Ch. 496..500: Inherit Billions Chapter 496-500
Chapter 496 Scandalous History
The next day, Seraphina followed her usual routine, checking her emails at the hospital and responding to a few urgent messages. After that, she settled in to wait for Justin to bring her breakfast.
When Justin arrived, Seraphina was engrossed in her iPad, where a sensational headline had just broken.
"Investment mogul on Wraith Street caught in a web of deception."
The scandalous past of a prominent financial family member has come to light.
Such ambiguous titles made it impossible not to click and delve deeper.
However, a quick glance yielded no mention of the famous investor's name.
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Furrowing her brow, Seraphina wondered. How can this be considered exposure when they don't even name the person? Are they just pointing fingers at random?
When Justin entered the hospital ward, he chuckled at her eagerness for gossip. "Lunch time!" he announced cheerfully. "Hmm," Seraphina replied, looking up at him.
"Who is this famous investor they're talking about? Do we know him?"
Raising an eyebrow with a knowing smile, Justin replied, "Take a closer look, and you'll find out."
Seraphina frowned and reopened the webpage, this time reading line by line.
The investor's ex-girlfriend wrote the gossip piece.
After charming her with sweet nothings, the man abruptly lost interest and declared their relationship
over.
But it didn't end there he had left her with an unexpected pregnancy. She had given birth, only for the man to take the child away. The child was not yet even seven years old.
This woman painted the man as a heartless liar, one who only pursued women he could not have.
Once he succeeded, he would cruelly get rid of them.
Now he was reportedly involved with a wealthy woman.
"Please reveal his real name! I'd gladly rally a hundred thousand online followers to take this jerk down!"
"A deceptive heartbreaker! He reminds me of my ex-men like him don't deserve true love!"
"He even stole the child away from her! Sue him! Why should you allow him to take your baby?
MO
Chapter 496 Scandalous History
"Men like this are all sem. May they all rot!"
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Accompanying her account were several photos of her with the man.
Her face was in the open. The woman's figure was stunning, her beauty undeniable.
The man, tall and refined, exuded an air of sophistication, far from the ordinary businessman vibe. He radiated an academic elegance.
His identity remained a mystery due to the blurring of his face, yet his attractive looks were undeniable and abled to make many women fall for him. Seraphina frowned as she scrolled.
The woman's plight naturally drew sympathy, but how could one convict a man based on a single perspective without the truth?
There had been similar cases of online shaming before
r cases of online shaming before
These cases involved married individuals, accompanied by clear evidence such as transfer receipts and chat logs. The public's compassion overflowed in those situations, leading to the appropriate punishment of the scoundrel. But here, the accusations seemed weak no transactions, no messages, just a few blurry photos and the woman's own words.
Something about this news struck Seraphina as strange
Deep down, she felt unsettled.
A familiar feeling tugged at Seraphina as she scrutinized the man's silhouette.
It was an inexplicable sense of recognition.
Justin's light chuckle broke her concentration. "Do you know who it is now?" he teased, noticing her furrowed brow.
Seraphina tossed her iPad aside in frustration and picked up a spoon to sip her soup.
"With the face blurred out, how could I tell?"
Unable to hold back his laughter, Justin gazed at her meaningfully.
"It's Wilson."
Clatter-
The spoon slipped from her grasp, falling to the floor and shattering into two pieces.
Chapter 497 Uneasy
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Justin furrowed as he bent down to pick up the spoon, humbling, "I only brought one spoon today."
Seraphina's eyes widened in disbelief, her beautiful gare filled with shock.
"Justin, what did you just say?"
No wonder this damned sense of familiarity!
In her subconscious, she had never connected this person with Wilson.
Yet the man in the photo was undeniably identical in shape and stature.
How could this be?
Seraphina's heart sank, dropping into the depths of the abyss, sinking endlessly.
She couldn't believe it, but the evidence lay right before her.
Her mind raced in a chaotic tangle.
Justin returned from another somewhere else with a spoon, having washed it clean.
