Everyone thought Stellar Rivers was a fraud—a fake heiress thrown out by the powerful Harlow family. They believed her real parents were supposedly poor nobodies from the countryside. With nowhere else to go, she clung to Percy Moore, the youngest heir of the illustrious Moore family. Try as they might, no one could drive her away. But when Stellar overheard that Percy planned to marry the Harlow family’s true heiress, her lifelong rival, everything changed. Fine, he could have his perfect match. Stellar wasn’t going to waste another moment on someone who didn’t value her. Instead, she turned her back on him and reclaimed the life that had always been hers. A country bumpkin? Hardly. It turned out Stellar’s real family was wealthier and more powerful than anyone could imagine. With four influential uncles showering her with love and protection, she was ready to take the world by storm. And while she believed in playing fair, she also knew one thing: revenge was best served by her own hand. Meanwhile, Percy’s perfect world began to unravel. Without Stellar, his life was a mess—his business floundered, his fiancée’s reputation crumbled, and his carefully constructed future came crashing down. Desperate and full of regret, he showed up at Stellar’s doorstep, begging her to come back. But Stellar only smirked, casually leaning onto the tall, devastatingly handsome man at her side. “Sorry, Percy. I don’t take back what I’ve already let go.” As if that wasn’t enough, Stellar even dismissed the powerful man standing beside her, leaving him in the dust. “I said it before, and I’ll say it again—I don’t go back to what’s already behind me.” Even Stephen Ward, who broken off their engagement before they ever met, found himself on his knees, pleading, “Honey, I was wrong. Please, give me another chance!”
View MoreSo, she teased him on purpose. "Then maybe you should consider joining us at Starlight.""Are you trying to poach me?""Yep. Will you let me?"Stephen seemed to think it over for a moment, then shook his head. "Better not."Stellar knew switching bases wasn't something anyone would do on a whim—she’d only been joking. Still, hearing his firm refusal made her feel a tiny twinge of disappointment."Aren’t you going to ask why?""Hmm?" She looked up, puzzled. "Why?""Because…" Stephen looked down at her, eyes warm with amusement. "As far as I know, Starlight doesn’t allow workplace relationships. And that’s something I just can’t give up."Stellar’s heart gave a hard thump. In that moment, she finally understood what it meant to feel butterflies.This man had a way of tugging at her heartstrings with just a simple line."Ahem..." She couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips and quickly turned her head. "Well then, I guess it really is out of the question."They let the subject pass
Earlier, Martha had let Cheryl's endless bragging slide without a word.But this time, her expression turned cold in an instant."My granddaughter doesn’t need to do chores. She’s the pride of our family—born to be loved and cherished. Whatever she wants, we can give her. No one has the right to order her around."Cheryl was taken aback, stunned into silence for a moment before snapping back, "What man would want a wife who can’t even handle basic housework? I’m saying this for her own good! Aren’t you worried she won’t be able to get married?""Then she won’t," Martha replied without hesitation."If she stays with us for the rest of her life, so be it. We’re more than capable of taking care of her."Cheryl fumed, feeling like her good intentions had been thrown back in her face."Grandma, I want a drink! And snacks!"The chubby boy came running back, flushed and sweaty after tearing through the house.Cheryl dropped the argument instantly, her focus back on her grandson."Alright, alri
Martha and Stellar shared a helpless glance before finally giving in with a quiet nod.They drove Cheryl over to the preschool together.All the way there, Cheryl kept bragging nonstop. "This preschool? It’s the top bilingual academy in the area. All the language teachers are brought in from overseas! Tuition alone runs around four or six grand a year. “My son really values his kid’s education, so he’s giving him the absolute best. It’s like pouring money down the drain, but thankfully, he makes enough to support the family. “He even bought a house here and paid four hundred thousand dollars without blinking."The more she talked, the prouder she sounded, completely unaware that the car she was riding in was worth far more than that.Stellar’s ears were practically going numb from the constant boasting. But out of respect for her elder, she held her tongue and didn’t interrupt.When Cheryl finally ran out of things to say and noticed the lack of praise from her audience, she turn
As they left the venue, Claude suggested stopping by the mall. "Your grandmother’s been obsessed with shopping lately. Just yesterday she mentioned wanting to pick something up... “We’ll swing by, and you can ask what she needs. We’ll bring it back for her.""Alright," Stellar replied, pulling out her phone to make the call.Whatever her grandmother said on the other end had Stellar sighing in defeat as she answered with a few quick nods, "Okay, okay, I get it. I promise."She hung up and turned to Claude with a smile before he could even ask. "Grandma says the fun of shopping is going in person. Picking things out herself is the whole point."Claude let out a laugh. "She’s turning into more of a kid with every passing year. Alright, I’ll head back and bring her over."In the end, it was Stellar who accompanied her grandmother to the mall.They went from store to store, and perhaps because she had her granddaughter with her, Martha was in unusually high spirits. She picked up al
