The Final Gambit

Mallory is entranced by Eve and her resemblance to Emily. Mallory even asks Eve, “Could you call me mom?” (200). When Eve asks Mallory about her grandfather, Mallory is evasive, only mentioning that he was “older” and “mysterious.” When Eve asks his name and what happened to him, Mallory says, “Liam left” (201), and refuses to elaborate. Thea interrupts the interaction, arriving at Mallory’s house. She says someone broke into her home and left an envelope for Avery. As Avery opens the envelope, she sees that the seal is a ring of concentric circles, just like the strange metal disk Toby took from her. Inside the envelope is a paper that reads, “363-1982” (202). Oren, concerned that Thea’s home was broken into, demands everybody leave Mallory’s home and return to Hawthorne House.

Alisa is waiting for Avery at Hawthorne House. She reveals that there’s more bad press about Avery, like: “People Are Getting Very Nervous: Hawthorne Heiress on Verge of Taking the Reins” (208). Alisa is worried about the headlines, saying, “Perception matters” (210).