Ch. 366..370: Inherit Billions Chapter 366-370
Chapter 366
Finished
Latched On A Sugar Mommy
Seraphina was well aware of Fiona and Lucinda's intentions.
They had showed up to put on a pitiful act, hoping she would hand over the contract she had snatched from Corcker Group. However, a few fake tears didn't move Seraphina.
She gestured to Thomas and gave him a quick glance.
Thomas stepped forward and said, "Ms. Cross, the Etopia regional's CEO requests an urgent video conference with you." Seraphina acknowledged and left immediately.
Thomas glanced at Lucinda. With a tacit understanding, he called for security to escort the sisters out.
Having dismissed the Crockers sisters, Thomas soon returned.
This time, he was holding a large bouquet.
He managed to peek out from behind the enormous bunch of roses and handed Seraphina a card from
within.
"Ms. Cross, someone asked me to pass this to you."
Seraphina didn't take the card but glanced at it briefly.
It read. "Dear Ms. Cross, may I invite you to dinner? Waiting for you downstairs. - Henry Walker."
Henry had the nerve to ask her out?
She thought with sneer.
Seraphina thought briefly before sending a text message to Michael. She wrote, "Does Henry need to work tonight?"
A few seconds later, Michael responded, "Yes, he is scheduled to shoot tonight. It's an all-night session."
Seraphina knew what was going on.
Before leaving, she instructed Thomas to dispose of the flowers.
She took the elevator down to the lobby.
A low-profile used van sat quietly at the curb.
As soon as she appeared, the van door swung open. Henry stepped out and waved excitedly at her.
He called out, "Ms. Cross!"
Wed, Nov
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He watched Seraphina get into the van.
Beside that, he also saw the man-Henry, that damned Henry.
Orion's face grew even darker.
Finished
Lucius, sitting beside him, tried to console him, "Orion, that man can't compare to you in any way. Don't be upset. Seraphina is clearly intentionally provoking you. Orion's voice was icy, filled with chilling intensity.
"This man needs to go back to wherever he came from or disappear from my sight entirely."
Lucius hesitated.
"That might not be a good idea. I heard that guy signed with Michael's Aurora Entertainment and has been gaining fans by riding your coattails. That's... Justin's company, you know." The implication was clear. If it was Justin's company, Seraphina likely had a stake in it as well.
Orion's gaze darkened, and his chest tightened with frustration.
He was unable to take action against that nuisance and was forced to endure it.
Orion muttered a curse under his breath.
This situation was tromenting.
Seraphina boarded the van. There was a driver she didn't recognize and a skinny assistant who greeted her with utmost respect.
Henry was overjoyed, as if Seraphina's presence signified his importance.
He asked, "Ms. Cross, what would you like to eat?"
Seraphina raised an eyebrow and asked, "Don't you need to work tonight?"
Before Henry could respond, she continued, "Let's go to the set. I haven't been to the filming location yet."
Henry's heart leapt with excitement, though he kept his expression under control.
"Sure."
If the director and producers saw him with Seraphina, wouldn't it be obvious who he was associated with?
From then on, he could get anything he wanted. His supporting role could easily be edited into a lead part.
Many rising stars in the industry had to latch onto several wealthy patrons and big shots before becoming famous, but he only needed to win Seraphina's favor. It was as if a golden opportunity had fallen into his lap! "As long as Ms. Cross likes it, we can go anywhere!"
Henry's face, which resembled Orion's, carried a fawning, seductive look that was utterly revolting.
08:00 Wed, Nov 6.
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Finished
Seraphina felt a surge of anger. She imagined Orion seeing this scene and wanting nothing more than to punch Henry.
That expression was quite a spectacle.
She turned her head away, unwilling to look any longer
Henry was oblivious to Seraphina's mood. He continued to revel in his dreams of overnight stardom.
Chapter 367
Strict With Him
Henry's crew was filming in a rather harsh environment.
It was a low-budget production with minimal resources, and everything was quite simple.
As Seraphina got out of the car, she saw scattered people around, all working hard. The bright and blinding lights made it difficult to see clearly, while murmurs of complaints and discussions filled the air. "Ms. Cross, watch your step."
