Ch. 361..365: Inherit Billions Chapter 361-365
Chapter 361
Inherit Billions @91%1
Finished
Venting
That 'friend' attempted to defend Orion with good intentions, but all it accomplished was to place Seraphina in an awkward position. It made it look like Orion was trying to save himself by throwing Seraphina under the bus. How could Orion tolerate that?
The moment he saw the situation, he stepped in to speak on her behalf.
But it was too late!
"Speak!"
His voice was cold, with a chilling sharpness that cut through the air.
Lucius pressed his lips together and revealed, "It was Jack Sterling from the Sterlings."
Even if Lucius said nothing, Orion would've figured it out.
Orion hung up the phone and called Ken directly, his mind sharp and clear. "Terminate all cooperation with the Sterlings, effective immediately. Announce it now."
Ken was stunned for a moment. "Yes, Mr. Dros."
It was a momentous transition that transpired unexpectedly.
Most likely, it had something to do with what had happened the night before.
Orion calmly rubbed the corner of his mouth. His gaze was cold and ruthless as usual, though always hidden beneath the surface.
Soon enough, the situation online took a dramatic turn
Michael arranged for the official account to post a statement.
Henry Walker is a newly signed artist under Aurora Entertainment, set to debut in the country through a talent show. Seraphina is one of the investors. Their meeting yesterday was purely coincidental. Seraphina distanced herself completely from the situation in just a few words.
Plus, there were plenty of witnesses present at the time. There was no need to explain further.
Gradually, the public's obsession with the body-double rumor faded. Dros Group remained silent d matter, and the discussions lost their intensity.
However, the public's perception of Henry's debut began to change. People began to accuse the entertainment company of capitalizing on the controversy.
It was all about money!
What they didn't know was that Aurora Entertainment belonged to the Crosses. Instead they directed their anger toward the unscrupulous media.
Venting
anyway!"
Finished
Seraphina, from beginning to end, hadn't issued an official response, as if she didn't care about this minor incident at all.
Before the end of the workday, the discussion, which had been slowly dying down, suddenly flared up again.
The reason? Orion had swallowed up Jack's company!
It was difficult not to link the two events that occurred on the same day.
Digging deeper, people discovered that Jack's alternate account was the one that had posted the photos, supposedly to clear Orion's name.
No matter how much people speculated, it proved to be futile. The Dros Group's acquisition of a small company was a legitimate and thorough process, without a single loose end.
However, many in the industry felt that Orion's methods were overly ruthless.
There were complaints about his unforgiving style.
All Jack did was post a picture. Was it necessarily for Orion to push him to the brink to vent his anger?
But no one could challenge the wrath of Orion.
This move was a lesson to all.
As things finally began to settle down, Henry's name became more familiar to the public. His handsome, domineering face drew plenty of people to him, despite his initial unfavorable impression. Michael made sure to maximize his value, arranging event after event for him. When he wasn't busy, Henry was livestreaming.
Meanwhile, at Giant Group.
The routine project meeting was crucial, requi
Chapter 362
Her Irresistible Charm
@ 91%
Finished
Throughout the entire meeting, Seraphina and Wilson had a lot of interaction, showing an effortless understanding between them. A single glance was enough to convey what the other wanted to say. Orion, however, felt neglected, a pang of sorrow rising within him.
As soon as the meeting ended, Wilson leaned toward Seraphina. Wilson spoke in a gentle tone, asking, "Ms. Cross, how about dinner? Are you craving anything?"
Before Seraphina could respond, Aiden interjected, "I'll join too."
Orion added, "Me as well."
Seraphina shrugged and said, "Well, then you all should go." I have other matters to attend to."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
With a composed grace, Seraphina gathered her things and left.
Sensing the sudden tension, Aiden glanced at Wilson.
He said, "Mr. Rockwell, you could have invited us all together. Only inviting Ms. Cross could easily be misunderstood. People might assume that you are interested in going on a date with her." Wilson gave a faint smile, his gaze locking onto Orion.
