The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Grayson POV

I did it. I finally told her exactly how I felt. The relief I felt was like having a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I regretted not being able to save the company from what would no doubt be a disaster thanks to Charlotte's influence, but Flair was more important than a company to me. She was my everything. I had gone through life as a playboy bachelor for so many years that I hadn't known love when I saw it until I met her. Now I had something so precious it was like a treasure to me and I wasn't about to let it slip through my fingers, simply for the sake of a family name or obligation.

I handed her the glass of champagne, eyeing her in the blue dress. She looked gorgeous, but she always did to me. I spotted Timothy and Rachel in the crowd and barely had time to wave before Rachel was practically skipping over, dragging Timothy by the hand and beaming at the both of us. "Flair you look ravishing," she said making her giggle "And you clean up nicely Grayson" she complimented me as I shook Timothy's hand.

"Thank you," I told her wryly "And you look stunning," I said sincerely, the bright purple dress highlighting her complexion and hair.

"So where's the fam?" Rachel chirped as Flair frowned and scanned the room.

"I'm not sure, but you know father" she murmured "he does love to make an entrance."

"So does Knox" giggled Rachel while I merely smiled.

"Oh look," Rachel said a little sourly, her face scowling while Timothy frowned down at her "It's the wicked witch of the west" she quipped "and Ken."

Flair looked amused. "I take it you mean Charlotte Deluca and Johnathon," she said with a hint of laughter."

"Naturally."

"Why do you call him Ken?" Timothy asked confused.

"Because he's pretty but stupid," Rachel said bluntly, making us all laugh out loud.

"Rachel, that's not nice," Flair said giggling as I took her champagne glass and handed it to a passing waiter, along with my own empty one.

"I never said I was nice," Rachel said innocently, making Timothy chuckle and shake his head.

"Uh oh, I think Charlotte has spotted me" I murmured as I saw my sister begin to head our way.

"You're on your own, I have trouble keeping my big mouth shut," Rachel said unapologetically, taking hold of Timothy's hand and dragging him away while Flair waved at her.

"Grayson," Charlotte said snappily while her husband Johnathon stood beside her, looking sophisticated and oddly blank at the same time.

"Charlotte, what a surprise to see you here," I said, although it wasn't "I think you might have missed seeing Flair" I added, grabbing her hand and squeezing it as Charlotte rolled her eyes.

"I don't care about Flair," she said haughtily "Have you seen the Grants yet? I haven't seen lan or Knox. Not to mention they're supposed to declare who the daughter is tonight," she said excitedly.

Flair leveled a gaze at her "Are you hoping to get in the daughter's good graces?" she asked evenly.

Charlotte snorted. I tried to hide my smile. "Well let's face it Flair, you don't have a chance in hell of becoming included in her social circle, despite marrying my brother here," she said with a vicious smile "whereas I am more inclined to believe the daughter is like I am and particular about who she is friends with."

Flair blinked innocent eyes at her "You seem to know a lot about this daughter of the Grants for somebody who hasn't met her" she said quietly.

"I just know she's of the highest quality, like myself," Charlotte said coldly.

Flair just shrugged. I fought back my laughter. Johnathon remained silent. I wondered how he was going to take the news when Flair came out as the secret heiress. Probably not well, I thought studying the man.

"Get me a drink Johnathon," Charlotte said imperiously "I don't need to spend any more time with these peasants. Once the Grants have arrived, I'm going to make my presence known. lan will introduce me to his sister, I'm sure of it" she sneered, turning her back on us and walking away.

Flair's lip was twitching. I chuckled and brought her in close. "May I have this dance?" I murmured as she giggled.

"You may," she said as I led her onto the dance floor.

"Ignore Charlotte" I murmured "She's always believed herself to be more important than she is in real life."

"But where is the fun in that?" Flair said as I began to put my hand on the small of her back and the other one in her hand, waltzing to the music with her.

"Tonight is your night" I murmured "Don't let her take it away from you."

"I don't intend to" she giggled "but it's funny watching her dig a hole for herself."

