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Chapter 16
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 17
When it came to sharp-tongued remarks, Victor was unmatched, leaving no room for pleasantries. Yvonne’s face turned crimson as she was rendered speechless by his blunt dismissal, and even Jonathan was momentarily stunned into silence.However, Victor paid them no further attention and turned to Jasper. “Jasper, weren’t you just saying you wanted to meet the investor who would invest one hundred million dollars into my project? Well, here he is!” His expression was indignant as he patted Claude on the shoulder. “And if a mere two million dollars can bar Stellar from returning to this school, then surely one hundred million dollars can ensure people like this…” His disdainful gaze flicked to Yvonne, and he enunciated slowly, “…are banned from ever setting foot on this campus again.”For a moment, the entire room fell into stunned silence. All eyes turned to Claude, their disbelief evident. A man this young and polished had casually invested one hundred million dollars? Who was he?How
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 18
Clearing his throat, Jasper tried to mediate, his voice filled with an attempt to diffuse the tension. “Let’s all calm down. This is just a misunderstanding.”Before he could steer the conversation away, Claude, who had remained silent for a while, spoke again. His tone carried a commanding authority that brooked no argument. “The one hundred million dollars I’ve invested now comes with an additional condition—there will be no collaboration with this Miss Harlow or her family. I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the project’s success.”The implication was clear: she was bad luck.Yvonne nearly exploded with rage. She opened her mouth to retort, but the cold glint in Claude’s eyes made her bite her tongue. Instead, she turned to Jonathan, her voice dripping with grievance. “Uncle.”Jonathan snapped back to attention, ready to defend her, but before he could say anything, Claude’s gaze swept over him dismissively, his tone laced with indifference. “Ah, I almost forgot. The Harlow family, wa
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 19
Jasper quickly turned his attention to Stellar, bowing his head in apology. "I’m sorry, Stellar. This was my mistake."Stellar shook her head, offering no further comment, and quietly left the office with Victor and Claude.Once outside, Stellar’s vision blurred momentarily, and she turned toward Victor with a deep bow. "Professor, thank you so much for standing up for me today."Other than her family, no one had ever defended her so fiercely before.Victor snorted, crossing his arms. "Always causing me trouble." Though his words were gruff, the faint warmth in his tone betrayed his true feelings. Stellar recognized his sharp tongue but soft heart, and a comforting warmth spread through her chest.As for Claude, a glance between them was enough to communicate volumes. "Uncle Claude, I promise your investment will pay off.”The ordeal had stretched the afternoon far into the day. After Victor left, Claude offered to drive Stellar back. However, as they stepped out of the building, t
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 20
When Stellar returned home, Claude suddenly informed her, "Stellar, I’m entrusting the Riverside and Brighton project to you. I’ll be leaving for a while to handle some matters. Make sure to take care of yourself while I’m away."Stellar immediately understood. The Rivers family’s foundation was rooted in Southport, and with Claude managing countless responsibilities, he couldn’t stay here indefinitely. She nodded with understanding. "Uncle, don’t worry. Focus on your work. I’ll take good care of myself and ensure the project is completed successfully."Her thoughtfulness only made Claude more concerned. After a moment’s hesitation, he pulled out a sleek black card from his pocket and firmly placed it in her hand. "Take this card. It’s got a little money on it. Use it as you need, and don’t even think about refusing. If you try, I’ll just convert it all into gifts and send them your way."He left no room for argument. Stellar couldn’t help but laugh, ultimately accepting the card.
