The Graham Heir—I Am Not An Adopted Nobody

Chapter 66 : Small Change

The marble floor felt like ice when they finally stood up. Edward was the first one to get to his feet, and Jane followed a second later, but neither of them could bring themselves to look at anyone in the room. They just couldn't do it.

One sentence kept looping in their heads like a bad dream: “I’ve only just begun.” It wasn't shouted, and it wasn't even loud, which is exactly why it was so terrifying. 

Edward tried to adjust his jacket, but his fingers were shaking too much to get a good grip. Jane kept glancing around the room, checking the doors and the security guards, wondering if Robert had already set a trap for them outside.

If he could just throw around billions of dollars like it was nothing, then money wasn't a problem for him anymore— it was a weapon. Edward leaned in close to Jane and whispered so low his lips barely moved. “If he has this much cash tonight, imagine what he’s going to do tomorrow.”

Jane felt her throat tighten. He was right. Robert outbidding them wasn't just about embarrassing them, it was proof. It showed that his bank account was way deeper than they ever guessed. And if he really wanted revenge, he now had the money to buy the people and the power to make it happen.

Edward pulled out his phone immediately. “I’m calling Dad,” he muttered.

The phone didn't even ring twice before their father picked up. He always answered. “Edward,” he said, his voice as calm and steady as always.

“Dad… we have a major problem,” Edward said, lowering his voice so no one could overhear.

“What happened?”

“We’re at the private auction. There was a bidding war.”

“With who?”

Edward hesitated for a second. “...Robert.”

There was a long silence on the other end. “That scholarship orphan kid?”

“Yes.”

Another pause followed. “How did it end?”

Edward took a deep breath. “He beat us, Dad. Every single round.”

Their father sounded like he didn't even believe it. “That’s not possible.”

“I don’t know how he did it,” Edward admitted, “but he did. He outbid us on everything.”

“And what did he ask for as the winner?”

Jane’s eyes flickered with shame as Edward swallowed hard. “He made us… he made us bow to him.”

The silence on the phone was even heavier this time. “And did you?” his father asked quietly.

Edward clenched his jaw. “Yes. We had to. If we didn't, we’d be banned from every elite auction for three years. We couldn't let the family name get dragged through the mud like that.”

He heard his father exhale slowly. “And what else?”

Edward hesitated, then finally said it. “He said he was coming for revenge.”

For the first time ever, their father didn't have an answer right away. Jane leaned closer to the phone, her voice shaking. “Dad, what if he’s already planned something? What if he has people waiting for us outside?”

“Enough,” his father snapped, cutting her off. “You’re letting your feelings get the better of you. Do not panic over someone who just found a bit of extra cash.”

Edward frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Money at that level doesn't just appear overnight,” his father explained, his voice turning cold. “If he has that kind of money, it means someone is backing him. Someone is pulling the strings.”

Jane and Edward looked at each other. They hadn't even thought of that. Who would be backing Robert?

“Listen to me,” their father continued. “Stay calm. I’m sending a private security team to the building right now. They’ll get you out of there. Verify all the items you won and leave immediately with the guards.”

“Yes, Dad,” Jane said.

“And Edward?”

“Yeah?”

“The money he showed off tonight? It’s a small change.”

Edward blinked. “Small change?”

“When I meet with Andrew Schmidt at Bullion Corporation next week,” his father said coolly, “we’re going to handle some things. And once that meeting is over, this Robert kid and his 'small change' won't matter anymore. Don't be afraid of the noise he's making. We’re the ones who run the markets.”

The call ended. Edward lowered the phone slowly, and Jane stared at him. “Well? What did he say?”

“He’s sending security. Now. And he said Robert’s money is just small change.”

Jane took a shaky breath, trying to believe it. But deep down, neither of them really did. Because if it was just a small change, why did it feel like they were drowning the whole night?

Just then, the host stepped back onto the stage, his voice booming through the hall. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight’s auction is officially over!”

The room filled with applause and the sound of glasses clinking as people started talking again. The host explained that all the items would be moved securely and that teams were ready to handle the paperwork in the west wing.

In this world, you don't just walk out with your prizes in a bag. Everything was moved by armored trucks or locked away in private vaults which were delivered securely. Discretion was everything.

Robert stayed in his seat, looking totally unbothered. Anna leaned toward him and whispered, “They’re terrified.”

Robert didn't even look at the Emmetts. “I know.”

Across the room, Edward’s phone buzzed. It was a text from the security team: Arrived. We’ve got the perimeter covered.

Jane stood up immediately. “They’re here.”

Edward nodded. A few staff members walked up to them with folders and tablets. “Mr. Emmett, your items are being loaded for transport. Please sign here to confirm where they’re going.”

Edward signed everything without even thinking about it. Jane looked over one last time to see if Robert was watching them, but he wasn't. It made her feel even more uneasy than if he had been staring.

A group of security guards in black suits walked in quietly. They were professionals— quick and efficient. Edward straightened his suit and looked at his sister.

“Let’s go.”

They walked toward the exit, surrounded by their guards, trying to look like they still had some dignity left.