Avery is a teenager who recently inherited a billion-dollar fortune from deceased billionaire Tobias Hawthorne. She grew up in poverty and must live in the luxurious Hawthorne House for a year to secure her inheritance. She works to uncover the whereabouts of missing heir Tobias Hawthorne II while managing the intense press scrutiny surrounding her sudden wealth. She often feels like an object in the Hawthorne family's games but actively works to assert her independence.

The deceased Texas billionaire who unexpectedly left his massive fortune to Avery. He was a mastermind who loved puzzles and games. He left behind a complex web of clues, secrets, and challenges for his grandsons and Avery to solve from beyond the grave.

Tobias Hawthorne's son, long presumed dead in a tragic fire on Hawthorne Island twenty years ago. Avery recognizes him from her past as an unhoused man who played chess with her. He actively evades his family's attempts to locate him, communicating only through hidden messages and clues.

The second oldest of the Hawthorne grandsons, raised to be the perfect heir before Avery's arrival. He is fiercely protective of his family and often maintains a stoic, formal demeanor. He struggles with his developing feelings for Avery while actively investigating the dark secrets connected to the island fire.

The second youngest Hawthorne grandson, known for his relentless drive to solve puzzles and win games. He views the search for his missing uncle as the ultimate challenge. Reckless and passionate, he works closely with Avery to decode his grandfather's clues hidden throughout the estate.

Avery's older half-sister and legal guardian at the start of the story. She moves into Hawthorne House with Avery and acts as her primary support system. She often travels to investigate clues on Avery's behalf since Avery's movements are legally restricted.

The oldest of Tobias Hawthorne's four grandsons. He is protective of Avery and largely distances himself from his family's obsessive pursuit of wealth. He often acts as a stabilizing presence amidst the mansion's drama and avoids participating directly in his grandfather's twisted games.

The youngest of the Hawthorne grandsons, often appearing cheerful and mechanically inclined. He works closely with his friends Rebecca and Thea to uncover secrets hidden within Hawthorne House and contributes critical technical skills to the ongoing investigation.

Avery's loyal best friend who provides a crucial link to normalcy outside of the Hawthorne family's orbit. She frequently visits the mansion to offer Avery emotional support, grounded advice, and a welcome distraction from the eccentric billionaires surrounding her.

One of Tobias Hawthorne's daughters and mother to the four Hawthorne boys. She resides in a luxury hotel and has a history of complicated, often spiteful relationships that cause ripples throughout the family and disrupt the stability of the estate.

Tobias Hawthorne's daughter, who deeply resents Avery's inheritance. She controls significant resources and leverages her position within the family to maintain power, demanding high payouts for her cooperation and maintaining a tense rivalry with her sister Skye.

Zara Hawthorne's daughter and cousin to the Hawthorne boys. She is heavily involved in the search for her missing uncle, often collaborating with her former girlfriend Rebecca and her cousin Alexander to uncover clues hidden within the estate.

Granddaughter of the Hawthorne estate's managers and sister to the deceased Emily. She struggles with lingering grief and complicated ties to the Hawthorne family, often teaming up with her former romantic partner, Thea, to assist in the investigation.

Avery's mostly absent father who reappears in her life following her massive inheritance. He attempts to insert himself into her new wealthy lifestyle, driven by financial motives rather than parental affection.

Avery's sharp and dedicated lawyer. She focuses on maintaining Avery's public image, framing her sudden wealth as a positive story for the press. She ensures Avery follows the strict legal conditions of Tobias Hawthorne's will to secure the inheritance.

The highly capable head of Avery's security team at Hawthorne House. He is intensely focused on keeping Avery safe from physical threats and advising her against pursuing dangerous mysteries.

Also known as Mellie, she is a young employee at Hawthorne House. Nash Hawthorne helped her secure the job, taking her under his wing. She performs household tasks but harbors her own motives regarding the missing heir.

A capable member of Avery's security detail. He is brought in to protect Avery after threats are made against her, monitoring her movements closely. He shares a hidden agenda with his sister regarding the Hawthorne family.

The uncle of Colin Anders Wright, a teenager who died in the tragic Hawthorne Island fire twenty years ago. He harbors deep resentment toward the Hawthorne family. He remains intensely fixated on the events surrounding his nephew's death and demands answers from anyone connected to the incident.

The longtime groundskeeper and caretaker at Hawthorne House. He is fiercely protective of the estate and deeply affected by past tragedies involving the Hawthorne family. He attempts to block the teenagers from investigating old secrets.

The manager of Hawthorne House alongside her husband. She carries emotional scars from her family's entanglement with the Hawthornes and is highly wary of Avery's pursuit of old secrets, fearing further pain for her family.

Also known as Nan, she is Tobias Hawthorne's mother-in-law who still resides in Hawthorne House. She holds pieces of the family's history and occasionally provides critical details to Avery during her investigations.

The deceased wife of Tobias Hawthorne. Her past decisions regarding her children and the estate's secrets continue to impact the modern-day mystery. She played a key role in the family's early dynamics.

Avery's media coach, hired to help her manage the intense press scrutiny surrounding her inheritance. He meticulously crafts her public image as a modern Cinderella figure, avoiding any mention of scandal.

A local fisherman who was present during the night of the Hawthorne Island fire twenty years ago. He is a reluctant witness who holds key artifacts from the past and only agrees to speak with Avery under specific conditions.

A young woman connected to the local fishing community near Hawthorne Island twenty years ago. She is remembered for her ties to the tragic fire that claimed her sister's life. She maintained a secret correspondence filled with invisible ink letters and postcards.

A young woman who perished in the devastating fire on Hawthorne Island twenty years ago. Coming from a disadvantaged background, she was often scapegoated by the media for the tragedy rather than the wealthy boys who were present.

A wealthy teenager who died in the Hawthorne Island fire twenty years ago. His death motivated his uncle to establish a charity in his honor and seek answers about the incident for decades.

The deceased sister of Rebecca Laughlin. Her tragic death years ago on Avery's birthday created a deep rift between Grayson and Jameson Hawthorne, who both loved her. Her memory continues to haunt the mansion.

Maxine's mother and a medical professional. She provides discreet medical care to Avery when the family needs a trusted doctor who will not leak information to the press or risk Avery's inheritance conditions.