Ch. 376..380: Inherit Billions Chapter 376-380

Chapter 376 You Think You Could Compete with Her?

Orion's gaze flickered with a hint of disdain and indifference as he lifted his eyes to look at her.

"You were dismissed from Cross Group. You should know the reason. Dros Group won't hire someone who couldn't even pass the internship. And, to be honest, don't ever compare yourself to Seraphina, You two are worlds apart." His words were blunt, with no regard for Lucinda's pride. Her face turned pale in an instant.

Even Ken felt a twinge of pity for her.

Surprisingly, Lucinda didn't leave. She stood there, her eyes filled with a helpless, pitiful look as she clutched her hands tightly.

"But Mr. Ramóna said... Ms. Cross is too overbearing. You sent your sister away for her and your mother too to be with her. Haven't you considered the consequences at all?"

Standing off to the side and already drenched in sweat, Ken trembled as he watched.

Lucinda's presence completely ruined Orion's good mood. His gaze turned cold and heavy-a chill even Kery couldn't withstand.

She was convinced of her own insight. Lucinda tried to analyze the stakes and refused to believe that a businessman who valued profit like Orion would remain unmoved. Ramona had hinted that she should show up more often around Orion and develop their relationship. Didn't that imply she was a more suitable match for Orion than Seraphina? The office fell into a brief, chilling silence.

Orion's gaze bore into her, cold and penetrating. He casually rubbed his brow with a gesture that carried a hint of arrogance and menace. Suddenly, Lucinda felt a wave of unease.

He let out a soft, mocking laugh, his eyes icy. "Do you truly believe you're deserving of comparison to Seraphina? You're not worthy." Lucinda's expression faltered. She looked up in panic, about to explain herself, but Orion didn't give her

the chance.

His next words drove her straight into despair.

"There are plenty of women who want to be my wife, but I don't pick from the trash, understand?"

The implication was clear-he saw her as nothing more than garbage.

No matter how thick-skinned Lucinda was, she couldn't pretend to be unaffected.

Her face drained of color, becoming as white as a sheet and tears began to fall from her eyes. Any courage she had quickly evaporated. She suddenly realized Orion knew her true background-that she was an illegitimate child.

Chapter 376 You Think You Could Compete with Her?

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Finished

The carefully crafted identity and refined manners she had built up crumbled in the presence of real aristocracy.

All this time, she had disguised herself as a proper lady, but Orion saw through her facade instantly-she was nothing but a counterfeit!

And to think she had dared to imagine herself as his wife?

A storm of bitter ridicule filled her mind like needles piercing her skin. She bit.her lip, unable to hold it together any longer. She was just about to leave when Ken's surprised voice broke through. "Ms. Cross?"

Seraphina and Aiden, realizing the awkward timing, tried to make a quiet exit, but they were a second too late.

They had overheard some of what had been said, and it involved her.

Orion's demeanor changed instantly. He stood up swiftly; a smile lit up his face as he approached.

"Meeting you twice today-what a lucky day!"

There was no doubt he was addressing Seraphina.

Aiden, standing beside her, covered his face in embarrassment.

Seraphina frowned. She took a step back to maintain some distance from him.

"Aiden mentioned something urgent had happened. We need to hold a meeting."

Orion's smile faded as he turned serious. "Ken, get the conference room ready." "Yes, boss."

Ken put down what he was holding and was about to leave the office when he suddenly remembered there was someone else. He glanced back and remembered, "Ms. Lucinda, Mr. Dros has a meeting." Lucinda saw Seraphina's indifferent, unbothered expression, and a pang of sourness swelled within her. Clenching her skirt, she forced herself to stay composed.

She could see how Orion's gaze softened only when Seraphina was around.

But she didn't want to admit defeat or flee in embarrassment-not yet.

Until Seraphina and Orion tied the knot, that is. Until then, there was still hope.

Even if she was an illegitimate child, even if she was nothing more than an imitation, as long as her father acknowledged her, she would be the heiress of Corcker Group.

She took a deep breath and looked at Ken with pity. "May I use Mr. Dros's office to freshen up a bit?"