He sighed.
"I can hardly believe it myself. I dug around for the truth after hearing the rumors. This news was first released by Frencette's entertainment media. Since I have a good relationship with their executives, I asked a few questions. This woman is targeting Wilson. Seraphina's eyes constricted sharply. "Why?"
"Why?"
Justin chuckled. "It's either after him or for his money what else could it be?"
His sister was truly naive!
But he had never held out much hope for Wilson.
After all, Wilson had spent years in New Town. His relationship with Seraphina had never reached the level of needing to investigate his background.
So, lacking knowledge of Wilson's past, Justin found nothing particularly strange about his past.
People who appeared refined on the surface often hid dark secrets beneath, especially in business and entertainment circles.
gmb
Wilson had approached Seraphina with ulterior motives. Luckily, she hadn't developed real feelings for him yet.
He had saved her, and they were grateful for that.
However, it didn't mean his family could ignore his dark history.
Tue, Dec
Chapter 497 Uneasy
Two separate matters-clear distinctions.
Yet Seraphina was clearly in shock, still trying to process everything.
He walked over and flicked her forehead gently.
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"But this situation is fishy. There are way too many similar scandals in Ascotia. No tabloid news spreads this fiercely overnight, especially since our main character isn't a particularly famous person. Someone must be stirring the pot behind the scenes." To put it into perspective, the last scandal that gained such attention had been about Seraphina and Orion.
They two naturally attracted attention.
Seraphina picked up her iPad and continued reading.
Half of it was true, half was false.
Based on what she knew about Wilson, she couldn't guarantee everything written was false.
Yet she had always been inclined to believe what Wilson had told her was true.
Now, that woman online was constantly exposing Wilson's secrets, as if trying to pull him down from his status and drive him out of Ascotia.
"Justin, can you...
Before she could finish, Justin already understood her intent. His smile faded slightly.
"You want me to suppress the comments and retract the news?"
Seraphina pressed her lips together and said, "No matter how much it costs, it has to come down. The internet isn't a lawless zone. They can't just say a few things out of thin air and make them real."
"You don't believe that woman's accusation? But I think at least half of it is true. Look at Dani. He's about the same age as this woman and is pursuing you with such intensity."
Isn't he just as obsessively devoted as that woman described?
Wilson might indeed be a hypocrite behind the scenes.
Seraphina dropped her gaze. Her expression finally returned to calm composure.
She tugged at the corner of her lips, a cold smile playing on her face.
"Whether it's true or not isn't a matter of belief. But Justin, he saved my life. And when the Giant Group's project ran into trouble, it was also him who helped swirl the public opinion at Klad Tech, allowing things to proceed so smoothly. Could we just stand by and watch?" They couldn't pretend not to see.
Seraphina was probably Wilson's only friend in the country.
He was alone and had to rely on himself to prove his innocence
17:22 Tue, Dec 3.
Chapter 497 Uneasy
Even if it was true, looking at it another way, they were still friends.
Justin sighed, understanding Seraphina's intention.
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"Alright, I'll pull some strings to suppress the public opinion and then release sensational news about a celebrity. That should be enough to shift the spotlight."
Seraphina chuckled and said, "Yeah, your influence is not just for show."
Justin scoffed lightly. "Stop buttering me up!"
He took his phone and walked out, preparing to call the media platform.
Seraphina sat there in silence for a moment, her thoughts swirling.
After a while, she picked up her phone, opened it, then closed it again. Inside, she felt calmness.
She didn't know what she was expecting, but thankfully, nothing had happened yet.
An hour later, the online buzz suddenly erupted.
News broke about a famous actress who had slept with a director and only to be caught by the director's wife. The scandal skyrocketing to the top of the trending list. Meanwhile, the scandal regarding Wraith Street's sc*undrel quietly vanished from the trending list.
Chapter 498 The Hidden Hand Dros Group.
