The Graham Heir—I Am Not An Adopted Nobody

Chapter 62: Liquidation

When the final gavel hit the wood, the room didn't just break out in cheering. It started with a slow, heavy sound that moved through the hall like a wave. It wasn't a happy celebration, it was the kind of noise people make when they’ve just watched something historical and a bit terrifying happen. It was the sound of billionaires realizing a new boss had just entered the room.

The host stepped back to the center of the stage, fiddling with his cufflinks. His hands weren't as steady as they had been an hour ago. He cleared his throat, his voice sounding a little strained.

“Ladies and gentlemen… Round Three has officially come to an end.” He paused, looking out at all the expensive tuxedos and diamonds. “I think we can all agree… this has been a night for the history books.”

A few people let out a dry, nervous laugh. The air in the room felt tight, like everyone was waiting for something bad to happen. Then, the host’s voice changed. It got more professional, more serious.

“As is our tradition here… we will now move to the final settlement.”

That word—settlement—hit the room differently tonight. Usually, it was just a formality. Tonight, it felt like a reckoning.

The side doors of the hall swung open with a heavy thud. Six men in perfectly tailored black suits walked in, each one carrying a slim payment terminal in a reinforced silver briefcase. The room felt like it got colder as they started walking toward the tables.

The first man stopped at the table of the billionaire who won the green jade Relic. “Four point one billion dollars, sir,” the attendant said quietly. The man just nodded, slid a platinum card into the machine, and waited, in a couple of seconds, it was approved. A small round of applause followed as he tucked his card away.

Then, they moved to the next table, and the payment was approved as well. Everything was moving smoothly, efficiently, and very professionally. There was no drama, no shouting—just the quiet sound of billions of dollars changing hands.

Until they stopped in front of Robert.

The lead attendant looked down at his digital tablet, then looked up at Robert. He hesitated for a split second, taking a breath before he spoke. “Sir… your total for Round Three.”

The room went so quiet you could hear the hum of the air conditioner.

“Thirteen point seven billion dollars ($13.7 Billion)”

The air in the room seemed to vanish. This wasn't the kind of number that makes people only gasp. When a number is that big, it just freezes people in their tracks. Thirteen point seven billion in a single round of bidding.

Across the aisle, Edward felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his chest. He wasn't just looking at a high bid anymore, he was looking at total financial destruction.

Anna’s fingers curled tightly around her silk clutch, her nails digged into the fabric. Even Avery, who usually stayed perfectly calm, narrowed her eyes and looked at Robert with concern. She just stared at the little machine in the attendant's hand.

“Whenever you’re ready, sir,” the attendant said, his voice barely a whisper.

Robert didn't rush, he didn't look nervous, and he didn't even adjust his tie. He just reached into his jacket and pulled out that same matte-black card. No shiny gold edges, no bank name, no fancy logos. Just a plain black card that felt like it held the weight of the world.

He placed it on top of the machine. The screen lit up instantly— Processing.

The guests seemed to stop breathing as every head was turned to him. One second passed. Two. Three. Four.

Edward could feel a cold drop of sweat rolling down the back of his neck.

Five seconds. Six seconds.

Someone in the back of the room whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, “There’s no way. It has to decline.”

Seven seconds.

The machine let out a soft, polite beep, it was approved.

That tiny sound felt like a bomb going off in the middle of the hall. People actually stood up out of their chairs, their faces full of shock.

“Thirteen billion?” someone muttered.

“In one go? Without a phone call to the bank?”

Phones were being whipped out everywhere as messages started flying across private networks all over the world. Edward’s mind was spinning. He knew how the world worked—to clear thirteen billion dollars instantly, you didn't just need to be rich. You needed to have the kind of power that usually only governments or massive global banks had.

Anna turned slowly toward her brother. “Robert…” Her voice wasn't teasing or funny. She sounded genuinely unsettled.

Avery leaned in close to him, her eyes wide with worry. “That wasn't your life savings, was it?”

Robert didn't look at either of them. He just watched the attendant walk away.

He smiled at them. “It’s never just about the money, there's a lot more.”

Across the aisle, Edward was unraveling. He started doing the math in his head. If Robert could drop nearly fourteen billion like it was nothing, where was his limit? Was it fifty billion? A hundred? Edward realized that his family’s wealth was all tied up in buildings, contracts, and debt. If he had actually won one of those bids against Robert, he wouldn't have been able to pay without making multiple calls and it would be embarrassing. He would have been ruined right there in front of Robert.

He finally understood the trap. Robert wasn't trying to win the items, he was trying to push Edward to commit financial suicide.

Jane leaned in toward her brother, her voice shaking. “Edward… who is he? Who are we actually dealing with?”

Edward didn't answer, because for the first time in his life, he had no idea.

The host cleared his throat, trying desperately to get the room back under control. “Well… that concludes our legendary auctions for the evening.” He gave a shaky little clap, and a few people joined in, but the mood had completely changed. This wasn't a party anymore, it was a war zone.

Suddenly, Edward stood up. All eyes in the room snapped to him.

“Before we finish tonight,” Edward said, his voice sounding terrifyingly calm.

The host looked nervous. “Yes, Mr. Edward?”

Edward turned slightly, looking across the aisle. “My sister would like to issue a private challenge.”

Jane stood up next to him. She looked like a statue—cold, graceful, and totally in control. The room leaned forward again, sensing the drama.

“And who,” the host asked carefully, “is the challenge for?”

Edward didn't look at Robert this time. He looked straight at Anna. “My sister challenges Anna.”

The silence that followed was absolute. Avery’s breath caught in her throat. Anna rose from her seat slowly, her face showing no emotion. 

This wasn't about old statues or diamonds anymore. This was about family against family.

The host smiled glancing at both of them. “If both sides agree… we can set up a final, closed challenge.”

Jane’s voice was cold and confident. “I accept.”

Anna didn't look at Edward. She looked at Robert for just a second, seeking some kind of signal. Robert stayed in his chair, watching everyone like he was playing a game of chess that only he understood.

Then Anna looked back at Jane and spoke. “What are the terms?”