"That's exactly what I intended."
Aiden's smile vanished immediately.
He fully grasped the subtle tension in the air.
But what he didn't understand was when Wilson had started pursuing Seraphina.
This woman, with her damned irresistible charm!
Orion's eyes grew colder as they met Wilson's. Orion's eyes were filled with arrogance and intensity, unwilling to back down.
He mocked, "It seems some people don't realize their own place."
"Mr. Dros doesn't. Why should I?"
The confrontation was now in full swing.
Wilson gave another brief smile before turning to leave.
Orion let out a harsh chuckle, his grin wild yet tinged with a faint helplessness.
The atmosphere had indeed grown colder.
On the ground floor of Giant Group's building, Seraphina stood by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
Her Irresistible Charm
Finished
outside. A faint smile played on her lips, a hint of smug satisfaction lingering there.
Seraphina ended the call as Wilson approached. "Mr. Rockwell, anything else?"
Hands in his pockets, Wilson smiled at her and said, "The most important matter right now is taking Ms. Cross to dinner."
This was the second time he extended the invitation,
Refusing now would be impolite.
Seraphina paused, then smiled lightly. "Alright, but it should be treat."
my
She had initially declined because she didn't want to sit at the same table as Orion. Now that he wasn't coming, she no longer had any reservations.
The two of them got into the same car. Orion saw it all from the upper floors.
The chilling aura that enveloped him grew thicker.
Orion's irritation was written all over his face, his deep frustration tightening in his chest.
Aiden coughed and comforted, "Don't be upset. Just because they left together doesn't mean anything."
That was the only weak comfort he could offer.
Looking back, why did things have to turn out this way?
The private restaurant they headed to wasn't open to the public, only serving familiar guests.
It was located in a villa on the outskirts of town, known for its exquisite ambiance and taste.
Seraphina had been there a few times before, usually accompanied by Olivia and others; reservations were required in advance.
The business must have been doing quite well. When they arrived, they bumped into several acquaintances.
Lucius and Aron were there as well.
Seraphina had no particular connection with them, so there was no need for pleasantries. She headed straight for a quiet spot to sit down.
Wilson handed her a napkin to wipe her hands, his smile warm. "I couldn't help but feel that Ms. Cross was a bit uncomfortable because of something I said last time." "Mm, a little."
Seraphina's response was direct, not one to hide the truth.
Pretending not to care would've been odd.
Wilson smiled again and said, "That was my fault. I was too blunt, but it worked quite effectively."
"I'm not one to waste time on emotional matters Mr Rockwell Lannreciate your
Her Irresistible Charm
excellent intentions, but-"
Finished
"Ms. Cross," Wilson interrupted, still smiling, "May ask why you're so quick to reject me? Do you have any particular grievances with me?"
I
His smile had a way of putting people at case-sincere and carnest.
Seraphina smiled and said, "Not really, but if i
for a marriage alliance, yes, it would be fitting." However, I
can achieve the benefits of such an alliance on my own
Wilson understood immediately. If it was for profit, a marriage alliance held no allure for her.
She wasn't someone who sold herself for material gain
And if not for profit, there wasn't much emotional connection between them either.
Chapter 363
Setting Aside Interests to Talk About Feelings
Finished
The air was silent for a moment. Wilson's expression remained gentle. He rubbed his temples, his tone carrying a hint of apology.
His voice was low and deep.
"It was inconsiderate of me, but I wasn't approaching Ms. Cross for the sake of marriage alliance. What if I told you it was for personal reasons? I've admired you for a long time." Seraphina lowered her eyes as she poured the tea. Hearing those last words, her hand trembled slightly.
The fragrance of tea filled the room, and a few drops spilled, catching the light of the tea like the warm rays of the sun reaching out just for her.
For a moment, her heart fluttered, and she fell into a trance.
But she quickly regained her composure, her voice cooler than before.
