The Rules of Fortune Summary, Characters and Themes

The Rules of Fortune by Danielle Prescod is a family drama that focuses on the complexities of wealth, power, and the secrets that bind a family together. 

Set against the backdrop of a prominent dynasty, the story follows the Carter family as they confront the repercussions of their patriarch’s sudden death. Through the lens of his children and wife, the narrative explores themes of identity, betrayal, and the lengths individuals go to preserve a carefully constructed image. As the characters unravel layers of their past, they must grapple with uncomfortable truths, challenging the very foundation of their legacy.

Summary

The Rules of Fortune unfolds a new layer of the Carter family’s empire, which was built on secrets and morally ambiguous decisions. 

The story begins with the death of William Carter Jr., the self-made billionaire patriarch of the family, who unexpectedly dies during a hurricane.

His passing shatters the carefully crafted image of perfection that the family had long maintained. The aftermath of his death sets the stage for the explosive revelations that follow.

We are introduced to the key players in the Carter family. William’s death is a shock to his wife, Jacqueline, who struggles to maintain control and composure despite the crisis.

Her emotional turmoil is balanced by her acute awareness of the impact his death will have on their family’s public image. Kennedy, the youngest daughter, is working on a tribute video for her father and stumbles upon an old Polaroid photograph that hints at a mysterious figure in William’s past.

As she begins to investigate, she uncovers a connection to Ghana, one that will prove pivotal as the story unfolds. Meanwhile, Asher, the eldest son, grapples with his own insecurities. He is unprepared to take over the family business, burdened by the pressure to uphold his father’s legacy.

As each family member processes their grief, they are also forced to reckon with the secrets of the past that William had carefully buried. The first part of the book establishes the tension within the family, setting the stage for the unraveling that will follow.

The next chapters delves deeper into the family’s history, revealing the origins of William’s wealth and the moral compromises made along the way. Through flashbacks to William’s early years, we learn of his humble beginnings and the drive that propelled him to success.

His early life in Boston and subsequent time spent in Ghana highlight the questionable means by which he built his empire. Jacqueline’s own backstory is explored, showcasing her ambitions and the strategic nature of her marriage to William, which was grounded in mutual benefit rather than love.

Kennedy, meanwhile, continues to probe into her father’s past, uncovering troubling documents and connections to Ghanaian business dealings. The mystery of Kofi Asare, a man from William’s past, becomes central to the investigation.

As Kennedy digs deeper, she uncovers evidence that suggests her father’s success was built on exploitation and corruption, especially in Ghana. This section of the book highlights the internal conflicts each character faces as they grapple with the reality of their family’s legacy.

Soon, the narrative reaches its climax. The family’s carefully curated image begins to crumble as the truth about William’s dealings in Ghana comes to light. Ernest Morris, a former associate of William’s, resurfaces, holding crucial information that could expose the Carter family’s darkest secrets.

Kennedy’s persistence in uncovering the truth leads to the revelation of Tashia, a half-sister from William’s past, who had been silenced for years. Tashia’s emergence is a pivotal moment, as she challenges the family’s narrative and claims her rightful place in the inheritance.

Kennedy’s documentary, which she releases publicly, lays bare the corruption and exploitation at the heart of the Carter Corporation. Asher’s inheritance is threatened as legal advisors begin combing through Carter Corporation’s ownership structure.

Asher fears that his stake—and his identity—will collapse if paternity or fraud is proven. Jacqueline, now widowed and losing her grip on the family’s power, faces the ultimate decision of whether to protect the family’s name or embrace the uncomfortable truth.

The novel concludes with a sense of ambiguity as the Carter family is left to rebuild in the aftermath of the revelations. While there is a possibility of reconciliation, the illusion of perfection is shattered, and the family’s legacy is forever altered.

Kennedy emerges as the catalyst for change, and the story ends with the family’s transformation—no longer a symbol of unchecked privilege, but a group of individuals forced to confront their past and their future.

The story is an exploration of the price of ambition, the dangers of family secrets, and the complicated nature of legacy. As each character comes to terms with their personal revelations, the novel leaves readers questioning the true cost of wealth, power, and the rules that govern success.

Characters

William Carter Jr.

William Carter Jr., the patriarch of the Carter family, is a self-made billionaire whose wealth and status dominate much of the family’s narrative. His rise to power is driven by manipulation, strategic choices, and a deep-seated need for control.

