Ch. 356..360: Inherit Billions Chapter 356-360

Chapter 356

Cover Blew

Seraphina

casually placed the ice pack on his forehead

"Hang in there! The doctor will be here soon."

Orion wanted to seize the opportunity to make some requests, but Seraphina's phone rang suddenly.

He caught a glimpse of the name on the screen.

It was Wilson.

His heart thumped a little.

"It's so late. What could he possibly want from you?"

Orion couldn't hide his emotions at all-jealousy, anger, and the urge to do something drastic surged within him.

"Work, Seraphina replied nonchalantly.

She had no intention of explaining further; there was no need.

After that, she stood up and intended to take the call outside.

Orion watched her stand up and leave the room.

The flames of anger flickered in his eyes.

He was consumed with jealousy,

Without thinking, he remained silent and moved to the doorway to eavesdrop.

Seraphina answered the call, but it wasn't Wilson. It was Dani.

"Ms. Lovely, it's only been a few hours, but I already miss you. Do you miss me?"

"Of course, I miss you. I miss you a lot."

Her gentle voice dropped, soft and soothing, yet it only made the man behind the door more bitter. His expression grew even colder and hurt.

After ending the call, she walked back into the room, only to see Orion standing there.

His presence was heavy with a suffocating mix of sorrow and rage. The look in his eyes was a mixture of fury and deep pain.

Stunned, Seraphina frowned and asked, "You...

Orion cut her off and fixed his gaze directly at her. He asked, "You're just pretending to be with him for business purposes, right?"

Cover Blew

The corners of his eyes turned red when the words left his mouth.

He desperately wanted her response but was afraid of

Finished

Seraphina remained silent for a few seconds, trying to steady her suddenly racing heart. But in the next moment, a realization hit her-Orion was standing! Hadn't he fallen from the stairs and injured himself?

Isn't he supposed to be weak due to the fever

Whatever sympathy Seraphina had for him vanished instantly, replaced by disbelief and anger.

This is ridiculous. Orion is full of lies.

She raised her head and looked at him indifferently.

Her voice was nonchalant and carried a hint of coldness. "Why would you think we're pretending? We're about to make it real."

Orion's pupils shrank, and his eyes reddened instantly.

But she remained unmoved.

One look at him, and her barely restrained anger bubbled up.

"Alright, don't interrupt my date. I'm leaving now."

Seraphina gritted her teeth. She turned to leave, not wanting to stay a second longer.

If she did, she feared she might lose control and cripple him.

But before she could reach the door, Orion swiftly moved in front of her, blocking her path. His hands pressed her shoulders, pinning her against the wall.

He smiled involuntarily, a mix of desperation and sorrow etched on his face. Despite his own torment, he gently stroked her hair, as though trying to comfort a restless kitten. "Don't leave, Seraphina. I was wrong. I'm still sick; I still have a fever. You can't just leave me like this."

His voice was tender, almost drowning her in affection as he coaxed her. But the redness in the corner of his eyes and the slight tremble of his hands gave away his panic. Orion was terrified.

Terrified of losing her forever.

He kept telling himself not to be mad and that it didn't matter even if Seraphina really chose Wilson.

He had a thousand ways to keep her tied to his life-forever.

Seraphina was unimpressed. She pushed him away easily. She was much stronger than the feigning-sick Orion and let out a cold laugh. "Well, you'd better stay in bed then. The doctor will be here soon. Without another werd che turned and left

Cover Blew

As she descended the stairs, she came across Ken and the doctor. They were both pace, not in the least bit hurried or concerned.

Finished

walking at a leisurely

Had Seraphina not figured out Orion was faking his sickness, she might have found this strange.

Seeing her approach, Ken hurried to meet her.

"Ms. Cross, if you need anything. I'll get it for you. There's no need for you to come down yourself."

You could be spending more time with boss.

Seraphina shot him a cold, piercing glance, devoid of any warmth.

