Ch. 196..200: Inherit Billions Chapter 196-200
Chapter 196
Her Birthday
"What?" Seraphina was shocked.
"A warning? How did you warn him? Is Uncle Alexander trying to push someone into the company?"
Sivir's lips curled into a cold smile.
"It's not that simple. He's aiming to get into the shareholders' meeting. He's been secretly buying up company shares and reaching out to a large number of shareholders. It looks like he's got his eye on our company."
Seraphina's expression darkened slightly.
"Flora and Grace visited our home recently. That woman was trying to get Grace a high position in the company, but we turned them down. Could this be part of their inside-outside plan?"
Sivir scoffed in disdain, his eyes cold and distant.
"Dream on."
"But how did you warn him?" Seraphina was curious about this.
Sivir smirked.
"If he's buying shares, he must have made quite a profit. So, I had the tax officers schedule an audit for his company in Lacuna for tomorrow."
Seraphina was left speechless.
ue
That move was genius.
Sivir reached out and tapped her forehead gently.
"Focus on preparing for your birthday party. It's a great chance to build business connections."
At Dros Group, Lucius ignored Ken's attempts to stop him and excitedly burst into Orion's office.
Orion frowned, his expression cool, as he looked at Lucius.
He mocked, "I bet you come here more often than you go home."
Lucius raised an eyebrow and walked forward with a casual swagger. He waved a pale yellow invitation in his hand.
It was elegant and classy, perfectly matching the status of the Crosses.
"Seraphina's birthday is coming up. I figured you hadn't received an invitation, so I snatched one from a
friend."
Orion's face instantly darkened, his gaze coldly sweeping over Ken. His assistant immediately lowered his head, avoiding eye contact.
Her Birthday
The Cross Group hadn't sent an invitation.
Ken stayed silent, nor did he feel embarrassed.
Orion's expression became inexplicably grim.
Seraphina's birthday?
He didn't even know when it was.
Some husband he was.
The thought left a heavy feeling in his chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Lucius walked over and patted his shoulder.
44 Finished
"I thought you'd appreciate it. Why aren't you happy? You don't want to go? Well, it's a shame if you don't."
Ken regretted standing there.
Is Mr. Brown out of his mind?
Did he have a death wish by joking around with Mr. Dros like that?
Suddenly, the temperature in the office seemed to drop to freezing.
His scalp tingled with fear.
Orion stared at Lucius until the smile faded from his face.
The room was silent for a moment before Lucius coughed awkwardly, placing the invitation on the desk
"Come on, Orion. Without you there to back me up. I'll be so lonely on my own."
He pleaded. Lucius was providing him with a way out and a reason to come. He was a good friend indeed. Orion picked up the invitation and checked the date.
It was the next evening.
He felt a sense of calm wash over him as he thought about it.
Orion barely registered what Lucius was saying. He remained silent, immersed in his own thoughts.
When he snapped back to attention, Lucius carefully observed his despair.
Orion's gaze grew colder, his eyes sharper. He spoke in a calm, steady tone.
Your father had his eyes on that project in Easton for a while, wasn't he?"
Lucius frowned, then his eyes lit up.
"Orion, are you saying? That's too generous."
Her Birthday!
Orion suppressed his emotions with a calm expression
"If you don't want it, forget it."
"I want it!" Lucius responded quickly.
The Hilton Hotel.
Seraphina's birthday party was a grand event, attracting many of the city's elite.
As Sivir had said, it was a wonderful opportunity to forge new connections.
Emeris spared no expense for his daughter's party, where he rented the entire hotel and lined the streets with bodyguards to protect the guests.
The hotel was brightly lit, exuding luxury and elegance.
A massive electronic billboard outside displayed a stunning photo of Seraphina, looking both beautiful and fierce.
"Happy Birthday, Seraphina!"
The message dominated social media, trending at the top and occupying ad spaces worth millions This celebration was more extravagant and luxurious than any of the company's previous events. Seraphina was openly pampered by the Crosses, making her the brightest star of the evening.
