Ch. 221..225: Inherit Billions Chapter 221-225
Chapter 221Asset Transfer
His face was tense, a mixture of uncase and frustration.
Who was Orion to dwell on something so insignificant?
And to go out of his way to explain it?
In his mind, he replayed the look she gave him that night-full of distrust.
It felt like a dagger was stabbing into his heart.
For the first time, he experienced the helplessness of not being trusted.
She had pushed him out of her world, refusing to believe anything he said.
Seraphina's back stiffened slightly as she turned away.
She recalled the investigation Thomas had been working on and decided to set everything else aside.
Whether it was true or not, it no longer mattered to him.
Orion's attitude and explanations seemed absurdly unnecessary.
"Mr. Dros, it doesn't matter whether it's true or not. It's in the past now."
Seraphina smiled faintly and walked away.
The plagiarism scandal had already been confirmed. Anthony had lost his reputation.
The person who stole the chip was one of Anthony's young lovers-a recent intern at Giant Group and a classmate of Grace. She had been taken to the police station.
The Lacuna branch had already begun the bankruptcy process.
Alexander wasn't willing to give up so easily. He kept coming to Cross Group, refusing to leave, demanding to see Emeris.
"How dare you do this to me? I'm a family too!"
Seraphina was in her office and enjoying dessert. She was irritated by the commotion, and even the dessert had lost its taste.
Thomas noticed her annoyance.
"Should I have security escort him out?"
The employees had already considered this option but hesitated because Alexander was Seraphina's uncle. Therefore, no one dares to suggest it.
Seraphina glanced at the photos she had acquired from Lacuna on her computer. Her expression
darkened.
Asset Transfer
"Bring my uncle in."
Thomas was slightly surprised but quickly obeyed, leaving the room.
"I thought you were hiding and too scared to face me. Seraphina, how can you be so heartless!" Alexander appeared unshaven and disheveled. He looked like he hadn't taken care of himself. He must have been too preoccupied with anxiety these past few days.
Seraphina poured him a cup of tea and placed it on the table.
"Uncle Alexander, I have some bad news for you."
Alexander froze.
Seraphina's voice was calm, devoid of warmth.
"Just ten minutes ago, the finance department of the Lacuna branch discovered that all your funds had disappeared. All the real estate, bonds, and stocks under your name have been sold off. The money you were supposed to compensate your business partners was all gone." Alexander hadn't even sat down. His body stiffened at the revelation, and he began to cough violently, his face turning beet red.
"You... you're lying!"
Seraphina projected the photos from her computer onto the wall, making sure he could see them clearly.
"While you were here causing a scene, your lover and daughter fled with the money, taking off with that husband of hers. Uncle Alexander, how could you have let your guards down toward the strangers?" Alexander's face turned ashen.
His bloodshot eyes were filled with malice as he stared at the photos on the wall.
Those three had deceived him. His lover and daughter had sweet-talked him every day and had him wrapped around their fingers.
And in the photos, those two were now supporting a hunchbacked middle-aged man as they sneaked away, their silhouettes evoking sinister thoughts.
He was no stranger to the man.
After Seraphina's birthday party, he had someone investigate him.
That man was Flora's husband and Grace's father.
And now, here he was, standing at Seraphina's office and throwing a tantrum like a fool.
424
Chapter 222
Alexander's Concession
Seraphina observed his reaction and knew she had pusfied him just far enough.
"Uncle Alexander, my dad said he's willing to cover the compensation on the condition that you withdraw from all Cross-related businesses and relinquish the company shares you've secretly acquired."
She didn't need to spell it out-just enough to make her point.
Alexander's body stiffened, and his face contorted into a grim expression.
"You... you knew?"
He thought his actions were well-concealed.
He had carefully targeted the smaller shareholders who later joined the Cross Group, quietly buying up their shares, but it seemed they had found out.
Seraphina smiled.
"This company is my dad's life's work, not an inherited estate. By your rights, you have no claim to it. We've kept quiet about your activities out of respect for the brotherly bond you share with my father. If you keep this up, that bond will be gone." Alexander had nothing left to say. His eyes flashed with a hint of regret.
He no longer looked like the furious man who had walked in moments ago.