Ken froze for a second. In the next moment, he saw Orion rushing down the stairs, moving swiftly and decisively. Instantly, Ken understood

Chapter 357

Sarah's Gift

Seraphina left the villa a step ahead of them.

Orion stood there, feeling despondent. He looked at Ken and the doctor. When he lifted his gaze again, his ryes were calm. "She's upset," he said.

No surprise there, Ken thought.

Torn, the doctor stood there and asked, "Mr. Dros, should I...?"

Orion glanced at him and said, "Forget it."

With that, the doctor turned around and walked back the way he came.

Ken stood frozen, feeling the lingering chill in the air, not daring to make any rash moves

Both of their auras were overwhelmingly powerful.

"Mr. Dros, why don't you head upstairs to get some rest?"

He had deceived Seraphina into coming, but his boss had made a mess of things. That couldn't be his fault, could in?

Seraphina was upset, but would that mean he'd have to sacrifice himself just to cheer her up?

Knowing Orion, Ken figured he'd be capable of such a thing.

A few days later,

Seraphina and Emeris were at home, fishing

Olivia cheerfully ran over to greet them. She whopped, Seraphina, to celebrate me finally being single no more. I've decided to invite everyone for a night of fun!" Seraphina rolled her eyes at her before glancing at Emeris, her expression unmistakable.

Girl, you better tone it down.

Emeris smiled warmly at Olivia and said, "Olivia, this is the third or fourth time you've celebrated this month, each time with different people. You're really something!" Seraphina gave Olivia a helpless look.

Im having dinner with some business partners tonight, so you all go celebrate without me."

Faced with yet another round of celebrations, Seraphina couldn't help but feel weary. Every celebration involved the same routine of eating, drinking, and endless partying-

She'd much rather spend time negotiating deals with partners.

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Olivia plopped down beside her and whispered. "But this time is different! I've prepared a surprise for y Famous male models from both here and abroad will be there-all in the type you like. You should definitely come and have a look! Speechless, Seraphina regarded her with a skeptical gaze. Who are the famous male models from around

the world?

Olivia never paid much attention to her family business but seemed overly enthusiastic about things like this. What could she even say?

Emeris, silently concentrating on the fish in the water, abruptly raised her voice.

"What's the point of dining with business partners? Just let your brother handle it. You should go and enjoy yourself. Take your time and don't come home too soon."

Seraphina was speechless.

She suspected Emeris had overheard Olivia's words!

Olivia excitedly pulled Seraphina to her feet. She promised, "Don't worry, we'll be back early.

Emeris waved them off and said, "No worry, take your time."

The household staff stationed nearby were speechless.

At the bar.

Inside the private booth, Seraphina and Olivia entered one after the other.

Sarah and Hansen sat on opposite sides of the couch.

A handful of male models were standing in front of them. Seraphina glanced at some of the internationally renowned models, all of whom appeared surprisingly obedient as they casually conversed),

She could feel countless heated gazes on her and immediately regretted coming.

Olivia left her no room to escape. She pushed her right into the booth.

Dressed in a sleek black gown that accentuated her figure perfectly, Seraphina's look was elegant yet understated. Her makeup was flawless, and though her presence didn't seem out of place, it did contrast with her usual cold demeanor. Sarah waved at her cheerfully, her eyes glazed with a hint of intoxication.

Seraphina took a seat beside her and asked, "Have you been drinking?"

Sarah grinned lazily and replied, "Oh, come on, this is nothing

She leaned in mysteriously, her eyes sparkling with mischief. I've got a gift for you-something right up your alley!"

She waved towards the corner of the room. A tall figure sat there, his profile cold and lonely.

Seraphina's eyes widened in shock. "Orion?!"

Sarah's Gift

Oriont

Frished

When the man turned to face her, his features were much gentler than Orion's. His eyes were devoid of that icy calculation. Instead, he looked like a young and innocent boy straight out of college, his temperament cold and composed. Yet his appearance bore a striking resemblance to Orion.

