Inherit Billions (Seraphina and Orion) novel Chapter 179

Chapter 179 The One Million Tip 

Finished 

Seraphina stood there. She could sense the suffocating tension in the air. Jennifer’s affection was overwhelming and could make one feel suffocated. 

Hansen begrudgingly went down. He muttered a few polite words and quickly grew impatient. 

His eyes never strayed from Seraphina. 

Walter enjoyed chatting with Seraphina and peppering her with questions. 

Meanwhile, Monica seemed uncharacteristically cold, though she was exceptionally warm towards Jennifer. 

After dinner, Jennifer offered to make dessert. 

Monica pulled Hansen along to help. 

After a brief chat, Walter went off to rest. 

Seraphina and Monica sat facing each other. Monica’s smile faded as she reached into her purse, pulling out a check and placing it on the table in front of Seraphina. 

Seraphina was puzzled. 

She looked down at the check–one million dollars. 

“This is …?” she asked. 

Monica gave a small, disdainful smile. 

She explained, “That’s the payment for the painting. Though I know it’s not worth that much, we have known each other for a long time; just consider it a little something for your trouble.” 

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Chapter 179 The One Million Tips 

Seraphina watched as Lucas stormed out, and she hurried after him. 

Before that, she turned toward Monica and said, “Mrs. Colombo, you can go home and expect the painting delivered to you.” 

On the way back, Jennifer noticed the barely concealed smile on Monica’s face, and it irked her. 

She finally spoke up at the right time! 

“Monica, as far as I know, if it’s authentic, that painting was once auctioned for a billion dollars. Is Seraphina really that close to Mr. Stroudsburg?” 

Monica’s smile faltered for a moment. 

She asked, “What … what do you mean? Mr. Stroudsburg isn’t fake, is he?” 

“Of course not,” Jennifer replied smoothly. “I’m just worried about that. They are teacher and student, after all. There’s a possibility that the painting you’re receiving might not be genuine. It could be a flawed 

version.” 

Lucas did have several flawed pieces in his studio. They were worth some money, but they were not his 

masterpieces. 

Monica’s heart sank at the thought. 

Sensing Monica’s distress, Jennifer offered a gentle smile and comforted her. 

“However, this may not always be the case. I’ve heard that Mr. Stroudsburg marks all his completed works with a signature in the lower right corner. You’ll know at a glance.” 

Monica nodded, forcing a smile. 

Monica went out of her way to rouse Hansen from his feigned illness and verify this. 

She decided to host a family dinner at the Colombo estate. 

Hansen lay sprawled on the bed, refusing to get up, whining in a way that made him look like he was just begging to be punched. 

“A family meal? What kind of nonsense is that?” 

“I’ve invited Seraphina and Jennifer. If you don’t want to come, that’s fine,” Monica retorted. 

The moment he heard Seraphina’s name, Hansen’s demeanor changed entirely. He jumped out of bed, and he was suddenly full of energy. 

When Seraphina received the invitation, she hesitated to attend. 

Hansen’s feelings for her made her reluctant to involve herself too deeply with the Colombos. 

Then she thought, Perhaps it was just a courteous gesture in return for the painting. 

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Chapter 179 The One Million Tips 

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When she arrived at the Colombo estate as promised, she was surprised to find that Jennifer was already 

there. 

Moreover, she arrived much carlier than she did. 

Jennifer was chatting and laughing with Walter and Monica. 

Seraphina handed over the prepared painting to Monica. 

Monica thanked her and took a quick glance at it. 

For a brief moment, her expression froze, but it was so fleeting that it was easy to miss. She quickly composed herself. 

Seraphina was unaware of Monica’s reaction. 

She walked over to greet Walter. 

Hansen had been upstairs the whole time. When he heard Seraphina’s voice, he quickly rushed downstairs, grinning with excitement. 

“Seraphina, come up here! I just found our old school yearbook, and I realized we used to dress up in wedding attire.” 

Seraphina was momentarily taken aback. 

Though she had always been casual on previous visits, now that Jennifer was present, she felt it was inappropriate to make herself feel at home. 

Moreover, Jennifer held a grudge against her because she had a crush on Hansen. 

She glared at him. 

“That was for a play! Those were costumes, not a wedding dress!” 

This fool! 

Monica casually set the painting down against the wall. 

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She chided, “Hansen, don’t be rude. Ms. Perez has been here for quite some time, and you haven’t even come down to greet her.” 

Jennifer looked up at Hansen, her gaze lingering on those starry eyes that seemed to pierce right through her. A sting of pain pierced her. 

The dazzling lights in his eyes were brilliant and intense. However, it had never been directed at her. 

Yet when he looked at Seraphina, he was always so gentle, ‘joyful, and patient. 

In that moment, Jennifer clenched her fists tightly. She felt her heart sink endlessly. She forced a casual smile, trying to brush it off. 

Jennifer tried to come up with an excuse for him. 

“We’ve known each other for a long time. No need to be so formal” 

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