Troy's Pov

The Windsor mansion loomed large against the night sky, its imposing silhouette casting a shadow over the sprawling grounds below.

As I stood at the entrance, greeting guests with a practiced smile, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease gnawing at the pit of my stomach. Meeting people and associating with them had become a routine for me as I learn the ropes from my uncle, Dalton.

"Welcome to the Windsor Charity Gala," I repeated, my words sounding hollow even to my own ears. Each handshake, each polite exchange felt like a charade, a performance put on for the benefit of my family's esteemed guests.

But amid the sea of faces, my mind drifted back to Lily, back at our college apartment diligently working on my assignments. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt knowing she was being more useful to me there than here at the charity event. She wouldn’t fit in anyway, not with her background.

Lily’s a simple girl, not cut out for this kind of life. Better keep her hidden away from the judgmental stares and whispered gossip of my family’s circle. Besides, introducing her to these people would just complicate things. They wouldn’t understand our relationship and would probably kick against it to the end.

I repeatedly told myself, Lily’s better off staying where she is, safe and sound in our little bubble of happiness. And, as much as I hate to admit it, she’s just a useful distraction from my responsibilities as a Windsor. Blame me all you want but hey, everyone needs a distraction, right? And I’ve got a useful one at that.

I sighed as I pushed the thought aside, reminding myself of the importance of upholding the Windsor name.

Despite my privileged upbringing, I couldn't shake the feeling of being suffocated by the weight of my family's legacy, the expectations and obligations that came with being a Windsor. My uncle, Dalton, watched from afar, his enigmatic presence drawing the attention of everyone around him.

I mingled with the crowd, noticing the envious glances directed at him. Women clamored for his attention, their eyes alight with adoration and desire, while men whispered amongst themselves, their voices hushed in reverence. No doubt, my uncle is definitely the epitome of class.

Dalton is often referred to a figure of myth and legend, his reputation preceding him wherever he went.

As I watched uncle Dalton mingling with the guests, a very beautiful, sexy and classy-looking woman approached him with an air of confidence and charm. Judging from what I know of Dalton's personality, I knew the conversation with the beautiful lady wasn't going to end well and I couldn’t help but lean towards their direction to overheard their brief conversation.

“Mr. Windsor, it’s such an honor to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Uncle Dalton responded with a polite nod, clearly assessing the woman cautiously. “Likewise. And you are?

“I’m Vivian MacDougal.” She said with so much confidence. “I couldn’t help but be drawn to your magnetic presence from across the room.”

My jaws dropped. Everyone knows Vivian MacDougal, the sole heiress to the MacDougal very large fortune. I have only been hearing about her and seeing her pictures on magazines and TV but have never seen her in real life. 

She’s even more exquisite in person. Now that’s the type of woman befitting a man such as my uncle. That’s the type of woman I would want by my side, someone that complimented my status.

I couldn't help but noticed how uncle Dalton remained composed but distant, clearly wary of Vivian’s intentions. He doesn’t even seem to know who she is.

“Thank you, Vivian. If you’ll excuse me, I have some business matters to attend to.”

But Vivian wasn’t deterred, reaching out to touch uncle Dalton’s arm, she purred, “Surely, you can spare a few moments for a lovely lady like myself?”

I could see uncle Dalton’s eyes grow colder and his mouth tighten at the corners as he regards the woman for a second. “I’m afraid not, Miss Vivian. Perhaps another time”.

With that, he gracefully exited the conversation, leaving Vivian looking embarrassed and slightly frustrated. It was clear that Uncle Dalton wasn’t one to be swayed by flattery or charm.

I was so puzzled witnessing this. I have been wondering why uncle Dalton is still single at his age. He’s the most sought after bachelor in Phoenix Falls, yet he hasn’t settled down with any of those elegant ladies he’s dated in the past.

Are they not up to his standards, or is there something else he’s hiding from us? If he’s not impressed with a lady like Vivian MacDougal, then he will certainly think lower of me if he sees me with simple and ordinary looking Lily. The more reason to keep her hidden away for God knows how long.

I stole a glance at Vivian who couldn't hide the dissatisfaction and disgust on her face as he walked away. My mind quickly drifted to lily, no matter how much I use her, she had always had this big bright smile on her face. It was almost impossible to see her get mad.

As I step into the grand ballroom of the charity event, I can feel the weight of expectations pressing down on me. It's not just about impressing the guests or making connections; it's about proving myself to Uncle Dalton. He's always been distant, aloof, but I know he's watching, silently assessing my every move.

I hope Uncle Dalton notices how dedicated I am. Maybe he'll finally see me as capable of running the company someday. This is my chance to show Uncle Dalton that I'm worthy of his trust, that I can uphold the family legacy and that I can run Windsor Jewels satisfactorily.

I cautiously was keeping myself around him to decipher his body language.