Instead, he seemed defeated.
Seraphina placed the printed photos in Alexander's hand. She asked, "Uncle Alexander, you wouldn't want our money to fall into the hands of those two, would you?"
Alexander silently turned and left.
Seraphina let out a quiet snort and sent a quick text to Emeris. "You can come home now!"
Thomas, looking puzzled, asked, "Ms. Cross, should we bring back Flora and Grace?"
1
The large sum of money they had taken had nearly drained all of the Lacuna branch's liquid assets.
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
"Nah! Let Uncle Alexander handle it. He'll feel more accomplished that way."
When he personally goes after them, he'll realize just how much he despises them!
After resolving this issue, Sivir couldn't help but praise her for a long time during the meeting.
Everyone in the group was now aware of this incident. Seraphina's decisive actions had earned her a reputation as à capable and astute leader, far from the inexperienced rookie and rich heiress they had once assumed her to be.
At the Dros Group.
Alexander's Concession
When Orion exited the conference room, Ken quickly caught up with him.
"Mr. Dros, the list of attendees for the World Business Summit has been released. You've received an invitation again. Would you like me to arrange your schedule in advance?"
The summit was first organized last century by a Trara entrepreneur. It was an exclusive, private gathering of the world's most influential business leaders. It wasn't about wealth; it was about global influence.
There were only about a dozen invitations sent out worldwide. Many had heard of the event but had never seen it firsthand.
Orion paused when he saw the luxurious black-and-gold invitation in Ken's hand.
"I can bring a guest along, right?" he asked.
Ken was shocked.
Some attendees, as invitees, would bring an emerging talent from the business world to the summit. However, it was rare because the stability of such an exclusive circle depended on maintaining a delicate balance of influence. Someone coming in meant someone else had to go.
"Mr. Dros, who do you plan on bringing?"
Lucius? Surely, he isn't qualified.
Orion frowned slightly, his gaze piercing and dark as he looked at Ken.
"Give the invitation to Seraphina. Let her decide if she wants to go."
His voice was cold. With that, he walked into his office.
Ken was stunned. He hadn't even considered Seraphina. Given her family's influence, the summit organizers would undoubtedly have sent her an invitation.
If she wanted to, she could attend on her own. Why would Ms. Cross need an invitation from you?
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Chapter 223
The Plane Crash
At the Cross Group's office.
Seraphina stared at the invitation in front of her. It didn't specify who was inviting, her, but she could feel the weight of it.
This wasn't just any ordinary summit.
During her time in Etopia, where she attended school and started her own business, she'd heard rumors about this mysterious conference. Most never got close, but many would do anything to get in.
Thomas watched Seraphina cautiously. Ever since Ken left the office, something about her has seemed off.
"Ms. Cross, are you going to be there? From what I gathered, Mr. Dros is definitely going," Thomas said carefully.
"Of course, I'm going," Seraphina replied.
Thomas was stunned. Usually, if Orion was going to be somewhere, Seraphina would go out of her way to avoid him. Why didn't she dodge him this time?
As she held the invitation, Seraphina raised an eyebrow. She wondered why Orion would be so kind as to share such an opportunity with her.
There was no way she would pass it up.
"Book me a flight," Seraphina instructed Thomas.
Thomas hesitated and said, "Ken mentioned that Mr. Dros has already booked everything. If you decide to go,
all you need to do is board the plane."
Seraphina fell silent and felt a flash of irritation. That pesky Orion seemed to know her too well,
After a moment, she took the invitation and went to find Sivir.
"Sivir, that bastard gave me this invitation. I'm planning to check it out."
Sivir was surprised when he saw it, but he quickly composed himself and smiled calmly
"I was considering taking you in a few years. You're still young, and your experience is still limited. They might not take you seriously. But if you want to go and join the fun, why not?" Seraphina's face lit up with excitement as she looked at him.
She asked, "Are you coming too?"
Sivir opened a drawer and pulled out a thick stack of invitations. Those who invited him were the founders of that global business summit.
"I've never attended. I can't be bothered to deal with them."
The Plane Crash
Once again, Sivir's casual display of his clite status didnt fail to impress.
Two days later.
Seraphina arrived at the airport.