But when Keith scrolled past the post, jealousy hit him hard. He knew Stephen was flaunting it on purpose, but there was nothing he could do in return. All he could do was stare at the photo, stewing in silent bitterness. …The next day, Claude was scheduled to attend a bidding event. The event was scheduled for the afternoon, and since Stellar was home, he invited her to come along, saying it would be a good learning experience—something that might come in handy down the line.Stellar had nothing else planned, so she went with him. The venue was spacious and brightly lit, with rows of tables and chairs arranged neatly. Many of the bidders were already present.They were seasoned business elites, each with an impressive background. Stellar glanced around casually, about to shift her gaze elsewhere when a familiar figure walked in from the opposite side of the room. It was Percy.Today, he looked nothing like the washed-up man she remembered. He wore a crisp tailored su
This time, Stellar turned him down. "Not tonight. I need to get home early and spend some time with my grandparents.""They’re in town too?" Zayden’s eyes lit up. He quickly offered, "Why don’t I come with you? I’d love to stop by and say hello."Before Stellar could respond, Stephen cut in coolly, "They don’t like being disturbed by strangers.""Who says I’m a stranger?" Zayden shot back, voice sharp. "Senior and I are close—practically family. Unlike a certain someone who really ought to take a hint and stop sticking around her.""Alright, that’s enough." Stellar rubbed her temples, clearly exasperated. "Zay, maybe next time. I’ll let them know ahead of time. I’m heading home for now."With that, she turned and walked off, not waiting for a reply.Stephen caught up to her in a few strides. "I’ll walk you back."Since they lived right across the street from each other, Stellar saw no reason to refuse.Zayden stood rooted to the spot, glaring after them. The fury in his eyes
It didn’t take long for Stellar to remember that she’d painted it during the lowest point of her life, when she first discovered the truth about her past. Lost and overwhelmed, it became a raw expression of the turmoil she was drowning in. It was no wonder the memory was so vivid.Afterward, she asked Zayden to look for it in the studio and eventually put the original on display.If Susan hadn’t pulled this stunt—risking Stellar’s reputation just to elevate her own—maybe Stellar wouldn’t have exposed the truth. But now that it had come to this, she had no reason to hold back."No wonder I thought the painting was so striking. Turns out it is really the work of Sole Light." "God, Susan Raines is disgusting! Faking remorse just to climb higher? She has zero talent and still had the nerve to copy someone else’s work for fame and profit." "I actually felt bad for her earlier. I thought she was just a victim stuck in someone else’s shadow." "She played us all for fools. Someone lik
"I didn’t…" Susan flatly denied any involvement. "I-I just wanted a chance for my work to be exhibited too. I never meant for anyone to hurt her, he acted on his own!" Everyone exchanged doubtful looks. But when their eyes landed on the painting on the wall, someone couldn't help but comment, "This piece is really well done. The colors are a little muted, but it actually brings out the story behind it more." "Honestly, I didn’t even know it was done by Sole Light at first. I was just drawn to it. I think it’s just as good as Sole Light’s original piece." "So, Susan Raines is actually quite talented too..." People naturally held a bit more admiration and leniency toward those with talent. Hearing this, Susan immediately seized the opportunity. Her eyes welled up with tears as she looked pitiful and remorseful. "I’m sorry, I truly am. I shouldn’t have resorted to this just to achieve my goal. But our professor has always been so biased, he only ever had eyes for you. "I
"I..." Susan faltered, unsettled by the sharpness in his eyes.But Zayden gave her no chance to wriggle out of it. He cut straight to the truth. "You destroyed her painting yourself and you're terrified of being found out."The room went completely still."I-I didn’t!" Susan quickly snapped back, her eyes reddening as she put on a wounded look. "Zayden, I know you and Stellar grew up together, and you’ve always been close to her, but that doesn’t give you the right to smear me just to protect her!""Smear you?" he scoffed. "Let’s see what the footage says."Before she could react, he tapped the screen on his tablet and turned it toward the crowd.People leaned in out of curiosity only to freeze in disbelief.On the screen, Susan could be seen sneaking into the studio in the middle of the night. She stood in front of a stunning painting, her expression cold and furious, a far cry from her usual soft demeanor. She pulled a utility knife from her bag and began slashing at the canvas
"Percy, you know what? Your little girlfriend is something else. We just got word from Sienna Industries—they approved the contract!""Girlfriend? Don’t be mistaken. When has Percy ever acknowledged her as his girlfriend? Besides, do you really think one woman could handle so many tough negotiations... Ha! Percy, your tactic was truly brilliant!"The meaning behind the words was clear. Outside the door, Stellar Rivers froze, her raised hand stiffening mid-air.She was clutching a folder tightly in her arms. It was a crucial document that would determine whether Moore Enterprises could go public.Sienna Industries, knowing full well that there would be thunderstorms tomorrow, had deliberately demanded the contract be signed in person that day. Left with no choice, Stellar pulled every string she could, taking an alternative flight to deliver the papers.Even so, the return flight had encountered severe turbulence during the storm. The cockpit was breached, and the pilot had fallen unco...
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