Chapter 197
How Did He Get Here?
In the hotel lounge, Seraphina, Olivia, and Sarah were touching up their makeup.
There were no outsiders present, so they were at ease.
Seraphina glanced at the table covered in various jewelry. The brilliant sparkle under the lights exuded ant unmistakable aura of wealth. It was a magnificent sight to behold. A simple yet exquisitely elegant black gown perfectly accentuated Seraphina's figure. Her fair skin is almost glowing in contrast.
Her beauty was striking, with an air of calm and unattainable sophistication. Despite the lack of excessive accessories, she stood there radiating an extraordinary elegance. Olivia and Sarah gazed in awe at the collection of diamond jewelry Emeris had sent over.
Seraphina's father wanted to bring everything he had for her.
They had never seen such extravagance.
Seraphina stood by and tried on rings one by one. The white diamonds were pure and clear; the pink diamonds were charmingly cute, and the black diamonds were rare and precious. She adorned all ten fingers with diamond rings and sighed in regret.
She turned to the other two, wiggling her jewel-laden fingers.
"It's a pity I can't wear all of them out. I love each one so much."
Olivia was speechless.
Sarah was equally at a loss for words.
Did the rich have to be this over-the-top?
Seraphina looked at her reflection in the mirror and was satisfied with her appearance.
In the end, she selected a couple of rings and wore several on two of her fingers.
It didn't look the least bit gaudy or overdone on her.
That look was beyond lavish.
Frugality was never her style.
Instead, the design felt rich with elegance and sophistication.
She nailed the look with her aura.
Olivia and Sarah gave her a thumbs up in approval.
"Let's go."
T.
How Did He Get Here?
#Finished
Outside, a team of bodyguards had surrounded the room, making it impossible for anyone to enter.
A group of them flanked Seraphina as they moved, their imposing presence shielding her in the center.
The sound of their synchronized footsteps echoed. It was a testament to their rigorous training
The staircase connected the two levels.
As Seraphina entered the grand hall, which was illuminated by brilliant lights, she immediately caught everyone's attention.
Her stunning beauty and cool demeanor made it impossible for anyone to look away.
She smiled faintly, and the grace in her expression seemed innate.
Emeris wore a proud expression as he approached to escort her down the stairs.
Her second brother, Sergio Cross, hadn't shown up at the party, but Seraphina had already received a bank card from him as a gift.
Sivir and Justin stood on either side. Their tall, handsome figures draw many admiring glances.
Why did this family have such perfect genes?
They make everyone envious of their good looks.
Emeris smiled as he picked up a glass of wine from a nearby server and gave a beginning speech.
"Thank you all for coming to celebrate my daughter's birthday. In all my years, the achievement I'm most proud of isn't founding Cross Group, but having a precious daughter." He had poured all his love into Seraphina.
He never showed them his full level of affection, regardless of how strict or carefree he raised them.
On the contrary, he openly practices favoritism toward Seraphina
During the three years she was away, he hadn't had a single restful night.
He feared she wasn't doing well and that she might be mistreated.
He even feared she was doing too well and might never want to come home.
His voice paused. Seraphina knew what Emeris was thinking, and her eyes moistened slightly.
Her clear gaze swept across the room, and she noticed Orion standing in the crowd.
By simply standing there, that man exuded nobility and charisma that were impossible to ignore.
He was a natural leader, dominating any space he occupied.
His gaze also met Seraphina's. Orion took in her stunning presence; it was something he had witnessed many times before.
Vet each time ir stirred coaching new in him
How Did He Get Here?
This time, beneath his composed and steady demeanor, there was a subtle hint of nervousness.
As their eyes locked, everything around them seemed to
I still.
The silence was as if the world outside had ceased to exist.
Finished
Within a few seconds, Seraphina looked away.
He's heret
Emeris finished his speech, and the guests came forward to offer their congratulations on Seraphina's birthday. Seraphina handled it all with grace and poise.
Olivia and Sarah approached her. Before they could relax, they saw Orion striding over with a commanding presence.