Ken lowered his head as he reported the latest developments regarding the online rumors. "Mr. Dros, the rumors about Wilson have already been overshadowed by the latest gossip in the entertainment industry. "Should we continue to escalate the situation?" he asked.
Orion snorted coldly and threw his phone on the table.
The rumors about Wilson had been collected and fabricated by his own men, with a mix of truth and lies. The combination of both made it nearly impossible for anyone to discern the truth.
Just because Seraphina had prevented him from hurting Wilson further didn't mean he couldn't still take action against that creep from other angles.
Orion wasn't surprised that the news had been suppressed, but the fact that the Cross Group had acted and pulled back so quickly made him uncomfortable.
Was Seraphina genuinely caring about him?
Still, he had achieved his desirable outcome. Orion wasn't doing this for the public eye, nor did he want Wilson's complete ruin.
He just wanted Seraphina to see Wilson for the hypocrite he truly was. He wanted to plant a seed of doubt in her heart.
Once that doubt set in, there would be no future between them.
Orion was on the phone in his office; he instructed, "This ends here. Implement the second plan and bring that woman to confront Wilson."
He was hell bent on disgusting Wilson.
Ken was taking notes when he saw Hannah at the door of the office. He quickly jogged over and said respectfully, "Ms. Dros, are you here to see Mr. Dros?"
Hannah jumped in surprise. "Yes, grandpa asked me to collect him. We're having dinner at the estate tonight."
"Got it. Please wait here," Ken said.
Hannah suddenly remembered something and was reminded, "Ken, you can relay the message for me. I'm scared of him lately. I don't want to see him. I'm leaving now." Ken could relate. After all, Hannah's evil deed had gone too far, especially for a heiress like her.
Hannah waved and left. Her eyes flashed with a hint of resentment, ready to exact her revenge when the opportunity presented itself.
The day wasn't even over yet.
That night, the gossip about the entertainment industry was all over the news.
17:22 Tue, Dec 3D.
Chapter 498 The Hidden Hand
The director and the celebrity came out to apologize. The internet was in an uproar.
Unexpectedly, the well-known investor who had exposed it all suddenly reappeared.
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Wilson's name and identity were back on the internet, and another round of gossip followed.
The news about Wilson was at the top and second of the trending news; there was no way to ignore it.
And when Wilson was exposed, people realized that he was the man who had previously appeared on the same news. They deduced the wealthy woman he was pursuing was Seraphina. Once Seraphina's name was involved, I was impossible to suppress the heat surrounding it.
Emeris and Sivir saw the situation escalating and decided to act quickly before more details surfaced. They personally went to the hospital to pick Seraphina up and take her back to the home. Things would turn ugly when the reporters swarmed the hospital.
Justin had already issued a warning, stating that Seraphina's name could not appear in the gossip reports.
But the private speculations didn't stop. Internet users frequently mentioned Seraphina's name in their comments.
Cross Mansion.
Emeris sat in the living room. Livid, his face dark with anger.
He hadn't given much thought to the online rumors about Wilson.
The woman who had suddenly appeared was also filled with suspicion.
But now that his daughter was involved, he couldn't sit still. He couldn't even stand Wilson anymore.
"Who did this? Wilson hasn't given any response. Where has he gone into hiding?"
Justin glanced at Seraphina and pursed his lips.
"There's no news. It's not a good idea for us to go after him. I've done everything I can. But the fact that. they've pulled the news twice today is too obvious. It'll attract attention."
"That circle of yours is so filthy. Your sister is innocently getting dragged down into this, and yet you're standing there making sarcastic remarks." Emeris sneered, his anger rising as he glared at Justin, who seemed nonchalant. Seraphina smiled helplessly.
"That's enough. None of those things reported are real. We didn't do anything, so why should we feel guilty?"
Emeris's complexion darkened further, but he continued to monitor the online news.
"This is getting out of hand. They've even begun accusing you of being the other woman. Those comments are harsh and ugly!"
Once the rumors spread online they became uncontrollable
17:22 Tue, Dec 3.
