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Chapter 121
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 122
"That's impossible! She's just some nobody from the countryside! Just because she has the last name Rivers, she thinks she can claim ties to the Rivers family in Southport? “What a joke—this has to be fake. She’s putting on an act!" "It’s real." This time, even Pauline spoke up. "Her biological uncle, the head of the Rivers family, personally came forward to support her. His identity is beyond question." At that moment, Yvonne's expression twisted with rage. She muttered under her breath, "That bitch… Why does she get so lucky? She’s nothing but a fraud, a fake heiress! “She should have spent her life beneath me! If I had known, I would’ve made sure she never made it out of those mountains alive…" She clenched her teeth in hatred. Pauline’s eyes widened in disbelief as a chill ran down her spine. "Yvonne… what did you just say?" Her voice was dry, almost trembling. Yvonne snapped, her voice shrill and hysterical. "I said she shouldn’t have just been kidnapped and v
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 123
The next day, after spending most of her time at the research institute, it was finally time for her meeting with Stephen. With the prepared documents in hand, Stellar headed to their agreed location. Pushing open the door, she was surprised to find herself in an underwater restaurant. A domed ceiling arched overhead, and curved glass walls surrounded the space, allowing the deep blue sea to stretch out before her. Sea turtles, whales, flounders, and countless other fish she couldn’t name drifted effortlessly above her, creating a mesmerizing, dreamlike scene. It felt as if she had stepped into an entirely different world beneath the ocean, leaving her momentarily spellbound. "You really do like it." A deep, magnetic voice rang out from nearby. Turning her head, Stellar met Stephen’s gaze—dark, steady, and unreadable. In that instant, she recalled the message he had sent the night before, casually asking if she liked the ocean and marine life. At the time, she hadn’t
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 124
Stellar was momentarily confused. "Who else do you think I should’ve invited?" Suzy’s eyes flickered mischievously before she cleared her throat. "Well… your uncle rarely comes to visit. You can’t just enjoy yourself and forget to entertain your elders, right?" Stellar was confused. She studied Suzy’s expression for a moment before suddenly sucking in a sharp breath. "Wait a minute, you’re not saying you have a thing for my uncle, are you? You want to be my aunt?" Caught red-handed, Suzy didn’t even bother pretending to be embarrassed. Instead, she shamelessly admitted it. "Come on, you know your uncle is ridiculously handsome. And you know me—when I see a good-looking man, I can’t help but be tempted. So… are you calling him or not?" She even threw in a playful pout at the end. Watching a woman as stunning and seductive as Suzy act coy sent a wave of chills down Stellar’s spine. "Alright, alright," she relented quickly. "I’ll call him, but I’m not guaranteeing a
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 125
In the past, Percy would never have allowed Stellar to step foot in a place like this. And back then, she had always been obedient, never doing anything that displeased him. But look at her now—without him, she had completely changed. Was this who she really was all along? The thought only made his expression darken further. Stellar frowned in disgust at his words. "Do yourself a favor and watch your mouth. You wouldn’t want to stink up the place." She used to think his overbearing possessiveness was a form of love. Looking back now, it was nothing more than his own narrow-minded, self-righteous arrogance. And now that they had nothing to do with each other, what right did he have to interfere? Percy was seething. Beside him, Chris finally spoke up, unable to stay quiet any longer. "Come on, Stellar, don’t be ungrateful. Percy still cares enough to keep you in check. You should be thanking him and getting back where you belong." His tone was laced with condescens
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 126
His sharp and well-defined features carried an air of nonchalance, and the small tuft of hair at the end only added to his unique charm rather than appearing feminine. She couldn’t help but gasp in amazement. "Wow, where did this stunning man come from? In terms of looks, he completely outshines your ex by ten streets, Stellar! You two are a perfect match!" That one simple remark stabbed straight into Percy’s chest. It felt as if blood was gushing from the wound. He was so furious that his vision swam, nearly making him pass out. But Stellar ignored him completely. "Let’s go. Drinks are on me." The three of them laughed and chatted as they walked away, leaving Percy behind. Only after they were out of his sight did Stellar drop her playful facade and turn to Keith with a serious expression. "Mr. Sinclair, I really appreciate you stepping in back there." She had seen Keith before when she was with Percy and knew the two of them never got along. That was why she as
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 127
"I think she’s changed. She won’t respond to pressure anymore. You need to show real sincerity if you want even the slightest chance of winning her back.""You think I haven’t tried? I’ve bought her flowers, jewelry—everything."Percy’s glare was sharp as a knife. "Don’t waste my time with useless advice."Chris shuddered but forced himself to continue."If you’re going to give her something, make sure it actually matters to her. Think about what she used to want and really cared about. You need to hit the mark…"Percy fell into deep thought.His gaze drifted back to Stellar’s side of the room—just in time to see Keith raising his glass at him with a smug, taunting look.His blood boiled. Grabbing a bottle of liquor, he tilted it back and took a long swig.He swore that no matter what it took, he would find a way to get Stellar back.…Meanwhile, the alcohol was starting to hit Stellar, warmth creeping up her face as a rosy flush spread across her cheeks."I’m done drinking," she mutte
