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Chapter 358
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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
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 360
"I..." Susan faltered, unsettled by the sharpness in his eyes.But Zayden gave her no chance to wriggle out of it. He cut straight to the truth. "You destroyed her painting yourself and you're terrified of being found out."The room went completely still."I-I didn’t!" Susan quickly snapped back, her eyes reddening as she put on a wounded look. "Zayden, I know you and Stellar grew up together, and you’ve always been close to her, but that doesn’t give you the right to smear me just to protect her!""Smear you?" he scoffed. "Let’s see what the footage says."Before she could react, he tapped the screen on his tablet and turned it toward the crowd.People leaned in out of curiosity only to freeze in disbelief.On the screen, Susan could be seen sneaking into the studio in the middle of the night. She stood in front of a stunning painting, her expression cold and furious, a far cry from her usual soft demeanor. She pulled a utility knife from her bag and began slashing at the canvas
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 361
"I didn’t…" Susan flatly denied any involvement. "I-I just wanted a chance for my work to be exhibited too. I never meant for anyone to hurt her, he acted on his own!" Everyone exchanged doubtful looks. But when their eyes landed on the painting on the wall, someone couldn't help but comment, "This piece is really well done. The colors are a little muted, but it actually brings out the story behind it more." "Honestly, I didn’t even know it was done by Sole Light at first. I was just drawn to it. I think it’s just as good as Sole Light’s original piece." "So, Susan Raines is actually quite talented too..." People naturally held a bit more admiration and leniency toward those with talent. Hearing this, Susan immediately seized the opportunity. Her eyes welled up with tears as she looked pitiful and remorseful. "I’m sorry, I truly am. I shouldn’t have resorted to this just to achieve my goal. But our professor has always been so biased, he only ever had eyes for you. "I
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 362
It didn’t take long for Stellar to remember that she’d painted it during the lowest point of her life, when she first discovered the truth about her past. Lost and overwhelmed, it became a raw expression of the turmoil she was drowning in. It was no wonder the memory was so vivid.Afterward, she asked Zayden to look for it in the studio and eventually put the original on display.If Susan hadn’t pulled this stunt—risking Stellar’s reputation just to elevate her own—maybe Stellar wouldn’t have exposed the truth. But now that it had come to this, she had no reason to hold back."No wonder I thought the painting was so striking. Turns out it is really the work of Sole Light." "God, Susan Raines is disgusting! Faking remorse just to climb higher? She has zero talent and still had the nerve to copy someone else’s work for fame and profit." "I actually felt bad for her earlier. I thought she was just a victim stuck in someone else’s shadow." "She played us all for fools. Someone lik
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This time, Stellar turned him down. "Not tonight. I need to get home early and spend some time with my grandparents.""They’re in town too?" Zayden’s eyes lit up. He quickly offered, "Why don’t I come with you? I’d love to stop by and say hello."Before Stellar could respond, Stephen cut in coolly, "They don’t like being disturbed by strangers.""Who says I’m a stranger?" Zayden shot back, voice sharp. "Senior and I are close—practically family. Unlike a certain someone who really ought to take a hint and stop sticking around her.""Alright, that’s enough." Stellar rubbed her temples, clearly exasperated. "Zay, maybe next time. I’ll let them know ahead of time. I’m heading home for now."With that, she turned and walked off, not waiting for a reply.Stephen caught up to her in a few strides. "I’ll walk you back."Since they lived right across the street from each other, Stellar saw no reason to refuse.Zayden stood rooted to the spot, glaring after them. The fury in his eyes
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But when Keith scrolled past the post, jealousy hit him hard. He knew Stephen was flaunting it on purpose, but there was nothing he could do in return. All he could do was stare at the photo, stewing in silent bitterness. …The next day, Claude was scheduled to attend a bidding event. The event was scheduled for the afternoon, and since Stellar was home, he invited her to come along, saying it would be a good learning experience—something that might come in handy down the line.Stellar had nothing else planned, so she went with him. The venue was spacious and brightly lit, with rows of tables and chairs arranged neatly. Many of the bidders were already present.They were seasoned business elites, each with an impressive background. Stellar glanced around casually, about to shift her gaze elsewhere when a familiar figure walked in from the opposite side of the room. It was Percy.Today, he looked nothing like the washed-up man she remembered. He wore a crisp tailored su
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As they left the venue, Claude suggested stopping by the mall. "Your grandmother’s been obsessed with shopping lately. Just yesterday she mentioned wanting to pick something up... “We’ll swing by, and you can ask what she needs. We’ll bring it back for her.""Alright," Stellar replied, pulling out her phone to make the call.Whatever her grandmother said on the other end had Stellar sighing in defeat as she answered with a few quick nods, "Okay, okay, I get it. I promise."She hung up and turned to Claude with a smile before he could even ask. "Grandma says the fun of shopping is going in person. Picking things out herself is the whole point."Claude let out a laugh. "She’s turning into more of a kid with every passing year. Alright, I’ll head back and bring her over."In the end, it was Stellar who accompanied her grandmother to the mall.They went from store to store, and perhaps because she had her granddaughter with her, Martha was in unusually high spirits. She picked up al
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Martha and Stellar shared a helpless glance before finally giving in with a quiet nod.They drove Cheryl over to the preschool together.All the way there, Cheryl kept bragging nonstop. "This preschool? It’s the top bilingual academy in the area. All the language teachers are brought in from overseas! Tuition alone runs around four or six grand a year. “My son really values his kid’s education, so he’s giving him the absolute best. It’s like pouring money down the drain, but thankfully, he makes enough to support the family. “He even bought a house here and paid four hundred thousand dollars without blinking."The more she talked, the prouder she sounded, completely unaware that the car she was riding in was worth far more than that.Stellar’s ears were practically going numb from the constant boasting. But out of respect for her elder, she held her tongue and didn’t interrupt.When Cheryl finally ran out of things to say and noticed the lack of praise from her audience, she turn
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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
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 448
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