She wanted to linger a little longer, hoping that if Seraphina saw her in Orion's office, she wouldn't be able to remain so indifferent.

Inh

Chapter 377 A Life at Stake

Ken stood there, feeling awkward. "I'm sorry, that won't work. Mr. Dros's private space it open for anyone to use. Perhaps you could use the restroom outside?" Lucinda hesitated, obviously not anticipating rejection

Her complexion changed as she struggled to conceal her displeasure. She forced a smile and said, "Heigh and quickly left.

In the meeting room, Aiden couldn't help but tease Orion, who had caught up with them

"Dude, you still have that charm, but you know, your words stung, Who could handle that

Orion glanced at Seraphina and observed her expression. Her look remained calm and unchanged.

Relieved, he finally exhaled.

"If you're feeling sorry, why don't you take her back with you?"

He shot back at Aiden.

Aiden rubbed his nose sheepishly and stated, "I have a wife"

Seraphina tapped her fingers on the table and said, "Let's get down to business. I have another appointment."

Aiden raised an eyebrow and began, "The Al car chip we developed was sent to Etopia. During its third trial at the autonomous driving research center, something went wrong" The air froze for a moment.

Orion's eyes narrowed slightly. Seraphina's gaze turned sharply toward Aiden.

This project was a spin-off of their first joint venture, a continuation from their breakthrough in Al medical technology. It had attracted considerable international attention.

Failure would be nothing less than a heavy blow.

Aiden handed a flash drive to Ken, who swiftly connected it to the screen, projecting the contents

The video displayed the entire test. From the initial excitement to the applause and cheers as it neared its end, everything had been going so smoothly.

But then...

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In the next instant-Bang! The car made a perfect right-angle turn but lost control and crashed straight into the wall of an abandoned factory.

Smoke and dust obscured the panicked shouts of the onlookers. The front of the car twisted and deformed instantly upon impact. The wall crumbled, and debris rained down, crushing the technician inside the vehicle. The video stopped.

Chapter 377 A Life at Stake

The final scene the video displayed was hauntingly vivid.

Seraphina's pupils contracted. Instinctively she looked at Aiden. "Someone got killed?"

Finished

Aiden sighed, his face grave. "The technician was rushed to the hospital and is now out of danger. However, the risks of the test have sparked public outrage in Etopia. They are demanding the revocation of our license, a move that is extremely unfavorable to us. Orion remained silent, his expression cold and unreadable.

""What caused it?"

Seraphina pressed, curious.

Aiden explained, "The car was entirely Al-operated, without any manual controls like other vehicles. This rules out human error. The issue lies with the chip. The Etopia authorities have retained the chip for investigation purposes, and retrieving it would be a challenging task.

With a possible lawsuit involving human life, they had to tread carefully.

Yet, the chip was a commercial secret, and they couldn't rely on Etopia's police to keep it confidential.

The immediate priority was to minimize the public backlash while recovering the chip from the Etopia police.

Orion frowned and said, "The previous two tests were successful. This accident must have been due to some other factor. I'll reach out to Etopia to investigate the cause of the chip failure. But just to be safe, you should take two experts with you." Aiden agrees with a nod.

Seraphina propped her chin on her hand, lost in thought. "I'll investigate who had access to the chip before it arrived in Etopia and who used it during the test. We need to cover all bases,"

What if it wasn't the chip's fault, but someone tampered with it?

After all, the first two tests had gone smoothly; accidents only took place on the third test.

Orion took a deep breath. He straightened his posture and checked his watch. Then he looked at Seraphina.

"It's about time. How about dinner?"

Seraphina tidied her things and declined, saying, "I have a date. Got to go."

She left before anyone could react.

Aiden coughed slightly and tried to ease Orion's awkwardness.

"Sure. How about some steak?"

Orion's smile slowly faded, and his gaze lowered for a few seconds. "I have things to do. Ken, why don't you join him?"

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Chapter 377 A Life at Stake

Aiden was speechless.

So, he doesn't see me as a person?

Ken looked at Orion with a painful expression. I have a date tonight, too!

