CHAPTER 76: JAMESON

After refusing Ian, Jameson leaves with Avery while Ian shouts after them. Jameson insists he is fine, though Avery knows he is not, and Avery steadies him by reminding Jameson that they can still win the Game together. Jameson recommits to playing with Avery as his true partner.

Back inside Vantage, Jameson follows his instinct that the keys must open boxes hidden in the manor. Jameson and Avery search mirrors until they find one on the fourth floor that swings open into a dark portrait room. The room displays Ian, Ian's mother, and eventually a newly commissioned portrait of Jameson, forcing Jameson to confront his complicated desire to belong to the Johnstone-Jameson family and to Vantage.

Behind Jameson's portrait, Avery discovers a green-and-gold jeweled chest that matches Branford's key and likely contains Jameson's secret. Jameson then finds a second chest behind Branford's portrait and opens it with the pearl key. Inside is Branford's secret: a scroll stating, "I have a son." Jameson keeps the scroll, recognizing it as the kind of life-altering secret the Proprietor wanted.

Branford enters with Zella, and Jameson assumes Avery can protect the green box. Instead, Jameson realizes Branford has already found and opened it, meaning Branford already possesses Jameson's secret. Branford offers a trade, but after learning Jameson has read Branford's secret, Branford argues the exchange is not equal unless Branford reads Jameson's. Jameson warns that people connected to his secret can die, and Avery realizes the danger relates to Prague.

Branford then offers Jameson's secret in exchange for the final key, but Jameson spots the last box hidden above the chandelier and secretly signals Avery to look upward. To distract Branford and Zella, Jameson counters with a deal: both men burn their secrets, Branford leaves, Jameson wins, and Jameson later gives Branford Vantage. Branford refuses because he believes Jameson may be in danger and, as family, Branford feels obligated to know and protect him.

Branford's sense of familial duty unsettles Jameson, especially after Ian treated him as expendable, but Jameson's need to win remains stronger. Jameson removes the candles from the chandelier, jumps to the chain, and begins climbing toward the hidden final box.