The Billornaire's Secret

Testing Grounds

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the grand dining room at Grey Manor. Olivia felt a mix of nerves and excitement as she sat across from Alexander at the long, elegantly set table. The meal was a sumptuous feast, but her appetite had all but vanished. Instead, her mind raced with thoughts of Victor Grey's earlier confrontation.

Victor entered the dining room, his imposing figure framed by the doorway. He nodded to Alexander, then turned his piercing gaze to Olivia. “I hope you’re hungry, Olivia,” he said, his voice a mixture of formality and curiosity.

“Very much, thank you, Mr. Grey,” Olivia replied, forcing a smile.

As they settled into the meal, Victor's sharp eyes remained focused on Olivia, studying her every move. She felt like a specimen under a microscope, but she maintained her composure, determined to make a good impression.

“Tell me more about yourself, Olivia,” Victor prompted, cutting into the silence. “What are your plans after college?”

Olivia hesitated, glancing at Alexander for support. He smiled encouragingly, the warmth in his gaze urging her to speak.

“Well, I’m majoring in marketing, and I hope to work in advertising or public relations,” she said, finding her voice. “I love the idea of creating campaigns that can connect with people and tell stories.”

Victor’s brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded. “Interesting. And what about your family? What do they do?”

Olivia's heart raced at the question. She could sense the underlying scrutiny, the expectation that she would somehow measure up to the Grey family's legacy. *Is this a test?* she wondered, her mind scrambling for the right words. “My parents run a small family business,” she replied carefully. “It's nothing like the Grey empire, but they’ve built it from the ground up.”

Victor leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. He was measuring her, weighing her words. “And how do you plan to balance a career with being in a relationship with my grandson?”

Before Olivia could respond, Alexander gently stepped in, his voice calm. “We make a good team,” he said, squeezing Olivia’s hand under the table. “We’ve always supported each other’s goals.”

Olivia felt a wave of gratitude for his presence. “I believe that both can coexist,” she added, her voice stronger now. “Relationships require effort, just like any career. Alexander and I are committed to making it work.”

Victor watched them closely, his gaze sharp, but something softened in his expression. “Family obligations can sometimes take precedence over personal desires,” he said, his tone shifting slightly. “You’ll find that out soon enough, I assure you.”

The tension in the room thickened, and Olivia's resolve wavered. Just as she was about to respond, Jenkins appeared at the door, breaking the charged atmosphere.

“Excuse me, Mr. Grey. There’s a phone call for you,” Jenkins said.

Victor nodded and rose from the table. “I’ll be just a moment. Continue your meal.”

As he left, Olivia exhaled deeply, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. The conversation had left her feeling exposed, and she sensed that Victor's scrutiny wouldn't fade easily.

“What do you think?” Alexander asked, his voice low.

“I don’t know,” Olivia admitted, glancing down at her plate. “I feel like I’m being judged for everything—my family, my choices.”

“Don’t take it to heart,” Alexander said softly. “Grandfather can be tough, but he means well. He just wants to protect the family legacy.”

“By making me feel small?” she retorted, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.

“I know it’s hard,” Alexander said. “But he’ll come around. You just have to give him time.”

Before Olivia could respond, Victor returned to the table, his expression slightly more relaxed. He resumed his seat, and the atmosphere shifted as the meal continued.

As they ate, Victor asked more questions about Olivia’s studies and ambitions, and she found herself opening up more than she had anticipated. She spoke about her dreams, her love for creative projects, and the satisfaction of seeing her ideas come to life.

Victor listened intently, and for a moment, she could see a glimmer of interest in his eyes. Maybe, just maybe, he was starting to understand her.

After dinner, as they moved to the living room for dessert, Olivia felt the tension easing. The lavish space was adorned with family portraits and elegant furnishings, creating an air of history that both intimidated and fascinated her.

“Would you like to see the library?” Victor offered unexpectedly, surprising both Olivia and Alexander.

“Sure, I’d love that,” Olivia replied, trying to mask her nervousness.

Victor led them to the library, a grand room filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a cozy seating area. The scent of aged paper filled the air, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

“Here we are,” Victor said, gesturing to the room. “This is where the Grey family has gathered for generations.”

As they entered, Olivia couldn't help but admire the impressive collection of books. “Wow, this is incredible,” she said, her eyes wide with wonder.

“Feel free to browse,” Victor encouraged, his tone softer than before. “There are some rare first editions here.”

Olivia walked over to a shelf and picked up a leather-bound book. “This is beautiful. Do you have a favorite author?” she asked, glancing back at Victor.

“Charles Dickens,” Victor replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. “His exploration of society and human nature resonates with me.”

As they continued to chat about literature, Olivia found herself relaxing in Victor’s presence. Maybe there was more to him than she had initially thought.

Just then, Alexander excused himself to check on dessert. As soon as he left the room, Victor turned to Olivia, his expression serious.

“Olivia, I want you to understand something,” he said, his voice low as he stepped closer. “My family means everything to me. I have high expectations for those who enter our circle.”

Olivia swallowed, her nerves returning. “I understand, Mr. Grey,” she replied, meeting his intense gaze. “I want to prove myself worthy of Alexander and your family.”

Victor regarded her for a moment, then nodded, though his expression remained guarded. “That’s a good attitude to have. But be cautious. This world can be ruthless.”

Before Olivia could respond, Alexander returned with a tray of desserts, his presence instantly brightening the room. “Dessert is served!” he announced, his enthusiasm contagious.

As they sat down to enjoy the treats, the atmosphere lightened once more. They shared laughter and stories, and Olivia felt herself growing closer to both Alexander and Victor.

After dessert, as the evening drew to a close, Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling that she had made a small step forward with Victor. He was still guarded, but she sensed a shift in his attitude.

As they prepared to leave, Victor surprised Olivia again. “You’re welcome here any time, Olivia,” he said, though his tone carried a subtle challenge, as if the real test had only just begun.

“Thank you, Mr. Grey. I’d love that,” Olivia replied, feeling a surge of hope despite the weight of his words.

As they drove away from Grey Manor, Olivia couldn’t help but smile. She had faced her fears and survived the evening, and she felt a renewed sense of determination to win Victor over completely.

“I think that went well,” Alexander said, glancing at her with a proud smile.

“It did, surprisingly,” Olivia admitted. “Your grandfather isn’t as scary as I thought.”

“Just give him time. He’ll come to see how amazing you are,” Alexander replied, reaching for her hand.

As they drove into the night, Olivia’s heart soared with the possibilities ahead of them. Together, they could face anything, and she was excited to embrace the journey.