LOGINShare
Chapter 80
Related chapters
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 81
Vivian's eyes flickered with a hint of triumph. Stellar caught the look, and a suspicion suddenly crossed her mind. But there was no proof. Would someone really go so far as to sabotage the entire team's work just to make her take the fall? Just as she was about to speak, a cool, clear voice rang out from a distance. "I can lend you my lab." Everyone looked up in surprise. Stephen strode over, his long legs covering the distance effortlessly, the crisp, refreshing scent he carried lingering in the air around her. She was momentarily stunned. He was indeed been involved in this project, but he had his own private lab, and all his data was independent from theirs. He had never mixed his work with their team. Besides, he was extremely territorial. Normally, he wouldn’t allow outsiders to step into his space. Yet this time, he was actually offering to lend them his lab? No matter what, this was an unexpected turn of events. "Really, Senior?" Stellar pressed her
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 82
Stephen shut his eyes tightly, but he couldn’t erase the lingering image from his mind. He exhaled deeply, lowering his gaze as he tried to collect himself. It took him a while before he finally reopened the door. When Stellar stepped out in her lab coat, she was surprised to see him still standing there. Their eyes met for a brief moment before he hesitated, then spoke up. “I didn’t know you were inside. I wasn’t trying to intrude… I’m really sorry.” For the first time, his apology was sincere, his gaze avoiding hers as if he were trying to escape something. Stellar had felt a little embarrassed at first, but the feeling faded quickly. It wasn’t as if losing a little modesty would cost her anything. Besides, she was wearing a camisole underneath. She wasn’t the type to make a big deal out of something like this or expect responsibility over a fleeting moment. Still, his reaction was far stronger than she had expected. Was he… embarrassed? She shook off the thoug
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 83
"I'm just excited Think about it—you almost let your talent go to waste! Luckily, you came to your senses. “Don't worry, I’ll personally help you apply for a patent on this research. The world needs to know that this achievement belongs to you." Though the project was a team effort, Stellar was undoubtedly the driving force behind it. She had led the entire process from start to finish. Victor’s enthusiasm was unmistakable—he truly cherished and valued talent. Stellar felt a wave of emotion swell in her chest. "Thank you, Professor. This time, I won’t let you down." This newly developed material was exactly what she promised for Shane’s project enhancement. With the results in hand, the contract negotiations should be finalized soon. …Early the next morning, Stellar called Shane and arranged to meet at the Brighton Group’s office. During the meeting, she provided him with a portion of the material. Though the patent application was still in progress, the feasibility
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 84
Stellar paused for a moment, sensing an unusual warmth in Shane’s demeanor. A strange feeling crept up on her—it almost felt like… a date. But she quickly brushed the thought aside, telling herself she was overthinking it. Lowering her gaze to the menu, she raised a brow in mild surprise. "The dish names are definitely unique. I’ll go with ‘Veiled Blossoms in Mist,’ ‘Crisp Emerald Leaves,’ and this one—‘White Truffle Delight.’ That should be good. You can pick the rest." She passed him the menu. Shane glanced at it briefly before adding, "I’ll include one more—‘A Worthy Pursuit.’ The name has quite the meaning behind it, don’t you think?" As he spoke, his gaze lingered on her, his deep-set eyes carrying a touch of intrigue. Stellar’s mind immediately recalled an old line of poetry: “A true gentleman seeks a worthy match, drawn to beauty and grace.”Her chest tightened slightly. Was she reading too much into this again? "It sounds… fine," she said vaguely, not wanting
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 85
It was the first real setback she had ever encountered in her life. Stellar was still courteous enough to spare his pride. "This dish is actually pretty good, Mr. Howe. You should try it too." Although the price was steep, the taste was undeniably fresher and more flavorful than other restaurants. Shane assumed she was just being nice, but after taking a couple of bites, he had to admit it was indeed delicious. His emotions were a rollercoaster—soaring one moment and sinking the next.Determined to regain his footing, he shifted the conversation back. "We were just talking about relationships. Miss Rivers, do you have anyone special in your life right now?" Stellar’s hand paused for a moment. She knew she wouldn't be able to avoid this. From all the subtle gestures and careful probing earlier, she had already guessed that Shane was interested in her. He wasn’t just treating her as a friend—he wanted something more. She decided to be straightforward. "No, I don't." Sha
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 86
He looked at the young woman in front of him, the admiration in his eyes deepening."Hmm, I have no doubt in your abilities, Miss Rivers. But there’s no need to be so formal—just call me by my name.""Alright, then you can call me Stellar. I’ll be heading off now."She waved at him and quickly walked away.Shane watched her retreating figure, unable to tear his gaze away for a long moment.A storm of emotions swirled inside him, an unshakable frustration lingering in his chest.Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and called Stephen."Hey, got time tonight? Even if you don’t, make some. Considering I just landed you a major deal, the least you can do is come have a drink with me."There was a rare hint of dejection in his tone.Stephen paused, setting his pen down before teasing, "What’s this? Did you just get your heart broken?"The other end of the line fell into an awkward silence.A few seconds later, Shane huffed, clearly annoyed."Are you coming or not?"Now, Stephen was g
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 87
"I've already said—I won’t accept an arranged marriage. I’ll put an end to it." Stephen's tone turned colder, and for a brief moment, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. It was obvious that he had nothing but disdain for the idea of a forced engagement. Sensing his displeasure, Shane quickly backed off from the subject and changed the topic. "Alright, let’s not talk about your love life. Help me out instead. I don’t want to give up on her just yet. What do you think I should do?" For once, his expression was completely serious. Stephen could tell he wasn’t joking around this time. Dropping his usual sarcasm, he responded in a calm, matter-of-fact tone. "Gift her something. Women love grand romantic gestures. If you want a real chance, you need to be prepared." Shane nodded in agreement, not the least bit bothered by the fact that he was taking relationship advice from a man who had never been in one himself. In fact, he thought Stephen made a lot of sense. "Wait—" A
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 88
"No need to trouble yourself. I can take the elevator on my own." Stellar almost felt like all of this was a bit too over-the-top. She accepted the access card, and as soon as she stepped toward the elevator, the doors slid open for her. Stepping inside, she let her thoughts wander. What kind of person was Brighton Group’s CEO? Was he tall? Short? Given that he had built an empire in just a few years and gathered some of the best talents under his wing, she figured he was probably a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. At that age, he was likely past his prime—maybe even overweight, sporting a beer belly and thinning hair. No matter what, she had to remain respectful and professional. First impressions were everything. As she mentally prepared herself, the elevator doors quietly closed. Meanwhile, on the top floor— Shane tugged at his bow tie, his legs bouncing with restless energy as he sat on the edge of his seat. "Stephen, are you sure this plan is going t
Latest chapter
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
