Ch. 16..20: Inherit Billions Chapter 16-20
Chapter 16
Who Knew She Had Such Skills
“Orion, Seraphina must be mad at me again. Let’s just leave, Jessica said.
Orion saw an opportunity. “You wait by the door.” he told her, then walked straight in.
He found Seraphina sitting in a booth with the renowned Sivir beside her, gently massaging her ankle with. a gentle gaze. Orion’s anger flared.
They both looked up as he approached. Sivir smiled and calmly sat beside Seraphina, pulling her into his arms.
“Mr. Dros, shouldn’t you be comforting your lady instead of coming here to settle scores?” Sivir said.
Orion’s eyes darkened, his gaze fixed on the hand around Seraphina. His voice turned icy.
“Seraphina, if I did something to upset you, you can take it up with me. But you should apologise to Jessica.
Seraphina chuckled. “And if I don’t? Are you going to throw me in the water?”
Orion was annoyed by her casual attitude. Seeing her being close to another man so soon made him a liule angry.
“We were married once. I advise you to show some decency.”
“You don’t know me, Mr. Dros. I’ve always been vicious
Orion was taken aback. Her attitude where she couldn’t care less was infuriating, but he had no right to criticise her with their current relationship status.
“Suit yourself,” he said coldly and walked away.
He had forgotten his initial intention to explain his relationship with Jessica. But now, there was no need.
Seraphina’s smile slowly faded as Sivir patted her shoulder. “Do you still have feelings for him?”
“How could I?”
Seraphina scoffed. Once bitten, twice shy.
In Orion’s car, Jessica, wrapped in his jacket, was about to explain what happened tonight when the driver exclaimed, “Isn’t that Ms. Yancy?”
The driver slowed down, pointing at the giant electronic screen on the Hilton Hotel.
The ad space, costing the pool.
tens of millions for a minute, was playing a looped video of Jessica and Seraphina by
The footage was edited to obscure their faces, but everyone at the event would recognise them.
Orion’s eyes were glued to the screen. The video showed that Seraphina hadn’t touched Jessica. Jessica had
In an instance, the temperature dropped in the car.
Orion’s expression darkened. Minutes ago, he had demanded Seraphina to apologise.
This was her response.
Ilhat a joke!
Jessica turned pale as she was shrouded in fear.
She never imagined someone would broadcast the security footage for the entire city to see!
The car door was closed with a loud bang.
Orion stood outside, his voice harsh.
“Tomorrow morning, you’re going to Frencette.”
Jessica begged from inside the car, but Orion’s rage had no outlet.
If this was fake, then what was real in the past three years?
Walking in the cold wind, a flashy sports car pulled up beside him. The driver waved and said, “Hey, get in.”
Lucius and Orion were close friends; he had also been at the party to socialise and was entertained by the fiasco earlier. However, he found that it was pointless to stay after Orion left, so he left as well, not expecting to run into him here.
Orion lit a cigarette. The smoke reminded him of Seraphina, and he froze a little.
“Did you see Seraphina? What’s her deal with Sivir?” Lucius asked.
Orion’s mood soured further upon hearing the question. He didn’t want to answer because he didn’t know either!
Luckily, there were no reporters today, or it would’ve been explosive news in the circle. But nobody would dare to spread gossip due to the Dros family’s status anyway
“To be honest, we felt sorry that someone of her background managed to marry you. Today, she even targeted Jessica. Heh. I’m glad you’re divorced. Otherwise, she might have dragged the whole Dros family down. I can’t believe she’s hooked up with Sivir now–they look pretty close. Who knew she had such
Chapter 17
Get Them Out of Here
Given Orion’s status, he should marry someone who matched his standing. Women like Seraphina, who married into the Dros family for money, were not suitable. None of his friends could respect her.
Orion felt uncomfortable at Lucius’s casual words.
His expression turned cold, his dark eyes glinting. “Enough. Stop yapping!”
Lucius shrugged. The woman was out of Orion’s life now, so as long as she didn’t cause trouble for him, ft was fine.
Orion stayed silent, his face serious. After he put out his cigarette, the smoke disappeared in the wind.
“How about we get a drink?” Lucius suggested.
Orion agreed. “Let’s go.” He needed to get rid of the irritation bothering him.
After the drama settled, Seraphina became the center of attention at the party. Sivir introduced her as the new vice president of the company.
