The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
Chapter 109

Grayson POV

I was floating on high as I left the house, but I was soon quickly reintroduced to that little thing called reality. I knew that there would be interest in Flair when she had been introduced last night as the Grant heiress but I didn't realize it would also mean an interest in me and the law firm. When I made it to the firm, there was a steady crowd of people crowding the front doors while security tried to hold them back.

"There he is, there's the man who married the Grant heiress" yelled one.

"Get a photo. It could be worth something for the media."

"Grayson, Grayson over here. Look at me" screamed another.

It was madness. Utter madness. I was grateful I had not asked Flair to come to the office with me. As it was I dodged the crowds and headed inside the building to everybody's disappointment. I breathed a sigh of relief while I headed upstairs, surprised to see that a fresh-eyed and bushy-tailed Timothy was already there and waiting for me.

"You're early" I noted with shock.

"Yes sir. I didn't drink last night and well Rachel wanted to go see Flair, so I figured I would make myself useful" Timothy said blandly "And, luckily, I did. Have you seen your appointment book for today?" he asked with a certain degree of both satisfaction and surprise.

"No," I said "but it wasn't that busy when I glanced over them yesterday. Why?"

He opened his blackberry and I recoiled. "Who are all these people? I've never heard of most of them" I demanded, putting my briefcase down "I know that some people have come from Johnathon's firm but this is ridiculous. They can't all be ex-clients of Johnathon's" I said confused.

"They aren't," Timothy said grimly "Everybody wants to take a look at Grayson Oakes in the hopes they might get to meet his wife, the heiress. You're front page news, Sir, you and Mrs. Oakes," he said respectfully "but I wouldn't recommend seeing new clients without the proper security protocols. Not after...." he paused not sure how to phrase it delicately "not after what happened with your wife and Mr. Ronaldo," he said eventually as I nodded.

"Go through the appointments and pick out the ones that were already planned for today. In regards to the other clients, reschedule them. I want background checks done on each and every one of them. I want them made aware that Mrs. Oakes will not be present for our meetings and that she is not likely to enter the building while they are present. That should get rid of anybody who merely wants to use me as a means of seeing her." Timothy was scribbling away. "I want security constantly walking the perimeter and scanning the parking lot. It might seem like overkill Timothy but I don't care."

"Of course Grayson," he said nodding in agreement "In fact, Mr Knox already phoned earlier and advised me that he was hacking into our security system to upgrade it." "He did, did he?" I gave a sly smile "Why am I not surprised by that" I muttered.

"He also told me to inform you that there are men keeping themselves hidden in the parking lot keeping a watchful eye."

I sighed. Rubbed my forehead and felt a headache forming. "I have to get away early today Timothy, my grandfather wants us to join him for dinner," I said grimly.

Timothy raised a brow "Your grandfather doesn't issue social invitations unless there is something he wants or needs."

"I'm aware" I scowled and sat down, leaning back in the chair "so I better not be late or that will be something else he can hold against me."

"Very well. Let me take care of this and arrange the first client. The paperwork that you're currently working on is just there on the desk and I've already filed the cases that you've successfully finished." "Thanks, Timothy" I exhaled "What exactly is the first client's legal matter pertaining to?"

He looked slightly hesitant. "It's another divorce case, sir, I'm afraid I don't know the specifics.

"s**t" I cursed.

"Sorry sir, I know you don't like divorce proceedings at the moment but it's an old client of ours. Do you want me to palm it off to somebody else?" he asked.

I was tempted. But it would be insulting to an old client if I just handed them over to somebody else. I slowly shook my head and gave a resigned sigh. "No, I'll see Mr um..."

"Mr" Timothy said, "for the moment, Mr Ferryweather."

"Send Mr Ferryweather in when he arrives" I murmured trying to place him "his name doesn't ring a bell to me" I added puzzled.

"he's the son of an old client" Timothy explained "I should have been more specific. Anyway, I'll head downstairs and go over this list and then come back up. I shouldn't be longer than a few minutes."

My stomach growled. "Timothy can you bring me up some coffee and something to eat" I requested "I skipped breakfast and I can't think on an empty stomach."

