The Graham Heir—I Am Not An Adopted Nobody

Chapter 39: The Last Night of Joy

The music shifted into a roar.

Champagne corks popped like gunfire, and the sound of laughter filled every corner of the hall. The guests crowded around the stage, cheering for the Emmetts as if they were kings.

"The fourth richest family in the country!" someone shouted.

"They signed the deal! History is happening right now!"

Morris stood tall, his chest puffed out and a huge grin on his face. Edward was everywhere at once, shaking hands and soaking himself in the praise. Jane and other kids stood close by, smiling for the cameras as flashes lit up the room. To anyone watching, it looked like total victory.

But at the far end of the room, the air was different. Robert sat perfectly still. Anna stood beside him, her face was quiet and distant. Professor Darby stood behind them like a silent shadow, and Avery watched Robert with worried eyes.

Suddenly, Andrew and Barry began walking toward them.

They moved through the crowd with a heavy, serious energy. People stepped out of their way without even knowing why. Even in the middle of a party, these two men felt powerful. When they reached Robert, they stopped.

Barry lowered his voice so only Robert could hear. "Sir."

Andrew stepped up next. "We’ve done what we came here to do."

Robert looked at them, but he didn't say a word.

"We’d like to leave now." Andrew continued, his voice firm. "We don't want to stay and celebrate with Morris and his family. Our work here is finished sir"

Robert studied their faces for a moment. Behind them, the Emmetts were screaming with joy on the stage. Finally, Robert gave a small, slow nod.

"You may leave."

It was a simple sentence with no drama and no loud command. But what happened next made the whole spectators feel cold.

Andrew and Barry didn't just nod back. They both bent their bodies into a deep, low bow. This wasn't a polite greeting. This was the kind of bow you give to a king. They held it for a few seconds, showing total respect.

Avery felt her breath catch in her throat. She had seen these men meet with world leaders, and they had never bowed like that. Yet here they were, bowing to Robert.

The men straightened up. "Thank you." Andrew said quietly.

They turned and walked toward the exit. A security guard followed them out. Not the masked ones, the ones Barry had come with, it was like quiet power leaving the building.

The guests started to whisper.

"Wait, are they leaving already?"

"They didn't even say goodbye to Morris!"

"And... did they just bow to that boy?"

The rumors spread like wildfire. Avery stood frozen, her mind spinning. Earlier, those men had treated her with respect, but now they were leaving without even looking at her. It was like she didn't matter anymore.

Why did they bow to Robert? she wondered. What is happening?

On stage, Edward saw them leaving and his smile turned into a scowl. Morris noticed too, but he just laughed it off. "Let them go." Morris told the people around him. "Big bosses don't stay for the party. They did their job."

The guests made up their own stories to feel better.

"They only bowed because of the contract." one woman whispered.

"Maybe Robert begged them for a favor." another man chuckled.

People always chose the easy lie over the scary truth. The Emmetts didn't care either, they were too drunk on their own success. Edward grabbed a bottle of champagne and shook it, spraying foam all over the crowd. People screamed and danced as the spray hit them.

Morris stepped to the microphone. The room went quiet. His face was red with pride.

"My friends." he shouted, his voice booming. "Tonight is a night we will never forget! With this contract, the Emmett family is now the fourth most powerful family in this nation!"

The applause was deafening.

"Number four!" they screamed.

Morris held up a hand for silence. His eyes turned cold as he scanned the room. "But when you rise to the top, there are always people who try to pull you down. I wonder... should we let certain 'nobodies' walk around here like they belong?"

The mood in the room turned nasty. Edward didn't waste a second. He grabbed a microphone and pointed straight at the VVIP section.

"Robert!" Edward yelled.

Robert didn't move an inch.

"Get down here!" Edward’s voice was full of hate. "Get out of that seat. Take your pathetic sister and get out of this hall right now!"

The crowd gasped. Anna’s body went stiff with shame.

Edward laughed, a mean, loud sound. "A five hundred billion dollar deal is something you can't even dream of. You shouldn't even be allowed to hear numbers that big!"

Morris took the mic back, looking at the professor. "And Professor Darby, our friendship is over. I'm done with you. I'll deal with you tomorrow, tonight's for my celebration."

Avery couldn't take it anymore. She stepped forward, her voice clear and brave. "If Robert leaves, then I’m leaving too!"

The hall became silent. Even the champagne fizz seemed too loud. Edward looked at her like she was crazy. "Then leave! Who do you think you are anyway?"

Jane joined in, her voice rising. "You'll never see money like this in your life! Take your loser father and get out!"

The words were like poison. Avery gritted her teeth, but she didn't fight back. She turned and walked toward Robert. Anna was already at his side. Professor Darby followed them quietly.

As they started to walk toward the exit, something strange happened. The men in the black masks — the silent guards who had stayed near Robert all night — began to move. One by one, they fell into line behind him.

The guests started mocking them.

"Oh look, they still have their little guards."

"How cute. The Emmetts can hire a thousand guards better than those ones."

"Those masks look so cheap!"

The Emmetts laughed as they watched them walk away. They felt like they were on top of the world.

The massive front doors slowly swung open, letting in the cool night air. Robert stepped out first, followed by Anna, the Professor, and Avery. The masked men formed a wall silently behind them.

Robert stopped just outside the door. He didn't keep walking. He slowly turned around to face the room one last time. The light from the party spilled out into the dark night, hitting his face.

Inside, Morris saw him stop. Edward shouted, "What’s the matter? Did you forget your dignity inside?"

Robert’s face was serious. His voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the music and the laughter perfectly.

"Morris."

The room went quiet a little bit. Morris smirked. "What? Are you going to beg now?"

Robert’s eyes were cold and steady. "Tonight." he said slowly, "is the last night you and your family will ever be happy."

A gasp sounded through the crowd.

Morris burst out laughing. "Listen to him! The poor kid is making threats!"

Robert didn't blink. "You think you won tonight. But the truth is, you’ve already lost everything. You’ll understand very soon."

Morris waved him away like he was a fly. "Get out of here. This is what losing looks like. Close the doors!"

The heavy doors began to creak shut. Robert kept his eyes locked on Morris until the very last gap disappeared.

Thud.

The doors closed. The music inside started up again, even louder than before. The Emmetts raised their glasses high. They danced. They bragged. They truly believed they were the kings of the city.

They had no idea that the trap had already snapped shut and this really was the last time they would ever feel joy.