This fueled more speculation about their relationship, but they ignored the rumours.
Seraphina needed to prove herself in the company. She couldn’t openly declare her status as an heiress: she had to show her skills and connections.
There was some discontent, but no one dared oppose Sivir’s decision.
Sivir appointed his trusted aide, Thomas, as Seraphina’s secretary and personally taught her for two hours every day. Seraphina spent the last two hours of each workday in Sivir’s office.
Watching Seraphina relax in the rocking chair, Sivir joked, “If you keep slacking off, I’ll have Dad teach you e next time.”
Seraphina immediately straightened up. “Please don’t!”
“In a few days, Giant Group is celebrating its anniversary. They have a project up for grabs. You should try for it.
Seraphina was excited. “Sure, I’ll go for it.”
“It won’t be easy. Everyone knows it’s a great opportunity, so it’ll be hard to get it. I’ll be abroad for two days then, but Justin should be back.”
“Justin’s coming back? I’ll pick him up myself.”
Thinking of Justin, whom she hadn’t seen in a while, Seraphina smiled. The last time she saw him was in a drama on TV.
Sivir chuckled and looked at his watch. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to dinner.”
As they entered the restaurant, Seraphina’s expression changed. What a coincidence.
Theresa and Hannah were there too!
“Where’s the manager? Does this restaurant let just anyone in?” Hannah shouted.
Having lost her money at Lacuna, Hannah didn’t know that her theft of family jewellery had made headlines.
Her reputation was ruined, and now, socialites viewed her with disdain.
To think Seraphina, who had been thrown out, was the cause of it all!
Seeing Seraphina in the restaurant made Hannah angry. She had always looked down on Seraphina’s background and had often humiliated her. Now, she demanded to see the manager at the sight of Seraphine.
The manager hurried over, aware that all guests had reservations and could not be offended.
“Ms. Dros, I’m terribly sorry…
Hannah wished she could slap Seraphina in her anger.
“Get her out of here. Her presence is ruining our meal, and we’re VIP customers!”
The manager glanced back, startled. Sivir’s gaze was icy, and the woman beside him smiled calmly. She was stunning, her wavy hair cascading over her ears, her luminous eyes and striking features unaffected by Hannah’s outburst.
He hurried over, bowing respectfully. “Mr. Cross, your table is ready. Please, take a seat.”
Hannah’s face changed. She eyed Sivir, a hint of admiration in her eyes, but she frowned at his protectiveness of Seraphina. “Hey! Didn’t you hear me? Get them out of here!”
Chapter 18
Teaching Her a Lesson
On the sidelines, Theresa scoffed contemptuously at Seraphina, “Did you look in the mirror before⚫ coming here? Seraphina, are you here searching for another lover to flaunt your arrogance?
“What right does a woman ousted from the Dros family have to show her face here?”
Sivir responded with a sneer, his presence commanding, “Ousted from the family? Since when has the Dros family sunk so low? They really excel at bending the truth! He was seething, pondering the kind of treatment Seraphina must have endured under the Dros family.
Caught off guard, Theresa’s face turned red. She snapped at the manager. “Why are you still standing there? I don’t want to see them here!”
The manager responded firmly, “Mrs. Dros, Ms. Dros, Mr. Cross is a major shareholder of this restaurant. If you prefer not to see them, you are free to leave.”
Theresa and Hannah were taken aback, showing varying degrees of shock. Seraphina gave a cold smirk. “Let’s not escalate this over a simple meal. I need to discuss something with you two.” Then Seraphina turned to Sivir, and instructed. “Go inside and wait for me.”
Although visibly upset, Sivir saw a different side of Seraphina and decided to trust her handling of the situation.
Sivir nodded slightly and proceeded inside, his compliance catching everyone off guard.
Theresa and Hannah were not scared of her. Hannah, undeterred, retorted, “You should recognise your place. No matter which elite circle you attempt to enter the Dros family will shun you. My brother never cared for you, and I will make sure you find no success in Golden Bay!”
Seraphina responded with a faint, detached smile. So, what do you propose?”
“How about you start by pouring me a drink as an apology? You’ve served enough people, especially in the Dros family. I’ll consider forgiving you this time.”
Hannah raised an eyebrow, expecting Seraphina to apologise to her.
Seraphina calmly picked up the decanter, poured a glass of wine with finesse, and extended it to her.
