The Graham Heir—I Am Not An Adopted Nobody

Chapter 80: The Secret Is Out

Robert looked at Morris, then Edward, then Chloe, and finally Jane. Instead of getting angry or shouting back, he just let out a short, calm laugh. It wasn’t a crazy laugh, it was the sound of someone who knew a secret that was about to blow everyone’s minds.

“Alright,” he said, sounding almost bored. “Go ahead. Walk inside, go sign your big deal and let’s just see what happens next.” He shook his head like he was disappointed in them. 

“Honestly, if you had any idea what you were actually walking into... you wouldn't be standing here talking like this.”

Edward’s face turned a shade darker with rage, and Chloe clamped her jaw shut, her eyes stinging with hate. Morris didn't even bother to look at Robert, he just adjusted his expensive sleeves and acted like Robert didn't exist. But Malcolm, looking for a fight, stepped forward instead.

“Where is Avery?” Malcolm asked, his voice cold and mean. “I’m going to deal with her myself. She embarrassed me in front of everyone, and I don't care who you are— I’m going to make her pay for that.”

Robert’s relaxed face hardened just a little bit. “You should actually be thanking her,” he said quietly. Malcolm frowned, confused by the comment. “Thanking her for what?”

“Because Avery saved your life,” Robert replied, his voice steady. “She saved you from something way worse than just being embarrassed.”

Jane let out a loud, mocking bark of a laugh. “Are you actually trying to say you’re strong enough to beat Malcolm?” she sneered, looking Robert up and down. “Look at him! He’s twice your size, he’s a professional athlete, and he has way more experience than a little boy like you.”

Robert just gave a small shrug. “If you really want to know the truth, you should ask him what happened that day at Graham Scholars Academy,” he said. “But I guess pride can make even a smart man look like a total fool.”

Jane snapped, her patience finally gone. “The only fool here is you!” She pulled her phone out of her pocket with a nasty grin. “And since you like surprises so much... check this out.”

She pressed play on a video, and the face of Tristan, the world champion boxer, appeared on the screen. He looked arrogant and completely full of himself. “My girlfriend Avery has agreed to come back to me,” Tristan said into the camera, “but only on one condition. I have to beat up this little kid named Robert.” You could hear people laughing in the background of the video as Robert’s photo popped up. “It’s going to be the easiest fight of my life,” Tristan continued. “I’m going to hit him until he’s unconscious, and I'll damage his cute little face and then I’m taking Avery back home where she belongs.”

The whole Emmett group burst into loud laughter as the video ended. Chloe smirked, enjoying every second of Robert’s supposed downfall. “Well? What do you think about that? You’ve got a world class killer coming for your head.” Edward added with a mean chuckle, “I hope you like the hospital, because that's where you're heading.”

Robert looked at the phone screen. Was he surprised? Yeah, a little. But he didn't let a single emotion show on his face. Instead, a small, disappointed smirk appeared on his lips. And just as the Emmetts were finishing their laugh, a new sound cut through the plaza.

It was a deep, powerful growl of an engine— but it was smooth, low, and sounded like pure money. Every single person turned their head toward the driveway.

 A white Bugatti Mistral rolled slowly into view, looking like something from another planet. The sunlight bounced off its pearly white surface, making it look almost like a ghost moving through the city.

Edward’s eyes practically popped out of his head. “Is that... the one of one Bugatti Mistral edition?” he stuttered. Someone else in the crowd whispered in a shaky voice, “That car is half a billion dollars...” Five hundred million.

The car came to a graceful stop right in front of them. Malcolm let out a low whistle of respect. “I didn't know Andrew Schmidt had such good taste in cars,” he muttered, assuming it belonged to the man who had come to finalize their deal.

Robert just smiled to himself. He knew exactly whose car that was.

The doors glided open, but it wasn't a man who stepped out. It was Anna and Avery. The entire Emmett group froze in place. 

They stared at the car, then at the mental price tag they knew it carried, and then at the two girls who were casually stepping out of the most expensive vehicle in the city. Anna walked forward with a bright, playful smile on her face.

“What’s everyone staring at?” she teased, looking around at their shocked faces. “Oh, the car? Yeah, it actually costs more than all of your cars put together.” She let out a light, mischievous laugh. “But don't feel bad. I honestly don't even know what it feels like to be that poor.”

Edward’s face went stiff, and Chloe was so shocked she couldn't even find her voice. Anna walked straight past them all and gave Robert a quick side hug. “Thanks for everything you did at the mall earlier,” she whispered in his ear. Robert just nodded. “It was nothing.”

Then, Avery approached. She walked slowly and stayed quiet. But unlike her usual self, she wouldn't look up at him. She didn't meet his eyes once, and she kept a strange amount of distance between them. Robert noticed it the second she stepped onto the pavement. He looked at her, then at Anna, then back at Avery’s downcast face.

Suddenly, everything clicked in his head. He leaned down and whispered to Anna, “What’s going on? Why is she acting so weird?”

Anna hesitated for a second before whispering back, “She knows, Robert.”

Robert’s face changed instantly. “The phone call?”

Anna nodded. “The call exposed everything. She asked me point blank, and I just couldn't lie to her again.”

Robert let out a soft sigh and turned his gaze back to Avery. She was still looking at the ground, avoiding him like he was a stranger. She looked timid and shy, not at all like the confident girl he had fallen for. He watched her for a moment, and then the truth finally settled in.

“Oh,” he thought to himself. “She finally knows I’m a Graham.”

The fountains kept flowing in the background, and the Emmetts stood there in total, confused silence. 

The air in the plaza had changed completely— the tension wasn't about the deal anymore, it was about the massive secret that had finally come to light.