Billionaire's Secret heir

Chapter 4: A Collision of Worlds

Like a storm that had been brewing for years, the night of the gala came with an aura of inevitable arrival. Natalie was standing in front of the tiny mirror in her bedroom, ironing the plain black dress she had borrowed from her neighbor. Its neckline dropped just enough to be lovely, and it modestly cupped her curves.

Both familiar and new, her mirror gazed back at her. She barely recognized the composed woman in front of her since she had been chasing after Liam and juggling work deadlines for so long in jeans and T-shirts.

"You look like a princess, Mom!"

When Natalie turned around, she saw Liam standing in the doorway, his admiring green eyes wide. He was wearing a little suit with a clip-on tie, and she almost started crying when she saw him.

As she bent to adjust his tie, she remarked, "And you, my little man, look like a prince." "Are you prepared for this journey?"

Liam gave an excited nod. Are there going to be snacks? And playthings?

With a quiet giggle, Natalie assured everyone that there would be refreshments.

But her tummy rumbled as Liam smiled. This was not what she was prepared for. It was nearly unbearable to think of seeing Alexander again after all these years, to be in the same room as him with their son only a few feet away.

But she had already made up her mind. Now there was no going back.

The setting was stunning. From the elegant banners hanging along the marble walls to the holographic displays displaying the company's most recent advances, the Grayson Technologies emblem was present everywhere. The sea of immaculately attired visitors, whose laughing and conversation filled the huge ballroom, were illuminated by chandeliers.

As Natalie entered with her hand resting protectively on Liam's shoulder, she felt alienated.

"Wow," Liam muttered, his gaze flitting about. "It's enormous!"

Natalie forced a grin as she nodded. "Remain near me, please?"

A service member smiled kindly at them as they made their way through the mob. "Good night. I assume you're Ms. Reed. We were requested to make sure your son was comfortable by Mr. Grayson's assistant. Just down the hall, we have a dedicated space for kids.

Natalie paused and gripped Liam's shoulder more tightly.

Mom, may I leave? Would you please? Liam inquired, his enthusiasm evident.

Natalie stooped to look him in the eyes. "All well, but you must swear to behave yourself properly. And ask a staff member to locate me if you need me.

Liam gave a hearty nod before trailing the employee to the kids' section.

Natalie felt the entire weight of her choice fall on her shoulders as he vanished from view. Now that she was by herself, she was forced to enter the lion's lair.

Alexander Grayson was standing close to the stage, wearing a black tuxedo that was designed to fit him perfectly. His presence demanded everyone's attention, and he emanated authority.

However, his keen eyes moved across the room—and fell on Evelyn, his assistant—while she murmured something in his ear.

Natalie.

Alexander's world tilted for a second. Even though it had been six years since he last saw her, she looked as familiar as if no time had passed. Her black gown emphasized her elegance in a way that made it difficult to breathe, and her dark hair framed her face in gentle waves.

Why had she come here?

His long strides carried him across the room toward her as he excused himself from the group he was speaking to.

With her heart thumping so loudly that she believed everyone in the room could hear it, Natalie froze as Alexander walked up. She forced herself to keep her cool and balled her hands into fists at her sides.

"Natalie."

He had a quiet, smooth voice that was very familiar.

She raised her head and looked at him. "Alexander."

They were silent for a moment. His sharp blue eyes swept over her face, looking for answers, maybe, or the truth she had long concealed.

Finally, in a controlled tone, he stated, "It's been a while."

"Yes, it has," Natalie said, her voice firm despite her internal conflict.

Alexander's eyes remained fixed. "I didn't think you would be here tonight."

She looked aside and said, "I wasn't sure I'd come." "However, your assistant was convincing."

A glimmer of laughter came over his face. "Evelyn has a method for achieving her goals."

The tension between them was evident despite Natalie's forced grin. The weight of the years that had gone by and the unsaid words that lingered in the air like a dense fog was palpable to her.

Alexander was about to continue when a high-pitched voice broke through the ballroom's cacophony.

"Mom!"

They both turned to see Liam sprinting in Natalie's direction, his curls bouncing as he scuttled through the throng. When he saw Alexander, his green eyes widened with interest, and he abruptly stopped.

"What are you doing here, Liam?" Natalie knelt to question him.

"Juice boxes were exhausted," Liam remarked with a scowl. "Perhaps you could get me one," I said.

Natalie let out a little laugh, but her relief was fleeting because she could feel Alexander's eyes locked on Liam.

The reticent businessman's mask briefly lifted as Alexander's face changed. His keen gaze shifted back and forth between Natalie and the youngster, absorbing the striking similarity—the black locks, the penetrating green eyes.

Alexander said, "Liam," in a calm voice that carried a hint of incredulity. "Is this your son?"

Natalie's heart stopped beating. She had mentally practiced this moment a hundred times, but now that it had arrived, she was at a loss for words.

She finally responded, "Yes," in a voice that was almost audible above a whisper. "This is Liam."

Alexander's blue eyes were stormy with unasked questions, and his jaw tensed. "What is his age?"

Knowing there was no use in lying, Natalie took a deep drink. "He is six years old."

The world appeared to pause for a time. Alexander stared at her while the hum of the crowd subsided, his face displaying a mixture of disbelief, rage, and another emotion she couldn't quite identify.

At last, he whispered in a quiet, agitated voice, "We need to talk."

With a knot in her stomach, Natalie nodded.

Natalie felt the full impact of her choice to come here as Alexander guided her to a hidden corner away from the guests' prying gaze. To protect Liam from the complexities of Alexander's life, she attempted to keep their worlds apart.

However, there was no turning back now.

She looked down at Liam, who was holding her hand joyfully and blissfully oblivious to the tempest that was building all around him.

She realized that this was just the beginning when Alexander turned to face her and his sharp eyes met hers.