The Inheritance Games Chapters 44–52 Summary & Analysis

Summary: Chapters 44–52

Chapter 44

Avery finds Libby apology-baking in the kitchen, and Nash reveals that she has been there for hours. As Avery wonders why Nash is with her sister in the first place, she tells her that Drake is gone.

Chapter 45

That night, Alisa calls Avery to chastise her about her impromptu press briefing. Avery goes online to read the news articles, shuddering at how explosive they are, before searching for information on Emily Laughlin. She finds nothing but her obituary. Suddenly, Avery hears knocking from behind the fireplace and opens the passage door to find Jameson. He asks her if she lied to the press, and she readily admits as much before they both reveal that they have figured out the meaning of the boys’ middle names.

Chapter 46

Avery and Jameson set out on a walk to investigate the Black Wood and the West Brook. Jameson suspects that they will find something around the bridge near the water, the place where Tobias Hawthorne proposed to his wife. As they walk, Jameson brings up Avery’s encounter with Rebecca and explains that, historically, she does not talk to anyone at school. He adds that she was the shy, responsible sister while Emily, who was born with a heart defect, was bold and outgoing. Avery suspects that Emily was involved with Jameson, but his claim that “Grayson happened to her” makes her question that thought. He ends this discussion by telling Avery two lies and one truth, the last of which is “I watched Emily Laughlin die.”

Chapter 47

Avery does not respond to Jameson’s game but she knows the truth is that he watched Emily die. He redirects her attention to the bridge, and they begin searching for something built into it. After their initial inspection fails to produce anything, Jameson suggests they look underneath it and instructs Avery to dangle over the edge to do so. She cannot help but notice how she feels when he holds her. Finding nothing under the bridge, they investigate a creaky board on top and, once they notice two latches on the edge, they are able to turn it to reveal either an infinity symbol (which is Jameson’s guess) or the number eight (which is Avery’s) on the back of it.

Chapter 48

As Avery gets ready for school the next morning, the young woman whom Alisa described as one of Nash’s “projects” comes in with a tray of breakfast and tells her that the house gets deep-cleaned on Tuesdays. Avery introduces herself, and the maid tells her that her name is Mellie. Avery goes across the hall to talk to Libby but discovers Nash sleeping on a chair in her room instead. She is angry about his involvement with her sister, but he insists he is trying to help her. Mellie comes over and is upset when she sees Nash in a woman’s room.

Chapter 49

Alisa rides along as Oren drives Avery to school, and she explains that Avery will be required to attend a series of high-profile outings in order to distract the press long enough to get her appropriate media training. Avery is less than thrilled but accepts the consequences of her actions. When she arrives at school, everyone stares at her. Thea approaches, asking if Avery really knows why Tobias Hawthorne changed his will. She then reveals that while her parents are out of town, she will be staying at Hawthorne House with her uncle and Zara.

Chapter 50

When Avery is finally able to call Max, she can tell that something is off because their conversation lacks their typical banter. Xander, on the other hand, is eager to discuss Thea’s impending arrival with Avery. He insists that Zara must have something suspicious in mind, emphasizing that Thea would not come to the house voluntarily. Xander brings Avery into his “lair,” and he shows off his extensive Rube Goldberg machines.

Chapter 51

When Thea arrives that evening, Mrs. Laughlin makes an extremely nice dinner in her honor, and the family eats together in the dining room. The meal is tense as Thea and the boys fail to hide their animosity toward each other. When Thea mentions Emily, Jameson leaves the room and Grayson becomes extremely uneasy. Avery tries to follow Jameson, but Grayson comes to her instead and reveals that, in addition to following them to the bridge the night before, he has read the Red Will. More gently this time, he reiterates his warning to stay away from Jameson, the game, and even himself.

Chapter 52

Avery finds Jameson on the outskirts of the Black Wood, punching at a tree in anger. She gets him to stop and asks if he knows what they are looking for. Jameson explains that he has been marking the trees that he has inspected, and he and Avery continue with this method for two more days without finding anything. During that time, they realize that Grayson and Thea are both following them, and Jameson reveals that Thea once dated Xander. Suddenly, Avery discovers a carving on a tree that reads “Tobias Hawthorne II,” referring to Toby. She and Jameson are examining it when gunshots ring out, and he leaps over her to protect her. Oren chases off the shooter, inspects Avery, and tells her that she was only struck by bark rather than the actual bullets.

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