Mag-log inShare
Chapter 199
Kaugnay na kabanata
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 200
Stellar tapped on her phone screen, typing and deleting, over and over. She had been staring at the chat window for ages, struggling to figure out how to start the conversation.Before she could make up her mind, a message popped up from Stephen.“What’s wrong?”She froze.A second message followed immediately.“You’ve been typing for a while. Were you trying to say something?”Her face heated up in embarrassment.She was caught red-handed.Well, since she’d already been exposed, she decided to get straight to the point.“Sorry, Senior. Please don’t take what Mary said to heart. She didn’t mean any harm.”After sending the message, she bit her lip, feeling a bit nervous. What if he was actually offended?But within seconds, his reply came through.“I know. Since she suggested I should train more, how about you join me at the gym and give me a few pointers?”She blinked in surprise.“How did you know I work out?”“I saw you practicing with Mrs. Warren on the terrace before.”Stellar w
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 201
Ten minutes later, Stellar changed into her workout attire and stepped out. She had deliberately chosen a long-sleeved top today, covering her from neck to waist without revealing anything. Yet, it only accentuated her slender figure and graceful curves. Her hair was pulled into a simple ponytail with a headband, making her look light and energetic like a fresh-faced college freshman. Even Stephen couldn't take his eyes off her. Let alone the other men around, some of whom were already itching to approach her. That was until Stephen took two steps forward, casually positioning himself in front of her. His icy gaze swept over the crowd, sharp and piercing like an ice dagger. The chilling pressure surrounding him made people instinctively shrink back. Even so, a brave girl couldn't help but step forward. Gathering her courage, she asked, "Uh, hey, handsome, can we exchange numbers?" Stephen turned his gaze toward Stellar instead, his expression softening. Without hesit
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 202
Five minutes later, Stellar arrived at the Howe Grand Hotel, where Suzy was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing her approach, Suzy grinned and hooked her arm through Stellar’s. “You’re finally here! You have to help me win that consecrated rosary bracelet today. It belonged to my all-time favorite triple-award-winning actress. “They say she was completely unknown before, but after wearing that bracelet, her career skyrocketed—she kept landing roles and winning awards non-stop. “I want to be just as successful as she was.” Stellar couldn't help but laugh. “I didn’t know you were this superstitious.” “You don’t get it. This isn’t superstition—it’s just how the entertainment industry works. “Some people struggle for over a decade without making a name for themselves, while others become overnight sensations after just one drama. “I’ve seen it happen so many times. Sometimes, you really have to believe in luck.” Suzy spoke with conviction, and Stellar had to admit there w
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 203
Percy didn’t raise the bid again. As expected, but Stellar didn’t care much. With the bracelet in hand, Suzy was overjoyed. Seeing her friend happy, Stellar felt satisfied as well. Now that they had achieved their goal, the two planned to leave early. Just then, however, the next auction item caught her attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on our sixth auction item—the Regency Emerald Pendant—a three-hundred-year-old antique, crafted with the finest techniques of its era..." The auctioneer’s voice brimmed with enthusiasm, but Stellar was utterly stunned. How was that emerald pendant on stage?It was hers. She had always kept it safe. Was the one being auctioned… a fake? The auctioneer continued, “This heirloom has been passed down through generations of a distinguished family, making it truly one of a kind! “However, due to financial difficulties, the owner has been forced to part with it. Don’t miss out on this rare treasure! The bidding starts at two
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 204
Stephen seemed to be clutching something in his hand, his expression slightly off. It wasn’t until he heard her voice that he finally looked up. Seeing that bright, radiant face before him, for a moment, it overlapped with the image of the little girl in his memories. His heart clenched, a complicated emotion flickering across his features. Stellar noticed something was off and instinctively dropped her smile. Concern crept into her voice. “Are you okay?” Stephen snapped out of his thoughts. “It’s nothing. What a coincidence, really.” No wonder he thought he heard Stellar’s voice upstairs earlier and assumed it was just his imagination. “Did you win anything good at the auction?” Her gaze drifted to his hand, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. Stephen’s grip tightened slightly, and almost instinctively, he responded, “Nothing much.” Until he confirmed the identity of the seller, he didn’t want Stellar to know about it. But that simple action made her expression stiff