When Orion stopped before Seraphina, he didn't wait for her to speak and went straight to the point. "I've prepared three gifts for you. Would Ms. Cross lik
Chapter 198
Orion's Gift
Orion had already been one of the event's focal points. His presence naturally drew a lot of attention.
To make matters even more intriguing, he was accompanied by three bodyguards. Each of them carried a finely crafted and costly gift box. Seraphina frowned.
Her mood quickly plummets as her cheerfulness from earlier is gone.
Three gifts
Someone nearby couldn't help but comment, "Mr. Dros is really generous, isn't he? Three gifts at once?"
Seraphina pursed her lips slightly, a hint of disdain showing.
She wasn't exactly eager to receive gifts from Orion.
If anything, she felt more inclined to throw them back in his face.
Giving her gifts in front of everyone-was he trying to trap her into accepting them?
She stared at the boxes in front of her, secretly clenching her teeth.
Sensing the tension, Sarah stepped forward with a smile. "Why don't you open them first and see what's inside? If Seraphina doesn't like them, she can just refuse." Olivia chimed in, "Exactly!"
She leaned in closer to Seraphina and whispered, "If it's valuable, we could always sell it. No need to waste good money, right?"
Seraphina lowered her eyes slightly and smirked. "Alright then, let's see what's inside."
The crowd gathered around, eager to see what Orion had brought.
After all, any gift from Orion was bound to be impressive.
Orion stood calmly. His tall figure appeared even more striking under the harsh lighting. He was distant and indifferent.
Seraphina casually walked over and opened one of the boxes.
Inside was a diamond necklace with a design that echoed the grandeur of ancient Mecrar. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with large, pale sapphire diamonds set in a silver casing where the gem. sparkled brilliantly. The necklace was both exquisite and mysterious, as if it had traversed centuries of history to arrive in her
hands.
The moment she saw it, she felt the weight of history embedded in its design and materials.
In that instant, the value of the diamond necklace soared to an almost unimaginable level in her mind.
Orion's Gift
Seraphina's eyes shrank in shock.
She had seen many diamonds before; those that could be considered world-class were already rare.
Yet all of them paled in comparison to the one on this necklace.
Finished
Sarah stepped forward in shock. She gasped and asked, "Isn't this the Tears of Venus? Is this a collection of classic pieces from the Oclianian royal family?"
Seraphina was shocked, as she suddenly recalled seeing a photo of it in a magazine. Hadn't she once commented on how beautiful it was?
A Snoigro general claimed this treasure from the Tustistan Palace after the fall of the Oclianian monarchy. Felipe executed that general, causing the necklace to disappear until it reappeared at an auction. A private collector purchased it for a staggering sum. Was that collector Orion? Is Orion now presenting it to Seraphina?
"Seraphina, does Orion still need an ex-wife?" Olivia whispered mischievously, so quietly that only the two of them could hear.
She gazed admiringly at the necklace. If someone gave her something like this, she'd be willing to be an ex-wife.
Seraphina snapped out of her shock, casting a cold glance at her friend Olivia, who had no sense of loyalty.
She retorted quietly, "Haha! His ex-wife would have to drain her blood just to escape the misery of marriage." Olivia shrank back and conceded, "Alright, maybe not a good idea."
Their quiet exchange did not escape Orion's notice.
He narrowed his eyes slightly but remained expressionless,
Meanwhile, the crowd continued to marvel at the stunning appearance of the necklace.
"Money no longer serves as a measure for something so precious."
"It's incredible to see it in person!"
"One of Mr. Dros's gifts to Seraphina has already blown everyone away!"
"Talk about an extravagant present!"
Seraphina tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Isn't Mr. Dros's gift a bit too much?" She said it sarcastically.
Unexpectedly, Orion's gaze darkened. His voice was calm but laced with something deeper. "It suits you."
Seraphina momentarily questioned, "What did he mean by that?"
Sarah always the mediator chuckled and urged her on "Next please! There are still two more to onent
Orion's Gift
There were three boxes in total.
