The Graham Heir—I Am Not An Adopted Nobody

Chapter 38: The Hidden Signature

The room slowly got quiet again. People sat back down, pulling their chairs in and fixing their clothes. The loud music was gone, replaced by a nervous energy that made the air feel heavy.

Everyone was waiting for the main event.

On the stage stood a long glass table. A shiny black case sat right in the middle. Barry stood at the side of it, looking calm and serious.

Edward stood with his father, Morris. Morris looked a bit tired, but his eyes were bright with greed. To him, this contract was everything. It was the key to all the power he ever wanted.

Barry stepped up to the microphone. He tapped it twice, and the sound echoed through the silent hall.

"Everyone." he said clearly. "I apologize for the drama earlier. Now let’s get back to why we are here."

A whisper went through the crowd. But before Barry could continue, Morris spoke up. His voice was loud and firm.

"Wait." Morris said.

Barry looked at him.

"Surely we’re not moving forward without the Graham heir present." Morris said, looking around to make sure the guests were listening. "Where is he? Why isn't he out here?"

The room started buzzing. People leaned forward. Morris was right, everyone came here to see the most powerful man in the city.

Barry smiled just a little. "We are going to move forward now."

Morris frowned. "With all respect, we were told the heir would be here. It’s a big deal. So, where is he?"

Now the guests started calling out too.

"Yeah, where is he?"

"Is he coming out?"

"We want to see him!"

The pressure in the room started to grow. It wasn't just a question anymore, the crowd was demanding an answer.

Barry waited for them to quiet down. Then he raised his hand. The room went silent instantly.

"The Graham heir." Barry said slowly. "is already here."

Nobody moved. Nobody even breathed.

"He got here a while ago." Barry continued. "He chose to stay quiet and wanted to watch the signing."

Total confusion hit the room. People looked at each other, shocked.

"He’s here? Right now?"

"Where is he sitting?"

Barry kept his voice steady. "He could be at a normal table. He could be in the VIP area and he could be right next to you."

He paused for a second.

"But he is in this room."

A wave of shock hit the crowd. People turned around in their seats, staring at the person next to them. They looked at the waiters, the guards, and the guests. Everyone was trying to guess.

"But why hide?" someone asked.

Barry gave a simple answer. "He likes to watch and he doesn't want any attention tonight."

That hit everyone hard. They had spent all night trying to look important, hoping to meet him. And the whole time, he was there watching them.

Over at the main table, Andrew passed a small piece of paper to a guard and told him to give it to Robert. Robert opened it. It was a note concerning the signing.

‘You said you weren't going to sign this tonight. Barry had told me you called it off at the hotel. Why did you change your mind? And how are we going proceed with it’

Robert didn't say anything. He took a pen and wrote a quick reply. Then handed it to the guard to return the message.

Andrew received it.

‘Check your email.’

Andrew pulled out his phone under the table. He scrolled quickly, and his eyes went wide. It was a new contract. The rules were different. Everything had changed.

Andrew looked at Robert. Robert just leaned in and whispered two words.

"Trust me."

Andrew looked at him for a long moment, then he nodded. He stood up and looked toward the stage.

"Mr. Morris." Andrew called out. "Come up here."

Morris took a deep breath and walked to the stage, with Edward right behind him. A glowing tablet was sitting on the glass table.

The contract was on the screen. At the bottom, there was already one signature. It was sharp and bold.

The Graham Heir.

The crowd gasped.

"He already signed it..."

"It’s done."

Barry handed the pen to Morris. Morris didn't even read the words. He was too excited. His hand shook as he signed his name in big letters. He felt like he had finally won.

Andrew came up and signed as a witness. Then Avery went up and signed too.

Barry closed the case with a quiet click.

"It’s finished." he announced.

The guests stood up. People started clapping and cheering. The music came back on, and the was tension finally gone. Edward was grinning from ear to ear. Morris hugged his kids tight.

"We did it." Morris whispered. "We finally have the power."

Andrew shook Morris’s hand. "Congrats. We’ll be expecting you at the Bullion Corporation Headquarters in two days."

The Emmetts were beaming. They thought they were the new kings of the city.

But at the table, Anna wasn't clapping. She was staring at Robert, and she looked heartbroken.

She stood up slowly and walked to him. "You promised." she whispered.

Robert looked at her, but his face showed no emotion.

"You said they wouldn't get the deal." she said, her voice shaking. "You gave it to them. After everything they did to us... you gave them everything."

She looked at the stage, watching Edward laugh.

"They’re going to use this to hurt people." she said softly. "I really trusted you."

Robert didn't explain. He didn't tell her about the email or his real plan. He just sat there, watching her.

Anna felt something break inside. She didn't shout. She just looked at him with sad eyes and stepped back. For the first time, she didn't believe in him anymore.

On the stage, the Emmetts were celebrating. They thought they had won the game.

But Robert sat there, perfectly still. He wasn't smiling. He knew the truth.

The party was loud, the people were happy, and the Emmetts felt powerful. But they didn't realize they had just walked into a trap.