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Chapter 172
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 173
No one had expected the aloof, ever-solitary Stephen, the senior who never joined group activities, to suddenly offer to treat them to dinner.Lilian and the others were momentarily stunned, feeling almost flattered by the invitation.“That’s too generous of you. We really can’t let you go to such trouble,” Stellar tried to decline politely.But Stephen remained composed. “We all share the same professor, and I’m your senior. It’s only natural.”With that, she really had no way to refuse.“Well, since our senior insists, we’d be rude not to accept,” Simon said as the team leader, agreeing on behalf of everyone.Meanwhile, Lilian’s gaze flitted between Stephen and Stellar, a knowing glint flashing in her eyes.On the way to the restaurant, Lilian and Stellar sat together.Leaning in close, Lilian whispered, “Stellar, did you and Stephen have a fight?”Stellar sighed internally.It wasn’t exactly a fight—it was just that after learning about their arranged engagement, she couldn’t help b
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 174
Lilian’s wink practically screamed: “Gal, I’ve set everything up for you! Now go for it!”Stellar had no choice but to bite the bullet and sit beside Stephen.The space between them was small—just a slight shift, and their shoulders would touch.Stephen, as usual, remained composed. He quickly placed their order, and every dish he chose happened to be her favorites.It was impossible for Stellar not to notice.Luckily, as they waited for their food, the group naturally fell into conversation, and the relaxed atmosphere helped ease her discomfort.Meanwhile, at another table not far from them…“Ah—so spicy! But so good!”Dawn fanned her mouth dramatically, her face flushed from the heat, as she turned to the man across from her.“But, Mr. Moore, I have to admit, I never expected someone of your status to eat at a place like this. Turns out you’re more down-to-earth than I thought.”Percy watched her, amused by her unfiltered reactions, but as he did, a familiar face flashed through his
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 175
Percy’s temper flared instantly. “Who said I have to lower myself and chase after her over and over again?”As he spoke, his fingers unconsciously reached for the pendant resting against his chest—a smooth, polished stone disc.It was something Stellar once gave him, something she specially picked out for his protection. Back then, he carelessly tossed it into a forgotten corner of his villa, not giving it a second thought.But recently, for some reason, he took it out again and started wearing it.And now, as if he had finally found an excuse, he snatched it up and marched straight toward Stellar’s table.With a sharp thud, he slammed it down in front of her.The lively chatter around the table came to an abrupt halt. Everyone stopped eating, stunned by the unexpected intrusion, and turned their attention to him.However, Percy had eyes only for Stellar.“This is the pendant you specially got for me,” he said, his voice laced with accusation. “You went out of your way to have it bl
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 176
“!!!”The bystanders exchanged looks of admiration.Was this what they called the confidence of the one who held the real power?Even Keith twitched at the corners of his mouth.What a pretentious act. Seriously, did he think playing the bigger man makes him look impressive?He knew Stephen was just putting on a show, deliberately making himself seem refined and unbothered.And yet, despite knowing that, Stellar couldn’t help but find it amusing, and, in a way, unexpectedly moving.Meanwhile, Percy’s face had turned an alarming shade of red, on the verge of exploding.Either these two men had lost their minds, or the entire world had gone insane.Was Stellar really that irresistible? Enough to make two powerful men swallow their pride and step aside for her?The thought burned through him like acid.She was once devoted to him, belonged to him.Now, she was the one being fought over.The mix of regret and fury twisted deep in his gut.Before he could say another word, Stellar reached
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 177
Dawn smirked to herself but kept her expression warm. "Absolutely! A man as generous and thoughtful as you, Percy, is hard to come by. I can't help but envy Miss Rivers!" Percy’s lips curved into a slow smile. He genuinely thought Dawn was a remarkable woman. His impression of her improved significantly. He just couldn't understand—why couldn't Stellar be as understanding as Dawn? Turning to Dawn, he said, "Dawn, I'm really glad to have met you. To show my appreciation, how about I take you shopping and buy you a piece of jewelry?" Dawn chuckled and shook her head. "Oh, please, I have no interest in jewelry. It’s all just decoration—pretty but useless. You can’t eat it, can you? If you really want to thank me, just transfer me the money for dinner." She appeared cheerful and straightforward, completely unfazed by the idea of jewelry. Instead, she cared about something as simple as the cost of a meal—frank and adorable. Percy couldn’t help but admire her, feeling even m
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 178
"Alright, time to head back."Bother Stephen and Keith were speechless.An awkward silence stretched between them as Lilian and the others struggled to hold back their laughter, following Stellar outside.Initially, Stellar planned to leave with Lilian, but before she could, Lilian waved her off dramatically, raising her voice on purpose."Oh no, sorry, Stellar! I have something else to take care of, so I can’t go with you. Why don’t you let Stephen or Keith give you a ride home instead?"Stellar was speechless.Watching Lilian wink at her before walking away, Stellar instantly understood—this girl was just here for the drama, happily stirring the pot.The next second, her phone buzzed with a new message.She tapped the screen and saw a text from Lilian:“Go for it, heartthrob! Wishing you success in winning over both of them and expanding your royal court!”Followed by a grinning emoji that made it all the more infuriating.Stellar's mouth twitched as she snapped her phone shut."Uh…
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 179
"It’s probably because, as a kid, I was always fascinated by the sky. I wanted to fly like a bird. “Then, when I saw spacecraft landing in space, I was completely in awe—it was inspiring and moving. “I started imagining that one day, I could build something even better, something that could make history. “Of course, that sounds like a wild dream, but I believe having dreams is what makes us passionate and drives us to achieve them." As Stellar spoke about her field, her eyes sparkled with excitement, just like the girl Stephen had seen in that old photograph—bright, full of ambition, and completely devoted to her passion. "What about you? Why did you choose this major?" "I…" Stephen hesitated for a moment before answering in a low voice. "There was a time when I felt trapped, like I was suffocating in a cage. I wanted to escape, to see a bigger world. “I didn’t have many hobbies back then, but my family bought a lot of model planes. I kept assembling and disassembling th
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 180
Stellar jumped, caught off guard, as a sudden wave of guilt washed over her."Uncle Claude, don’t misunderstand. It was just a team dinner, and Stephen happened to be heading in the same direction, so he gave me a ride home," she quickly explained with a smile.Claude’s eyes narrowed. "Why did you need a ride from him? What happened to the Ferrari I gave you? Why aren’t you driving it?"Stellar felt a bit flustered. That flashy convertible was way too eye-catching—driving it around didn’t scream student; it screamed heiress on a joyride.Forcing an awkward laugh, she made up an excuse. "I just haven’t driven in a while, so I’m not used to it. I’ll take it out once I feel more comfortable."Claude wasn’t buying it. "That’s easy to fix. I’ll assign a driver to take you everywhere.""Uncle Claude…" Stellar clung to his sleeve, putting on her best pleading expression. "Please don’t do that. Just let me keep a low profile, okay?"The moment she pulled the sweet niece act, Claude sighed in
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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
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 433
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
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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
