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Chapter 54
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 55
In just half an hour, the group had settled into an easy dynamic."You’ve probably got a solid understanding of the project by now," Simon said, his tone calm and authoritative, carrying the natural leadership of a senior team member. "The first set of data needs to be processed soon. Let’s head to the lab and get started."Everyone stood up in agreement."Let’s go."Stellar followed them toward the lab.But as soon as they reached the entrance, they ran into a familiar face."Well, well, Stellar. Looks like you really did step in some luck. You actually made it into the institute," Alex sneered, though his eyes flashed with frustration.He had been waiting for the moment Stellar would be kicked out of school, hoping to pressure her into giving up her dignity and submitting to him.But now, that plan completely fell apart.Before Stellar could respond, Lilian shot back without hesitation."Sounds like you’re the one who got lucky. I still can’t figure out how you got chosen to stay at
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 56
Her eyes gleamed with mockery and disdain, yet there was no surprise in them as if she always knew he was nothing but a fraud. Lilian and the others felt equally satisfied, their expressions filled with undisguised contempt as they looked at Alex. For a moment, his face burned red, as if he had just been slapped in public. Fury boiled inside him. Humiliated and enraged, he clenched his fists, ready to lunge forward and put Stellar in her place. But just then, a crisp, cool voice cut through the tension. "What’s all the commotion about?" Stephen strode over with unhurried steps, his tall frame casting an imposing presence. His sharp, sculpted features remained as cold as ever, his piercing gaze flicking over Alex with effortless indifference, as if he weren’t even worth acknowledging.Despite saying little, the sheer weight of his presence made Alex involuntarily shiver. The others exchanged glances, surprised. Some recognized him immediately, while others, knowing hi
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 57
There was something undeniably condescending about her tone. Lilian, ever the optimist, might not have picked up on it. But Stellar’s smile faded as she finally looked Vivian in the eye. "Even without someone backing me up, I wouldn’t stand by and let anyone insult my mentor without doing something about it." She wasn’t one to stir up trouble. But that didn’t mean she was afraid of it. Vivian’s expression darkened. It was a direct jab—calling her out for standing on the sidelines and making snide remarks instead of taking action. Just as she opened her mouth to retort, Simon stepped in before things escalated. "Alright, that’s enough. Since Alex is out of the way, let’s get back to work. We need to run the data." With that, Nathan, who had been silent the entire time, turned and entered the lab without another word. Lilian quickly grabbed Stellar’s arm and followed. Despite her irritation, Vivian had no choice but to do the same. Simon was the last to enter, c
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 58
Simon was always serious when it came to academics, and when he saw true talent, he never hesitated to give credit where it was due.Even Nathan, usually unreadable, had a flicker of admiration in his otherwise indifferent gaze.Vivian widened her eyes as she stepped forward, scanning the data carefully.It was flawless.No matter how hard she tried to find a flaw, there wasn’t a single mistake to nitpick.She was so confident just moments ago, insisting on switching tasks. And now, this data—so precise, so irrefutable—felt like the biggest slap in the face.Her expression twisted with discomfort."Well, no wonder. Geniuses really are built different," Lilian gushed, practically in awe, looking more and more like Stellar’s biggest fan.Vivian clenched her jaw, unable to stand the praise."To be fair, it’s probably thanks to Senior Ward’s teaching."It was a thinly veiled jab, implying Stellar’s skills weren’t her own but merely the product of someone else’s guidance.But this time, St
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"Everyone was talking about you two back then."All the way up to graduation, when you abruptly gave up further studies and followed him straight into Moore Enterprises. Everyone thought you were finally getting what you wanted—to become Mrs. Moore."A faint tension settled over the group.The way she framed it made it sound as if Stellar had abandoned her academic career just to chase after a wealthy man.Vivian paused for a couple of seconds before adding, as if just remembering something,"Oh, but I did hear recently that the Moore family's heir is engaged to the Harlow family’s heiress. Stellar, you wouldn’t happen to be…"She trailed off deliberately, then widened her eyes with feigned regret."Oh no, did I just say something I shouldn’t have?"Her expression was one of mock remorse, but the flicker of triumph in her lowered gaze gave her away.Everyone present already picked up on the unspoken implication.She was suggesting that Stellar only returned to school because Percy dump
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 60
By the time dinner wrapped up, it was nearing 8 p.m. As Stellar and the others stepped out of the restaurant, they were met with a steady downpour. Most of them took a cab to get there. Since they all lived on campus, they planned to head back together, except for Stellar, who didn’t stay in the dorms. "You guys go ahead," she said quickly. "My place isn’t on the way. I’ll just call a ride on my own." Lilian hesitated, clearly worried. "Are you sure? I can wait with you—" "I’m feeling a little dizzy after drinking," Vivian cut in impatiently, rolling her eyes. "Can we just go? She’s a grown woman. I think she can manage calling a cab by herself." She bit down on the words “grown woman” with deliberate emphasis, her meaning clear. Stellar pressed her lips together, understanding the jab but choosing to ignore it. "But—" Lilian started, still reluctant. Stellar gave her a reassuring smile. "It’s fine. I’ll text you once I’m home." Only then did Lilian let out a smal
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 61
"Oh, right. Ashford University is hosting an academic symposium in a couple of days. If you're free, I can bring you along."At those words, Stellar’s usually calm eyes lit up with unmistakable interest.She wasn’t one to impose on Stephen, but she knew about this event.It was only held once a year, and the attendees were industry leaders from various fields—entry was strictly limited, and most people never got the chance to attend.Yet, Stephen was offering to take her.The opportunity was too rare to pass up.Tempted, she hesitated for only a second before asking, almost cautiously, "Really?"Catching the subtle spark in her gaze, a faint, almost imperceptible curve formed at the corner of Stephen’s lips.He gave a brief nod, responding with a low “Mm."He added, "You should get ready beforehand, I’ll let you know when the time comes.""Thank you, Senior Ward. I really appreciate it."As she reached for the door handle, something else crossed her mind."Oh, by the way, about the hai
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 62
"Mom, what are you doing here? I’m heading out soon. Can we talk about this another time?"Percy assumed she was here to persuade him again to be nicer to Yvonne.He was beyond tired of hearing it.But to his surprise, Margaret’s expression was cold and stern."Percy, I need you to answer something honestly.""What is it?"Percy frowned, sensing something unusual.Margaret’s voice sharpened."Did you secretly give Stellar a huge sum of money when you broke up?""What?"For a second, Percy wondered if he’d misheard."Don’t play dumb with me!"Margaret tossed her handbag onto the couch and sat down with a huff, arms crossed, her face full of frustration."Stellar is now a co-owner of Élan Atelier! Do you even know what kind of place that is? It took me forever to even hear about that private boutique. “Every single piece they sell is handcrafted and exclusive—you can’t just walk in and buy something, no matter how much money you have! And now, I can’t even get through the door!"Percy s
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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
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 429
"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