In fact, he looked even more like Orion's relative than Kaveh.

Notice Seraphina's surprise; Olivia and Sarah could hardly contain themselves. They eagerly waved the

man over.

"He's got nothing to do with Orion," Sarah said, smiling His name's Henry Walker. He's a model who started his career abroad. I met him while holding a show overseas. From the moment I laid eyes on him, I knew you would adore him. So, I brought him back!" Sarah smiled gleefully at her 'gift', clearly satisfied.

This gift was truly thoughtful.

Chapter 358

Tue,

Finished

The Unexpected

The man approached. He was refreshing and neat, with naturally attractive feature of nobility and pressure that Orion possessed.

Cautiously, he glanced at Seraphina.

That young man introduced himself, "Ms. Cross, I'm Henry Walker."

but he lacked the aurat

Seraphina gave a perfunctory smile, her lips barely curving upward. Then she turned her eyes to Sarah.

"Didn't you know I can't stand him? Why did you bring someone who looks so much like him here?"

Olivia patted her shoulder.

"If you hate him, just make Henry suffer to annoy the real one. But if you like him, fall in love with Henry and drive Orion insane. Either way, you have nothing to lose. Seraphina chuckled calmly and said, "You two are truly the best friends I could ever ask for.

"Of course!" They responded in unison,

Off to the side, Hansen snorted, "You're all wasting your time." Seraphina's eyes lit up, and she excitedly moved closer to him.

"Hansen, do you have any business ideas?"

Maybe he wanted to talk business?

Hansen gave a lazy smile and scrolled through his phone.

"I still have two tons of unsold potatoes. Want to help out?"

Seraphina was speechless.

Sarah let out a snort and said, "Hansen wanted me to use my connections at international fashion shows to help him find clients for his farm produce. Do you think that's appropriate?" Hansen glared at her and asked, "Why not? Fashion people eat, too, don't they?"

Seraphina sighed and sat down quietly. She had nothing left to say to these eccentric friends of hers.

She couldn't ignore the man who resembled Orion sitting nearby. Though he wasn't Orion, something about him felt oppressive, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Maybe it was just the aftereffects of everything she'd been through.

After a while, Seraphina decided to step outside for some fresh air.

But to her surprise, a swarm of reporters with cameras blocked the entrance.

Her expression shifted slightly, and those inside quickly noticed the commotion. Sarah, instantly sober, rushed to stand protectively in front of Seraphina.

The Unexpected

"What are you all doing here?" she demanded.

Finished

"We're reporters," one answered. "We've heard that many famous models, both domestic and international, are planning to expand to Ascotia. You're here to negotiate a contract, right? How's it going?" "Yeah. Is there anyone present who has agreed to start a career in Ascotia?

"Are you going to sign all of them?"

"Is Seraphina Cross here? Will she be part of this project?"

"Ms. Cross, could you come out and say a few words?"

"Is this just a casual dinner meeting?"

The voice of one reporter was especially loud, followed by a sudden hush.

Inside, everyone's expressions varied, each person deep in thought.

Seraphina quickly realized that this dinner had probably been a setup.

She, Sarah, Hansen, and Olivia were all major public figures, and any one of them was prime fodder for endless gossip.

If one of the models here was too eager for fame and leaked this gathering, the news would instantly explode. In the online world, no one was safe.

People would speculate endlessly. Was this about the wild lifestyles of the wealthy heirs? Or perhaps it was about the secret scandals of rich socialites!

Whatever the narrative, it would undoubtedly cause some damage to their family businesses, whether big

or small.

Completely speechless, Seraphina glanced at the male models seated around the room. They all wore different expressions, but none gave away any clues about who might be behind this. Olivia looked visibly panicked, shrinking back next to Hansen.

Hansen was equally anxious. Not only had he failed to help his family, but he'd also repeatedly caused them trouble. He just wanted to be a simple, decent, rich kid!

But the reporters at the door showed no signs of backing down.

They were captivated by this gathering.