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 128
A familiar, crisp scent wrapped around her. Keith’s head snapped up, his gaze locking onto a pair of piercing, deep-set eyes—cold as an abyss, carrying an undeniable pressure that made it hard to breathe. His chest tightened. This man was no ordinary person. Stephen hadn’t expected to see Stellar returning home with another man. So, this was the "friend" she had ditched him to go out with? An unfamiliar sting settled in his chest, a bitter feeling he couldn’t quite name. At the same time, a hint of wariness toward Keith stirred within him. "Senior?" Stellar turned, blinking up at him in surprise, her bright eyes hazy from the alcohol. "How much did you drink?" The moment her gaze met his, the sharp chill in Stephen’s eyes melted into something deep and soft. "Why didn’t you call me? I would’ve picked you up." His voice was low, almost intimate, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Stellar tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion flickering ac
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 129
"She’s drunk." Stephen handed Stellar over to Mary without another word and turned to leave. Mary finally understood that Stephan had brought Stellar home out of kindness. She quickly called after him, gratitude in her voice. "Thank you, Mr. Ward." Stephen walked back to his own villa, but an unshakable frustration lingered in his chest, like a weight pressing down on him. He stepped onto the terrace, letting the cold night air wash over him, yet it did nothing to settle his mood. Feeling Irritated, he pulled out his phone and dialed Shane’s number. The call connected quickly. "Hey," Stephen’s voice was low. "Got time? Come have a drink with me." A beat of silence, then Shane’s exasperated voice came through. "Seriously, man? Have you already forgotten? I’m still in Ashfield recovering! How am I supposed to drink with you—through a screen?" Stephen said nothing. Shane, sensing something was off, narrowed his eyes. "Wait a second… Why do you sound so down? Don
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 458
If her grandfather or uncles caught them, she didn’t even dare to imagine how chaotic that scene would be.Stephen’s smile deepened. “What, isn’t the doorstep romantic enough?”Stellar said nothing.“You wish!”Throwing the words over her shoulder, she spun around and dashed back into the house.Stephen stood there, watching her retreating figure, a bright mood blooming in his chest.Clearly, he meant something different to her.At the very least, he was sure that Stellar would never kiss anyone else as a token of gratitude.This was something only they shared. A kind of secret intimacy.And with that thought, his desire to make their relationship public and mark his territory burned even stronger.He needed to act fast—cut off any competition before they even had a chance.…Meanwhile, after being turned down by Stellar and mocked by Keith, Percy’s mood was heavy.Back at the office, he was stopped by his boss, Jackson Far.“Percy, what’s with the long face? Come on, let’s grab a drin
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 457
Keith seemed to catch on to her thoughts—just for a moment, a flicker of something unspoken passed through his expression, a hint of melancholy."Of course, I believe in you," he said with a playful edge. "Guess that just makes me your silent supporter from the sidelines, Miss Rivers."The tension in the car eased, replaced by a lighter, more comfortable air.Before long, they pulled up to the villa.As Stellar stepped out, she turned back to him. "Are you sure you don’t want to come in for dinner? It’s the least I can do to repay you for today."Keith didn’t want to pass up the chance. But he had an important meeting scheduled in just half an hour. Missing it would be unprofessional and disrespectful to the client.With clear reluctance, he declined. "Next time. I’ll come by properly, with a gift in hand to visit your grandparents."Stellar waved him off with a smile, then turned around, only to jump slightly at the sight of a tall, shadowy figure lingering a short distance away.I
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 456
But just as Percy darted after her, a server stepped in his path. "Sir, you haven’t paid yet."He let out an irritated sigh, pulled out his card to tap at the register, then hurried out the door.He managed to catch up to her after a short sprint, blocking her path. "Stellar, wait… just hear me out…"Her brows furrowed deeply. She didn’t want to cause a scene in public, so she held back."Move.""Stellar, I mean it this time," Percy pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice. "Why won’t you give me another chance?"As he reached out to take her hand, she smacked it away without hesitation."A second chance? Are you seriously joking right now?" a cool, mocking voice cut in from the side.Percy turned his head sharply, only to see Keith standing at Stellar’s side, arms crossed, his eyes glinting with disdain."Percy, do you even own a mirror? What makes you think you’re qualified to chase after her? You’re a joke.""Keith Sinclair," Percy ground out through gritted teeth, the old
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 455
