The Final Gambit

Jameson and Avery figure out that William’s remains may be buried in the hedge maze on the Hawthorne property. As they search, Jameson and Avery discuss Grayson. Avery admits that she wasn’t always sure about Jameson, but that she chose him and wants him. They find a spot that appears to have something buried underneath it and start digging.

Jameson and Avery’s digging reveals a tunnel that they didn’t know about. They enter. Inside, they find Toby’s handwriting on the wall: “I was never a Hawthorne. I will never be a Blake. So what does that make me? […] Complicit” (300). They continue to search the tunnel for William’s remains, but are interrupted by Mr. Laughlin, accompanied by Thea, Rebecca, and Xander. Rebecca presses her grandfather for answers, and finally, the full truth is revealed.

The characters combine their various bits of knowledge to lay out the narrative: William Blake used Mallory Laughlin to get to the Hawthorne family, seeking revenge on Tobias for his father’s sake. William, known to Mallory as “Liam,” got Mallory pregnant; he was angry when he learned about the pregnancy. Mallory, distraught, told William she would steal something from Tobias’s office that William could use against Tobias. However, when Mallory opened her bag, it was empty. Tobias had noticed the theft and intervened—but he’d been curious why Mallory was stealing from him, so he followed her to her meeting with William. Tobias watched, hidden, as William got angry at Mallory and hit her. When William got physical, Tobias revealed himself. Tobias threatened William, noting that Mallory was only 16 and “there were laws” (alluding to statutory rape laws) (303).

Mallory also threatened to tell Vincent about the baby. William knew that if Vincent found out about the pregnancy, he’d probably lose his Blake family seal. William attacked Mallory again; Tobias held him back. Mallory then picked up a brick and bashed William in the head with it, repeatedly. Mr. Laughlin arrived at that moment. Tobias told Mr. Laughlin and Mallory to leave. William was never seen again; Tobias and Mr. Laughlin never spoke about it. Instead of getting William medical attention, Tobias let him die.

Toby figured out what Tobias had done. When Toby ran away, he moved William’s body from the chapel, where he left the message “I KNOW WHAT YOU DID, FATHER” (270). He then buried William’s remains under the hedge maze. Toby also took the Blake family seal with him, stealing it from Tobias, who had taken it off William’s body after letting him die.

William’s remains are found. Alisa calls to reveal that she’s been freed—because Grayson has given himself as a captive in her place. Vincent now has Toby and Grayson, and he wants to tear down Tobias’s empire. Avery thinks back to chess to come up with a plan: “I circled back to the Queen’s Gambit. I thought about how it required ceding control of the board. It required a loss” (308).

Avery calls the authorities and tells them that human remains have been found at Hawthorne House. Avery blames William’s murder on Tobias Hawthorne “[t]horoughly and without mercy. Dead men didn’t get to be picky about their reputations” (311).

Avery tells Oren her plan: She’s going to take the Blake family seal and use it to gain access to Vincent. She wants to go alone. Oren reluctantly agrees. Before Avery leaves, Nash tells her, “You sure as hell better play dirty” (315).

Avery arrives at Vincent’s ranch. Eve is there, waiting. Eve leads Avery to the back of the house, where Vincent is waiting for her.

Avery presents Vincent with a gift: a chess set from the Hawthorne estate. Avery tells Vincent that he’ll get William’s remains after the police have concluded their investigation. Avery tells Vincent: “Your son […] impregnated an underage girl, then got physical with her when she had the audacity to be devastated at the realization that he’d just been using her to get close enough to make a move against Tobias Hawthorne” (320).

Avery wants Vincent to give her Grayson and Toby. Avery offers Vincent a cut of the Hawthorne fortune in exchange, but Vincent isn’t interested because he’s already rich. He reveals that he knows Grayson’s father was murdered thanks to the photo Eve took of Sheffield Grayson’s file. Avery, feeling cornered, challenges him to a chess game. Vincent suggests a match between Avery and Eve, as he does not take either of them seriously: “I’m not going to play you, little girl. I will, however, let her play you. And Toby” (324).

Vincent explains the terms of the impromptu chess tournament he’s arranged. There will be three matches: Toby will play Eve; Toby will play Avery; and Avery will play Eve. If Toby wins both of his matches, he can go. If Eve wins both of her matches, she will get all five Blake family seals. If Avery wins one match, she gets to take Grayson with her. If Avery wins two matches, she gets to take Grayson with her—and Vincent will stay silent about Sheffield Grayson.