Once on the plane, she noticed that the business class section was almost empty.
She paused when her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.
"Ms. Cross, Mr. Dros had an unexpected change of plans. His flight now starts at 7 someone will meet you there. -Ken."
Seraphina frowned and snorted quietly to herself.
@ 80%
p.m. When
you arrive,
Well, it wasn't that convenient.
The thought of being on the same flight as him was far from appealing. Now, at least she could relax.
As the plane took off, Seraphina reviewed some documents before closing her eyes to rest. A loud noise jolted her awake just as she started to drift off. BOOM! The entire plane began to shake violently.
Seraphina abruptly woke up from her sleep. She felt the plane shudder, as if it were losing control.
Around her, passengers started screaming and pleading for their lives. The alarms blared, mixing with the panicked cries of the crew.
It was impossible to focus on anything else.
Seraphina's face turned pale as she looked outside. The world was a blur of dark clouds. There were flashes of lightning that were eerie and terrifying.
If only she hadn't come!
"What do we do?"
The desperate voices of other passengers echoed around her as she gripped the armrest. Other passengers desperate voices echoed around her. Her whole body was trembling. Her gaze was bleak.
In all her experiences, she had never imagined the day she would die in such a way.
Everything she'd been through felt insignificant now.
"This is your captain speaking. I'm sorry to inform you that the plane'encountered an unknown. malfunction while passing through a severe turbulence zone. Please put on your life jackets and oxygen masks immediately. The plane may lose control at any moment. Prepare to jump. May God be with us!"
The captain's voice was tense, barely masking his fear.
"May God be with us? I'd rather send you to meet Him first!"
Seraphina's face was ashen as she followed the captain's instructions step by step. Her hands trembled uncontrollably but she never stonned moving.
The Plane Crash
"The cabin doors are open. The plane will crash in forty seconds. Jump immediatelly!"
BANG!
In that moment, time froze.
Chapter 224
Finished
No One Survived
Dros Group.
When Orion stepped out of the conference room, the day was nearly over as dusk settled in.
The setting sun hung low on the branches outside his office window, casting a familiar glow-a scene like countless other ordinary evenings.
He had just forty minutes before his flight. He hadn't forgotten that Seraphina was waiting for him in Trara.
As he casually loosened his tie, he was about to instruct Ken to bring the signed documents. Ken rushed into the office, and his face paled with panic. Ken had been his assistant for many years. This man was always calm and composed, never before showing such distress.
""Mr... Mr. Dros..."
Orion frowned, and a deep crease formed between his brows as he waited for Ken to continue.
"An hour ago, we received news. The plane carrying Ms. Cross... it crashed. After a thorough search and confirmation... there were no survivors." Ken's voice grew quieter with each word. By the time he uttered those words, his lips were barely moving.
Behind Orion was a massive floor-to-ceiling window, the sunset stretching his tall, lean silhouette across the floor.
At that moment, the temperature in the office felt as cold as an ice cellar, frigid and oppressive.
Orion's expression slowly turned rigid. His expression darkened, and the storm brewing in his deep eyes was unmistakable. "What did you just say?"
His voice was hoarse. It was laced with a cold, sharp edge, and his eyes were bloodshot with disbelief.
He must have heard it wrong.
Ken couldn't muster the courage to repeat his words. His eyes reddened.
"It's true. Her name is on the list of the deceased. The Cross Group has been notified. Her father is so devastated that he's been hospitalized."
As Ken's words trailed off, the office fell into a deathly silence. It was thick with an overwhelming chill and the suffocating weight of grief.
Orion stood there, frozen. His gaze locked on Ken.
A blunt instrument had never before pierced his heart, its barbed edge tearing through his flesh. The pain was beyond words-only a numbing shock and trembling fear remained.
No One Survived
him. His face paled, making him look lifeless.
Finished
The next moment, he swept everything off his desk in a wild, furious motion. The sound of objects crashing to the floor mingled with his grief and anger.
"I don't believe it! She's not dead! She can't be dead!" He roared, his teeth clenched tightly.
Seraphina was a woman who loved life so much!
She was vibrant, optimistic, beautiful, and always wore her emotions on her sleeve.