Clearly, the crowd was more excited to see what Orio
414
Chapter 199
A Surprise
Seraphina opened the second box with mixed feelings
Finished
It was a white hat for the winter.
It was simple in style, and there was nothing particularly special about it.
Moreover, Seraphina recognized it instantly-it was a past-season Chanel piece from two years ago.
Back then, it was a limited edition.
Today, it was nothing extraordinary.
Olivia scoffed disdainfully.
"What the heck? I already have one of these, and it's an old design from years ago. Mr. Dros couldn't be more thoughtless!"
Sarah watched thoughtfully and said nothing.
Seraphina was equally surprised.
A complex emotion tinged her gaze.
Without hesitation, she opened the third box.
Inside was a finely crafted, flawless emerald bracelet.
The color was vibrant, and the texture was refined and luxurious. It was a simple, elegant, and flawless piece.
It was worth a fortune, easily in the seven-figure range.
It was likely that the combined value of all the gifts from today's guests didn't even come close to these two -a diamond necklace and an emerald bracelet. Orion surely knew how to make a statement.
Seraphina froze slightly. She didn't want to dwell on the past, but those memories-surged up in her mind. uncontrollably.
The first time, she had given him a ring: he had returned the favor with a necklace.
The second time, she gave him a scarf; he had sent her a hat in return.
The third time, there was nothing from either of them.
And now he had given her an emerald bracelet. Was Orion attempting to make up for the gifts he had previously owed her? Those events were concluded a long time ago, yet they are now replayed vividly in her mind."
Thu, Oct
A Surprise
A twinge of sourness gripped her heart, making her heart sink.
Orion, you certainly have a knack for ruining the mood, don't you? 84 61
Finished
Did y
000
think that with this gesture, I'd act like nothing ever happened?
I had made it clear that we owed each other nothing, but he repeatedly reminded me of past events, again and again.
Fine then, she thought. If that's how he wants to play, he can't blame her for what happens next.
"Well, Ms. Cross must be truly lucky-receiving two such grand gifts in one night. Mr. Dros must have put a lot of thought into this. It seems to me that you two are a perfect match. Why don't you take this opportunity to rekindle your relationship?" Seraphina's cold gaze flicked over to the speaker.
Hmph! That's Jennifer. All the people I didn't want to see actually showed up at my party.
Everyone around them perked their ears, eager to hear more.
If these two really did get back together, it would be bigger news than any celebrity scandal.
It would be an event that shook the entire business world.
A powerful union like theirs would be unstoppable.
The women who coveted Orion would be out of luck.
The onlookers didn't want them to reconcile, but they were just secretly envious and resentful. When Seraphina heard Jennifer's words, she didn't feel moved; instead, she let out a cold laugh. "Selling myself for a couple of gifts? It seems like Ms. Perez hasn't received many presents lately."
She nonchalantly closed the box, ignoring Jennifer's sour expression.
Her expression was calm and indifferent.
'I'll accept Mr. Dros's gift. Thank you."
Her casual dismissal left everyone stunned.
The relationship between her and Orion was indeed a mystery.
A former husband giving his ex-wife such gifts-it was awkward, to say the least.
Everyone secretly thought that the Cross Group princess was indeed someone who had seen the world. Facing such gifts, she remained calm and composed.
Her demeanor was steady and cool.
Seraphina was ready to leave. She didn't want to stay, and she endured the strange looks from everyone.
Tuet se che unconerimuuche lat out s breath of relief Olive materionchu didled un to kér arahbing her arm
A Surprise
and pulling her aside.
Finished
"Seraphina, I just saw Hansen secretly instructing someone to prepare for some sort of ceremony. It seems like he's planning a surprise for you." Seraphina frowned slightly. That sounded like something Hansen would do.
"And there were a lot of roses," Olivia mumbled.
Seraphina was puzzled. What would he need-roses to surprise her?
"He didnon anything to us beforehand. Sarah and I had no clue. She was the one who told me to let you
know," Olivia said, shaking her head in exasperation at Hansen's secrecy.