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 205
"We should go find the professor and ask about it!"Stellar suggested, and the others immediately agreed.The group hurried toward the academic building, only to be informed that Victor, Harold, and several other professors were currently in the dean’s office.Those two rivals in the same room?Stellar's eyelid twitched, and an ominous feeling crept over her.Leading her team, she made her way toward the administration office.The door was slightly ajar, allowing them to catch a glimpse inside."Professor Xander, congratulations! After three years, you've once again led your team to victory in the aircraft model competition!"The president, Richard Rowan’s voice was filled with satisfaction."Bringing honor to the school and recognition to my team is simply my duty," Harold responded humbly."No need to be modest—this is all thanks to your efforts."Richard beamed, the wrinkles on his face deepening with his broad smile."After careful deliberation, the administration has decided to on
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 206
Half the day passed in a blur. During lunch break, Stellar checked her phone multiple times, but Stephen’s reply never came. "Stellar, any news?" At the cafeteria, Lilian leaned in curiously. "Did Stephen reply? What did he say? Is he going to help investigate?" Stellar set her phone down on the table, screen facing down, and tried to keep her expression calm. "He hasn’t replied." "Huh? How’s that possible? Aren’t you two a couple? I thought you were practically glued to each other all the time." Lilian blurted the words out, half-joking. But Stellar’s expression subtly shifted. "You’re overthinking it. He and I… aren’t in that kind of relationship." Her tone was light and indifferent. Yet, the moment the words left her lips, an inexplicable emptiness settled in her chest. Lilian, realizing she might have touched a nerve, awkwardly rubbed her nose and exchanged glances with Simon and Nathan, silently urging them to say something to ease the tension. "Actually, S
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 207
Everyone froze for a moment before it clicked.Of course.If Harold’s team couldn’t bribe the judges, then the only way to manipulate the outcome was through the final scoring process. Since the judges worked independently and had no knowledge of each other’s scores, there was plenty of room for tampering.“I’ll handle it.”As the heiress of the Rivers family, Stellar had her own connections. Without hesitation, she stepped out and made a call, instructing someone to investigate.An hour later, the results came in.The information wasn’t enough to outright expose Xander’s team for fraud, but it was enough to shake them up.Returning to the lounge, she shared the findings and the plan with her team.“Let’s do it!”Everyone agreed unanimously.“Won’t know if it works unless we try.”Half an hour laterHarold strode into Richard’s office, flanked by Alex and the rest of his team.Their faces beamed with pride, fully expecting this meeting to be about receiving their Outstanding Research
Pinakabagong kabanata
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
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 425
“Um…” Stellar looked flustered. “I forgot to bring my clothes, so I borrowed your bathrobe. Sorry about that.”“It’s fine.” Stephen didn’t realize how hoarse his voice sounded until the words were already out.“I’ll just head back to my room then…”She turned to leave, but just as she took a step, a flash of lightning split across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.The lights cut out in an instant, plunging the room into darkness.“Ah!” Stellar flinched and stumbled forward, instinctively crashing into him, her body pressed tightly against his chest.She was warm, soft, still smelling faintly of shower gel—the subtle, clean scent wrapping around him. For a moment, Stephen’s thoughts scattered.But when he felt her trembling, instinct took over. He wrapped his arms around her without thinking. “Don’t worry. It’s probably just a power outage.”His voice, low and gentle, carried a soothing calm that helped ease her tension.Just as she began to relax, another crack of thu
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 424