"Apart from our business dealings, we aren't familiar with each other. How long exactly has it been, Mr. Rockwell, since this so-called 'long time' began?"
He could come up with lies easily, but Seraphina wasn't someone who could be easily swayed by sweet words. She was skeptical of people who threw around falsehoods with ease.
Wilson met her gaze openly and explained, "It's not quite a year, but every day since I met you, I've been secretly thrilled to find you single. Seraphina, let me reintroduce myself. My name is Rockwell. I lost my wife three years ago, and I have a son."
He lowered his eyes and gave a small, self-deprecating smile. "It doesn't sound like I have much to offer, but I have a lot of money. I'm not sure of the exact amount, but if you want to know, I can have someone calculate it. It might take a while, though, since there are some assets I've forgotten about. And ...
He paused, his expression growing serious, a glimmer in his gentle eyes.
"Dani is actually my late brother's son."
Seraphina stiffened, suddenly at a loss for words.
His self-deprecation had already unsettled her.
This secret weighed heavily on her heart.
Could it be that no one else knew, and yet he was telling her so openly?
She felt a deep compassion for Dani, her emotions becoming unexpectedly complicated.
Wilson continued, "I'm telling you this because it's my biggest secret. Don't feel burdened. I was planning to tell Dani once he's old enough to understand."
Seraphina pressed her lips together. It felt as though she had unintentionally touched upon Wilson's
sorrow.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry into your secrets."
wed,
Setting Aside Interests to Talk About Feelings
She found no joy in knowing this.
Wilson seemed to have laid himself bare before her, filled with sincerity.
But what about her?
She didn't seem to have the passion to start a relationship.
Finished
Wilson's smile remained gentle and humble. "Well, I just wanted you to know me a little better. I didn't want you to think I was just chasing after you because of physical attraction." Seraphina gradually relaxed.
After a while, she excused herself to the restroom.-
Not far away, Lucius and Aron had been watching them closely. The atmosphere between the two seemed harmonious-the handsome man and the beautiful woman really looked well-matched
Lucius glanced at his phone, frustrated by the lack of message notification. He grew more and more panicked by the seconds.
He had sent a text message to Orion; why wasn't there any response?
Was he on his way with a machete in hand?
Without further delay, Lucius and Aron seized the moment before Seraphina returned and approached Wilson.
"Mr. Rockwell?"
Wilson raised an eyebrow, looking at the two unfamiliar men with a calm nod.
"Mr. Rockwell, I'm Lucius Brown from Brown Group, and this is Aron Reynot from Reynot Group. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Lucius couldn't shake the feeling that while Wilson maintained a polite and courteous smile, there was something about him that was too similar to Orion.
Orion's aura was more intense and obvious, whereas Wilson's seemed to be deliberately hidden.
Lucius instinctively felt wary but reminded himself that Orion was on the verge of losing his mind due to his feelings. As his brother, he had to lend a hand. "Nice to meet you
both."
Lucius took a seat unceremoniously, his tone pretending curiosity. "If I'm not mistaken, the person sitting here earlier was Ms. Seraphina Cross?"
Wilson's gaze deepened as he smiled faintly and nodded.
Lucius couldn't hold back his eagerness. "Ms. Cross seems to be quite close to you. Well, she's close to everyone, isn't she? She is close to Hansen, Albert, and even some celebrities from the entertainment industry. dded in agreement. He echoed. "Yeah. she and Hansen are definitely not simple."
59 Wed,
Setting Aside Interests to Talk About Fer
Wilson's eyes flickered, his smile growing deeper.
"What exactly are you two trying to say?"
Chapter 364
Finished
Stirring Trouble
Lucius sighed and said, "You've just come back to the country, so don't think Seraphina being kind to you means she's into you. We're just warning you, so you don't get hurt. The truth is, Seraphina still loves Orion."