William’s obsession with power is rooted in his modest upbringing, where he learned the value of money and control. Throughout the novel, he is depicted as a figure who compartmentalizes his life—maintaining a public persona of perfection while hiding the moral compromises and unethical decisions that have supported his success.

Despite his accomplishments, his internal monologue reveals a man burdened by guilt, paranoia, and a fear of exposure. His untimely death, caused by a stroke, marks the beginning of the unraveling of the family’s carefully constructed image, and it sets the stage for the other characters to uncover his secrets.

Jacqueline Bennett Carter

Jacqueline, William’s wife, is portrayed as a woman whose entire identity is rooted in the pursuit of perfection and the preservation of the family’s public image. Raised in Kentucky, she is groomed from a young age to appreciate beauty and discipline, qualities that she uses to her advantage when marrying William.

Their union, however, is less about love and more about mutual benefit—Jacqueline’s social ambition aligns perfectly with William’s thirst for power. She plays a crucial role in managing the family’s image, particularly after William’s death.

Despite her composure and efforts to maintain control, Jacqueline’s character is revealed to be conflicted. Her role in the family dynamic is shaped by a constant tension between her personal insecurities and her obligation to uphold the façade of the Carter dynasty.

As secrets about William’s past come to light, Jacqueline’s moral compass is tested, and she faces the question of whether to protect her family’s name or allow the truth to emerge.

Kennedy Carter

Kennedy, the youngest daughter, is a film student who initially seeks to understand her father better through a tribute video for his birthday. However, her curiosity about her father’s past leads her to uncover uncomfortable truths that challenge her perception of the family’s legacy.

Kennedy is perhaps the most morally conscious character in the novel. Throughout the story, she evolves from a naive, somewhat passive member of the family to the driving force that seeks to expose the truth about her father’s dealings.

Her investigation into the family’s wealth reveals deep ethical compromises, and she becomes the catalyst for much of the family’s disintegration. Kennedy is faced with the painful reality of confronting the dark aspects of her father’s life, and through this journey, she grows into a more self-aware and empowered individual.

Kennedy is willing to risk everything to uncover the truth, even if it means alienating herself from her family.

Asher Bennett Carter

Asher, the eldest son, is deeply invested in inheriting the family empire and maintaining the wealth and status that come with it. However, his internal struggles reveal a character marked by insecurity, resentment, and a sense of entitlement.

His volatility and impulsive nature often put him at odds with his siblings, especially Kennedy. Asher’s desire to take over Carter Corporation is rooted not just in ambition but also in a desperate need to prove his worth, both to himself and to the family.

His character is defined by a constant conflict between his desire for power and his recognition that he lacks the true qualities needed to run the empire. As the secrets about his father’s past unfold, Asher becomes increasingly fearful that his inheritance will be threatened, and this fear drives him to desperation.

Throughout the novel, Asher’s character arc shows a man grappling with the reality that his identity is inextricably linked to a family legacy built on lies.

Tashia Carter

Tashia, the half-sister Kennedy discovers late in the story, adds a new layer of complexity to the family dynamics. Tashia has lived in the shadow of the Carter family, knowing of her father’s identity but being deliberately excluded from his life and legacy.

Her revelation as William’s daughter forces the family to confront their moral failures and their tendency to exclude those who don’t fit into their carefully curated world. Tashia’s presence challenges the family’s sense of control, and her story is one of injustice and reclamation.

Her character embodies the consequences of William’s decisions and represents a new future for the family, one that might embrace the truth and reconciliation over maintaining the façade of perfection.

Ernest Morris

Ernest, a former associate of William’s, resurfaces in the final part of the novel as a character who holds critical information that could unravel the Carter family’s carefully constructed image. Ernest’s resentment towards William stems from past professional betrayals, and he becomes an instrumental figure in the exposure of the family’s secrets.

His character serves as a moral counterpoint to the Cartiers, offering a perspective grounded in truth and justice, but he also faces the ethical dilemma of whether to expose the truth at the cost of his own security. His role highlights the theme of moral compromise and the consequences of living in the shadow of a corrupt legacy.

Themes

The Illusion of Perfection and Its Destructive Impact on Identity

One of the core themes in The Rules of Fortune is the exploration of the illusion of perfection and its subsequent destructive impact on the identities of the characters, particularly within the context of family and legacy. The Carter family, as depicted in the novel, builds its wealth and power on a carefully curated image of success, social status, and unblemished perfection.

