The Graham Heir—I Am Not An Adopted Nobody

Chapter 77: The Girl Who Gave Away Power

The heavy silence in the boutique didn't even last for ten seconds before the entire room was turned into total chaos.

 It was like a switch had been flipped, and suddenly, everyone who had been looking down on Anna was tripping over themselves to get in her good graces.

“Miss Graham, please forgive us!” the manager shouted as he rushed forward, bowing so low and so many times that he looked like a bobblehead. 

“If we had only known who you really were, none of this ever would have happened! I am so sincerely sorry for my total incompetence!”

Behind Bella and Carla, their group of influencer friends scrambled forward too, their faces full of fake smiles and desperation. “We’re so sorry, Miss Graham!” one cried out. “We really didn’t know who you were!” added another, while a third pleaded.

“Please, just forgive how we were acting earlier!”

Even Bella, who had been the meanest of them all, stepped forward with her head down, her pride completely gone. 

“I truly apologize,” she said, her voice small. “If I had known you were a Graham, I would never have acted that way.” Carla followed suit, lowering her head one more time. “We completely misjudged you,” she admitted.

Avery just stood there in the middle of it all, absolutely stunned. The entire atmosphere of the store had flipped upside down in a heartbeat.

Just a few minutes ago, Anna was being dismissed like she was nothing, and now the most powerful people in the building were practically bowing at her feet. Avery leaned closer and whispered urgently, “Anna… are you actually a Graham? Why on earth didn’t you tell me?”

Anna blinked, looking a bit overwhelmed by the attention, and then she let out a soft sigh. “You’re all mistaken,” she said calmly, her voice cutting through the noise. “I’m not a Graham.”

The room went quiet again as all of them froze in place again. Bella’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What?” she asked. “It’s my brother,” Anna explained simply. “Robert. He’s the Graham.”

The girls looked back and forth at each other, looking totally lost. “Robert who?” one of them whispered. But Avery’s eyes went wide as the pieces started clicking together in her head. “Wait… what do you even mean Robert is a Graham?” she asked, her voice shaking.

Anna gave a small, awkward little smile. “Yes. Robert is a Graham.” Avery just stared at her like she was seeing a ghost. “...What?” she breathed. “That explains all the spending,” Avery muttered to herself, her mind racing. 

“The sudden power shifts… the way every single person reacts when he’s around…” Her breathing started to get uneven as the reality hit her. “If he’s really a Graham… why didn’t he ever say anything?”

Anna bit her lip, looking a bit guilty. “Oops.”

The manager, who was still trembling like a leaf, quickly brought the payment terminal over to Anna. “Anna— I mean— Miss Anna… please, go ahead,” he stuttered. Anna didn't hesitate, she calmly swiped her card, and the transaction was approved instantly. She accepted the velvet box containing the hundred million dollar necklace, but instead of walking out like a winner, she did something that made everyone’s jaw drop.

She turned toward the mirrors and looked at Bella. “Bella,” Anna said gently. “Come here for a second.” Bella hesitated, looking unsure, but then she rushed over. Anna opened the box, and the necklace shimmered under the store lights like liquid covered in diamonds. She stepped behind Bella and, with a lot of grace, carefully placed the necklace around Bella’s neck.

The room went dead silent once more. “It looks much better on you,” Anna said softly. Bella’s eyes went wide as she looked at her reflection. “W What? Why are you giving this to me?” she stammered. Anna just smiled. “I’m giving it to you. For free.”

Gasps filled the boutique. “Consider it a sign of friendship,” Anna continued. “You seem like a good person deep down. Just… try not to let power get into your eyes next time.” Bella’s expression softened completely, and her eyes actually started to water. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I really am.” Anna just nodded and said, “I know.”

Bella wiped a tear away and promised, “I swear I’ll be a good friend to you. I’ll support you in anything you do. You’re truly kind.” Anna just kept smiling. Behind them, Carla was watching the whole scene very carefully, and then she glanced over at Avery, who was still standing there like a statue.

Carla walked over and said a simple, “Hey.” Avery blinked, trying to snap out of it. “Yo… what’s up?” she replied. Carla gave a small, genuine laugh. “We’ve been rivals for years, haven't we?” Avery smirked a bit. “I’m honestly tired of competing for followers every single month.”

“Same here,” Carla admitted. “What if we just partner up instead?” 

Avery raised an eyebrow, interested. 

Carla continued. “For Joint events, shared campaigns, and have a Real friendship instead of this fake rivalry we've been doing.” 

Avery thought about it for a second and then smiled. “That actually sounds a lot better.” 

Carla pulled out her phone right then and there and followed Avery on I*******m, and Avery followed her back. They both laughed, the old tension finally gone.

“The social King and Queen event next month,” Avery suggested. “You in?” Carla grinned and said, “I’m definitely in.” Just like that, a years long war turned into a powerful alliance.

A few minutes later, all the tension had dissolved, and the girls left the store. Anna and Avery walked toward the exit in a heavy silence. They picked up all their shopping bags from the counter, and the staff helped them carry everything out to the front. The Bugatti Mistral was gleaming under the mall lights, looking like a spaceship. They loaded the bags in and got inside.

The engine roared softly as Avery started it up, but for a long moment, neither of them said a word. Then, Avery turned slowly toward her friend. “Who is Robert… really?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Anna looked out the window at the passing lights. “Yes,” she said quietly. “Robert is a Graham.”

Avery felt her heart skip a beat. Anna continued, her voice full of emotion. “I was shocked too, Avery. For years, I thought he was just the adopted, unwanted brother who was just trying to survive and be loved.” 

She let out a slow, shaky breath. “But he wasn’t struggling at all. He was hiding.”

Avery’s fingers tightened on her lap. “The Grahams…” she whispered. “They’re even above the Twelve Families.” Anna nodded solemnly. “They basically control the world.”

Avery’s face slowly began to change. It wasn't admiration or excitement she was feeling— it was something much heavier and sadder. “That means…” her voice started to tremble, “I can’t date him.” Anna turned to her in shock. “What?”

“I’m a nobody, Anna,” Avery said quietly, her eyes filling with tears. “In terms of power, influence, and legacy… I’m absolutely nothing compared to him. His family are like gods.” Her voice broke as she looked out the windshield. “And Robert… is one of them. How can someone like me ever date a god?”

She revved the engine, and the Bugatti rolled onto the road, heading back toward the penthouse. And for the first time since they had met, Anna had no answer at all.