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 21
After breakfast, Stellar noticed Mary was still busying around, so she stepped forward to help. She moved the antique pieces, paintings, and coffee table, placing fresh flowers into vases. The living room’s ambiance instantly became more elegant and refined.Mary watched her efforts with satisfaction, silently appreciating Stellar’s graceful movements. When Stellar wasn’t looking, Mary took out her phone, recorded a short video, and sent it to a private account.…Hundreds of miles away.In Southport, at the Rivers estate.Laurence Rivers and Martha Whitmore were looking at the video sent to their phone. The girl in the footage stood tall and poised, her features delicate and radiant, outshining even the fresh flowers around her.“Look at her! Doesn’t she look just like our daughter? Her eyes, her nose… our precious granddaughter is such a beauty!” Martha clutched the phone, her eyes brimming with tears.Laurence leaned against the headboard, gripping the edge of the blanket as his eye
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 22
Chris had originally visited campus today to check on an old professor who once helped his family. However, as he was leaving, he caught sight of Stellar rinsing a mop near the faculty housing.A smirk tugged at his lips.So, this was what she’d been reduced to—cleaning floors at the school after breaking things off with Percy.He found it absurdly entertaining.Without hesitation, he snapped a photo and sent it straight to Percy with a message:"Caught your ex working as a cleaner at the faculty apartments. Hasn’t she begged her way back to you yet?"Meanwhile, Percy, still fuming from their last encounter, was sitting with some friends, attempting to drown his frustration with drinks.The message notification made him pause. He opened it, and at the sight of the photo, a cold laugh escaped him."Serves her right," he chuckled coldly.So, it had all been a performance. Her defiant attitude at the restaurant, agreeing to attend his engagement, and the bravado were all a show.Watchin
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 23
Percy’s expression darkened, but the thought of her still having cleaning tasks to finish brought him a measure of satisfaction.He assumed that seeing his car would make Stellar obediently come over.To his surprise, she didn’t even glance his way, choosing instead to walk off in another direction.Percy frowned and quickly stepped forward to block her path.“Stellar, what’s this about? Still pretending?”To him, her display of feigned strength was utterly ridiculous.Stellar found his words laughable.“Mr. Moore, it seems you’ve forgotten. You still haven’t issued the apology statement from last time, have you?”Her single remark left Percy’s face alternating between red and pale. However, remembering that her life after leaving him wasn’t going particularly well, he felt a bit smug.He smirked. “What’s this? Still putting on an act? Reduced to working as a cleaner here, and you’re still pretending? Let me tell you, if you apologize for all the foolish things you’ve done, I might ju
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 24
After finishing her meal, Stellar intended to leave and didn’t bother acknowledging Percy. She walked straight out of the campus gates. With an upcoming commitment to attend a few project meetings with Shane next week, Stellar knew her wardrobe needed an upgrade.Though her closet was filled with dresses and gowns handpicked by Claude, she found his taste a bit too plain for her liking. For important occasions, it was better to pick out outfits herself. Besides, Claude’s black card came with a minimum spending limit. If she didn’t spend enough, he’d take it upon himself to send over more clothes, so she’d much rather choose things she genuinely liked. Since the area was close to the city center, Stellar decided to stop by for some shopping. She stepped into an understated luxury boutique and soon spotted a gown displayed in a glass case. Unlike the other items in the store, this one stood out—elegant and clearly expensive. Noticing her gaze lingering, a sales associate eagerl
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 434
Message after message, all of them were overly affectionate displays of love.From the details in the photos, the chat records, and the familiar username, Stellar quickly figured out the account belonged to Janet.So, the reason Stephen had been in such a bind, spending so long helping her pick a script was it all for Janet?The thought stung more than she expected.But then, she remembered the misunderstanding caused by Janet not long ago.She still felt it wasn't fair to jump to conclusions. Stephen deserved her trust.With that in mind, she opened messenger and made a video call.Stephen picked up the call shortly after."Stellar, what’s wrong?"Stephen seemed to notice her shift in mood right away."I... there’s something I wanted to ask you..." She paused, noticing the scenery shifting behind him. "Hold on, are you in a car? Where are you going?""I'm just checking on something. I’ll be back soon. What did you want to talk about?"After thinking for a moment, she asked, "Have yo
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Unfortunately, Janet agreed with her mother."I’ve said it all along—the Rivers family never saw us as their own. At least now you’re finally seeing their true colors. “But Mom, there’s no need to be upset anymore. We don’t need to rely on them."Her tone was firm and resolute."If not the Rivers, then who? You know your father’s limited abilities. With the company in its current state, what else can we do..." Layla muttered, already regretting marrying such a useless man."Mom, you still have me!" Janet’s eyes lit up. "To tell you the truth, I’ve already gotten close to Stephen Ward.""What did you say?" Layla blinked, unsure if she’d heard correctly. "You mean the heir to the Ward family?""That’s right. Things between us aren’t ordinary anymore. I told him I wanted to become a director, and he immediately promised to give me the best resources. “It won’t be long before I win him over completely. Once that happens, he’ll help the Cole family out of this mess and bring us more ben
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 432
