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Chapter 471 Admitting Defeat
Thomas had reserved a table at the upscale Frencette restaurant. As was their usual custom, he had booked the whole place for their private dining experience.
Seraphina had no intention of letting anyone see her dining with Orion.
With a simple wave of her hand, she ordered her meal and handed the menu to Orion.
He barely glanced at it before saying. “Same.”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow and shot him a look.
All she had ordered was a single fruit salad.
Orion settled into his chair, appearing relaxed and somewhat indifferent. “What’s next? When are we heading back?”
Seraphina smiled wryly and said, “Soon. If all goes well, we should be back by tomorrow morning.”
If everything went smoothly, once Seth and Blake were captured, she could return to the company and leave Joseph to discuss the acquisition.
Orion seemed pleased by her words. He assumed Seraphina had taken his advice.
His expression softened, and he said, “Don’t worry; you’ve done well for your first time handling this.”
Now, the real showdown was between him and Senator Long.
He had no intention of getting directly involved in negotiations with Blake.
To test Blake’s limits, pressure was necessary, and that pressure would have to come from Senator Long.
The best way to deal with a rogue was to be even more rogue–like.
He wouldn’t throw too much money at Blake; he aimed to cut the root of the problem instead, and everything was already arranged.
Lost in thought, his phone rang.
It was Senator Long.
He glanced at Seraphina, who seemed unbothered.
Orion answered the call without hesitation
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As he listened to Senator Long, his expression shifted from shock to something darker, deeper, as he locked eyes with Seraphina.
Finally, the look in his eyes settled into a calm demeanor as he exchanged a few pleasantries before ending the call.
From his reaction, Seraphina understood Senator Long’s message loud and clear.
She had won this round.
Three seconds passed in silence.
Orion opened his mouth, suddenly letting out a low laugh, his narrow eyes glinting with intrigue.
“Seraphina, you always manage to surprise me!”
Surprised enough to win while he was distracted.
Seraphina smiled at him, her voice slow and teasing. “Was it a surprise? Or a shock?”
Orion’s attitude was unexpectedly calm; he neither appeared flustered nor pretended to be magnanimous.
Just a normal reaction.
After a moment of contemplation, Orion asked, “Do you know what Senator Long said?”
“I can guess,” she replied honestly.
After making significant progress, she should hand over the project to the Crosses. Otherwise, it would imply private dealings between Senator Long and Orion.
If Orion’s opponent had been someone else, Senator Long might have considered lending him a hand.
But the Cross Group had just as strong a background as the Dros Group. Once accusations of unfair insider trading came into play, the repercussions could threaten Senator Long’s future.
Thus, he had to play fair.
Orion rubbed his forehead, chuckling softly, his admiration unmasked in his eyes.
“We’ve caught Seth, and we’re already sending a team to capture Blake. The Griffin Corporation is gearing up for a major overhaul. In less than a day, you’ve turned Eldoria Bay upside down. You’ve won.”
He had underestimated Seraphina all along.
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While he had spent four hours preparing ingredients to cook, she had been organizing everything behind the scenes.
He had expected her to be fearful, fatigued, or in need of a break.
But she hadn’t paused for a moment.
Her actions were astonishingly quick, her responses calm and sharp; no one could match her efficiency.
This was the girl he admired–outstanding, bold, intelligent, and unyielding.
He willingly admitted his defeat.
Seraphina lowered her gaze, a soft smile gracing her lips. “I know. Thank you for the compliment.”
Orion’s eyes narrowed, a playful smile curling his lips.
“Seraphina, if you ever come to Droses, I’ll make sure you get the best treatment.”
What a worthy opponent!
Seraphina raised an eyebrow in challenge and said, “If you come to Cross Group, you won’t get the best treatment.”
A sudden bitterness washed over Orion. She used to belong to him; it was he who had let her slip away.
Now, with the Cross Group in her corner, she would never again rely solely on him.
“Your meal is served; please enjoy,” the waiter announced as he pushed a cart to their table, setting down the fruit salads before discreetly stepping back.
These two had spent a fortune renting the entire place, but they only ordered two fruit salads.
Indeed, wealthy people dine for the experience.
Orion stared at the fruit salad before him, his expression frozen in disbelief.
He hadn’t quite caught what Seraphina had ordered–he only wanted to have the same thing. And this was all they had?
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