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Chapter 41
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 42
The moment the words fell, the entire room turned their furious gazes toward Camille.Thinking about how they got led around by the nose once again, they felt utterly humiliated.And it was all because of Camille.Her face went deathly pale, cold sweat beading on her forehead. “N-no, that’s not true…”The sharpness in their eyes was like a blade against her throat, making her shrink back in fear."Camille Dawson!"Even the professor had reached the limit of their patience this time."As a student, you not only participated in cheating but also tried to frame someone else. Your actions are utterly disgraceful!"Without mercy, the professor declared, “I will report this to the school. You can wait for the disciplinary action!”At that moment, Camille felt as if lightning had struck her.Disciplinary action—she knew exactly what that meant.Years of hard work and dedication, completely destroyed in an instant.Her world came crashing down.…The exam was finally over.Stellar left the cla
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 43
He pushed a stack of documents across the desk. "Take these and go over them as soon as possible. Once you officially join the team, don’t slow everyone down." Stellar knew he was all bark and no bite. A smile tugged at her lips as she obediently took the files. "Professor, I’ll give it my all. I won’t embarrass you." …Meanwhile, Yvonne was lounging at home, sipping afternoon tea, waiting for good news from the school. As long as Stellar failed the exam and couldn’t get into Victor’s project team, the partnership with Riverfront Corporation would fall through. That would give the Harlow and Moore families a greater advantage. More importantly, she could finally give her father a satisfactory answer and she wouldn’t have to put up with Percy anymore. Just as she was relishing the thought of Stellar’s downfall, her phone rang. Seeing Camille’s name on the screen, Yvonne’s eyes lit up. A smirk curled on her lips as she answered. "So? What took you so long to call—"
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 44
Stellar had no idea what Yvonne was plotting. But even if she did, she would deal with it as it came. Joining the research team made all the effort of the past two weeks worth it. As she stepped out of the school in high spirits, her phone suddenly rang. It was a number she hadn’t seen in a while. "Miss Rivers, if I don’t call you first, are you never going to reach out to me? Heartless little thing." A woman’s lazy yet slightly aggrieved voice came through the speaker. It was her best friend, Suzy Walsh. The one person who, despite all the rumors and gossip, stuck by her side these past two years. The only one who genuinely cared about her and put her feelings first. But a while ago, they had argued over Percy, and things had been tense ever since. Between the cold war and Stellar’s packed schedule, she had completely forgotten to reach out. Now, hearing Suzy’s voice again, a softness crept into her expression. "Where are you? I’ll come find you." "That’s mo
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 45
This time, Suzy was set to star in a major production called “Whispers of Ivory and Shadow.” For some reason, when Stellar first heard the title, it felt oddly familiar. But she didn’t think much of it. Midway through the evening, she stepped out to use the restroom. On her way back, she unexpectedly ran into Xavier. Unlike Percy’s other friends, who always looked down on her with disdain, was different. He always treated her with respect, never mocking or belittling her like the rest. So, when she caught him staring, she remained calm and greeted him politely. To her surprise, he blocked her path, hesitating as if he had something to say. She frowned slightly. "Do you need something?" "You really broke up with Percy?" Xavier asked. She didn’t deny it. "Yeah." He studied her face for a long moment, then finally spoke again. "Percy’s planning to sue you. He says he’s going to drag your name through the mud." Stellar didn’t even flinch. "Let him." Her voice w
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 46
Chris finally realized Xavier was serious, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Are you out of your mind?" But almost immediately, his shock morphed into mockery. "Or maybe the price just isn’t high enough for you. Fine, name it, how much will it take to get you on board? A hundred thousand dollars?" Xavier’s expression remained ice-cold. "There isn’t a price." He wasn’t going to sell his conscience just to help cover up their mess. Chris let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh. "Well, aren’t you noble? Acting all righteous now, like you’re better than the rest of us." Then, as if a sudden realization struck him, his eyes flickered with amusement. "Wait a second… don’t tell me you’ve got a thing for Stellar. Is that why you’re so eager to distance yourself from us?" The second the words left his mouth, Chris realized he might have overstepped. He just came from the private room where they learned that not only had Stellar refused to crawl back to Percy, but she had actuall
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 47
After finishing their meal, Stellar led Suzy to their destination. It wasn’t a high-end shopping mall or a luxury boutique but a small, tucked-away shop in a quiet alley. The storefront had a classical charm, and the moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by a minimalist yet elegant interior. It was a hair accessory boutique. Ornate hairpins and combs were displayed on wooden shelves, each piece carefully arranged. But what truly stood out was the jaw-dropping price tags. Stellar pulled Suzy straight to the back of the store, stopping in front of an emerald-green hairpin. "Take a look at this one." Having spent years in the entertainment industry, Suzy had developed an eye for luxury. At first glance, the design seemed understated, yet the craftsmanship was anything but simple—bold yet timeless, its intricate details drawing her in. Her gaze swept over it, then dropped to the small nameplate below. The moment she saw the designer’s name, she nearly jumped in
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 48
Margaret put on a patient, almost motherly expression as she spoke, as if offering heartfelt advice. But after the first couple of words, any pretense of kindness disappeared, leaving only arrogance beneath the surface. The condescending smile and patronizing tone were all too obvious. However, Stellar simply smiled. She reached out and grabbed Suzy’s wrist, stopping her before she could explode. With a quick glance, she signaled her to hold back. As a public figure, Suzy couldn’t afford a scene. If word got out that she was caught arguing in a boutique, the damage to her reputation would bring her more trouble than it was worth. A second later, Stellar’s voice turned cold. "That won’t be necessary." Without sparing Margaret another glance, she turned to the store attendant and said politely, "Please take this hairpin down for us." But the attendant didn’t move. By now, she had pieced together the situation. From the looks of it, these two weren’t wealthy custom
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 49
The store attendant’s face went pale with shock. “C-Co-Founder?”She knew the boutique had two owners.One was the main investor.The other, the one who had built the brand’s reputation, was the designer behind it all, Rian.And Rian… was Stellar?But that wasn’t possible. Wasn’t she just some broke ex-girlfriend?The realization hit hard, leaving the attendant frozen in disbelief.The manager, finally noticing the strange atmosphere, took one look at Stellar’s expression, then at the stunned store attendant. After overhearing a few snippets of their argument, he immediately understood what had happened.His face darkened."You’re fired!"The words dropped like a hammer.The attendant’s face went deathly pale, and the entire store fell into dead silence.Margaret, standing nearby, was completely stunned.The woman she had just ridiculed, assuming she was nothing without Percy, was actually the co-owner of this boutique?And not just any co-owner, she was Rian.The very designer whose
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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
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
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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
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