Henry reached out to support her. Seraphina smiled faintly, brushing off his arm as she moved forward.
She glanced around the set, but no one recognized her everyone was busy with their tasks, paying no attention to who had arrived.
This made Henry dissatisfied. He coughed twice and tried to draw people's attention. Seraphina shot him a glare before smiling 'gently'.
"Stay low-key. Be careful not to get secretly photographed."
Henry was startled. He immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.
Seraphina scanned the surroundings before walking up to the director.
He was standing by a few cameras in a serious manner, looking rather tense.
"Hey, who are you?"
Someone beside the director was prompted. The director looked up, momentarily stunned, when he saw Seraphina. The next second, recognition dawned. Anyone active in this industry couldn't possibly not know Seraphina.
She had far more influence and popularity than most celebrities in the industry and held a status that was anything but ordinary.
Yet she gave others no choice; she stood in a position above them, judging their worth.
The director quickly stood up and greeted, "Ms. Cross."
This film was funded by Aurora Entertainment, so they had forcibly cast people into the roles, leaving him with no room to refuse.
Even if those cast members lacked acting skills, they had no choice but to accept it with a smile.
Seraphina smiled as she approached. "Sorry to intrude
The director's expression changed slightly when he saw Henry standing behind her.
"Henry, where have you been? Don't you know you have a scene tonight? Do you realize that there are hundreds of people waiting for you? Henry glanced at Seraphina, feeling a sense of haughty excitement.
Strict With Him
"Apologies for tonight. I had something important to attend to..."
Finished
The director's temper flared instantly. Henry hadn't made an A-lister, yet he was already acting like one!
Just as he was about to berate him, Seraphina's clear, calm voice rang out.
"Director, Henry said he's willing to reshoot his scenes tonight, no matter how late it takes."
Everyone was stunned.
When had he ever been this diligent?
The director's anger subsided and he instructed, "Then let's start preparing."
Henry looked confusedly at Seraphina and the director Seraphina smiled at him and said, "It's the perfect chance for me to watch you act. You wouldn't refuse, would you?" Of course not!
Henry, thrilled, went off to the dressing room to change. The wealthy lady wanted to watch him act-he could only win her over with his perfect looks and brilliant performance. Seraphina took a seat beside the director. As they settled in, a wave of realization and fear washed over
him.
He suddenly remembered who Henry resembled. If he and Seraphina appeared together... could it
mean...
Henry soon took his position in front of the camera, his handsome face showing its full advantage.
He was playing a domineering CEO. After hurting the female lead, he tried to get her back to his side but couldn't win her back.
As Seraphina listened to the director explaining the scene, she felt conflicted because she couldn't help but think it reminded her of Orion.
The scene involved Henry begging the female lead for reconciliation. She refused, and in his obsessive desperation, he threatened to jump into the water to win her pity.
Henry awkwardly finished his lines and jumped into the water directly.
The director muttered under his breath and roared, "Not bad, let's do it again!"
The night was chilly, and the water felt even colder. It was getting late.
Henry was visibly annoyed; after all, he wasn't a professional actor and hadn't put much effort into honing
his skills.
The director noticed this. Considering Seraphina was present, he refrained from demanding better results.
Just as he was about to give up and hold back his comment, Seraphina broke the long silence with a calm and composed voice.
"The performance isn't quite right. It's best to do a few more takes. Henry is new to this. so he needs strict
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Strict With Him
guidance for the benefit of his future acting career."
The director was speechless.
The crew around them was at a loss for words too.
Seraphina's words dispelled their assumptions about their relationship.
With renewed enthusiasm, the director shouted, "Stop wasting time. Let's go again!"
Finished
Henry cast a pleading look at Seraphina, but she remained unmoved, sitting calmly beside the director. She was thoroughly absorbed in inspecting the camera equipment before her. A second take.
A third...
Chapter 368
Fight for Her Favor
The diving scene had to be retaken eleven times before it finally passed. The cold drove Henry to the brink of madness by the end. The director, finally satisfied with the result, allowed him to go home and get some rest.
