Fans of the hit YA romance series Maxton Hall are eagerly seeking answers after the dramatic cliffhanger conclusion of its second season on Amazon Prime Video. The show, which has captivated audiences alongside series like The Summer I Turned Pretty, left its central couple, Ruby Bell and James Beaufort, in a state of complete turmoil. For those desperate to know what happens next, the source material—the book trilogy by German author Mona Kasten—holds the key, with the final novel, Save Us, setting the stage for season three.
The Shocking Season Two Cliffhanger
The second season of Maxton Hall was a rollercoaster for its characters, culminating in a bombshell finale that left viewers reeling. The series concluded with Ruby Bell (Harriet Herbig-Matten) being suspended from the prestigious Maxton Hall. This drastic action came after she was falsely accused of having an affair with teacher Mr. Graham Sutton, following a leaked photo. In reality, it was Lydia Beaufort (Sonja Weißer) who was engaged in the forbidden romance with the teacher.
This mistaken identity scandal had devastating consequences for Ruby's future. All of her hopes for studying at Oxford University were shattered, as it seemed highly improbable the institution would accept a student embroiled in such a controversy. She never even got the chance to sit her crucial scholarship exams. As Mr. Sutton was led away by the police and a heartbroken Ruby was consoled by James, their futures were left hanging in the balance.
Mortimer Beaufort's Devious Schemes
Compounding the couple's problems were the continued manipulations of James's father, Mortimer Beaufort (Fedja van Huêt). Furious that James missed a key board meeting for a lacrosse match, Mortimer blamed Ruby for a major investor pulling out of the family firm. In retaliation, he used his influence to have Ruby's scholarship offer revoked.
Furthermore, Mortimer appeared to be involved in forging the will of Cordelia Beaufort, ensuring her husband inherited everything and leaving twins James and Lydia with nothing. His actions were a calculated effort to control his children and remove Ruby from their lives.
What Happens in Maxton Hall Book 3: Save Us
The third novel, Save Us, picks up immediately after these events. Ruby returns home following her suspension and initially fears that James may have been the one to leak the incriminating photo. However, her faith in him prevails, and she heads to the Beaufort estate seeking answers.
Meanwhile, Lydia is consumed with guilt over Mr. Sutton losing his job and Ruby taking the blame. The situation escalates when Mortimer confronts Lydia, revealing he knows the truth about her relationship. In a defiant move, Lydia announces she is pregnant with Mr. Sutton's twins, sending Mortimer into a rage over the damage to the family's reputation. He orders her to leave the house, leading to a physical altercation with James in which Lydia is accidentally knocked unconscious.
The mystery of the leaked photo is soon solved. It is revealed that Cyril Vega (Ben Felipe) stole James's phone, which contained the original, innocent photo of Ruby and Mr. Sutton. He handed it to Mortimer, who then doctored the images and sent them to the school in a bid to rid his children of both Ruby and the teacher.
Ultimately, James and Cyril work together to clear Ruby's name by presenting the original, unaltered photos to the school. This paves the way for Ruby's Oxford University dreams to finally come true. James buys an apartment near the university for them to share, and he pursues his own passions, starting a travel blog and building a career in journalism and photography.
The book also resolves the inheritance plot, confirming that Mortimer did indeed fake the will. James and Lydia each inherit half of the family company, with their father receiving nothing. Lydia gives birth to her twins, and it is decided that their Aunt Ophelia will manage their share of the business until they come of age.
While the TV adaptation may introduce its own changes, the blueprint for Maxton Hall season 3 promises a dramatic and satisfying conclusion for Ruby, James, and the entire Beaufort family. Maxton Hall season 2 is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video now.
