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Chapter 444

Author: Warm Cocoa
"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
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  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 445

    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

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 446

    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

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 1

    "Percy, you know what? Your little girlfriend is something else. We just got word from Sienna Industries—they approved the contract!""Girlfriend? Don’t be mistaken. When has Percy ever acknowledged her as his girlfriend? Besides, do you really think one woman could handle so many tough negotiations... Ha! Percy, your tactic was truly brilliant!"The meaning behind the words was clear. Outside the door, Stellar Rivers froze, her raised hand stiffening mid-air.She was clutching a folder tightly in her arms. It was a crucial document that would determine whether Moore Enterprises could go public.Sienna Industries, knowing full well that there would be thunderstorms tomorrow, had deliberately demanded the contract be signed in person that day. Left with no choice, Stellar pulled every string she could, taking an alternative flight to deliver the papers.Even so, the return flight had encountered severe turbulence during the storm. The cockpit was breached, and the pilot had fallen unco

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 2

    For some reason, perhaps because Stellar had never spoken to him that way before, Percy couldn’t get the image of her tear-filled eyes as she left out of his head. It irritated him.He downed several glasses of red wine, the burning sensation in his chest finally dulling the inexplicable frustration swirling inside him.Just then, Chris came over, holding his phone."Percy, wasn’t Stellar on this flight? It’s all over the news."Percy glanced at the screen, where a breaking news report was displayed:"…Flight AT580 experienced a major crisis today at noon when the pilot lost consciousness mid-flight. Thanks to the intervention of a mysterious passenger with professional expertise, the plane managed to land safely. The cause of the incident is still under investigation…"The others in the room crowded around as well.Seeing the report, they immediately started talking all at once, their voices filled with awe."That’s insane! With turbulence that strong and one wing practically gone, th

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 3

    “Well, if it isn’t the Harlow family’s precious ‘heiress,’ Stellar Rivers.”A mocking laugh rang out as Yvonne, dripping in jewelry and arrogance, crossed her arms and blocked Stellar’s path.Behind Yvonne stood two bodyguards dressed in all black, their dark sunglasses adding an air of intimidation.Stellar didn’t want to engage. She stepped to the side to avoid her, but Yvonne grabbed her arm, yanking her back.“I wasn’t done talking. Who said you could walk away?”“I have nothing to say to you,” Stellar said, shaking off her grip. Since Yvonne had been reunited with the Harlow family, Stellar endured nothing but cruelty. To them, she was the villain who stole Yvonne’s life for eighteen years, a parasitic fraud who took what wasn’t hers.And Yvonne...What she did to Stellar had ruined her reputation, her innocence, and her entire life. Yet no one believed it was Yvonne’s doing.Everyone thought Stellar deserved it, calling it karma for taking Yvonne’s place.But who ever considered

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    At 8 p.m., the entrance to the Revere Hotel was lined with luxury cars.This level of business gala enforced a strict guest list, with numerous journalists stationed outside, snapping photos of the arrivals.Stellar stepped out of the car, a vision of bold elegance, a stark contrast to her usual understated style. Her fiery red gown clung perfectly to her curves, while her porcelain skin seemed to shimmer under the shifting lights, radiant as polished marble.A gemstone necklace and a red clutch completed the look—simple yet exuding an understated elegance that made it impossible to discern the brand but left an impression of quiet luxury.The moment she exited the car, she drew more than a few admiring glances.Stellar’s long lashes lowered slightly, her meticulously crafted, icy makeup concealing any trace of unease. However, she sighed softly.Claude had arranged the dress and jewelry for her tonight, but the choices were far too extravagant for her taste. This was already the simpl

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    What puzzled Percy was that Shane made no move to shake his hand. Instead, Shane simply stared at him with an odd expression.Percy hesitated in confusion before awkwardly pulling his hand back."Mr. Howe, is there an issue?" He just saw Stellar talking to Shane, and judging by their interaction, it looked like they’d reached some kind of agreement.Could it be… the deal hadn’t gone through?Before he could dwell further, Stellar spoke up.“Mr. Moore, I’m sorry, but I don’t have a contract for Moore Enterprises. I’m not here on behalf of your company.”Her words made Percy freeze. It took him a moment to process what she’d said, and when he did, he lowered his voice sharply.“You’d better think about where we are before causing a scene.”In a setting like this, his image was everything. He could dismiss her publicly if necessary, but she, as a woman, should know better than to stir trouble in front of an audience.In the past, Stellar, always keen on reading the room, would have imme

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    “Mr. Howe.” Percy stepped in front of him, blocking his path with an abruptness that bordered on rudeness, drawing the attention of those nearby.Shane smiled faintly, sizing him up. “Mr. Moore, is there something else you need?” Percy felt an unprecedented sense of humiliation. He, the esteemed president of Moore Enterprises, had never been in a position where he had to practically grovel for a partnership. But this project was critical to Moore Enterprises' performance next quarter. He couldn’t afford to let it go. Hiding his frustration behind a practiced smile, Percy said, “Stellar has never worked at Moore Enterprises. She didn’t even finish college. Whatever skills she has, she picked up from being around me. Mr. Howe, I strongly encourage you to reconsider this partnership.”Shane, a veteran in this industry, had always avoided working with Moore Enterprises, mainly because he disliked Percy as a person. The moment he heard Percy’s words, Shane’s lips curled slightly.“Are

