern, tells Avery they are leaving, and commits himself to winning without needing a father.
Who Appears
- Jameson HawthorneConfronts Ian’s betrayal, refuses to surrender the keys, and recommits to winning independently.
- Ian Johnstone-JamesonJameson’s father; interrupts the Game, reveals a deal with Katharine, and demands the keys.
- Avery GrambsStands beside Jameson, receives the newly found key, and challenges Ian’s motives.
- KatharineAllied with Ian through a confidential deal and pressures Jameson to hand over the keys.
- RohanThe Factotum; appears after Ian’s interference and implicitly reasserts control over the Game.