Finished

Chapter 378 You Remind Me of Someone I Dislike

Aiden couldn't help but let out a derisive chuckle. He said, "Mr. Dros is claiming he doesn't go digging for women in trash heaps-quite thought-provoking. Pity for him; the women in the trash heap have no interest in dining with him." A subtle mock.

Seraphina was indeed different from Lucinda, but in reality, she wasn't interested in him.

Orion's expression stiffened. His gaze darkened as he shot a deathly stare at Aiden, his face an unreadable mask.

Orion said coldly, "If Mr. Denter has the appetite for dinner, then you can manage the public opinion and stock market issues on your own."

Aiden's smile frozen.

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Instantly, the mood shifted, and the desire to mock him disappeared.

The public opinion and stock market were bound to escalate. Managing domestic affairs was one thing, but if Etopia began to inflame the situation by criticizing their research, it would not simply result in three companies suffering losses.

It involved national reputation and status. The relevant authorities' intervention would further restrict them, leaving them little room to maneuver.

"Orion..."

Aiden muttered, staring at him with a look of disbelief. Orion's expression was glum as he stood up and stormed out of the meeting room.

Ken, who had been tidying things up from the side, shook his head.

As expected, his boss wouldn't tolerate any attacks, no matter from whom. His confidence was innate. Outside the entrance of Dros Group, Seraphina arrived just in time to see Lucinda standing there.

She seemed like she had been waiting for someone-her, to be precise.

Lucinda's forced composure barely masked her panic, which was all too easy to see through.

Seraphina frowned as she approached. "Waiting for me?"

Lucinda nodded, her eyes slightly red-a pitiful sight.

Seraphina glanced down at her phone, sent a quick message, then looked up again. "Speak."

Whether at the company or elsewhere, Seraphina's attitude toward Lucinda has always been indifferent.

She didn't particularly like her, nor did she show her any warmth-after all, they weren't the same type of people, and there was no need for further connection.

Taking a deep breath, Lucinda eyed the professional suit Seraphina wore, which made her appear sharp.

.

Chapter 378 You Remind Me of Someone I Dislike

Finished

"Ms. Cross, Mr. Ramona asked me to stay and take care of Mr. Orion. It's a difficult position for me?

Lucinda's voice faltered as she observed Seraphina's neutral expression before continuing, "I know the one Mr. Orion truly cares about is you, but for the sake of the family, I couldn't refuse. However, if you're upset or if you wish to reconcile with Orion, I can step aside Seraphina looked up at her. Her finger paused briefly on her phone screen.

Lucinda's eyes revealed a trace of anxiety as she cautiously watched Seraphina's reaction.

Her face was pale.

Seraphina gently lowered her hand, clasping her hands behind her back as she stared at Lucinda with a cold, detached expression.

"Lucinda, I used to pity you. Your family and your circumstances were unfortunate, and I even helped you out twice before. But I hope you understand-the reason you and Orion can't be together isn't me; it's your own incompetence."

Lucinda's complexion instantly turned white.

Just then, Seraphina's phone rang.

Without hesitation, she declined the call.

"But starting today, I have begun to genuinely dislike you," she continued, glancing back at Lucinda. "Every word you say is so pretentious-so sickeningly fake. You remind me of someone I detest. You're neither pure nor innocent; it's unnecessary to portray yourself as the victim."

Lucinda's mannerisms were highly reminiscent of Jessica, making Seraphina find her even more unlikable.

Her phone rang again. Seraphina glanced at it, then answered as she walked away.

"I'm at the entrance."

With her face burning with humiliation as if she had just been slapped, Lucinda stood there stiff as a board. Her body was petrified, trapped in a state of shock and fear.

Seraphina hadn't shown anger or contempt; her calm indifference didn't even bother to acknowledge her.

It was this utter disregard that cut the deepest.

Turning back, she saw a sleek yet undeniably expensive Porsche parked at, the entrance. An impeccably tailored suit-clad man stepped out and opened the passenger door for her. His expression was gentle and attentive, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Orion. He bore a striking resemblance to Orion,

Chapter 379 Family Moments

Seraphina got into the car and said, "This unexpected incident might cause you some inconvenience. Etopia won't be able to suppress the rumors for us. At least until the truth is fully investigated, the fewer people know, the better." With Wilson's abilities, controlling public opinion and managing the stock market was no problem.

