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Chapter 351
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 352
“Our company’s planning to bid on a major infrastructure project,” Claude said as he adjusted his cufflinks. “It’s city-led, and there are a lot of strong contenders. From how things look, we’re unlikely to land the primary contract—maybe a secondary one, if we’re lucky.”Claude had always aimed for the top, but there was always someone better, especially in areas outside his core expertise.Stellar wasn’t in that field herself, so there wasn’t much she could do. Still, her mind wandered back to Percy. As much as she loathed the man, there was no denying his professional skills—this kind of work had always been his forte.It was a shame she’d switched to finance back then instead of staying long enough to learn more about that field.She looked up, a bit apologetic. “Sorry, Uncle Claude. I don’t think I’d be much help with that.”“It’s alright,” he said with a reassuring smile, reaching out to ruffle her hair. “It’s not your responsibility. No need to stress yourself over it.”Wit
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The next day, just as Stellar wrapped up her tasks at the base and headed toward the parking lot, she spotted a shadowy figure standing beside her car.The underground garage was dimly lit, and the sudden silhouette made her instinctively brace for a fight. Without hesitation, she lifted a foot, ready to strike straight for the intruder’s face.“Stellar…it’s me!”Her foot halted just an inch from his nose. She widened her eyes and stared in disbelief. “Percy? What the hell are you doing?”“I didn’t have a choice,” he said, looking a little flustered. “I can’t get past security at your villa, and you haven’t been picking up your phone. This was the only place I could wait for you.”He stared at her with a strange, lingering tenderness.Stellar’s expression twitched. She didn’t waste a breath asking why he was there and simply turned on her heel, heading straight for her car.Seeing her about to leave, Percy quickly stepped in her way.“Wait, wait… Stellar, I swear, I’m not here to
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 354
"You…" Percy’s face twisted with frustration, stunned she’d humiliated him so directly. "Fine. You win."Clenching his jaw, he turned and walked away.This time, he was going to make it. He’d rise again and prove to Stellar just how wrong she’d been to dismiss him.With that thought burning in his chest, Percy forced himself back to the pawn shop and handed over the heirloom—this time, for a long-term loan.…Stellar didn’t give the encounter another thought. After getting into her car, she didn’t head home right away.Instead, she drove straight to Howard’s studio.She carefully carried in a canvas from the back seat."Sorry to keep you waiting, Professor. This is my latest piece. I wanted you to have it now.""No worries," Howard said with a warm smile. "The exhibit doesn’t officially open until tomorrow."His eyes lit up the moment he laid them on the painting. The longer he looked, the more pleased he became."Incredible, absolutely incredible! You’ve outdone yourself. I always
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The moment Howard saw Stellar, a flicker of guilt crossed his face."Stellar... I owe you an apology. The piece you worked so hard on was damaged. Completely ruined. We can’t exhibit it now."Stellar froze.Zayden’s face darkened as he stepped into the studio, eyes scanning the room until they landed on the shredded canvas lying on the floor."Who did this?"His voice was sharp with anger, and his gaze immediately shifted to Susan.Susan blinked, wide-eyed with innocence. "As soon as I found out, I asked the staff to look into it. But the power cut out in the studio last night. None of the security cameras caught anything."Howard let out a weary sigh and shook his head. "The announcement’s already out—everyone’s expecting the return of ‘Sole Light.’ The spotlight’s still waiting for your painting... but now there’s no time to create another."Stellar had only just rediscovered her spark.That piece took everything she had. There wasn’t a backup—her older works had already been sho
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Zayden immediately caught on."This is about the painting, isn’t it?"Stellar gave a subtle nod, then leaned in and whispered a few quick words in his ear.His brows lifted in surprise, but he nodded without hesitation."Got it. Wait here."With that, he turned and hurried off.Not far away, Stephen stood with arms crossed, his expression dark. Watching them whisper to each other, that spark of closeness—it twisted something in his chest. Jealousy curled up sharp and bitter inside him.When Stellar returned, he kept his tone casual, though his eyes gave him away."Is there something I’m not allowed to hear?"She flashed a mysterious smile."You’ll find out once the exhibit starts."Stephen narrowed his eyes, voice low and laced with something unreadable."You trust him more than you trust me?"Stellar studied him, amused by the flicker of insecurity in his eyes."You sound jealous.""Am I not allowed to be?" he replied, dead serious."Alright, alright," she said with a laugh, like she
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 357
Stellar showed up in a simple, casual outfit.Her hair loose with no makeup.But somehow, she looked like she’d stepped straight out of a graphic novel. There was a quiet elegance to her, something effortlessly refined that couldn’t be faked."Sorry to keep you waiting," she said as she approached Stephen. Her gaze skimmed past Joy without pause, as if she hadn’t even seen her. She held out her hand to Stephen with a light smile. "Shall we?"Stephen blinked, slightly caught off guard.Then, without a word, he took her hand—fingers lacing together in a natural, intimate clasp.Joy’s eyes locked on their joined hands. Her nails dug so hard into her palm, her lip nearly split under her teeth. But the pain didn’t even register."Tch."A scoffing sound broke the moment.Joey sauntered up, sneering as she looked Stellar over."So, this whole gallery thing was just an excuse for a date? Figures. Pretending to be cultured, but I doubt she even understands half the meaning behind those pain
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"Sir, my name is Howard Roberts."Dean's face lit up with joy. "Is that you, Howard?""You... you're Dean?" Howard stared at him, trying to confirm the familiar voice. After a closer look, he said in disbelief, "It's been so many years... you've grown a full white beard. I almost didn't recognize you.""Professor, you two know each other?" Stellar asked curiously.Only then did Howard explain to her that they were old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years.The two old men chatted happily and brought Stellar with them into the lounge."Don’t even think about making a move on my student. She’s the one I trust and value the most.""She's important to me too. Her talent in aerospace is truly remarkable.""She's also great at painting. My student is a true all-rounder!"The two old men took turns singing her praises.Stellar had clearly become the center of attention.Stephen followed silently behind them like a quiet guardian.Just as they reached the lounge, they saw Zayden, who had
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 359
"I've made up my mind."Stellar’s expression was firm. "Thank you for the offer, Mr. Shaw. I’m honored to accept the invitation and join the research project.""Excellent!" Dean’s smile grew even brighter.The conversation shifted to the upcoming art exhibition. At first, it seemed Stephen might struggle to keep up—this clearly wasn’t his field. But to everyone’s surprise, he slipped into the conversation effortlessly, speaking with a calm confidence and insight.Even Howard found himself impressed by his insight.At first, Stephen appeared like just another face in Stellar’s circle, but the dynamic was already shifting into something more—an unlikely friendship in the making.The scene felt all too familiar.Stellar had witnessed how easily Stephen won over every important elder in her life with just a few well-placed words countless times.It was as if he had a gift for it.When it looked like Howard was about to take him under his wing, Stephen shot her a desperate look.Finally, St
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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
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"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
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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
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“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
