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Chapter 60
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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
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 63
So, Stellar did owe him something.That thought settled him, easing the frustration that had been gnawing at him."I got it, Mom. I’ll find some time to ask her myself."…Meanwhile, Stellar had just arrived at Élan Atelier with Mary in tow.The moment the manager spotted her, he immediately came forward to greet her."Oh my, what brings the co-founder of our company here today?"Mary's eyes widened in shock. Co-owner?!Stellar pressed her lips together, looking a little embarrassed."Could you bring me the latest batch of design drafts I sketched?" Yesterday, after talking to Mary, she’d learned that her grandmother loved finely crafted hairpins, while her grandfather had a deep appreciation for tea.Since Élan Atelier specialized in handcrafted and custom-made luxury pieces, they carried more than just hair accessories. There were also handcrafted clay teapots and other artisanal pieces.And as luck would have it—Stellar could make both."Of course, Miss Rivers," the manager respon
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 64
Percy went to verify his mother's claim, never expecting it to actually be true.The thought of Stellar thriving—owning a shop, living well, as if leaving him was the best decision she ever made—ignited an uncontrollable fire in his chest, especially when he saw that beautiful face. His mind instantly conjured images of her charming and flattering other men, just like she used to with him.The more he thought about it, the more the fire burned, fueling his rage until he spat out, "You must have had someone lined up already before we broke up. "A woman like you, who clung to me for years no matter how hard I tried to push you away, wouldn’t have just walked away so easily! You shameless—"Before he could finish, a sharp slap echoed through the room, followed by another.A matching pair of red handprints bloomed across Percy’s face, his skin stinging from the impact.Stellar had tolerated enough. She let out a cold scoff, cutting off whatever filth he was about to spew."I must have b
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 65
Agonizing pain exploded from the back of his head, rippling through his entire body like a shockwave, as if his organs had been forcibly jolted out of place.Percy nearly coughed up blood. He could hardly believe what had just happened before his eyes. Mary had long harbored resentment toward this wretched man who had bullied Stellar. However, without Stellar’s permission, she didn’t dare to act. She had been holding back all this time. However, who would have thought he’d actually dare to break the priceless hairpin that Stellar gave her?It was a gift filled with Stellar’s heartfelt sentiments!So, Mary could no longer endure it. While Percy was still struggling to get up, she launched another furious attack, landing each blow on the most painful spots. Even the manager, who initially planned to call security, was dumbfounded. Stellar was completely stunned. She couldn't believe the elderly woman in front of her was Mary.Then, the sharp sound of something snapping ec
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 66
"Sir, that’s enough!" This time, even the leading officer lost his patience. "I'm not lying!" Percy was on the verge of exploding. He was telling the truth, so why wouldn’t anyone believe him? "Wait! The security footage! The cameras can prove I’m telling the truth!" It was as if he had grabbed onto his last lifeline. But before he could feel any relief, the store manager immediately spoke up. "Apologies, sir. Our boutique offers private, custom services. To protect our clients’ privacy, we don’t have surveillance cameras inside. However—" At that, the manager suddenly shifted, adopting a righteous and indignant expression. He jabbed a finger at Percy and declared, "I saw it with my own eyes—this man was the one who attacked first!" The words barely fell when Percy’s face twisted in fury, his eyes nearly bloodshot. "Bastards! You’re all in on this! You’re conspiring against me!" He was so enraged he nearly lunged at the manager. But before he could act, the le
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 67
Stellar nodded in satisfaction and gave the leading officer a slight bow. "Thank you, Captain Lee. I accept the ruling." With everything settled, she turned and left the station with Mary Warren. But the moment they stepped outside, a familiar figure was already waiting. Margaret stood there, her expression cold, unaware that Stellar had already refused the settlement. Without a word, she shoved a document toward her—a formal agreement, its crisp white pages stamped with bold black ink."Stellar, I’m warning you not to push your luck. My son gave you plenty over the years. If you’re not an ungrateful wretch, then sign this statement of forgiveness!" She was the one asking for a favor, yet she still carried herself as if she were the one in control. Mary’s eye twitched with irritation, barely restraining herself from slapping the woman outright. But before she could react, Stellar spoke first. "I’m not signing it." "What did you just say?" Margaret’s fists tightened
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 68
"Our strength as women is naturally weaker than a man's. That’s why we don’t rely on brute force. “It’s all about technique—striking when least expected, with speed, precision, and force."She demonstrated a few key moves, walking Stellar through the motions twice."When you need to teach someone a lesson, it’s all about hitting the right spots. “These moves cause the most pain without leaving visible marks. The real soreness won’t kick in until twenty-four hours later."Stellar was a fast learner. Her sharp mind and strong intuition allowed her to absorb every detail of Mary’s demonstration with ease.Within just thirty minutes, she had already replicated the moves flawlessly."Miss Stellar, you’re incredible!" Mary exclaimed, stunned. "Not only did you pick it up instantly, but your movements are clean, precise, and completely fluid. You’re a natural!"She hadn’t expected Stellar to have such raw talent.It must be in her blood—the Rivers' blood. Strength was simply in her genes