Henry was so freezing cold that he had forgotten all about Seraphina. Shivering uncontrollably, he walked off without a word, too exhausted to even keep his eyes open.
The director was pleased with the day's work. He turned to Seraphina and said, "Ms. Cross, we owe it all to you."
Seraphina grinned and said, "Director, Henry needs more training. If there are any more scenes he can do, let him have them. We can always edit them later. Newcomers need to train and endure hardships, don't you think?" Her words, however, didn't sound like she was doing Henry any favors.
The director was sharp; he immediately understood her intentions.
So, Ms. Cross had waited here all this time just to tell me that?
She is clearly defining her boundaries with Henry.
Henry's assistant approached from the side. He asked, "Ms. Cross, shall I have the driver take you home?"
Seraphina nodded and said, "Don't forget to remind Henry that he has another commercial shoot in three hours."
He treated her like a sugar mommy.
She saw him as a cash cow.
Each getting what they needed.
Henry's assistant nodded. Even though he was assigned as Henry's assistant, being from Aurora Entertainment, he naturally knew who the real boss was.
When Seraphina got home, she felt exhausted. Justin was in the living room playing a game, giving her a strange look as if he wanted to say something but decided it wasn't worth it.
She had no interest in guessing Justin's thoughts and went straight upstairs to sleep.
The next morning.
Dros Group.
Ken reported in a low voice, "Yesterday, after Ms. Cross had dinner with him, she went to the set to watch his shoot. She returned home alone not long after; he didn't follow her." He dared not mention Henry's name directly, worried it would make Orion lose his temper.
Orion's expression softened slightly as he continued, "Get in touch with the director of that production and plant a few people there."
Fight for Her Favor
Ken nodded, understanding without needing Orion to explain further.
Finished
Orion's cold voice was slightly hoarse as he instructed, "Order 99 roses and send them to Seraphina. Actually, I'll deliver them myself." Ken paused for a moment, then quickly caught on.
"Understood, Mr. Dros!"
It seemed like his boss was ready to make his move.
Four hours later.
Orion had just finished a meeting. Holding the bouquet Ken had brought, he went straight to Cross Group.
With his status, the receptionist didn't dare to stop him and immediately informed Thomas. Thomas personally greeted him.
In the executive lounge on the higher level of the building, Thomas respectfully had coffee brought in and spoke politely, "Boss is still in a meeting. Mr. Dros, if it's urgent, I could ask Mr. Sivir to meet with you." Orion waved his hand and sat casually. "No need. I'll wait."
His icy, imposing presence felt like a warning.
Who would dare to make him wait?
Thomas immediately informed Seraphina.
Seraphina cursed under her breath. Orion was practically haunting her. That guy was getting bolder by the day.
When the end of the workday drew near, Seraphina hurried over to prevent her colleagues from spotting Orion. "Mr. Dros, is there something important?"
She emphasized the word 'important'.
Holding the bouquet, Orion suppressed the emotions within, maintaining a calm facade.
"I heard you like flowers."
Heard?
Who told him that?
Seraphina sneered coldly and asked, "Are you jealous, Mr. Dros?"
Orion pursed his lips and said, "I just want another chance to pursue you."
"I won't marry a jerk again."
She raised an eyebrow, her eyes cold and distant.
.
Fight for Her Favor
"A jerk?"
**Finished
Orion fell silent briefly before speaking with a heavy tobe. "I'm not that person anymore. If I get the chance, I'll prove it to you,"
"No need. Even if wounds heal, scars remain. I don't want to reopen them."
Seraphina felt restless. This guy was having a pipe dream.
Orion took a deep breath and said, "How will you know how sincere I am if you don't give me a chance? You keep rejecting me because you're afraid of facing the past. Can't you show a bit of courage?" Seraphina remained silent.
Chapter 369
Finished
The Real vs The Imposter
Seraphina stared at him, a mix of anger and speechlessness in her eyes.