Hannah sneered, but just as she was about to take the glass, she felt a chilling sensation on her head
The wine from Seraphina’s glass cascaded ruthlessly over Hannah. Before Hannah could react, Seraphina shoved her back, leaning in to whisper icily in her ear.
“Ms. Dros, remember, I was the one who initiated the divorce. I chose to walk away from the Dros family. Speak out of turn again, and I’ll show you who really can’t make it in Golden Bay!”
As Seraphina strutted away, her movement was poised and composed. Still in shock, Hannah had not fully grasped what had just occurred, while Theresa vocally berated the scene, demanding the manager servers to clean up.
“Is Seraphina out of her mind? How dare she do this! Theresa fumed.
However, Seraphina was already being led by the manager to the VIP lounge across the room.
Hannah, her appearance dishevelled with her hair and outfit stained by red wine, suddenly realised her predicament. She was on the verge of going after Seraphina when a waiter intervened, suggesting, “Ms. Dros, we have some clothes for you to change into. Would you like to use them?”
Feeling the eyes of the crowd on her, an agitated Hannah stomped her foot and declared, “I won’t let her get away with this!”
Sivir’s mood was visibly sour, but Seraphina seemed unaffected. She looked up at him with a smile. “Sivir. Olivia and I are planning to go shopping tonight. Would you like to join us?”
Sivir shot her a frosty look. “You’re still in the mood for shopping and dining after the way the Dros family treated you? They look down on you!”
Seraphina sighed and shrugged, a cool edge to her gaze. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t dwell on it. It’s all in the past. As long as they leave me be in the future, it’s fine. But if they provoke me, I won’t back down.”
After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant and saw Orion’s car waiting outside.
Seated inside, Hannah was eager to air her grievances to Orion as soon as Seraphina appeared. Tears mixed with frustration as she lamented, “It was her, Orion. I just embarrassed myself-all because of that woman, Seraphina. Mom can vouch for me, too.”a
Chapter 19
The Old Seraphina
Seraphina stood there, her gaze icy and detached, seemingly oblivious as she left while holding Sivir’s hand.
Orion’s face clouded over, baffled by Seraphina’s abrupt shift. Haunted by memories of Jessica’s false accusations against her, he worried about misunderstandings and waited for Seraphina to clarify things. but she paid him no heed and started to walk away.
As she brushed past Orion, he reached out and grabbed her arm firmly, his face set in a hard line.
“Seraphina, you owe me an explanation!”
Looking up, Seraphina’s eyes flashed with defiance as she scoffed, “It was me. There’s nothing more to explain.”
She attempted to pull away, indifferent to the tension brewing.
She did not care for Orion’s troubled look either.
Feeling his grip tighten uncomfortably, Seraphina faced him, her eyes chilling. “Mr. Dros, are you trying to scold me on her behalf?”
“Orion, don’t let her off the hook. She dared to strike me; we can’t just forgive her!”
Hannah, never one to endure disgrace quietly, especially with her pampered upbringing, demanded justice.
Orion’s expression grew even grimmer as he turned to his sister. “What do you expect me to do?”
With a smug look, Hannah directed her demand at Seraphina, “Tell her to apologise to me.”
“Apologise to you?” Seraphina let out a derisive snort. Then, she glanced at Orion, suspecting he shared her sentiment.
Every conflict with Hannah or Theresa typically ended with her being coerced into an apology, diminishing major issues and trivializing minor ones.
This time, however, Seraphina was not going to accommodate their poor behaviour.
“Do you also expect an apology from me, Mr. Dros? Or perhaps we should check the surveillance footage to set things straight? Ms. Dros is hardly the innocent victim she pretends to be,” she said with biting sarcasm, brushing off Orion’s hand and linking arms with Sivir instead.
Sivir, his voice cold and sharp, chimed in, “Hasn’t anyone in the Dros family ever taught Ms. Dros that bullying might lead to retaliation? Why didn’t she consider apologising to Seraphina when she spoke disrespectfully to her?”
Hannah trembled under Sivir’s intense stare, feeling guilty and panicked. She took refuge behind Orion. pleading in a pitiful tone, “Orion, I didn’t.”
Sivir and Seraphina both kept their cold, unwavering gazes fixed on Hannah.
Oliver frowned deeply, troubled by the accusations.