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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
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 425
“Um…” Stellar looked flustered. “I forgot to bring my clothes, so I borrowed your bathrobe. Sorry about that.”“It’s fine.” Stephen didn’t realize how hoarse his voice sounded until the words were already out.“I’ll just head back to my room then…”She turned to leave, but just as she took a step, a flash of lightning split across the sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.The lights cut out in an instant, plunging the room into darkness.“Ah!” Stellar flinched and stumbled forward, instinctively crashing into him, her body pressed tightly against his chest.She was warm, soft, still smelling faintly of shower gel—the subtle, clean scent wrapping around him. For a moment, Stephen’s thoughts scattered.But when he felt her trembling, instinct took over. He wrapped his arms around her without thinking. “Don’t worry. It’s probably just a power outage.”His voice, low and gentle, carried a soothing calm that helped ease her tension.Just as she began to relax, another crack of thu
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 424
"Of course, no problem at all!""Take your time, there's no rush."The couple smiled warmly, their expressions full of quiet joy. With the perfect successors in sight, both seemed genuinely pleased.Mary even chimed in with a suggestion, “Mr. Ward, why don’t you stay for dinner tonight?”“Thank you, Mary. I’d be happy to,” Stephen replied with a courteous smile.But after dinner, a light drizzle began to fall outside. At first, no one paid it any mind.Then the drizzle turned into a downpour, rain lashing against the windows as flashes of lightning split the sky.Stephen was getting ready to leave, but the sudden turn in weather made Stellar hesitate. “Why don’t you stay the night? It’s not safe to drive in this storm.”They had already shared a room once before, so she didn’t see any reason to fuss over it.Stephen glanced toward Mary and Wayne, hesitating.“You should stay, Stephen,” Wayne urged. “We’ve got plenty of guest rooms here at the courtyard house.”“Well, if you insist,
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 423
Wayne stood off to the side, a little taken aback.The man in front of him looked every bit the part of a well-bred heir—polished suit, refined demeanor. And yet, he knew how to fight?“You sure you want to spar with me?”Stephen looked mildly surprised by her challenge.“Why not? Afraid you’ll lose?” Stellar raised a brow, a glint of mischief flashing in her eyes. “Relax, even if you do, I won’t tell anyone. Your secret’s safe with me.”He knew she was baiting him, but he still took the hook with a smirk. “Alright then, let’s see what you’ve got.”Stephen shrugged off his coat and hung it nearby, left in a crisp white dress shirt. With effortless precision, he rolled up his sleeves, his fingers moving with a fluid grace that was oddly captivating.Stellar gave her head a shake, forcing out the sudden thoughts that slipped in.“Ready... go!”She lunged forward, a sharp punch aimed straight at his face, but Stephen sidestepped neatly, twisting his body as his open hand shot out to gr
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 422
"I never agreed to any of this. You made the arrangements on your own, so you should be the one to deal with the fallout. I'm not going."His tone was firm, and it instantly darkened Grace’s expression. “Stephen!”He'd always been cold toward her, but he had never flat-out embarrassed her like this.Suddenly, her thoughts turned to the woman she’d seen hidden away in his villa last time. Her gaze turned sharp.“It’s that woman, isn’t it? She’s the one filling your head with nonsense! I’m telling you now—I will never approve of that relationship!”Stephen, however, remained unfazed.He'd never had a close relationship with his parents. He didn’t care what they thought back then, and he didn’t now.“Then wait for Grandfather to return and ask him what he thinks.”Lately, Marcus had been overseas, traveling the world with his wife, and likely wouldn’t be back anytime soon.“You’re using your grandfather to pressure me now?”Grace let out a cold laugh. “Do you really think he’d accept ju
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 421
After watching the demonstration, Stellar quickly memorized it. She took a deep breath with her eyes closed, then opened them again, her gaze sharp. Moving step by step, she repeated the moves with precision.Wayne, who had been watching from the side, was dumbfounded.She wasn’t just mimicking the movements—her strength and control were spot on, powerful and exact.Everything Mary bragged about turned out to be true.In fact, it was even more impressive than she’d claimed.“She’s a natural martial arts prodigy!”Wayne’s eyes lit up as he grew even more excited. “Stellar, let me be your official mentor! Carry on my legacy! I’ll teach you everything I know, every move from my school—what do you say?”Before Stellar could respond, Mary exploded, “You shameless old man! She’s the one I picked as my apprentice! Who do you think you are?”“Don’t get cocky, you old hag! It’s up to Miss Stellar to decide which school she wants to follow. For all you know, she might prefer mine!” Wayne refus
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 420
Mary was about to punch Hulk square in the face, fists clenched in fury at the way he’d just humiliated Stellar.But before she could move, Stellar stepped forward and gently patted her shoulder, calming her down. Then she turned to face the other side and spoke, her voice steady."You want to fight me? Fine. But I have one condition—it has to be an official match. “If your side loses, I want a public apology. And I want a banner that reads: 'Ironclad Academy lost to Rising Cloud Academy and left in disgrace.' “From that moment on, you stay away from us permanently."Her words left Mary and the others stunned."Listen to this one!" Hank barked out a laugh like he’d just heard the world’s best joke. "You really think you can take us down, little girl?"Stellar raised an eyebrow, a cool smirk tugging at her lips. "What, are you scared?""Who’s scared?" Hulk snapped, instantly provoked. "You want a fight? You’ve got one! But if you lose, you’ll get on your knees, bow your head, and d