Chapter 498 The Hidden Hand
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People online preferred to speculate in the most unbelievable ways. The more malicious and sensational, the more curious they became. It was as if they had uncovered some huge secret.
Chapter 499 Wilson's Explanation.
In the living room.
After a moment of deep thought, Seraphina immediately called Sivir, who was still working overtime.
"Sivir, make sure to keep an eye on the stock trends. Don't let the public opinion cause any fluctuations."
This was their top priority.
Emeris, watching his daughter with a hint of helplessness, couldn't help but wonder how she could still focus on making money in a situation like this.
On the other end, Sivir said something that made Seraphina's tense expression relax a little. Following that, she hung up the phone.
"Fortunately, the stock showed only a slight dip. There won't be any significant losses. As long as the media storm calms down by tomorrow, we'll be fine."
"Calm down? Who knows who's been manipulating the situation behind the scenes? Even with Michael and me working together to suppress it, those media platforms still had the nerve to refuse to retract their stories." Justin's voice was cool and heavy.
He had a hunch. The only entity capable of opposing the Cross Group in the media was likely the Dros Group.
However, turning Seraphina into the target of the public? That didn't seem like something that man would do.
That was the sole reason he hadn't broached the subject with Seraphina.
Just then, Benjamin hurriedly entered the room.
"Ms. Seraphina, Mr. Rockwell is here."
As soon as Wilson arrived, the expressions of everyone present shifted noticeably.
Emeris let out a cold snort. He still harbored a bellyful of resentment against this man for dragging his daughter into the mess.
Yet, when he recalled Wilson had saved Seraphina's life not long ago, it didn't feel right to just kick him
out. B
Besides, there was a chance that Wilson was a victim in all of this.
Justin beckoned to him and said, "He's probably here to explain everything. Let him in."
He glanced at Emeris.
"Dad, he did save Seraphina's life. Even if you're angry, try to hold back."
Emeris shot him a look but settled himself on the couch with a calm demeanor.
"I know."
Tue, Dec 3
Chapter 499 Wilson's Explanation
Justin chuckled, while Seraphina maintained a serene expression.
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She had already accepted the situation after receiving assurances that the Cross Group's stock wouldn't suffer significantly. After all, she had experienced online criticism before.
She didn't particularly care what image she held in the minds of the public.
When Wilson walked in, he was immediately met with the stern gazes of the Crosses men.
Only Seraphina greeted him with a soft smile.
"Looks like it's raining outside, Mr. Rockwell. You're drenched. Benjamin, please fetch a dry towel."
The butler promptly brought a fresh towel.
Wilson took it, but instead of drying himself, his gaze lingered on Seraphina, filled with a complex mix of darkness and regret.
Wilson was overwhelmed with guilt.
He hesitated and was unsure of where to begin.
Wilson feared she might believe the rumors circulating online. Worse still, he feared she wouldn't bother to ask if they were true-because she simply didn't care.
A few seconds of silence later, Justin's laughter broke the tension.
"Mr. Rockwell, it's been a busy day for you, hasn't it?"
Wilson snapped out of his daze, maintaining his usual calm and polite smile.
However, when he turned to face Emeris, there was a new weight to his expression, a mix of seriousness and remorse.
"I truly apologize for all the trouble my issues have caused Seraphina and your company. I've already taken steps to resolve the matter. By tomorrow morning, no one will be mentioning this incident again."
He spoke with absolute confidence, as if he had everything under control.
Emeris' expression softened slightly as he raised an eyebrow.
"Mr. Rockwell, we're all on the same side. We don't believe those rumors about you. Thankfully, Seraphina is tough and doesn't let these things get to her. How can Seraphina cope when everyone is criticizing her online? Wilson's gaze flickered toward Seraphina. His usually calm face was shadowed by a touch of heaviness.
"Yes, the one I owe the most is Seraphina. I will issue a public statement to clear her name. This has indeed been a harsh lesson."
Seraphina paused briefly, then smiled at him.