Hannah defensively shot back, her voice tinged with panic, “Isn’t this because she slandered me online. accusing me of stealing Starry Sky, which led my friends to ridicule me? How is it theft if it belongs
to my family? I merely confronted her, and now she dares to defy me!”
The incident had clearly left her humiliated.
Orion’s face was stern, his eyes dark, and his brow furrowed as if he were about to intervene.
Almost amused by the drama, Seraphina laughed off her theatrics. “The old Seraphina would have retaliated when insulted. Ms. Dros, you should learn some respect, or you might face the consequences.
“The restaurant’s surveillance footage is always available for review. So, Mr. Dros, you are welcome to check it at any time. Goodbye.”
With those final words, Sivir led Seraphina away, courteously opening the car door for her, and they drove off.
Orion watched Sivir’s car disappear into the distance, his expression growing darker.
The newly single Seraphina was like a train derailed, utterly unpredictable in her conduct.
Previously, she had always been cautious in her interactions with him, but now she spoke boldly, without any hesitation.
Hannah, still unwilling to let the matter go, made a move to chase after the car, but Orion held her back firmly, restraining her.
“Enough already!”
“Orion, how can you side with outsiders like this? Seraphina is attacking me and our whole family! She’s forgotten all the support we’ve given her over the last three years. She definitely needs to be put in her place!”
Orion was indeed tempted to scold her, but seeing Hannah break down in tears, he suddenly lost the will to continue the argument.
“Let’s go review the surveillance footage.”
That single suggestion stopped Hannah in her tracks, her tears halting as she clenched her teeth in anger. “Orion, don’t you trust your own sister? It’s obvious they’re setting me up!”
“We’ll know after we review it, Orion said, giving his sister a sidelong glance as he headed inside.
A flash of panic crossed Hannah’s face, yet she composed herself and followed him, bracing for what was to come.
Chapter 20
Sivir Cross
“Orion, I’ve told you she’s no good. Look at that man always by her side. Maybe she’s cheating on you and using your money to keep him around!”
Hannah taunted. hoping Orion would side with her against Seraphina. Why should she let that woman walk all over her?
Orion’s gaze turned icy, his voice stem. “Enough!”
He walked away, ignoring Hannah completely.
At the restaurant, following Sivir’s directions, the manager had the surveillance footage ready. When Orion arrived and stated his purpose, the manager promptly handed over the tape.
Minutes ticked by as they watched….
Orion’s expression darkened progressively. Hannah stood beside him, a knot of anxiety growing inside her. The video showed Hannah and Theresa hurling venomous insults and curses while Seraphina responded with apparent indifference.
Indifference?
Was this not new to her?
Did the Dros family often treat Seraphing this way while she lived with them?
Seraphina’s calm and her retaliation left both Orion and Hannah speechless. Was this the first time she had stood up for herself?
Orion’s emotions swirled, his heart pounding as his face ran through a gamut of emotions. Abruptly, he turned off the video and strode out.
“Orion, wait!”
“Hannah, this isn’t the first time you insult her like this, right?” Orion’s voice was harsh as he fixed his gaze on his sister.
Hannah’s complexion blanched, her expression one of shock, and she hastily responded, “What are you talking about? I’m just upset that she moved on so quickly after the divorce. Why would I insult her for no reason?”
Orion sneered, unable to take his spoiled and headstrong sister seriously.
“Apologise to Seraphina!”
“No! I’d rather die than apologise to that horrible woman!” Hannah burst out, visibly distressed by the incident where Seraphina had splashed wine on her. Why should she be the one to apologise?
Clinging to Orion’s arm, Hannah pleaded, “Orion, you have to help me. Is Seraphina using your money to be with that man? It’s clear there’s something going on between them.”
Orion pulled his arm away sharply, his voice cold as he issued a final caution, “That man is Sivir Cross. You don’t want to get involved with him.”
Now, doubts clouded his mind. Was the divorce not merely a personal matter but a family matter?
Hannah stood frozen; though she had never personally met Sivir, his reputation preceded him in their social circles. Known as the eldest son of Emeris Cross, the world’s wealthiest man, he was mysterious and aristocratic. Many women sought his favour, yet here he was with Seraphina?
Fuming that her brother would not support her, Hannah knew she needed to seek assistance elsewhere. So, she immediately made a phone call. “Lucius, Seraphina is harassing me. You have to help me.”