She had only learned about her family situation from her mother after returning to Southport this time. If they couldn’t find a way to turn things around soon, the Cole family would be finished.Janet had to start planning for herself. But on the other end of the line, it suddenly went silent. Just as Janet grew anxious, Stephen’s deep voice finally came through. But he brought up something else entirely. "Janet, tell me, were you really the girl who saved me back then?" Janet’s heart skipped a beat, and she nearly dropped her phone. Her expression turned flustered, but thankfully, he couldn’t see her face through the screen. "Of course I was! Isn’t the pendant the best proof? Stephen, why would you suddenly ask that? Did someone say something to you?" She tried to sound hurt. "Is that so? But you don’t remember anything about saving me." Stephen’s tone was calm, almost testing her—though it also sounded like an offhand remark. "That’s because of the aftereffects f
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 431
When Stellar came downstairs in fresh clothes, Stephen was just finishing up a call in the living room.She walked toward him, planning to share what had just come to mind, but paused when she realized he was on a work call.“A script?” he was saying.“Yes, Mr. Ward,” came the voice of the development director on the other end. “We’ve just reviewed last quarter’s report from the film division—it exceeded projections by a wide margin. “If we continue selecting strong scripts and hiring top-tier actors, this production model could take the company even further.”“So, you want me to choose?” Stephen asked.“Yes, I’ve received several promising scripts and we’re ready to move forward with a major production. “But I’m struggling to narrow down the best one. I’d really appreciate your judgment on this.”“Got it. I’ll come by shortly,” Stephen replied, ending the call.He turned to see Stellar approaching. “Something on your mind?”Then, as if struck by inspiration, his eyes lit up. “Star
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 430
Stellar turned around, puzzled, and met a pair of eyes filled with emotion so intense it felt like it might swallow her whole.The weight of it hit her all at once. “What’s wrong?”“Stellar, Promise me... no matter what happens, no matter the situation, don’t ever risk your life like that again. Please,” Stephen said, his voice rough, heavy with something deeper. In that moment, she understood. Her expression softened as she stepped closer, her tone gentle, almost coaxing. “I only had the courage to jump in because I knew you were there. “You’re the reason I felt safe. You’re my biggest sense of security.”The words, light and sincere, hit Stephen right in the chest.It was like a quiet confession that reached the softest part of him.He let out a helpless breath and smiled, brushing the damp strands of hair from her forehead. “Let’s get you changed. You’re completely…”Soaked.He didn’t finish the sentence.His gaze had fallen to her chest, where a familiar emerald pendant hung fro
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 429
"Mary, Wayne, we’ve decided that we’d like you to be our mentors and carry on your legacy. “Martial arts may not be our full-time focus, and we won’t be able to devote ourselves to it completely... but if you're willing to accept that, please take this as a symbol of our commitment."Both of them had made the same decision.The older couple exchanged a glance, visibly moved.With successors finally in place, they had a renewed sense of purpose. With time, they were confident the two would come to love martial arts just as deeply as they did.“I couldn’t ask for better students,” Wayne said with a wide grin. “Alright, enough with the bowing.”Mary chuckled. "Honestly, it’s starting to feel like a wedding ceremony."Stellar flushed and quickly stood straight.The four of them chatted warmly, already discussing plans for the trip back. After some thought, Wayne made his decision."This time, I’ll head back to the city with you two for a while. It’s been ages since I visited the Mr. and
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 428
Lillie’s manner was polite, her words respectful, with no hint of provocation.Still, Stellar felt a flicker of unease stir in her chest.“The second match—ready, go!”At the sound of the whistle, Lillie made the first move, launching herself forward.Stellar reacted instantly, meeting her head-on. The two quickly locked into a rapid exchange of strikes and counters.To most observers, the fight looked evenly matched. But Stellar picked up on something others might have missed—every one of Lillie’s moves was calculated, ruthless, aimed with precision at the most vulnerable points of her body.A single mistake could lead to serious injury.Thankfully, Stellar’s reflexes were sharp. She dodged every blow by the skin of her teeth, her movements agile and fluid.Dozens of moves passed in quick succession, the two appearing evenly matched.But soon, Lillie began to falter. Her breathing grew labored while Stellar remained steady, her rhythm controlled, her energy barely flagging. The b
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 427
Hank wore the smug expression of a man who thought he’d already won. “She agreed to the match. “She can back down now if she wants, but you have to hand over your academy, and maybe I’ll consider letting her walk away.”“Not a chance,” Stellar cut in before Wayne could speak. “I don’t care who I’m up against—bring it on.”“Well said. Gotta admire that spirit.”The match was about to begin.In the first round, Stellar stepped onto the platform opposite Hulk.He cracked his knuckles and looked her over with a leering grin. “Tell you what, sweetheart—bow your head and call me a darling, and maybe I’ll go easy on you.”Stellar gave a low chuckle, eyes glinting with mischief. “Call me ‘Queen,’ and I might let you walk away with a couple teeth still intact.”Hulk’s face twisted in rage, a vein popping along his temple. “You’re dead meat!”The whistle blew.His eyes narrowed, and with a growl, he lunged, throwing a vicious punch straight at her face.It was fast and brutal.If the punch lan
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 426
“Miss, are you awake?”Stellar slowly blinked her eyes open, still groggy, only to be met with a close-up view of a man's strikingly handsome face.“Aah…!”She screamed instinctively, jerking upright and startling Stephen awake beside her.From outside the door, Mary’s worried voice called out, “Miss Stellar? What happened? Are you alright?”The doorknob rattled.Mary was seconds from walking in and Stellar panicked.“It’s fine, Mary!” Stellar blurted out in a rush. “I just thought I saw a cockroach—false alarm! Don’t come in, I’m getting dressed!”She got it all out in one breath.Mary paused. “Oh… alright, then.”Only when the doorknob stilled did Stellar finally exhale in relief. She turned and found Stephen watching her with an amused smile.He lay on his side, effortlessly handsome, looking far too comfortable for someone who had just narrowly avoided being caught in such a compromising situation.Stellar’s eye twitched.“I’ll leave you to change then. Breakfast is ready. I’ll g