Wasn't a well-known socialite hosting a party at a bar with a dozen foreign models the perfect explosive headline?

Sarah stood firm at the door, not budging an inch, her expression growing darker.

"This is a confidential business gathering, not open to the public. You can wait for the official press conference."

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The Unexpected

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Finished

She took out her phone, prepared to call the manager of the bar to request the arrival of security guards to handle the situation. Sarah wondered how these reporters had managed to speak in.

"We just want a quick interview with the people inside. Could you all come out and say a few words?" One reporter persisted. "Yes, please come out."

19

Chapter 359

Trapped Again

The reporters had no intention of leaving empty-handed.

Finished

Seraphina took a deep breath and opened the door, flashing a polite but friendly smile.

"Everyone, this marks the commencement of our initial business negotiations. We're planning to hold a talent show, and the guests will be famous models from both home and abroad. However, it's all still under wraps, so I hope you'll understand that we can't share many details yet."

Sarah exhaled with a sense of relief.

Seraphina, having been in the business world for years, knew how to handle situations like this. Her words weren't just evasive-they were convincing.

When she arrived to deliver her speech, the reporters rushed forward.

"Ms. Cross, which of these models do you favor the most?"

Seraphina paused, then smiled softly. "Every single one of them."

The group laughed, understanding they couldn't push her too far.

If they did, they might all end up out of work.

The reporters didn't make things difficult for them. "Alright then, we'll look forward to the new show!"

They gradually dispersed. Both Sarah and Seraphina breathed easier.

However, in the next moment, Seraphina's expression darkened. She exchanged a glance with Sarah, who nodded in silent understanding. She knew exactly how to handle what came next.

The event ended.

Hansen and Olivia relaxed, knowing they'd dodged a bullet.

Unlike Seraphina and Sarah, they didn't have the confidence to live independently without their family

support.

As the crowd left, Olivia clung lazily to Seraphina's arm. She said, "Next time, we need a different venue. Those reporters were insufferable!" Seraphina's lips twitched. "You never learn, do you?"

Olivia huffed coldly. The minor incident didn't bother her.

After making sure Olivia and Hansen were safely sent off, Sarah started calling the agents of the models, instructing them to keep their mouths shut. She was determined to track down the one who was hungry for fame.

Finished

Trapped Again

As Seraphina stepped outside, a cold wind blew, and she pulled her coat tighter around herself.

We want fast for just before she got in her car, someone calAround herself.

""Ms. Cross."

Instinctively, Seraphina turned and frozen for a brief moment before regaining her composure.

"Henry?"

Looking at his face, she couldn't stay indifferent.

He looked just like Orion.

Henry stepped forward and opened the car door for her, shielding the roof with his hand. "Pleasure meeting you. Safe travels."

Seraphina smiled and said, "Thank you."

She climbed into the car without saying another word.

A camera flashed from a dark room in a nearby building, but nobody noticed it

Meanwhile, Orion was at a gathering with some of his friends.

His gloomy demeanor was becoming harder to ignore.

"Orion, Seraphina's temper-maybe you should just give up." One of the rich kids suggested.

Orion's expression hardened as he shot him a glare.

"Impossible."

Another one, more experienced in matters of the heart, chimed in, "Orion, you should play it cool. Distance yourself a little. Women only appreciate things they can't easily have. If you keep chasing her like this, she'll just think you're pathetic." Lucius nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, keep your cool. Do you even know what our friends are saying about you? They're saying you're so desperate and you're ready to marry into the Crosses!"

Now, that was insulting-

Orion's eyes narrowed as he tightened his grip on his glass.

Hmph! Badmouthing me behind my back? How daring.

Lucius patted his shoulder and comforted, "Don't worry, we'll take care of Wilson for you."

Orion sneered. He didn't care.

Someone of Wilson's leve]) ↑ urine and the others were not nrenared to deal with him

Chapter 360

Squeezing His Value Dry

Finished

"I suspect Henry is behind all of this, Seraphina. What should I do? I should never have brought him back!"

