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Chapter 122
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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
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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
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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
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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
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"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
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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
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"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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Lilian, ever the optimist, hadn’t connected the dots yet.But Stellar’s stomach sank.Her brows furrowed instinctively.A name immediately came to mind.Still, she hoped she was wrong.That hope lasted until she stepped out of the research institute in the afternoon, only to spot Percy standing not far away.Opposite him was a nervous-looking freshman, clutching her hands together as she worked up the courage to speak."Percy… I’ve admired you for so long. You’re the reason I chose this university. I really like you. Can you give me a chance?"But Percy looked utterly impatient."Enough. I don’t even know you. What do you really like? The fact that I have money?" His voice was sharp and dismissive. "Let me tell you something—I already have someone I like. It’s Stellar Rivers. She’s a genius. Do you think you can compare to her? Get lost."The girl’s face crumpled, her eyes welling with tears.And then, she spotted Stellar stepping out of the building.Her expression twisted into one o
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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
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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
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 449
When they stepped out of the car, Keith was already waiting outside.Guests coming and going couldn't help but glance his way—tall, poised, and impeccably dressed, he was instantly recognizable. Several people greeted him with polite smiles and nods.Keith returned the gestures with a cool, distant air, his smile polite but faint.But the moment he spotted Stellar and Laurence, a flicker of warmth lit up his eyes. Cutting through the crowd, he greeted them with uncharacteristic enthusiasm."Mr. Rivers, Stellar, you're here! Come on, I’ll take you inside."Guests nearby were visibly surprised by his sudden shift in demeanor, their curious gazes drifting to Stellar and her grandfather.Their composure and presence were impossible to miss.A few who had previously met Laurence found themselves stunned.Could the Rivers and Sinclair families be tying the knot soon?Unaware of the speculation swirling around them, Stellar followed Keith inside with her grandfather.The moment she stepped
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 448
Though a little disappointed, Keith didn’t push further. "Then let me give you a ride home.""No need, Mr. Sinclair. With me here, I’ll make sure Stellar gets home safely,” Stephen finally spoke, his voice cool and composed. "Yeah, we’re heading in the same direction anyway. No need to trouble you," Stellar added with a polite smile.Keith clenched his fists slightly, frustration flashing through him.Damn Stephen. The only reason he got this far was because he made the first move.Keith had even considered moving closer to Stellar’s neighborhood. But he’d held back, worried it might come off as too deliberate and push her further away instead. It was not worth the risk.In the end, he gave a casual wave and turned to walk away, doing his best to play it cool.It was fine. They’d be seeing each other again soon anyway.…After Keith left, Stellar and Stephen got into the car. On the ride back, Stephen finally broke the silence."You’re being too nice to him."Stellar blinked a
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Now that the truth was out, netizens finally saw the full picture and reacted with outrage and clarity:"No wonder I thought the book was just average, but everyone online was hyping it like crazy. Turns out, it was all bots!""I left one comment about the poor plot logic and got attacked by a swarm of fake accounts. I thought I poked a hornet’s nest—turns out they were just panicking.""Compared to that, After Dawn is gripping, suspenseful, and logically tight. Star Luna really is in a league of her own and always has been.""I went to her signing today—she’s even more stunning in person! Smart, talented, and graceful… no wonder people are jealous."The entire incident ended up boosting Stellar’s reputation. Support flooded in, and even readers who hadn’t been interested in this genre started checking out her novel, only to find themselves completely hooked.In no time, After Dawn soared to the top of the site’s trending chart.As for Tori, the one who orchestrated the sabotage from
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Even though acknowledging it meant giving credit to a rival, Keith had no intention of claiming what wasn’t his.Besides, if he kept it quiet and Stephen ended up telling Stellar the full story later—with a few embellishments to make himself look better—it’d all backfire anyway.Stellar froze for a second, then looked at Stephen in surprise.So, was it because she’d casually mentioned the issue before that Stephen took it to heart and made preparations ahead of time?The moment their eyes met—his gaze warm and steady—something soft bloomed in her chest."Thank you. Both of you."She truly meant it.Her connection with Stephen didn’t need words to be understood.As for Keith, she genuinely considered him a good friend now.Just as they stepped out of the hall, a wave of reporters from the neighboring signing event rushed toward them."Miss Rivers, it's been said that your friend paid to hire a crowd of fake fans to boost your signing event. Care to explain?""A group that large showing
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Seeing how calm and composed Stellar was, Larry finally let out a breath of relief.At exactly two o’clock, the signing event officially began.A pair of hands slid a book across the table toward her, followed by a familiar deep voice above her head."Star Luna, would you sign your name for me? I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life."Stellar looked up and was met with Stephen’s handsome face. She couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on her lips.After signing her name on the first page, she added a note: To: my dear Stephen, followed by a little heart.When Stephen took the book back and saw what she wrote, a soft, lingering smile rose in his eyes.The chemistry between them was so sweet it practically clung to the air—enough to make anyone nearby cringe from the sugar overload.Readers began to trickle in. At first, there were only a dozen or so. After getting their books signed, they quietly left, making the event feel rather sparse.The reporters kept snapping photos, clearly
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"It’s not even close. I checked that book out myself. It’s nowhere near as good as yours," Larry said firmly. "And it didn’t even have that title originally. It’s clearly trying to ride your wave. All the trending buzz? “That’s paid promotion, no doubt about it. There’s serious backing behind it."Stellar couldn’t help but laugh, though she wasn’t really upset about being overshadowed."Alright, alright. Don’t get worked up. Let’s just let things play out," she said, trying to calm him before ending the call.That evening, while out to dinner with Stephen, she brought it up in a teasing tone.Stephen listened quietly, thoughtful for a moment, as if something had just clicked in his mind.Soon, the day of the signing arrived.With Stephen by her side, Stellar arrived at the hall right on time.A group of reporters had already gathered. The moment they spotted her, they swarmed in.Thankfully, Stephen stepped in front of her, shielding her from the worst of it. With him there, no one