"That wasn't the priority. You were clearly the target of today's media frenzy Do you know who's behind
17:22 Tue, Dec 3.
Chapter 499 Wilson's Explanation
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Clearly, someone was targeting Wilson. Who had he offended in this country?
Wilson's face shifted through several emotions before he hesitated for a fraction of a second.
Finally, with a calm voice, he said, "Dros Group is stirring up trouble."
His words landed like a bombshell.
Everyone present was momentarily stunned.
Chapter 500 A Despicable Man
"I understand that Justin was the one who ordered the suppression of the morning's news. At the time, I was slow to react, thinking it was just a trivial scandal. But by the afternoon, my market analyst informed me that someone had paid that woman to expose me online. She was instructed to stir up trouble to force me out of Ascotia."
Wilson watched as Emeris and Justin's expression turned livid with anger, but he found no satisfaction in it.
He couldn't believe that Orion wouldn't stoop so low as to use Seraphina as a shield.
But with the evidence in front of him, he had no choice but to accept
Could Orion truly be so vile?
If that were the case, he had clearly overestimated him before.
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Before Justin could start cursing, Emeris, frowning, spoke up: "The moment Seraphina got dragged into this, we immediately started investigating and suppressing it. Your influence in Eldoria isn't as deep as ours. How can you be so sure that this will blow over by tomorrow morning?"
As a seasoned businessman, especially one as cunning as Emeris, he never stopped questioning every possible angle.
Given Orion's usual attitude toward Seraphina, would he do something like this?
Emeris couldn't shake the suspicion that Wilson might be lying.
However, Wilson's expression remained steady and sincere, without a hint of anger or defensiveness.
"I admit that my resources in Eldoria are limited, but I do have connections abroad. One of the major shareholders in Frencette's media is someone I'm close with, and it was him who informed me of this. Dros Group may have tried to silence the news, but they couldn't completely control their own insiders."
Emeris' face darkened further.
"Son of a b*tch!"
Wilson lowered his gaze calmly and continued, "I've already spoken with the upper management of the platform. This issue isn't just about me; it also concerns the reputation of the Cross Group. After ten tonight, traffic to the story will be throttled; it will be gone by tomorrow."
He should have acted sooner, avoiding this second wave of media frenzy.
This time, it wasn't just Wilson who would suffer; the stakes were much higher.
Emeris's expression turned even grimmer. Initially shocked, Justin now silently wore a tense, heavy look.
They had all overestimated Orion's integrity.
Then again, considering the harm he had once inflicted on Seraphina, what decency could they have expected from him?
Chapter 500 A Despicable Man
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unease.
He pressed his lips together and said earnestly, "Seraphina, I sincerely apologize for what happened today."
Seraphina smiled lightly and said, "It has nothing to do with you. You're a victim too. There's no need to apologize.
"The rumors online aren't true. I don't even know that woman. Everything she said was a lie. Only my words are true," Wilson paused, perhaps realizing how arrogant he sounded, and added, "If you don't believe me, you can investigate. The truth will always come to light." Dani was certainly not his child.
He had only ever confided in her.
So, all he needed was for Seraphina to believe in his innocence.
He had been wanting to explain for a long time; no matter how ugly the rumors became online, he could ignore them.
His only concern was whether Seraphina would believe him.
After confirming with his overseas contacts that the issue would be resolved, he had rushed here in the rain to personally apologize and explain.
Wilson's almost humble attitude left Justin and Emeris somewhat taken aback.
They exchanged glances, both pressing their lips together in silence.
It was clear that Wilson's final words were the real reason he had come.
Seraphina smiled slightly, with her eyes arched in amusement.
Though she felt uncomfortable, she kept her calm demeanor in front of everyone.
"Mr. Rockwell, there's no need for such lengthy explanations. Of course, we believe you are innocent. Don't let these underhanded tactics get to you."
Looking into her clear, beautiful eyes, Wilson felt a wave of relief wash over him even as his heart sank further.
Did she truly believe him, or did she simply not care?