Olivia's voice was full of regret and guilt.

"Let it go; I know you meant well. I'll contact Michael now to see if he can help contain the situation. But don't overthink it. Just make sure you inform Sarah and last night's other guests; we need to keep them. calm. It wouldn't hurt to actually make that talent show happen

Even if it gets scrapped, it doesn't matter.

There just needs to be some trace of it.

"Got it. I'll handle it right away."

Understanding Seraphina's intent, Olivia quickly hung up.

Seraphina skimmed through the latest online chatter and grasped how far the situation had escalated.

"Wow, doesn't that guy look just like Orion? Did Seraphina find herself a double? How tragic!"

*Remember when Orion was practically begging for her to take him back? However, she prefers to have a stand-in over him. Who's the real issue here?"

"Come on, she's the heiress to the Cross Group. She can have anyone she wants with just a word. Your idol needs to step up!"

Seraphina shut down her browser in exasperation and dialed Michael's number.

Michael was likely experiencing the same level of anxiety as her.

He answered the call and said, "Ms. Cross, we've started suppressing the news. Don't worry about it, but you need to brace yourself. The fact that we're withdrawing too much is likely to raise suspicion. The public is hypersensitive to corporate privileges, so this may not blow over as easily as before.

"If Mr. Dros had kept quiet, we might have been fine. However, when one of his friends posted a photo to criticize him, the situation quickly escalated. Have you two fallen out with each other?"

Seraphina was silent for a few moments, ignoring the latter part of his question. She responded with a calm yet firm command, 'Don't pull anything back. Sign that Henry guy. Not everyone gets to ride my coattails to fame. If he's looking for attention, let's make him famous. Why should someone else profit when we can?"

Michael clicked his tongue. He'd been dying to suggest this but hadn't dared to bring it up.

Now that Seraphina had said it herself, he was eager.

"Understood. I'll contact his agent."

"Feel free to book him for runway shows, acting gigs, singing lessons-whatever. Make sure he gets to enjoy the spotlight while it lasts."

Squeezing His Value Dry

Michael instantly caught on to Seraphina's game plan.

Finished

It was clear-Henry would ride the wave of his temporary fame, and once it died down, so would he Abandoned. Shelved away.

Seraphina's fame wasn't something just anyone could ride on.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure we squeeze every last drop out of him."

Michael said without hesitation.

Seraphina ended the call and, as usual, headed to the office.

At Orion's mansion.

Ken had been unable to sleep after seeing the news.

Orion's friend's retaliation left him in a panic. They'd ruined everything.

What was this-friend or foe?

It was the perfect chance to defend Seraphina, yet Orion's friend had blown it.

The person who had assisted Seraphina into the car last night resembled Orion, if one didn't pay attention.

Ken wasted no time rushing upstairs to knock on Orion's door.

close

Orion was already drowning in his sorrows. He flung open the door with dark, stormy eyes "ak!" he barked.

Ken held out his phone and said, "Mr. Dros, why don't you see for yourself?"

One minute passed, then two, then five. Orion's expression grew darker by the second.

Before he had even made his move, his double had already stolen the show.

Sympathy for him flooded the internet.

Sympathy? No, this is an opportunity to witness my humiliation up close and personal!

His heart churned with jealousy and anger.

The next second, his phone went flying, shattering into pieces on the floor.

Ken winced at the wreckage. That phone was expensive.

But he kept his mouth shut. "Mr. Dros, should we do something?" Ken asked cautiously.

Orion's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He commanded, "Go and take it all down. I don't want to see a single word of it."

Ken nodded quickly and ran downstairs to make the call.

Back in his room. Orion nicked un his nhone just so I urine called

Squeezing His Value Dry

"Orion, don't be mad, but I need to tell you something

Finished

"Who's that busybody who posted the photo online?" asked Orion. Orion cut him off, his voice cold.

"You've already seen it?" Lucius felt his stomach drop.