He paused before continuing, "Back when they were still married, Seraphina loved him so deeply, so passionately. That's what real love is. Sure, they're having a rough patch now, but they'll make up eventually. You see her with Henry lately? That's just a stand-in for Orion." Wilson's smile stiffened slightly, and a glint of darkness flashed in his eyes for just a second before his expression returned to normal.
"Did Mr. Dros send you to convince me?"
Stunned, Lucius quickly denied it. "Of course not! We're just looking out for you. There are so many women out there. Why take a chance on someone who is divorced, domineering, and forceful?"
As Lucius finished speaking, he felt a cold gust sweep across his back.
Before Aron could warn him, Seraphina's icy voice drifted closer from behind.
"Lucius, hasn't anyone ever told you that when you're badmouthing someone, you should at least be discreet?"
Lucius froze, his whole body trembling, a flicker of fear crossing his eyes. Every hair on his body stood on end.
He stiffly turned around, his expression almost indescribable. "S-Seraphina ...*
His mind went blank. What had I just said?
Divorced?
Domineering?
No, that couldn't be true. I didn't say that.
Seraphina approached with a cold, indifferent look, her lips curving into a faint smile. "You two seem to know everything about me. Instead of just talking to one person, why not share it with the media for everyone to enjoy?" Lucius felt his throat tighten. No, not even in his wildest dreams would he dare!
Aron, knowing he was in the wrong, stood silently to the side. He wasn't as panicked as Lucius-after all, he didn't have any dirt that Seraphina could use against him.
However, he also wanted to avoid provoking a powerful entity such as the Cross Group.
Lucius, on the other hand, had plenty to worry about. His photo of running naked through the streets was still in Seraphina's hands. He would never be able to reveal his face again if she were to release it in a fit of rage.
Now trembling all over, Lucius forced a weak, submissive smile. "I was just joking! Why would I spread
11 N
Stirring Trouble
Finished
Seraphina's cold gaze swept over him before she moved past him to sit opposite him.
"Lucius, if I end up on the news, I'll make sure you're the headline."
Lucius's body shook again, his face paling. He instantly understood the warning in her words.
Being Orion's friend was no easy task!
"I-I-I... I was wrong!"
He didn't even dare look at Wilson's face. His reputation was completely ruined now.
Seraphina's voice remained calm but cold.
"Did Orion put you up to this?"
Lucius hesitated for a few seconds and said, "Of course...
Of course... not!
But the last two words stuck in his throat as he looked into Seraphina's eyes. She would never believe him.
Sighing internally, he continued, "Of course he did!"
Lucius bit his tongue-sorry, brother!
Seraphina didn't react much. Her gaze shifted past him toward the doorway, her lips curling slightly with a cool, mocking smile.
"Mr. Dros, you heard that, right? No one's framing you. Your best friend admitted it himself."
Lucius's whole body tensed as he slowly turned his stiff neck to see Orion standing there.
His face darkened, an oppressive aura of gloom radiating from him.
Lucius felt as though lightning had struck him twice. He was absolutely horrified.
He wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
Why did it have to be now?
Why did the timing always seem so terrible?
Seraphina gave a cold chuckle and looked at Wilson with a soft, playful smile. "I'm not in the mood to eat anymore. Shall we go?"
Wilson-raised an eyebrow. "Sure."
The two of them left, one after the other. As they passed Orion, his expression grew even darker. He pressed his thin lips tightly together, staring at Seraphina, who showed no emotion at all. He opened his mouth to explain, but the words felt weak and empty. His fists clenched tightly, his entire Body tense.
After Seranhing left. I ucins reluctantly annroached
Stirring Trouble
"Um, Orion, Maybe they really are seeing each other."
Orion shot him a cold, piercing glance that silenced h
Chapter 365
Lucinda's Apology Visit
Finished
Lucius knew he was at fault, and he didn't dare provoke Orion further in his anger. If he did, he would be the first to face obliteration.
The lesson from Jack was right in front of him-he was terrified!
After all, Orion was the type who cared more about women than his brothers.
