The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress

Flair POV

lan is the next to speak and he takes hold of the microphone, his eyes searching the crowd. "As the next CEO's myself and Knox have some interesting and innovative ideas that we want to develop in the company that we are sure is going to propel the company to further heights of success. Our father has done us proud and will always be a part of the company that is his legacy and our grandfather's legacy. The Grants will continue to become stronger and more successful under our guidance. We thank everybody here for their trust in us and their support." Knox nods with his brother. "As this is a party we have no desire to take over the happy atmosphere," he said causing the crowd to laugh, even as his eyes met mine and I knew it was time, gently tugging on Grayson's hand and beginning to make my way towards the stage "but there is one more thing that we, the Grants desire before allowing the party to continue. There is one of us that has yet to be announced. This person, our sister, is to be admired" he paused as I stood to the side waiting "she has been dedicated to her various charities, loyal to her friends and family. It has never been her wish to be in the limelight and we have respected that wish up until now. But it saddens us to keep her out of the public eye and away from us and our home. Now we want to announce her to the world, to say how proud we are of her and to welcome her home with open arms."

Cheering from the crowd. I could feel myself tensing even as Grayson smiled gently at me. The bodyguards had moved to allow access to the stairs and I saw several give me slow smiles. Evidently, they knew who I was but were not about to divulge it. That was Knox and lan's job. "I love my daughter very much" My father's voice "and while I have not always been supportive of the decisions she has made, I have never stopped loving her for the person she is and the morals she continues to live her life by. She is to be admired for her ethics and her desire to help the environment and animals that live on our planet."

lan's voice "This woman is one of the most intelligent, kind, and caring people I know. Her moral compass is one to be proud of and her fortitude to survive and keep on going is to be admired. I am so proud of you" he said, his eyes seeking mine "and all of us love you. Please welcome to the stage, our sister, Flair Oakes, wife of Grayson Oakes."

Stunned silence. I quietly made my way up the stairs, holding tightly to Grayson's hand. Ian hugged me tightly as did Knox and then my father did, his eyes shining as he fought back tears. Grayson stood back, but I shook my head and motioned for him to step closer, holding tightly to his hand as we turned and faced the crowd that was abuzz with the news.

"She's your daughter?"

"How have you kept her a secret all these years?" "Why did you keep her a secret for so long?"

I stepped up to the microphone and viewed the crowd. I could see Rachel fist-pumping the air and fighting back my laughter. "I have always been mindful of the power the Grant family name has and the effect it can have on people. It has the ability to open doors that otherwise might be closed, but it also has the ability to make people greedy, and vain and play a role in an attempt to befriend you. I have seen what Knox and lan have had to endure thanks to the Grant name and I decided long ago, that I did not want the same for me" I said as the crowd listened "I was fortunate enough that my father agreed with my decision. He has always protected me from when I was a newborn to where I stand before you now."

I paused and looked at my father proudly "I have not always made the wisest decisions. There are times when I have argued or fought with my family and I'm not proud of that. But through it all, my family has never turned its back on me. My brothers are exactly like you would expect them to be, overprotective and overbearing" I joked as Knox and lan smirked "and my father while sometimes demanding can also be the most loving and kind man a daughter could ever have asked for. I know that some of you might be hurt that I did not confide in you as to who my real identity was" I hesitated but there were no angry faces in the crowd, besides Charlotte's and Johnathons which looked mutinous, "but I hid my identity in order to have as normal life as possible. I am lucky enough to be married to a man who appreciates me for who I am" I turned and looked at Grayson who went stiff "and who values me more for the person I am inside than what I can do for him."

Grayson flushed. My father nodded approvingly. I felt tears prick my eyes "I stand before all of you, proud of the accomplishments of the Grant family and of what my brothers will continue to achieve in our family name. They are the ones who deserve your applause and your cheers. They are the ones who will continue to do great things. I am but a loving daughter and sister who will cheer them on and encourage them from the background" I finished.

I stepped back. The crowd roared. Claps abounded, and people cheered. The noise was deafening. My father kissed me on the cheek and gave Grayson a handshake. "I'm so proud of you," he said while Knox and lan joined us "You have done me proud," he said. "I love you," I told him quietly "I know I didn't make the best decision marrying Johnathon but..." I trailed off as he shook his head at me.

"It's already forgotten. Grayson is the man for you and I couldn't be happier to see the two of you getting along so well" he breathed.

He held out his hand as I dropped Grayson's. "Spare a dance for your father?" he asked quietly as I smiled at him.

I let him lead me to the dance floor, and the crowd immediately parted. As we swayed to the music, I felt eyes on us, watching, while Knox and lan began to join the party.

"Are you happy?" My father asked and I smiled, my body relaxing.

"Extremely," I said, "He loves me and I love him."

"I know," my father said with satisfaction, twirling me around "No man that looks at you like he does, isn't in love. But are you sure you won't rethink joining the company?" he asked solemnly "Knox and lan are not opposed to you being CEO or even joining the board at least."

I shook my head. "Thank you but I have enough work of my own. Besides" I paused "eventually I hope to start a family of my own."

His eyes lit up "I have always thought you would make an excellent mother" he said quietly "and Grayson would make a great father."

"He would," I said giggling "but there's plenty of time."

"What about the company he wanted so badly?" my father was blunt.

"He doesn't want it anymore," I said and my father paused "he loves me more than the company Father."

A tap on the shoulder. A furious Johnathon was standing there. My father tensed. "You spent three years married to me" he bit out, while Charlotte came gliding over and Grayson rushed to my side "And you didn't think to tell me who you really were?" he snarled "Do you have any idea how humiliated I feel right now?" he demanded.

I stared at him in disbelief. He cared about his ego? I wanted to laugh. My father was furious. "It's lucky she didn't tell you" he sneered "Or else you would have tried to get more out of the divorce" he added and Johnathon glared.

"Three years Flair. Three years and you said nothing" he growled "Do you have any idea how far the law firm could have gone if I had the Grant's name backing it?"

This was why I hadn't told him. My father looked like he was about to tear Johnathon to shreds. Charlotte tugged on his arm. "Johnathon" she hissed "I know you're angry" She looked at me and Grayson with disgust "but it would not do to upset the Grants." "Screw the Grants," Johnathon said rudely, causing nearby guests to gasp out loud "This is between me and my wife." "Ex-wife" I corrected him "and there's nothing between us, not anymore."

"Leave her alone Johnathon," Grayson said evenly "You had your chance with her, you blew it. She's my wife now."

"Oh yeah" Johnathon smirked "I bet you found out she was a Grant and that's why you agreed to marry her. There's no way you decided that Flair was the one for you" he snorted.

Charlotte looked nervous now, while lan and Knox began to let out low growls and undo their ties. "Johnathon, enough," she said, her voice rising higher.

Hurt swept through me. I glanced at Grayson but his eyes fixed on mine. "I love Flair, not because of her last name, but because of who she is. You are the i***t who couldn't see what he had. May I remind you that you are also married Johnathon" he said pointedly, looking at Charlotte.

Johnathon looked at me desperately "I made a mistake Flair. I see that now" he began to plead as I closed my eyes and tried not to listen "We can make this work again. I'm sorry about the divorce. We can start over" he trailed off as Charlotte slapped him across the face and stormed off in a temper.

"I suggest you leave," My father said stormily while Knox and lan nodded in agreement.

Johnathon put a hand up to his cheek and stared silently at me. Knox made a move and Johnathon uttered a small cry and then quickly rushed off.