Even when Jennifer had been kidnapped, she hadn't flinched.
For those three years, she had always looked at him with a gentle, hopeful gaze.
After the divorce, she had lived with such carefree confidence.
Whether she was playing the violin on stage, negotiating a business deal, or smoking with brazen defiance, every scene had been etched deeply into his mind. Without him realizing it, she had become intertwined with his world, embedded in his very soul, and impossible to extricate.
He hadn't even had the chance to ask for her forgiveness.
Orion couldn't imagine a life without her.
His expression was shattered, overwhelmed with sorrow. Orion was on the verge of breaking down.
When Ken saw Orion's state, he couldn't hold back his tears either.
The news of the plane crash was everywhere. Amidst the flood of information, the official statement from the authorities finally clarified the cause.
Due to improper operation of the internal control systems, the aircraft failed to respond promptly when passing through a lightning storm, resulting in the crash.
The plane hadn't even had time to send a distress signal before it plummeted into the sea, disappearing without a trace.
The crash site was in deep waters, and rescue planes found no signs of life on the surface.
No distress signals were detected.
Chapter 225
She's Gone
The entire afternoon was filled with sorrow and regret as everyone mourned the tragic plane crash.
It was difficult to imagine the despair those on board must have felt in their final moments, without even a chance to say goodbye.
The official list of victims was released, and among the names was Seraphina. The inclusion of her name transformed the disaster into a tragedy that tugged at millions' heartstrings.
The sudden death of the powerful CEO, who had dominated headlines for so long, caught everyone's attention. The news almost brought the internet to a standstill.
Cross Group had yet to issue a response.
In the meantime, they dispatched over a dozen private planes to search the area where the crash occurred, hiring dozens of international mercenaries to assist with the recovery. They refused to give up.
Soon, the search expanded over the same sea area, with nearly a hundred planes circling overhead. The scale of the operation was astonishing.
The number of divers increased exponentially, drawing the attention and concern of multiple nations.
Orion joined the rescue efforts without hesitation, all for a single person.
He couldn't forget that the invitation was from him.
If it weren't for him, Seraphina wouldn't have gone through this ordeal. She wouldn't have been scared, wouldn't have gone missing, and certainly wouldn't have ... died.
He couldn't bear to imagine what she was thinking during those final moments. Did she think of him?
Perhaps she hated him even more.
At that moment, the once fearless and proud girl must have been so terrified.
If only he had been on that plane, too.
Days passed, and the rescue teams found no signs of life.
The plane fragments retrieved from the deep sea were incomplete.
The jagged edges and charred remains left little to the imagination-the moment of the explosion must have been horrific.
The moment Orion saw a piece of the wreckage, his long-maintained composure crumbled.
Standing in the helicopter, he looked down at the endless ocean. It's brilliant blue, reflecting the blinding sunlight. The roaring waves sent salty sea breezes crashing against his face, hiding the immense power beneath the surface capable of consuming everything. Life, in that moment, felt insignificant.
His body trembled slightly as he held onto the door frame, and Ken quickly stepped forward.
She's Gone
A hint of reluctance was present. There was a hint of reluctance.
Finished
Compared to Orion's three years of coldness toward Seraphina, Ken had interacted with her more frequently. He had witnessed her despair, transformation, and growth. Ken longed for what she had endured and admired her strength. When the news broke, the overwhelming emotion he felt was suffocation.
Orion worked tirelessly to help the rescue efforts day and night. Ken could sense the deep, lifeless sadness that had overtaken him.
It wasn't just guilt and remorse-it was the loss of something vital within him.
"Mr. Dros, it's been several days. There are many decisions waiting for you to make in the office. Perhaps you should go back. If there's any news, I'll inform you immediately."
Ken couldn't convey his thoughts-that one could drown in minutes after falling into the sea. After three or four days of searching and with no results...
The harsh reality was that Seraphina was likely no longer in this world.
The sea was full of carnivorous fish, and they might never have found her body.
Orion stood motionless in the doorway. His features are now worn and disheveled, with an unkempt beard adding to his haggard appearance.
His once sharp eyes were clouded with despair, yet he couldn't bring himself to abandon the search.
What if... what if Seraphina was still out there, waiting for him to save her?