Her entire presence exuded a calm and icy demeanor, carrying an innate elegance. His handsome features seemed to have been meticulously sculpted, yet there was a dark, chilling edge to his expression-a far cry from the person desperately trying to imitate him: Henry was just a poor imitation.
Oddly enough, she felt Henry was much better than him.
Orion watched her in silence, assuming that his logic had finally convinced her.
He exhaled with a sense of relief.
Initially, he had approached her with a 'nothing-to-lose attitude. Their relationship couldn't possibly get any worse, after all.
She didn't seem to care how humble or careful he had been before. Seraphina only moved further away. So, why not be straightforward?
He never imagined reasoning with her could feel so satisfying.
Orion let out a small, almost smug smile.
He looked rather pleased with himself.
Next, Seraphina couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.
She lifted her gaze and replied coldly, "It's brave to be bold, but it depends on who it's for. For you? No matter how hard I try, I just can't stick with it." Orion gritted his teeth, holding back his frustration.
He was furious-but he had to endure it.
Once again, he had lost this round.
Too frustrated to speak, Orion watched as Seraphina let out a scoff before turning and opening the door.
Outside, the staff had been eavesdropping on the argument. They quickly dispersed when the door swung
open.
Only Thomas remained, standing calmly at the entrance.
"Ms. Cross, the car is ready."
Seraphina glanced back at Orion and asked, "Mr. Dros, aren't you leaving? I have plans to visit Henry on set today."
Orion's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. He couldn't stand that man-who looked like him but had an annoyingly sissy demeanor-from the beginning. 1/3
The Real vs The Imposter
"Perfect timing. I'll go visit the set, too," Orion replied with a dark and solemn tone.
This is great. It was the perfect excuse to watch him make a fool of himself.
Finished
Seraphina shot him a glance. Unbothered, Orion casually added, "It's a movie, right? My company is considering investing in it."
On set, Henry was struggling.
It was his umpteenth retake.
Other actors had begun to criticize his lack of professionalism. He looked like an amateur, lacking any understanding of acting. His movements were more suited for a runway than the scene. Instead of playing the heroic CEO saving the female lead, he was striking poses and winking at the camera.
The director was fuming. He made Henry practice his positioning and camera angles repeatedly in front of everyone.
Henry was at his wit's end. He wanted to complain, but his manager had advised him to endure it.
If only Seraphina was around-she had promised to look out for him.
When he grabbed his phone, he realized with a start that he didn't even have her number. Damn, rookie mistake!
As Seraphina stepped out of the car, she immediately regretted coming.
The place was swarming with fans and paparazzi, all drawn to Henry's face.
To avoid being secretly photographed, she decided to make a public appearance. Seraphina stepped out confidently as the cameras clicked. The reporters rushed toward her.
With a professional smile, Seraphina waved warmly and whispered to Thomas. "Go fetch Henry."
After all, he was her cash cow.
No one noticed Thomas slipping away quietly.
"Ms. Cross, are you here to visit Henry on set?" one of the reporters asked.
Seraphina smiled but didn't respond.
The journalists knew she wasn't part of the entertainment industry, so they didn't dare pry too much or invade her privacy.
While curious, they were more fearful.
With the power of the Cross Group behind her, a simple flick of her finger could end their careers.
Any association with her was enough to skyrocket their profiles.
Orion's arrival only heightened the buzz. Unlike the aloof image people had seen in magazines, he appeared more relaxed his collar unbuttoned and suit jacket draned casually over his arm. He carried a 2/3
08:00 Wed, Nov 6.
The Real vs The Imposter
slightly mischievous, carefree vibe.
The moment he arrived, the reporters instinctively made way for him.
Finished
He stepped beside Seraphina, glancing at her warmly with a smile that felt as rare as ice melting under the
sun.
The cameras captured the moment.
"Mr. Dros, are you here to visit Henry as well?" one of the journalists asked.
Everyone knew how Henry got his fame.
To put it bluntly, wasn't he just Seraphina's stand-in for Orion?
When the real deal and the stand-side by side in the same photo were revealed, this was going to be headline news! "Indeed," Orion responded.