This was serious, and she needed to steer clear of it.
"I get it. If Hansen dares to pull any stunts here, my family won't let him off the hook!" Seraphina replied confidently with a cold snort.
No matter what, tonight's birthday party had to be perfect.
Olivia raised an eyebrow and nodded.
Suddenly, a commotion outside caught everyone's attention.
Someone exclaimed, "It's fireworks!"
Everyone turned toward the window,
Giant fireworks exploded in the sky in a dazzling array of colors. It was burning brightly and brilliantly. As the fireworks blossomed, they began to form the image of a woman's face in the night sky-long, wavy hair, sharp eyebrows, and a slight smile. Care and precision went into crafting every detail.
What genuinely took everyone's breath away was how unmistakably the face resembled one person.
"Isn't that Ms. Cross?" Someone finally blurted it out.
"Yes, it really is Ms. Cross!"
Seraphina also saw it. What began as admiration quickly turned into shock.
A deep unease now permeated the initial surprise.
In the city's prime location, the sky was filled with dazzling fireworks that shone brilliantly.
The entire city's night sky lit up in just a few minutes.
It was a grand gesture to light up the sky with fireworks to celebrate Seraphina's birthday.
Orion had promised three gifts, and Seraphina had received them
Whoever orchestrated this display spared no expense. It wasn't Orion, so who could it be?
Chapter 200
Is He Proposing?
Fireworks illuminated the night sky.
Sivir smiled as he stepped forward and moved closer to Seraphin:
Seraphina turned her head and shot him a glance.
"Is this part of the program?"
She didn't recall there being a firework session like this.
Sivir's smile was calm and composed. His presence was steady and dignified.
""Of course not."
With that, his eyes narrowed slightly.
He observed a man making his way down the stairs from the opposite side. Siver spoke in a cheerful voice.
"But I think I know who it is."
"Who?"
Seraphina instinctively followed his gaze and posed the question.
She briefly froze at the sight.
Hansen, impeccably attired in a well-fitting suit, exuded a seductive charm with his smile.
In his hand, he held a large bouquet of vibrant roses.
The meaning of roses was obvious.
He walked towards Seraphina, his eyes locked on her and filled with deep affection.
Seraphina was momentarily stunned.
She considered running away, but it was no longer an option.
A tingling sensation crept up her scalp.
The surrounding guests began to whisper among themselves.
Tonight had been truly eventful.
First, Orion, and now Colombo-surprises seemed to keep coming.
Not far away. Jennifer watched the scene unfold. Her face paled due to the shock.
Everyone's attention was on Hansen.
Seraphina maintained her elegance. She stood gracefully as she watched him approach.
Is He Proposing?
Hansen came closer, and his expression betrayed a hint of nervousness.
Everyone was waiting in anticipation.
Evidently, this was all a setup for a proposal.
"Is Colombo proposing?"
""What a surprise!"
#Finished
"But doesn't Mr. Dros also have feelings for Ms. Cross? Why else would he give her such an expensive gift earlier?"
"Both men are great. Who will Ms. Cross choose?"
As Hansen reached her, Seraphina could no longer stay still.
She couldn't let the situation escalate.
All eves were on her.
With a quick glance around, she spotted Orion, who har just returned.
He fixed his sinister gaze on them, sending shivers down her spine.
Seraphina hesitated for a moment, but there was no time to think.
She stepped forward, smiling slightly at Hansen.
Hansen lifted the bouquet. He was about to speak, but Seraphina cut him off with a soft, fake smile.
Her voice was low enough for them to hear.
It was both a warning and a threat.
"If you have the gerve to go down on one knee, I'll shatter your kneecap.
Hansen's body trembled; a chill ran through him.
The joy in his eyes instantly faded, replaced with a tinge of darkness and dejection,
Indeed, Seraphina had guessed correctly.
Hansen was here to stir things up.
"Hansen....
A soft, trembling voice suddenly cut through the tension.
Jennifer was there.