"Of course, no problem at all!""Take your time, there's no rush."The couple smiled warmly, their expressions full of quiet joy. With the perfect successors in sight, both seemed genuinely pleased.Mary even chimed in with a suggestion, “Mr. Ward, why don’t you stay for dinner tonight?”“Thank you, Mary. I’d be happy to,” Stephen replied with a courteous smile.But after dinner, a light drizzle began to fall outside. At first, no one paid it any mind.Then the drizzle turned into a downpour, rain lashing against the windows as flashes of lightning split the sky.Stephen was getting ready to leave, but the sudden turn in weather made Stellar hesitate. “Why don’t you stay the night? It’s not safe to drive in this storm.”They had already shared a room once before, so she didn’t see any reason to fuss over it.Stephen glanced toward Mary and Wayne, hesitating.“You should stay, Stephen,” Wayne urged. “We’ve got plenty of guest rooms here at the courtyard house.”“Well, if you insist,
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 423
Wayne stood off to the side, a little taken aback.The man in front of him looked every bit the part of a well-bred heir—polished suit, refined demeanor. And yet, he knew how to fight?“You sure you want to spar with me?”Stephen looked mildly surprised by her challenge.“Why not? Afraid you’ll lose?” Stellar raised a brow, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes. “Relax, even if you do, I won’t tell anyone. Your secret’s safe with me.”He knew she was baiting him, but he still took the hook with a smirk. “Alright then, let’s see what you’ve got.”Stephen shrugged off his coat and hung it nearby, left in a crisp white dress shirt. With effortless precision, he rolled up his sleeves, his fingers moving with a fluid grace that was oddly captivating.Stellar gave her head a shake, forcing out the sudden thoughts that slipped in.“Ready... go!”She lunged forward, a sharp punch aimed straight at his face, but Stephen sidestepped neatly, twisting his body as his open hand shot out to gr
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 422
"I never agreed to any of this. You made the arrangements on your own, so you should be the one to deal with the fallout. I'm not going."His tone was firm, and it instantly darkened Grace’s expression. “Stephen!”He'd always been cold toward her, but he had never flat-out embarrassed her like this.Suddenly, her thoughts turned to the woman she’d seen hidden away in his villa last time. Her gaze turned sharp.“It’s that woman, isn’t it? She’s the one filling your head with nonsense! I’m telling you now—I will never approve of that relationship!”Stephen, however, remained unfazed.He'd never had a close relationship with his parents. He didn’t care what they thought back then, and he didn’t now.“Then wait for Grandfather to return and ask him what he thinks.”Lately, Marcus had been overseas, traveling the world with his wife, and likely wouldn’t be back anytime soon.“You’re using your grandfather to pressure me now?”Grace let out a cold laugh. “Do you really think he’d accept ju
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 421
After watching the demonstration, Stellar quickly memorized it. She took a deep breath with her eyes closed, then opened them again, her gaze sharp. Moving step by step, she repeated the moves with precision.Wayne, who had been watching from the side, was dumbfounded.She wasn’t just mimicking the movements—her strength and control were spot on, powerful and exact.Everything Mary bragged about turned out to be true.In fact, it was even more impressive than she’d claimed.“She’s a natural martial arts prodigy!”Wayne’s eyes lit up as he grew even more excited. “Stellar, let me be your official mentor! Carry on my legacy! I’ll teach you everything I know, every move from my school—what do you say?”Before Stellar could respond, Mary exploded, “You shameless old man! She’s the one I picked as my apprentice! Who do you think you are?”“Don’t get cocky, you old hag! It’s up to Miss Stellar to decide which school she wants to follow. For all you know, she might prefer mine!” Wayne refus
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 420
Mary was about to punch Hulk square in the face, fists clenched in fury at the way he’d just humiliated Stellar.But before she could move, Stellar stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder, calming her down. Then she turned to face the other side and spoke, her voice steady."You want to fight me? Fine. But I have one condition—it has to be an official match. “If your side loses, I want a public apology. And I want a banner that reads: 'Ironclad Academy lost to Rising Cloud Academy and left in disgrace.' “From that moment on, you stay away from us permanently."Her words left Mary and the others stunned."Listen to this one!" Hank barked out a laugh like he’d just heard the world’s best joke. "You really think you can take us down, little girl?"Stellar raised an eyebrow, a cool smirk tugging at her lips. "What, are you scared?""Who’s scared?" Hulk snapped, instantly provoked. "You want a fight? You’ve got one! But if you lose, you’ll get on your knees, bow your head, and d