He nodded and headed out the door. I turned my laptop on and began to peruse my emails, dismayed to find that it was filled with spam and emails from people who wanted nothing more than to meet Flair. It was going to take a long time to get through the amount of emails I had and I resolved to get a new one straight away that was strictly for work that would be kept private from now on.

"Delete, delete, delete" I muttered, trying to plow my way through it all.

My finger grew more vicious as time went on. "My you look quite angry Mr Grayson" a voice cut through the silence of the room, causing me to look up sharply.

"Mr Grayson, I'm sorry I was just about to announce our client, Mr Ferryweather," Timothy said apologetically as I stood up and smoothed down my jacket.

The man gave a chuckle. He was younger than I had anticipated with raven black hair and smoky quartz-colored eyes. His voice was hoarse as he extended a hand out to me and I shook it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr Oakes," he said sincerely.

"Call me Mr Grayson" I instructed him "I prefer it. Now Mr Ferryweather, what can I do for you?" I asked.

He smiled and sat down. "Well it's quite straightforward actually," he said nibbling on his lip "I need to divorce my wife but there's the small matter of a prenuptial agreement that I foolishly signed when we first got married."

Ah. Prenups were extremely difficult to overrule and most were ironclad. I surveyed the man thoughtfully. "What is the reason for the divorce?" I asked, beginning to take notes "Adultery? Financial problems, Addiction such as drinking or drugs?" He laughed "No Mr Grayson nothing like that. I am the one who was cheating," he said bluntly "and I want a divorce so that I can marry the woman I'm in love with freely who also coincidentally happens to be married and looking to divorce as well."

I put down my pen. "Mr. Ferryweather," I said pinning him with a gaze "please don't take this as an offense, but if you are the one to initiate the divorce proceedings and you are the one who has cheated in the marriage, then why would I want to represent you? I thought you were aware, as most of my usual clients are, that I have my own set of morals I abide by and adultery is not one of them."

Sh curled his lip back "Mr Grayson my wife is an older woman. She is thirty years my senior and knows full well the only reason I agreed to marry her was because of the amount of wealth she possesses. She gave me no choice but to sign a prenuptial agreement, whether I wanted to or not. Are you saying you agree with a woman that much older than myself, using her wealth to marry me?"

I chose my words with care "Mr Ferryweather I am not saying that either. But you walked into the marriage with your eyes wide open, knowing what the marriage was going to entail. At any point in time, before you uttered the words I do, you could have chosen to walk away even if it meant giving up the wealth in order to be happy."

"Do I disgust you, Mr Grayson?" He asked bluntly.

I shook my head "I've seen my fair share of men who marry purely for monetary reasons Mr Ferryweather. This city is full of women and men who will do anything in order for financial stability, even if it means sacrificing their own happiness. You don't disgust me" I said narrowing my eyes "but I'm afraid that I cannot represent you in this matter."

He looked surprised. "Well, I guess it's true what they say about you," he said, folding "You really are a man with high standards."

"I can refer you to another lawyer who will do just as good a job," I told him evenly, ignoring the jibe.

"I don't want another lawyer, I want you. Are you sure you won't reconsider" he asked while Timothy squirmed in the background.

"Positive," I said firmly "I wish you luck with your divorce Mr Ferryweather but I must decline your generous offer to represent you. My law firm will continue to uphold the scruples and morals that first created the business for what it's become today!" He merely nodded and stood up, offering his hand. "You might regret this" he warned me.

"Perhaps but my conscience will be clear," I told him quietly.

He looked thoughtful as he began to make his way back out of the room. Timothy sighed "I'll go find the next one" he mumbled.

It was going to be a very long day, but my thoughts remained on Mr Ferryweather. He had offered the information up way too easily about his adultery. Had it been some kind of test to see if I would still take him up on his offer or was I reading too much into it? I focussed on keeping everything going smoothly, but even as I rushed to go back to Flair and prepare for dinner, I couldn't get Mr Ferryweather out of my mind. Who was he divorcing and who was he now in love with? For some reason, that seemed pertinent, although I couldn't exactly put my finger on why.