The Graham Heir—I Am Not An Adopted Nobody

Chapter 56: The Standard of Entry

The city lights blurred into long streaks of gold as the Pagani Zonda Barchetta cruised through the streets like royalty.

Avery was driving with total confidence now, her hands relaxed on the wheel. Next to her, Anna leaned back into the leather seat, letting the wind mess up her hair while the soft hum of the engine filled the air.

Up ahead, the auction house finally came into view. It didn't look like a normal building, it looked like a palace— Huge marble pillars, glowing lights everywhere, and a line of cars out front that looked like a museum collection. Above the massive front doors, a small gold emblem made one thing clear, if you weren't on the list, you weren't getting in— ’The special guests grand Auction’.

But tonight, the rules were about to change.

As the blue Pagani rolled into the private lane, the security guards stood up straighter. One of them tapped his earpiece, his eyes wide. The gates swung open before the car even came to a full stop. No questions asked. No checking clipboards. Just pure respect.

The Barchetta glided into the main courtyard, and suddenly, everything went quiet.

One by one, the billionaires standing around with their wine glasses stopped talking. A man standing next to a pearl white Rolls Royce slowly lowered his glass, his mouth slightly open.

“Is that… a Zonda Barchetta?” he whispered.

Another wealthy guy squinted under the bright lights. “That’s a two hundred million dollar car,” he muttered to his wife. “If something like that is here tonight, the bidding is going to be a bloodbath. I might need to raise my limit.”

The Pagani stopped perfectly in front of the steps. Avery stepped out first, her yellow and black gown catching the light beautifully. Then Anna emerged, her sapphire silk dress flowing behind her like water. For a second, the crowd actually forgot about the car. They just stared at the two girls.

“Who are they?” someone whispered.

“They look like royalty, but they’re so young.”

Phones were pulled out discreetly to snap photos. The valet approached the car like he was touching a holy relic. Avery handed him the keys with a small smile.

“Be careful with her,” she said softly. The valet just nodded, looking like he’d been handed a crown jewel.

As the girls started walking toward the entrance, a deep, violent roar echoed off the marble walls. It wasn't a hum, it was a scream.

Anna stopped and tilted her head. “I know that sound.”

The growl got louder, bouncing off the buildings. Then, a flash of crimson red blurred into the courtyard. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale tore in at a terrifying speed, swerving just enough to look like it might lose control before snapping into a perfect halt right at the steps. It was a total power move.

The crowd gasped. “Who drives like that at a private event?”

The door lifted, and Robert stepped out. He adjusted his cuffs casually, looking like he’d just parked a regular sedan at a grocery store. He wasn't rushing, and he wasn't looking for attention, which somehow made everyone look at him even more. He handed his key to a stunned valet and finally looked up.

His eyes met Avery’s immediately. She was staring at him, half impressed and half annoyed. “Show off,” she said silently.

Robert gave her a tiny smirk. But as they moved toward the doors together, the event staff started whispering urgently. 

Robert slowed his pace.

“Go inside,” he told Anna and Avery. “Find us some good seats.”

Anna narrowed her eyes, knowing that look. “What are you up to now?”

He smiled faintly. “Just raising the standard a little bit.”

They didn't argue. They walked inside, leaving Robert standing there. He turned to one of the senior staff members. “I’d like to speak to whoever is in charge of the floor tonight.”

The staff member hesitated. “And you are…?”

“Someone who’s about to make your event legendary,” Robert said evenly.

A few minutes later, in a quiet side room, Robert stood in front of the executive board for the auction. “I want to make an adjustment to the entry rules,” he said.

The head organizer frowned. “Excuse me? The rules were set months ago.”

“From this point forward,” Robert continued, ignoring the protest, “entry for bidders requires two things. First, you must arrive in a vehicle worth at least one hundred million dollars. Second, you must have a verified family net worth of over one hundred billion.”

The room went dead silent. One board member actually laughed. “Who do you think you are to tell us how to run our auction?”

Robert didn't blink. He just looked at them with total calm. “I’m not here to waste your time. If you trust me, this event becomes legendary tonight. If you don't, it’s just another party.”

Before anyone could shout at him, a door opened and the manager of the entire organization stepped out. He looked at Robert, and his eyes went wide with recognition. He didn't even hesitate.

“Implement the new rules,” the manager ordered his staff. “They should be effective immediately.”

The security teams outside adjusted their earpieces. The gates were locked down. Everything had just changed. And a new security team guarded the entry doors.

Outside the Gates

A few minutes later, a convoy of luxury cars approached. It was the Emmetts. They rolled up looking confident— Edward was in the lead in a matte black Lamborghini, with Chloe beside him. Behind them were more Lamborghinis and Ferraris carrying their friends.

They pulled up to the gate, but for the first time in their lives, the guards didn't move.

“Apologies, sir,” a guard said firmly through a speaker, stepping in front of Edward’s car. “New entry requirements have just been put in place.”

Edward’s face went dark. “What are you talking about? Open the gate.”

“Vehicle value must be over one hundred million, sir. And we need to verify a net worth of at least one hundred billion.”

The people in the cars behind him— Malcolm, Silver, Tracy, and Julie— all froze. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Malcolm muttered from his Ferrari.

Edward’s jaw tightened. He looked past the gate into the courtyard and saw it— the blue Pagani, Robert’s Ferrari, and Robert himself walking calmly into the hall. He realized exactly what was happening. He didn't argue. He just pulled out his phone and made a call.

“Get me something worth over a hundred million,” he said into the phone, his voice like ice. “Now.”

Chloe squeezed his hand. “Show them who really owns this city.”

Less than five minutes later, a violent engine sound approached from the road. A McLaren Sabre Apex Edition— one of only five in the world— rolled up. With a price tag of one hundred and ten million dollars. Edward didn't even look back at his Lamborghini as he swapped cars. The guards scanned his ID. Approved. The gates opened.

But Malcolm and the others? They were left sitting in the street, staring in disbelief as their "elite" cars were suddenly not good enough to even get through the gate.

Then Jane arrived. She was in her Ferrari FXX K Evo, worth fifty million. She expected a red carpet, but the guard shook his head. “Criteria not met, Miss.”

Jane’s face turned bright red. She immediately called her father. “I need a royal level car right now. I don't care what it costs.”

Her father, realizing the reputation of the family was on the line, approved it instantly. Ten minutes later, a Bugatti Mistral Grand Royale rolled in. Deep obsidian black with gold accents. With a price tag of one hundred and five million dollars.

Jane stepped into the Bugatti, her head held high, and the gates finally opened for her.

The crowd of regular millionaires outside was losing their minds. “The Emmetts just spent over two hundred million in less than twenty minutes just to get through the gates…”

The battle hadn't even started yet, but the price of entry had already broken records.