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  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 446

    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

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 445

    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

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 444

    "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

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 443

    "You really are as sharp as they say," Jonas remarked, handing her a folder.Tori immediately reached for it. Inside were detailed notes on Stellar’s current situation, including the announcement of her upcoming book signing event.A cold, bitter laugh slipped out.She gripped the papers tightly, growing more furious with each line. "Unbelievable. She ruined my name, dragged me through the mud, and now she gets to rise from it all? “A book signing? Seriously? If it weren’t for me mentioning Star Luna in the first place, that washed-up author would’ve been long forgotten!"The more she thought about it, the more rage bubbled inside her.No. There was no way that book signing was going to go smoothly. She was going to sabotage it.Jonas watched the shift in her expression and gave a faint, satisfied smile. It looked like his job was done.…The next day.Stellar returned to the research center and shared some specialty treats she’d brought back from Southport with her team.Every

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 442

    The two finally returned to the villa after an hour.Just before they stepped inside, Stellar suddenly stopped and grabbed Stephen’s arm, leaning in close to whisper in his ear. "By the way, I should warn you that I'm pretty sure Mary’s starting to suspect something’s going on between us. You might want to tone it down around her.""Something going on?" Stephen raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Are we hiding some kind of scandal?""I’m talking about that night during the thunderstorm. When you stayed in my room! I think she caught on to something. She’s been subtly probing me ever since."She shot him a half-glare, half-pout. "Anyway, no matter what Mary asks you, don’t admit to anything. If my family gets the wrong idea, they’ll come after you for sure."Stephen paused, eyes flickering with surprise. Was she more worried about him than herself?"Don’t worry, from the moment I decided to pursue you, I was ready to take whatever came with it. So, stop worrying about me," he said,

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 441

    Hulk and the others were practically fuming with rage. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go! Wasn’t she just some harmless little girl? Why was even the guy next to her such a monster? Had they been played?In the end, Stellar let out a cold snort and made a call to the police, having the entire group hauled away. From start to finish, neither she nor Stephen were harmed.In fact, they looked more energized than ever."You two are even more in sync than my wife and I! Honestly, you're a perfect match," Wayne said with genuine admiration after watching the whole scene unfold.Stellar cleared her throat awkwardly and pretended not to hear. Stephen, however, smiled gently.…After settling the trouble in Southport, the group finally arrived in Northvale that evening.With the family reunited, Laurence and Martha were overjoyed. They chatted warmly with Wayne for quite a while.Just in time for dinner, they even insisted Stephen stay for the reunion meal. Having learned from

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 440

    "Stellar, Stephen, this is my oldest student, Isaac Cross. Let me introduce him. He's the one I trust the most."Isaac might not have been the most gifted, but he was dependable and steady to the core.Everyone exchanged greetings."Isaac, while I’m away, I’ll be entrusting the academy to you. I believe you can lead everyone well." Wayne patted his shoulder firmly."Mentor, don’t worry. I won’t let you down," Isaac nodded earnestly.After a pleasant chat, everyone said their goodbyes and left.But not long after Stellar and the others stepped outside, they found the path ahead blocked by a crowd of dozens."Miss Rivers, where are you off to? Want me to walk you home?"The one teasing her in the lead was none other than Hulk—the same guy she’d knocked flat earlier.And behind him were clearly members of the Ironclad Academy."What’s the meaning of this?"Wayne's face darkened instantly. "Your academy lost to us in the challenge match, and according to the wager, you're not allowed to ca

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 439

    Fueled by rage, Janet stormed toward the living room, ready to smash whatever else she could get her hands on.But before she could touch anything, a sharp slap landed across her face.Layla’s voice followed, cold and cutting. “Have you lost your mind?”“Mom!” Janet looked up in shock, clutching her cheek, utterly stunned.“Do you not think we’ve been humiliated enough already? I put all my trust in you, pinned every hope on your future—and this is what you do? “Pretending to be Stephen Ward’s childhood savior? How unbelievably stupid can you be!”The thrill and anticipation she'd felt over the past few days vanished like a bucket of ice water poured over her, snapping her back to reality.“But Mom, how can you blame me? I did all this for the family!” Janet protested, her voice laced with indignation.“You think I’m angry because you lied? If you were absolutely certain you wouldn’t be exposed, I might’ve turned a blind eye. “But Stephen Ward of all people? You thought you could foo

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 438

    "Thinking back now, I’m pretty sure the people around me kept the truth from me on purpose. “And as for me falling into the water... I don’t think that was just an accident either.""Are you saying someone tried to hurt you?" A cold, sharp glint flashed in Stephen’s eyes."It’s been too long. I don’t really remember everything clearly..." Stellar didn’t want to dwell on the past. With a smile, she shifted the mood. "Didn’t you invite me out for dinner? Let’s not ruin it with gloomy talk."Stephen nodded but made a mental note to look into it later.Their dinner unfolded in warm, quiet elegance.Then, just as dessert plates were being cleared, the soft notes of a waltz began to float through the room.The next second, Stephen rose from his seat and stepped toward her, offering his hand like a perfect gentleman."May I have this dance with this beautiful lady?"Stellar looked up, surprised.He stood tall under the soft golden light, his every feature kissed with a glow, and the earnest

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