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Chapter 163
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 164
When it came to striking where it hurt, Keith was just as ruthless.Their gazes clashed again, the tension between them crackling like static in the air.Stellar sighed, rubbing her temples. This was exhausting.Thankfully, the banquet was finally drawing to a close.The other young men, seeing two powerhouses like Keith and Stephen openly competing for Stellar’s attention, quickly gave up and left.Just as the event wrapped up, Marcus stormed forward, his eyes practically burning with fury."Stephen, we’re leaving. Now."Stephen still had so much to say to Stellar—he wanted to explain everything about the broken engagement.But seeing his grandfather’s expression, as if he were ready to drag him out by force, he had no choice but to follow.Before leaving, though, he caught sight of Keith lingering behind, clearly planning to continue his conversation with Stellar. Stephen’s eyes narrowed slightly."Mr. Sinclair, could I have a word with you?"Keith folded his arms, immediately adop
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Marcus slapped his thigh in frustration, his anger boiling over.How could something be so absurd, yet fall into place so perfectly?If he had known, he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to break the engagement, even at the risk of offending Laurence.That girl would have been the perfect granddaughter-in-law!It should have been a match made in heaven!"You, you… why didn’t you look further into her background first? Look where that’s gotten you!" Marcus groaned, practically beating his chest in regret.But then, something from their earlier conversation clicked in his mind. He suddenly clapped a firm hand on Stephen’s shoulder."Listen, kid, you still have a chance. The Rivers girl hasn’t accepted anyone yet! You better get your act together and go after her!"Of course, Stephen already knew that."I never said I was giving up."The determination in his eyes burned brighter than ever.Marcus nodded in satisfaction. "Good. That’s the spirit—now that’s a true Ward!"…The Rivers Estat
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Janet felt utterly humiliated. It felt like they were implying she was desperately chasing after something Stellar had thrown away—and worse, she still couldn’t have it."That’s enough," Laurence finally spoke, his sharp gaze sweeping over the mother and daughter. He waved a hand dismissively. "It’s getting late. You should head home—we’re calling it a night." Layla quickly composed herself, her expression smoothing into something polite. "Of course, Uncle Laurence, Aunt Martha. We’ll take our leave now," she said, before pulling Janet away with her. …Once they were gone, no one in the Rivers family immediately went to bed. Instead, they all gathered in the living room, circling around Stellar. "Stellar, I have to say, that young man from the Sinclair family seems quite promising," Martha spoke first, a clear note of approval in her voice. "Handsome, witty, and most importantly, he seems to care for you. He could be a good match." "Agreed," Julian chimed in. "That ki
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But looking at Stephen’s behavior today, he didn’t seem like a man who had a girlfriend.Could it be… that she had misunderstood something?A sudden heat crept up Stellar’s face. She quickly shook off the chaotic thoughts running through her mind.Rolling over, she wrapped herself tightly in the blanket like a cocoon and forced her eyes shut, willing herself into sleep.…Two Days LaterThe short break was over, and it was time for Stellar to return to school for her studies.The Rivers family, of course, was reluctant to see her go."Stellar, here, take this diamond bracelet," Martha said as she gently slid the piece onto Stellar’s wrist, her eyes warm with affection."This was something I had once set aside for your mother. Now, I’m passing it down to you. It represents our family being whole again. No matter what, always take care of yourself, alright?""Grandma…"A lump formed in Stellar’s throat. She reached out and hugged Martha, her voice soft with reassurance."Don’t worry. A
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Stephen's expression stiffened.If it were Keith, he could have easily brushed him off, matching sarcasm for sarcasm without a second thought.But Claude? That was different.As Stellar’s eldest uncle, he was someone Stephen would inevitably have to win over. Right now, Claude looked about as displeased with him as humanly possible.And it was entirely Stephen’s own doing.Keith, watching Stephen, who was usually so sharp and eloquent, suddenly rendered speechless, couldn’t contain his amusement. He let out a chuckle, full of blatant schadenfreude.Stephen’s gaze snapped to him like an arrow.But Keith wasn’t the least bit intimidated. If anything, his grin widened."Mr. Ward, I have to agree with Mr. Rivers. You should really be more mindful of your actions. Wouldn’t want to send the wrong message, now would we?"Stephen was speechless.His expression darkened.Stellar, seeing him take such a hit for once, felt a strange pang of sympathy.Just as she was about to speak up and smooth
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“I don’t need a ride anyway!” Janet muttered under her breath, clearly annoyed. But her frustration didn’t last long. Her gaze quickly shifted to Stephen, and with a flushed face, she stepped forward, her voice sickly sweet. “Mr. Ward, could you give me a lift instead?” Stephen was even more blunt than Stellar. “No.” With that, he turned around and got into the car, slamming the door shut with a resounding thud. Janet stood frozen in place, her face a mix of embarrassment and humiliation. Seeing her daughter rejected so coldly, Layla had no choice but to turn to Keith. However, before she could even speak, Keith scoffed, cutting her off. “What, has the Cole family fallen so low? No personal chauffeur? Or are you saying you can’t even afford a cab?” Without waiting for a response, he got into the car and shut the door, not sparing them a second glance. Layla was speechless. Three cars, and two of them had empty seats, but not a single person was willing to take Janet
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“Miss, remember I mentioned I went home for a bit? Well, my husband asked me to bring you this gift. He hopes you’ll like it.” Stellar was surprised as she reached out to take it. When she opened the box, she found an intricately carved, beautifully detailed keepsake—made of polished stone, with an antique, heirloom-like quality.“This must be expensive!” “It’s nothing, just a little trinket,” Mary said casually. However, Stellar was touched. “Mary, please thank your husband for me. I’ll make sure to visit and thank him in person next time.” Regardless of its value, a gift was a gesture of kindness. Being treated with such sincerity was rare, and she appreciated it deeply. “Oh, Miss, you’re too polite.” The two chatted and laughed as Mary helped her unwrap the rest of her gifts and tidied up the bed. Before long, it was getting late, and Stellar turned in early for the night. …The next morning, when she went to school, she brought local specialties from Southport for
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Janet was so furious she nearly ground her teeth to dust. But with all the students watching, she had to maintain her composure. Forcing a laugh, she said, “Haha, that’s just how my cousin is—she’s a bit proud. I hope you don’t take it the wrong way.” Joanna, being a fellow classmate, decided to help smooth things over. “Alright, alright, Janet, weren’t you planning to treat everyone to a meal? Let’s go!” Janet quickly nodded and eagerly led the group to a nearby upscale restaurant. As they settled in, the atmosphere lightened, and the girls started chatting excitedly about relationships, fashion, and jewelry. “I had no idea you all liked this brand too! The new collection of earrings is absolutely stunning. Too bad they’re limited edition. I couldn’t get my hands on a single pair.” “I know, right? I was online the moment they dropped and even had a few friends trying to help me grab a pair. Still, we all came up empty-handed.” “Ugh, I’ve seen more of this designer’s w
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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?"
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"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
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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
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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
