The Inheritance Games, #4
The Brothers Hawthorne
by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Contents
CHAPTER 78: GRAYSON
Overview
Grayson decodes Sheffield Grayson’s journal and uncovers a full trail of embezzlement, resentment, surveillance, and preparation for violence. The entries reveal that Sheffield believed Avery was Toby Hawthorne’s daughter and that Grayson’s kiss with Avery during the interview helped trigger Sheffield’s rage.
The discovery matters because it clarifies Sheffield’s motives and links his obsession to Avery’s kidnapping and the disasters that followed. Instead of sharing the evidence, Grayson immediately moves to control the situation by preparing a substitute journal before Gigi and Savannah can discover the original is gone.
Summary
Grayson spends the entire night decoding Sheffield Grayson’s journal, using the cipher system from the puzzle box and transcribing the hidden text into a leather notebook of his own. The early entries function as an off-the-books ledger, documenting embezzled money through dates and account locations, creating a trail that law enforcement could follow.
As Grayson continues, the journal shifts from financial records to angry, confessional entries. Sheffield writes about Cora’s funeral, Acacia’s questions, Trowbridge’s scrutiny of the girls’ trusts, and Sheffield’s decision to sell the company rather than let Trowbridge examine the records. Sheffield also resents Acacia’s concern for “my son” and shows bitter hostility toward the Hawthorne family.
The entries intensify after Tobias Hawthorne’s death and Avery’s inheritance. Sheffield becomes obsessed with the possibility that Avery is connected to Toby Hawthorne, gathers ignored evidence about Colin’s fire as arson, and has Avery tracked because he believes Avery will lead him to Toby. Sheffield’s writing explicitly raises the possibility of killing Toby, whom Sheffield considers already legally dead.
Grayson reaches the date of the public interview with Avery and realizes Sheffield orchestrated the bombshell accusation that Toby was alive. Sheffield had expected the interview to confirm Avery as Toby’s daughter, but Grayson’s kiss with Avery changed the narrative. Sheffield’s furious entry calls Grayson “my son,” forcing Grayson to confront the painful possessiveness behind Sheffield’s rage.
Grayson finishes the final three entries: a cryptocurrency payment to a specialist, payment details for a Texas storage unit, and a supply list including chloroform, zip ties, accelerant, and a gun. After Xander and Nash quietly support him, Grayson focuses on what comes next. Knowing Gigi and Savannah will soon look for the puzzle box and may notice the journal is missing, Grayson calls the concierge to obtain a plain brown leather journal as a replacement.
Who Appears
- Grayson HawthorneDecodes Sheffield’s journal, absorbs painful revelations, and plans to conceal the missing evidence.
- Sheffield GraysonHis coded journal reveals embezzlement, rage, obsession with Avery, and preparations for violence.
- Xander HawthorneSupports Grayson through distraction, humor, Oreos, and pie during the decoding ordeal.
- Nash HawthorneQuietly checks on Grayson and recognizes better than to push him emotionally.
- Avery GrambsCentral to Sheffield’s obsession; her interview kiss with Grayson helped provoke his rage.
- Acacia GraysonAppears in Sheffield’s entries as his wife, questioning him about Grayson and her trust.
- TrowbridgeCora’s chosen trustee for the twins, whose scrutiny enrages Sheffield.
- Toby HawthorneThe supposedly dead Hawthorne whom Sheffield believes Avery might lead him to.