She felt magical in my arms. Other couples began to join us on the dance floor. I spotted Timothy and Rachel dancing nearby and winked at him. They made a lovely couple. I spun Flair around and was rewarded with a brilliant smile. The party was getting into full swing and people were beginning to enjoy themselves. I couldn't resist. Flair was shining tonight, the lights dancing on her skin and hair. I leaned forward and captured her lips, kissing her deeply underneath the glimmering decorations, feeling how soft they were, mesmerized by how beautiful she was. I pulled away and saw her eyes sparkle at me, even as she touched her lips in awe.

"I couldn't help it," I told her honestly as I took her back in my arms "You're irresistible," I said and she laughed, the sound music to my ears.

Suddenly there was silence. We stopped dancing. Everybody looked expectantly towards the doors leading into the room. There was a look of expectancy on everyone's faces. This was it. This was the moment everybody had been waiting for. I could see Charlotte peering through the crowd, a smug look on her face. Flair looked relaxed by my side, my arm wrapped around her waist.

Mr Grant was the first to enter the room. He strode in, his presence commanding everybody's attention. He wore an expensive suit and he strode towards the back of the room where the stage had been set up, without so much as glancing anybody's way. He was followed by a solemn-looking lan and Knox along with several bodyguards who discreetly observed the crowd who watched eagerly, all of us turning to face the Grants who would be making their announcement. "They look so serious" whispered somebody in the crowd.

"Did you see how many bodyguards they brought with them?"

"Do you think they are expecting a threat from somebody tonight? Or trouble?"

"I didn't see the so-called daughter in their midst, do you think they are still going to announce who she is?" Whispers and hushed voices through the crowd while the Grants huddled together, speaking in low voices, the bodyguards crowding them and keeping them safe from the crowd approaching. I could see a look of disappointment on Charlotte's face. She had clearly been expecting the daughter to enter the room with her brothers and was puzzled as to why she hadn't. Neither she or the crowd, besides Rachel and Timothy were aware that the secret heiress was already amongst them. Flair was doing a remarkable job of blending in with everyone and not giving anything away.

"What's taking them so long?"

"They're supposed to be telling us who's taking over as CEO of the company as well."

"Do you think it will be Knox or lan Grant?"

"Why not both? They are both intelligent and capable?"

Flair was amused as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her head. "So many rumors" she sighed "Everyone desperate to know who is taking over the company, who the elusive daughter is. It's very exciting" she laughed.

"Can you blame them? After all the daughter has successfully hidden from the public for over twenty years" I said wide-eyed "and I've heard she's a gracious, kind, and compassionate lovely woman."

"Oh you have, have you" Flair said solemnly "Pray tell me what else you have heard about her?"

"I've heard she's very loving, she's one of the nicest people you could ever get to meet" I rubbed my chin thoughtfully "She's extremely smart and she's one of the friendliest people you could hope to include in your social circle." Flair giggled and kissed my cheek. "Rascal," she said fondly.

The crowd was looking slightly impatient. Heads were craning to see if the secret heiress was going to appear from behind the Grants but of course that was not about to happen. Finally, Mr. Grant peeled off from the group and strode towards the center of the stage, gripping the microphone and giving a friendly smile to the crowd which fell silent instantly.

"Good evening everyone," Mr. Grant said, his voice highly masculine and authoritative, "I cannot thank everybody enough for taking the time to come to our party tonight. Each and every one of you has done us a great honor in attending" he continued as the party members began to nod appreciatively at each other "and it does my heart good to see so many of my friends and those I consider close family here tonight."

lan and Knox silently came up onto the stage, spreading themselves behind their father, tight smiles on their faces.

"I know that you all came here for a reason," Mr Grant said with a wide smile, while the bodyguards kept close to the stage, "and I have no intention of dragging it out. My first order of business is to announce the takeover of the Grants family company. It was a difficult decision to make but in the end, I know I have made the right one. Please welcome the new CEO's lan and Knox Grant."

He broke off and applause rang out from the crowd as lan and Knox stepped forward to begin their speeches, their eyes on the crowd, lan's sliding towards Flair as he gave us a small smile. The crowd began to get excited as they waited for the inevitable they were sure was coming next.