“No rush. I’m free all afternoon. Take your time and enjoy the dessert first,” Percy said gently, his smile relaxed."Stellar, aren’t you curious how I managed to climb back to the top? I’m not any less capable than I was before. If anything, it just proves you had great taste back then.”His self-congratulatory tone nearly made her gag."Mr. Moore, very impressive," she replied blandly, clearly not buying into the ego trip.But Percy took it as genuine praise, beaming. "But really, Stellar, it’s because of you that I pulled myself together. You’ve always been my driving force. I mean that I’m truly grateful."Stellar couldn’t care less about his sentimental nonsense. She finished her dessert in a few quick bites."Mr. Moore, I believe this is supposed to be a business meeting. If you’re not interested in the partnership and are just trying to stall, please say so—I won’t waste your time any further."Her tone left no room for pretense.Percy, sensing her patience wearing thin, finall
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 454
The secretary’s face turned ghostly pale as she pleaded, "Mr. Moore, I-I really didn’t mean to! Please, just give me another chance.”"Even if it wasn’t intentional, it only proves you’re incompetent. You can’t even manage a cup of coffee properly. “If you don’t leave now, I’ll have security throw you out," Percy said coldly, showing not the slightest hint of sympathy.With her eyes brimming red, the woman turned and ran out.Stellar had silently witnessed the entire exchange from outside the door.Once the secretary was gone, she waited a moment before stepping up and knocking."I told you to get out. Are you deaf?" Percy barked, assuming it was the secretary again.But when he looked up and saw who it was, his expression froze.A second later, he shot up from his seat, surprise and delight written all over his face. "Stellar? What are you doing here?"Then, realizing how it might’ve looked, he quickly added, "Don’t get the wrong idea. I wasn’t yelling at you just now. Come in."Stel
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 453
"Then I’ll leave it to you," Laurence said with a chuckle, clearly pleased.The more suitors his granddaughter attracted, the better her chances of finding the right one.Stellar, on the other hand, looked slightly exasperated, but it didn’t seem appropriate to refuse.On the way back, Keith kept bringing up amusing topics, clearly trying to win over Laurence, who laughed heartily throughout the ride. The heaviness from earlier had completely lifted.Stellar appreciated the effort. Maybe Keith had sensed something off about her grandfather’s mood and had taken it upon himself to help.The car pulled up in front of the villa.Just as they got out, Stephen stepped outside and caught sight of the three of them chatting and laughing.His expression tightened.Keith, as if sensing his gaze, shot him a look filled with smug confidence, as if to say, “Game on,” before waving and driving off.Laurence headed inside, but Stellar lingered.She walked straight toward Stephen, a teasing glint in
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 452
"Stellar, I really need to thank you." Autumn’s tone was sincere. "There’s no need for that, Autumn. I just did what anyone should’ve done." Stellar couldn’t explain it, but something about Autumn made her feel warm, almost protective. "Stellar…" Just then, Laurence approached from the side. Autumn turned instinctively at the sound of his voice. The moment their eyes met, both froze. That strange sense of familiarity surged again in Laurence’s chest. The closer he got, the stronger it felt. Stellar quickly stepped forward and took his arm. "Grandpa, let me introduce you."This is Ms. Autumn Lane, Keith’s aunt—the one I told you about. She’s always been kind to me. She even gave me an emerald pendant as a welcome gift when we first met!"Autumn, this is my grandfather." Autumn was the first to snap out of it, pushing aside the strange feeling in her chest. "Mr. Rivers, it’s an honor. I’ve heard so much about you. I really appreciate you taking the time to help ide
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 451
The manager turned to her in shock, clearly about to say something, but Keith stopped him with a single look."You’ve got some sense, I’ll give you that. At least you know I’m not someone you can afford to offend." The wealthy woman sneered smugly, then barked at the manager, "Well? Hurry up and get these things packed for me!"The manager looked troubled, but before he could respond, Stellar spoke up with a cheerful smile. "Ma’am, you can take them, sure, but we’ll need your signature and fingerprints first. These three antiques are each worth over two million. “If it turns out someone took them without the owner’s permission, it’ll go straight to court. And that’s a serious offense—major fraud with a possibly of a life sentence."Her tone was breezy, but the words sent a chill down the woman’s spine. "Wh-What are you trying to say? Are you threatening me?""Oh no, not threatening. Just stating the facts. If you’ve got the owner's permission, there’s nothing to worry about, right?"
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 450
"This is…" Laurence’s eyes lit up instantly. He leaned in, examining the piece carefully for a long moment before exclaiming, "This piece is from the early 1700s—right around the time of the Baroque period. I remember coming across it in historical archives..."Once the topic turned to his area of expertise, Laurence became animated, his voice filled with energy as he explained.A small crowd began to gather, drawn by his enthusiasm and deep knowledge.Stellar, who actually recognized many of the antiques herself, chose to play along, feigning curiosity. When Laurence finished, she pointed to another item. "What about this one, Grandpa?"He turned and his eyes lit up even more. "That’s an artifact from the early medieval period, likely from the 8th or 9th century. It’s absolutely priceless."He launched into another detailed explanation.Stellar kept the conversation going, asking thoughtful questions one after another, giving Laurence the chance to fully shine. Applause broke
