The Billornaire's Secret

Meeting the Partriarch

Alexander’s eyes sparkled with a mix of excitement and nervousness as he turned to Olivia. "I think it’s time you met my grandfather—Victor Grey. He's the heart of our family, and I want him to know about us."

Olivia’s heart skipped a beat. She had heard whispers about Victor Grey, stories of his sharp mind, his commanding presence, and his unrelenting grip on the family empire. She never thought she’d meet him so soon. The prospect both thrilled and terrified her.

"Your grandfather? That feels like a... big step," Olivia said, her voice betraying her nerves.

Alexander nodded, his expression softening. "I want him to know about you. About us. And it’s time I showed you more of my world."

Olivia smiled, though her stomach fluttered with anxiety. This felt like crossing into unfamiliar territory—a world she wasn’t sure she belonged in.

---

The drive to Grey Manor was filled with anticipation, but Olivia’s breath caught when the estate came into view. The mansion stood majestic, sprawling across the landscape with pristine gardens, crystal-clear fountains, and towering stone walls that emanated power. If Alexander's mansion was luxurious, this was on a different level—almost daunting.

“Wow,” Olivia whispered, awe washing over her. “It’s... beautiful.”

“Welcome to Grey Manor,” Alexander said, his lips quirking up into a smile. “It’s been in our family for generations.”

As they approached the entrance, the doors swung open, revealing an older butler with a warm, albeit formal, smile.

“Welcome, Miss Thompson. Mr. Grey is expecting you both. Please, follow me.”

As they stepped inside, Olivia couldn’t shake the growing sense of unease. Her mind raced with questions—What if Victor didn’t approve? What if she wasn’t enough for the towering legacy of the Grey family? Alexander’s reassuring hand on her back kept her grounded, but the knots in her stomach tightened.

---

The butler led them to a lavish study where Victor Grey sat, reading over papers with a focused intensity. The man behind the desk was everything Olivia had imagined—commanding, with sharp eyes that seemed to dissect everything in their path.

“Ah, Alexander,” Victor said, his voice deep and authoritative. His gaze shifted to Olivia, lingering on her as if weighing her presence. “And this must be Miss Thompson.”

Olivia felt a jolt of nerves, but she gave a polite smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Grey.”

Victor’s eyes were unreadable as he rose, gesturing for them to sit. "So, you're the one who’s captivated my grandson’s attention."

Her pulse quickened at his words, but Alexander’s calm presence beside her gave her strength. He squeezed her hand gently under the table.

“Grandfather, Liv is—”

Victor held up a hand, cutting Alexander off. “I’ve heard plenty about her. But hearing is not knowing.”

His gaze rested on Olivia again, less intense now but still calculating. There was a flicker of curiosity there, perhaps even a trace of warmth, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

“Tell me, Olivia,” Victor began, his voice even. “What do you see in my grandson?”

Olivia blinked, taken off guard by the direct question. She glanced at Alexander, then back at Victor, feeling the weight of her answer. "I see... someone who’s caring, someone who challenges me in the best ways, who makes me want to be better. I see someone I can trust."

Victor leaned back, his fingers steepling as he studied her. "Trust is a powerful word. It can make or break everything."

Olivia nodded, her voice steady despite the nerves bubbling inside her. "It is. And I trust Alexander completely."

For a moment, Victor’s stern expression softened, as though Olivia's words had managed to reach him. But the fleeting moment was quickly replaced by the businessman’s cool exterior.

“I won’t pretend that I don’t have concerns,” Victor said slowly, his gaze turning to Alexander. “You’ve lived in this world your whole life, Alexander. You know the weight of the Grey name, the responsibilities it carries. But does she?”

“Liv understands more than you think,” Alexander replied, his voice steady, though Olivia could sense the tension building in him.

Victor’s gaze flicked back to her, sharp but now slightly less critical. “I have my doubts. She doesn’t come from our world, Alexander. And that creates... complications. I need to know that this isn’t just... a distraction.”

Olivia bristled at the insinuation, but before she could speak, Alexander cut in. “This is not a distraction, Grandfather. I’m serious about her.”

The room was thick with tension. Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his tone remained calm. "Serious is one thing, but understanding the life you’re bringing her into is another. Do you truly think she’s prepared for that?"

Olivia felt Alexander’s grip on her hand tighten slightly, as if grounding them both. “I believe in us,” Alexander said quietly, but firmly. “And that’s enough for me.”

Victor was silent for a long moment, his piercing gaze never leaving Olivia’s. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Very well. But understand, Olivia, that being with Alexander means more than just loving him. It means being part of this legacy."

“I understand,” Olivia said, meeting his gaze with as much confidence as she could muster.

Victor studied her for another beat before sighing. "We’ll see." He turned to Alexander. "We’ll talk more later."

There was no outright approval, but also no rejection. Olivia sensed that this was just the beginning of what would be a long journey toward gaining Victor’s full acceptance.

---

As they left the study, Olivia let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding. Alexander smiled down at her, his hand still firmly in hers.

“You okay?” he asked softly.

Olivia nodded, though her thoughts were still spinning. “That was... intense.”

“He’ll come around,” Alexander said, leading her outside. “He just needs time.”

Olivia smiled weakly, but inside, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Victor would be harder to win over than Alexander thought.

As they walked through the garden, the tension slowly eased, the fresh air and setting sun casting a warm glow over them.

"Thank you for standing up for me in there," Olivia said, leaning into Alexander.

"Always," he replied, his voice filled with quiet determination. He kissed the top of her head, making her heart flutter, and for a moment, everything felt like it would be okay.

They still had a long road ahead, but at least, they were in it together.

---

Authur's Note:

I’m super excited to announce that I’ve been working on a brand-new story called *Beneath the Surface*! It follows Adrien Reed, a wealthy transfer student from France, and Amelia Hayse, a strong-willed girl who’s not exactly thrilled about him at first. But as their worlds keep colliding, they start to realize there’s more to each other than meets the eye. It's got all the tension, slow-burn romance, and mystery you guys love, so I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I’m enjoying writing it!

Now, don’t worry—I’ll still be updating *[Billionaire's Secret]*! I’m committed to both stories and can’t wait to share what’s next for the characters you’ve grown to love.

Thanks for sticking with me, and I’m so excited for you to join me on this new journey! Stay tuned for more updates soon.

Much love, 
[Hiddenheartswrite]