Lucius watched in fear as Orion stormed off, trembling all over but too scared to follow. He was so aggrieved!
Aron coughed softly and patted Lucius's shoulder. "Good luck to us both."
All they could do now was pray.
Seraphina and Wilson left the scene and headed to a nearby quiet restaurant, where they had a simple meal. Afterward, Seraphina received a call summoning her back to the office, and Wilson escorted her to the entrance. "See you next time," he said.
Seraphina nodded slightly but hesitated for a moment.
"Mr. Rockwell, actually, Lucius wasn't lying."
She seemed to want to use this opportunity to make him back down.
Wilson smiled without showing much emotion. He said, "It's truly sad when people only focus on the past. It seems Ms. Cross doesn't trust me much. I'm a bit disappointed."
Raising an eyebrow, Seraphina glanced at her phone, which had started ringing again. She gave Wilson a quick nod before heading inside.
"What's going on?" she asked as she answered the call.
Thomas's voice came through the line.
"Ms. Cross, Fiona from the Corcker Group is here with Lucinda."
Seraphina had once taken a deal from Corcker Group to teach them a lesson. Adding to that, her close relationship with Corcker Group's rival had stirred things up.
It was no surprise they were coming to see her; she just hadn't expected them to act so soon.
In the meeting room.
When Seraphina arrived, Fiona and Lucinda had already been waiting for almost two hours.
Lucinda sat nervously, not daring to speak much. She looked uneasy, fidgeting in her seat.
Fiona, on the other hand, was a well-known socialite, accustomed to big events. She glared fiercely at Lucinda, clearly frustrated.
Lucinda's Apology Visit
Finished
into serious trouble. We've lost millions because of you, and I'm stuck cleaning up your mess. If you don't win back that contract for me, I swear I'll send you back to that slum you came from?
As she spoke, Fiona fiercely squeezed Lucinda's arm, her teeth clenched in anger, her dislike growing with every passing second. Lucinda's very existence seemed to be a burden.
Her mother had been a homewrecker, hoping to secure a place by using her pregnancy to push Clarke's wife out of the picture.
In the end, Clarke had merely been flirting with the other woman, leading to a series of absurd dramas that infuriated his wife. The scandal cost her job and her reputation, who then went back to her hometown in disgrace, giving birth to Lucinda-who turned out to be a girl. Clarke cared even less after that.
Fiona's mother came from a wealthy family, while Lucinda's mother was just an ambitious secretary trying to rise through the ranks by any means necessary. The disparity was clear, and Clarke, as a businessman, knew where his priorities lay.
Lucinda, blushing with shame, kept her head down and remained silent. Tears welled up in her eyes as she endured Fiona's abuse in silence.
If Seraphina hadn't taken that huge contract, perhaps Clarke and Fiona wouldn't be so furious.
From outside the door, Seraphina raised an eyebrow as she overheard the exchange. Next to her, Thomas simply shrugged, used to hearing such things after the two-hour wait.
With a quick motion, Thomas opened the door for her, and Seraphina strode in confidently.
Thomas considerately reminded her, "Ms. Cross has arrived."
Fiona and Lucinda both looked up, startled.
Fiona's expression changed instantly. She plastered on a smile and stood up to greet Seraphina, extending her hand in a gesture of friendliness.
"Ms. Cross, I've heard so much about you! You're just as beautiful as they say."
Seraphina smiled lightly and said, "Thank you. What brings you here today?"
. She wasn't in the mood for pleasantries.
Fiona's smile stiffened for a moment before she quickly regained her composure, forcing a more natural smile.
With some effort, she pulled Lucinda over. "We've told her to work hard and learn from you, Ms. Cross. But this woman caused you so much trouble at the Crosses. My father was so angry when he found out that he ended up in the hospital. He asked me to bring her here so she could apologize to you." Lucinda looked timid and pitiful. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, giving the impression that she had endured immense suffering.
"I'm so sorry, Ms. Cross. It's all my fault."