Wilson nodded while driving.

"Understood. I'll ask some friends over there to keep an eye on it, and I'll also suppress the news in the stock market."

Seraphina smiled, "Thanks to you. How about I treat you to a meal?"

Wilson's smile was gentle and said, "I'm glad you thought of me, but is it just a meal?"

Seraphina paused momentarily, her eyes meeting Wilson's flickering gaze. "Dani has been talking about you for a while. Why don't you cook a meal for him yourself, as a thank you to me?"

Seraphina let out a relieved sigh and said, "Sure!"

Little Dani couldn't sit still when he heard the good news.

The maid suggested, "Wouldn't it be better to wait at the hotel?"

The bodyguard interrupted, "We can't let them have too much alone time. Two adults together might lead to trouble!"

Dani nodded in agreement, insisting on tagging along as they went grocery shopping.

As soon as they got out of the car, he saw Seraphina and Wilson laughing together. Wilson casually bought an ice cream and handed it to her. Seraphina took it with a smile, taking a bite and nodding in approval, a gesture of praise. The maid praised, "What a handsome couple; they look so good together!"

The bodyguard, annoyed, retorted, "Whose side are you on? Mr. Dani is the perfect match!"

Dani chimed in, "Exactly!"

He ran over excitedly, snuggling into Ms. Lovely's arms. Oh my! Ms. Lovely smelled so

nice.

"Ms. Lovely, did you miss me?"

Seraphina laughed as she felt his curly hair brushing against her. She gently patted him, her heart melting.

"Of course, I missed you so much."

Upon hearing the answer he desired, little Dani looked up, filled with satisfaction. He even cast a challenging glance at his father as if he was trying to say, See? You can't compete! Wilson's lips tightened as he pulled Dani away from Seraphina.

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Chapter 379 Family Moments

His voice was gentle as he attempted to persuade him, but Dani refused to listen.

He knew his father was just jealous that he could cuddle Ms. Lovely anytime he wanted.

"Ms. Lovely likes it when I hug her, hmph!"

Seraphina chuckled, finding the bickering between father and son quite amusing.

"It's alright. Let's go inside. Dani, what do you want to eat?"

Finished

Little Dani thought seriously. It couldn't be something too simple, but if it was too complicated, she might not know how to solve it. What a dilemma!

Seraphina didn't notice Dani's struggle, as she was busy looking around at the items on the shelves. It had been a long time since she'd cooked, and she felt a bit out of practice. Anything too simple wouldn't demonstrate her effort, and something too complicated might be beyond her capabilities. It was a tough choice.

The trio attracted attention as they moved through the store. Several people are watching them closely.

"Wow, that man is so handsome! This family of three is so attractive!"

"That little boy is adorable!"

"He's so hot! She looks so familiar and absolutely stunning.

The chatter reached Wilson's ears. For a brief moment, his expression softened as he gazed at the slender, graceful figure in front of him, his eyes deep and patient.

Little Dani huffed indignantly. What family of three? It was just me and Ms. Lovely. We are a family!

How could that old man possibly deserve such a beautiful lady?

Seraphina paused in the vegetable and meat section, frowning slightly. Fortunately, Wilson noticed her hesitation and quickly offered a solution.

"Let's keep it simple. How about steak?"

Steak sounded perfect.

With a sense of relief, Seraphina looked down to seek Dani's approval..

Little Dani beamed up at her, "Yes! I love steak!"

After shopping for ingredients, the three returned to the hotel suite where Wilson and Dani were staying.

Little Dani sat in the living room, engrossed in his ice cream. Meanwhile, Wilson, who had earlier retreated to the study to handle some urgent matters, had now quietly made his way to the kitchen. The hotel kitchen was semi-open. Seraphina was busy cooking steaks, unaware of Wilson's presence.

Wilson rolled un his sleeves and offered "I'll take care of the other seasonings"

Chapter 379 Family Moments

He spoke as he quickly began preparing.

Finished

Seraphina glanced at him, noticing that the usual cool and courteous Wilson now carried a warm, homely charm.