Did Orion actually personally visit Henry on the set?
And with Seraphina, no less?
Chapter 370
Henry in the Limelight
The crowd fell silent in an instant.
No one knew how to react.
The next moment, they saw Henry walking over, beaming with excitement.
Finished
After multiple takes, the filming had worn him out. When he heard Seraphina was visiting the set, he was overjoyed; he almost cried.
The director didn't make it difficult for him and waved him off.
When you have a wealthy backer, the treatment is different.
When Henry approached, he noticed a swarm of reporters surrounding Seraphina.
He was ecstatic and excited beyond words. Making a public appearance with Seraphina was an opportunity he never even dared to imagine. "Henry's here."
Someone in the crowd murmured.
Everyone instinctively made way for him.
Henry suppressed his excitement, putting on a flattering yet humble smile. The moment he got closer, he saw who was standing next to Seraphina-Orion!
He froze mid-step. His smile was stiffening on his face.
One thought echoed in his mind. Damn it! I'm done for!
The reporters naturally wouldn't miss this golden opportunity to capture an industry insider.
Microphones and cameras almost poked at his face. Henry didn't dare show a hint of dissatisfaction. He maintained his forced smile, his steps shaky as he approached Seraphina and Orion. Seraphina politely shifted aside, making space for him between them.
The spot in the middle.
Henry swore that the center spot between Seraphina and Orion was the last place he wanted to be!
He dared not even glance at Orion. The aura Orion exuded-noble and cold-was making him tremble with fear.
Henry also couldn't bring himself to look at Seraphina, afraid of catching the death glare Orion was bound to send his way.
This was too much for him to bear.
"Henry, Ms. Cross, and Mr. Dros are here to visit you on set. How do you feel about that?"
Henry in the Limelight
Henry's smile remained stiff. Oh, my feelings-I didn't dare to have any!
Seraphina paused and then smiled warmly at Henry. "Don't be nervous. Just relax."
The cameras zoomed in on the two of them instantly.
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On one side was the CEO, wealthy beyond measure, and on the other, a rookie actor. The way she comforted Henry was such a captivating contrast! 91%
Finished
Orion's tongue touched the back of his teeth, his eyes briefly flicking over to Henry. The look was sharp and dangerous, like a blade. That counterfeit was such an eyesore!
Henry didn't move a muscle. His forced smile was unchanged, his whole body tense. There was nothing relaxed about him.
"Ms. Cross and Mr. Dros visiting the set-I'm beyond thrilled."
He swallowed hard and continued, "And, of course, deeply moved...
"1
People exchanged puzzled looks as they observed his awkward words and nervous manner.
They couldn't help but notice how different Henry's face looked when compared to Orion's. It was similar at first glance, but on closer inspection, not at all.
Orion stood there, expressionless. One commanding gaze was enough to show everyone how different he was from the crowd.
No matter how much Henry tried to imitate Orion, he could never match Orion's commanding presence. Under his timid facade lay a hint of cowardice, and his eyes were filled with nervousness and greed.
Seraphina pressed her lips together, clearly unimpressed with Henry's embarrassing display-he simply couldn't gain her respect.
Henry managed a few more empty words before Seraphina stepped in to cut him off.
"Please, everyone, look forward to his work."
He would lose his small following and buzz if he continued to speak.
"What upcoming projects does Henry have?"
Seraphina paused for a moment, turning her gaze toward the reporter.
Even Henry couldn't help but glancé nervously at Seraphina.
She smiled and revealed, "From what I know, in the next week alone, Henry will be starring in three movies, guest-starring in four TV series, and appearing in six commercials, along with over a dozen public appearances. You can all look forward to it." People were quietly astonished.
A rookie was receiving so much work right away-his rise was unstoppable!
Henry's excitement at first turned into stiffness, and then he started feeling uneasy. He didn't feel so excited anymore.
Henry in the Limelight
Finished
He had been exhausted over the past few days, getting barely three to four hours of sleep each night while staying in peak condition.
With Seraphina listing off all these projects, he felt a mix of excitement and dread.
Would he survive this workload?