"Isn't this joke going a bit too far?"
Is He Proposing?
She had watched as his world revolved entirely around Seraphina.
At this moment, she could no longer hold back.
Jennifer, who was usually composed, had finally lost her temper.
It was a surprising scene for those present.
Finished
Hansen paused a little. He didn't even notice Jennifer. Her words were brushing past him like the wind.
He smiled and pressed his lips together. Hansen reluctantly spoke under everyone's watchful eyes.
"Happy birthday, Seraphina. I hope you enjoy your day.
Justin couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"Hahaha! Happy day? Hansen, that's quite the birthday wish!"
He quickly quieted down when Sivir shot him a cold glare.
Everyone waited in silence for Seraphina's response. Seraphina accepted the bouquet with a satisfied smile.
"Thank you; I like this gift."
Hansen lowered his head slightly to hide the disappointment in his eyes.
Soon, Justin steered the conversation in a different direction.
Taking the opportunity, Seraphina grabbed Hansen's sleeve and led him away.
No one noticed the mix of disappointment and relief in Jennifer's eyes as she watched them go.
Once they were in a secluded room, Seraphina finally let go of him.
"Hansen, are you trying to cause trouble?"
Hansen's usual nonchalant demeanor had a hint of sincerity, though Seraphina's reaction had hurt him a
little.
However, it wasn't enough to break him.
After all, this was just the beginning.
"I just wanted to surprise you!"
Who knew she would detect even the slightest hint of trouble and squash it before it could grow?
Today has been such a perfect opportunity.
Unfortunately...
"Surprise? You almost gave us all a heart attack!"
is He Proposing?
Seraphina glared at him, arms crossed.
Given their familiarity, they didn't need to hold back.
Therefore, she spoke so bluntly.
She wasn't trying to make things awkward.
Finished
It was impossible for the two to become a pair. Instead of wasting his time on her, Hansen should come to this realization sooner rather than later.
Hansen bore a lazy, charming smile, and his tone was mischievous.
"You stopped me in time, but I won't be so obedient next time."
Seraphina's frustration flared up.
"Hansen, I'm nothing like your ex-girlfriends. Our styles are different. Why can't you let me go?"
His ex-girlfriends had been obedient and sweet, with a gentle, soft appearance.
The complete opposite of Seraphina's style.
Was he looking for a change of pace?
Hansen's expression froze momentarily-before he chuckled.
"Those women? How would they compare to you?
ver had feelings for them."
Seraphina wasn't interested in his long speeches, especially not now.
To stop him, she raised her hand.
"I don't want to know, Hansen. We've known each other for years, and this is where our relationship ends."
""You're jealous!"
Hansen's voice was firm.
His eyes sparkled with confidence.
Seraphina was speechless.
How could she gently refuse him without shattering his confidence?
She brushed her hair and said, "Forget it; I'm heading back."
Just as she turned to leave, she felt a tug on her dress.
"Your dress has been unzipped."
Hansen quickly noticed that Seraphina's gown's zipper wasn't fully up.
TE THU, UC2A
Is He Proposing?
She revealed a large expanse of fair skin and her bare shoulders. It was a breathtaking sight.
Earlier, her long hair had covered it, so no one noticed.
When she brushed it back, Hansen caught the details.
Seraphina paused, surprised, as she looked back.
Hansen had already started adjusting her dress.
The next moment, the door to the room suddenly swung open.
Finished
I apologize, Seraphina; I didn't mean to intrude. I didn't expect to interrupt you and Hansen. Hmm, you two should carry on."
Hearing this overly sweet and exaggerated voice, Seraphina instantly knew who it was.
It was Grace.
She shot a cold glare at her.
"Are you blind? Have you seen us being intimate?"
Hansen also released his grip at the right moment and snorted coldly.
"Who's this clueless person?"
Grace hesitated, biting her lip, before pushing the door wide open.
She wasn't the only one who stood outside.
Orion was there too.
The man's tall figure blocked the outside light. He had a chilling aura, and his eyes were dark as he watched them.