Suddenly, her heart fluttered.

Distracted for a moment, she accidentally splashed hot oil on her wrist. She yelled, taking a step back, but fell into a pair of warm, steady arms.

Chapter 380 Reminder

In that fleeting moment, she realized something about the room felt strange yet warm.

It was, after all, the kind of married life she had once imagined before her divorce.

However, the man standing beside her was now Wilson, Somehow, the obsession she once felt seemed to fade away.

A delayed wave of pain shot through her wrist. Wilson half-embraced her as he guided her to the sink to rinse the wound.

The posture was intimate, almost invasive. Seraphina struggled to pull her arm back. Wilson assumed it was due to the pain and adjusted his touch accordingly. He gently released her arm and cradled her injured hand, blowing on it with tenderness. Seraphina glanced at him. Wilson was unbelievably gentle.

She felt a gentle tapping on her heart, causing it to tremble slightly.

Seraphina quickly lowered her gaze, pulling her arm away. She gave a light smile and said, "It's fine; it doesn't hurt anymore."

She hid the turmoil within her heart immediately.

The burn was merely a drop of oil, now washed under cold water, leaving only a bright red mark on her pale skin. It was too stark a contrast, standing out jarringly against her fair complexion.

Wilson frowned, a hint of regret flashing across his face.

*I shouldn't have let you cook. It was careless of me," he said, holding her wrist firmly as he led her out of

the kitchen.

His grip was strong, making it clear he wouldn't let her stay in the kitchen.

Seraphina smiled slightly. She had experienced such accidents many times before. She would grit her teeth, endure the pain, and find that the satisfaction of cooking a meal would make it all worthwhile- especially when she prepared each dish for Orion. But he would never know.

"What happened to Ms. Lovely?"

Little Dani ran over, looking displeased as he saw his dad holding her hand.

Seraphina sat on the sofa and explained, "Nothing, just a little splash of oil. But the kitchen..."

The steak was going to burn!

Wilson pressed her shoulder and said, "I'll have someone take care of it. You stay put."

Feeling embarrassed for making a mess after asking for help, Seraphina watched as a maid came out of her room. She took over the task Seraphina hadn't finished, blending into the background without a word.

Chapter 380 Reminder

Little Dani watched anxiously, staring at the small red spot on her wrist

"It's really not a big deal. I can do it myself," Seraphina protested, feeling the fuss was too much

Wilson raised an eyebrow and said, "Don't you trust me?"

Seraphina chuckled softly, feeling a bit helpless. "It really doesn't hurt."

It was just a slight stinging sensation-nothing she couldn't ignore.

Unconvinced, Wilson placed her hand on his knee. The two were now very close.

He lowered his head, gently applying the ointment. The coolness of it soothed her, even making the sting vanish.

Not bad at all..

But as the cooling sensation faded, Wilson's fingers lingered on her arm, his warmth seeping into her skin, leaving her feeling a bit stiff.

She lowered her eyes, and something flickered rapidly in them. She wanted to leave; if she stayed any longer, she might really lose herself in this moment.

Nearby, Little Dani couldn't take it anymore. Still holding on?

He bluntly broke the quiet atmosphere.

"Ms. Lovely, does it still hurt? My dad's really good at taking care of girls. If you're uncomfortable, just let him know. His words shattered the quiet atmosphere in an instant. The room fell silent.

The hint of tension in the air vanished, leaving no trace.

Wilson's movements paused, his eyes cold as he glared at the triumphant Little Dani. Maybe he'd gone too long without disciplining the boy.

Seraphina smiled faintly, withdrawing her hand casually. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

She glanced at Wilson, whose face now carried a hint of restrained anger. The conflict within her heart dissipated.

Little Dani reminded her that someone like Wilson had likely encountered countless women before.

How much of the tenderness he showed her was real?

How could she have ever thought of him as a blank canvas?

She promptly pulled herself back into reality, as decisive as always, with no hesitation.

Wilson calmly put the items away. Wilson couldn't reprimand the child in front of Seraphina, so he forced himself to maintain a polite smile, albeit one devoid of warmth. 2/3