Patriarch William Carter Jr. and his wife Jacqueline represent the epitome of control—meticulously crafting their public persona, and perpetuating the myth of a flawless family life. However, this obsession with projecting a flawless image creates immense internal pressure.

It forces individuals like Asher and Jacqueline to grapple with their own insecurities and discontent, as their true selves are eclipsed by the expectations of upholding an idealized, but fragile, public face. The unraveling of these facades begins with the death of William and continues with Kennedy’s pursuit of truth, exposing the hollowness beneath the surface.

The theme ultimately emphasizes the consequences of living under the weight of false perfection and the immense toll it takes on both personal identity and familial relationships.

The Price of Ambition

Another prominent theme is the price of ambition, particularly the ethical compromises made in the pursuit of success. Through William Carter Jr.’s rise to power and the foundation of Carter Corporation, the novel explores how ambition can blind individuals to moral considerations.

William’s early years reveal a man willing to manipulate systems—securing loans, building his empire through morally questionable means, and engaging in exploitative practices in Ghana. His actions represent a broader commentary on the corrupting influence of unchecked ambition and the ease with which people can justify unethical decisions for personal or financial gain.

This theme extends to the next generation, as Kennedy uncovers the dark underpinnings of her father’s empire and the choices made to suppress the truth. The novel questions the morality of achieving success at the cost of integrity and highlights how these decisions reverberate through generations, shaping the future of not only the empire but also the individuals involved.

The Unforgiving Nature of Secrets and the Quest for Truth

The theme of secrets and the relentless quest for truth permeates the entire narrative, driving much of the conflict in the novel. At the heart of the story is Kennedy’s investigation into her father’s past, which uncovers layers of deception, hidden relationships, and unethical business dealings.

The Carter family’s secrets are carefully guarded, but over time, they begin to surface, exposing the dark foundations on which their wealth and status are built. These secrets are not just personal betrayals but also institutionalized lies that protect the family’s legacy.

Kennedy’s relentless pursuit of the truth forces her to confront uncomfortable realities about her family and her own role in upholding these illusions. This theme explores the emotional toll that secrets carry, as well as the inevitable collision between the past and the present when these truths are finally revealed.

The novel ultimately suggests that the pursuit of truth—though painful and disruptive—has the power to dismantle systems built on falsehoods, offering a path toward redemption and self-liberation.

Generational Trauma and the Inherited Burdens of Legacy

The theme of generational trauma plays a significant role in shaping the characters and their relationships with the family legacy. The Carter family’s actions have long-reaching effects, not only in terms of wealth and power but also on the emotional well-being of subsequent generations.

William Carter Jr.’s actions set in motion a cycle of secrecy, control, and moral compromise that his children—Kennedy, Asher, and Tashia—are forced to confront. Asher, in particular, is portrayed as struggling with imposter syndrome and a desire to inherit his father’s wealth and control, but he lacks a genuine connection to the empire and its foundation.

This generational disconnect speaks to the trauma of growing up under the shadow of an idealized image that is not rooted in truth. Kennedy, on the other hand, seeks to break free from this legacy, uncovering the hidden truths that bind her family to their past mistakes.

The trauma of living with a tarnished legacy is something that cannot be easily escaped, as each character wrestles with their own sense of identity in relation to the burdens passed down from their predecessors. This theme highlights the emotional toll of inheriting both the privileges and the moral debts of one’s family, as well as the struggle to either continue or redefine one’s legacy.

The Intersection of Power, Money, and Moral Responsibility

Finally, the intersection of power, money, and moral responsibility is a theme that runs deeply through the entire novel, particularly in the examination of the Carter family’s business dealings. The novel’s focus on the Carter Corporation and its origins in Ghana exposes the role that money and power play in shaping both individual lives and broader social structures.

William Carter Jr.’s success is inseparable from the exploitative practices that allowed him to accumulate wealth. The novel critiques the morally ambiguous world of business, where power dynamics often favor those in control, and the consequences of unethical decisions are frequently ignored or hidden.

As Kennedy uncovers these truths, the novel suggests that true responsibility—whether familial, societal, or personal—can only be achieved when power is held accountable for its actions. 

This theme forces the characters to reckon with their roles in perpetuating systems of power and privilege, questioning whether true success can ever be claimed without considering the moral ramifications of the means by which it is achieved.