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Chapter 89
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 90
She wasn’t exactly a stranger to praise. But hearing Stephen, now speaking as Brighton Group’s CEO, praise her work as a business partner left Stellar feeling unexpectedly self-conscious."Well, I should be thanking you, Senior. If you hadn’t let me use your lab, I wouldn’t have been able to complete the upgrades so smoothly. I’d say this was a win-win for both of us." She looked up at him, eyes bright with sincerity. "It’s an honor to work with you." A faint smile brushed Stephen’s lips. Shane, watching from the sidelines, caught it all too clearly. And in that instant, whatever hope he had been clinging to was completely crushed. He had never seen Stephen look at a woman like that before. At this point, he was almost certain that Stellar was the junior Stephen mentioned.A sharp pang of realization hit him, draining the color from his face. Had he just fallen for… his best friend’s woman? His entire expression collapsed. But the two of them remained oblivious, dee
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 91
On the drive back, Stellar gazed out the window, her mind drifting over the night's events while the driver navigated the road in silence.The whole situation felt almost too coincidental—like fate had orchestrated it all a little too perfectly.Brighton Group’s mysterious CEO turned out to be Stephen, her senior from university, and now, he was her business partner."I didn’t expect you to be the one behind Riverside Corporation," Stephen suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. "Do you know its background?"His question pulled Stellar from her thoughts. Feeling a little lightheaded, maybe from the wine, her voice carried a hint of languid ease. "Background?""Hmm."Stephen’s fingers tapped idly against his knee as he spoke, his tone calm and measured."From what I know, Riverside may seem like a small firm, but behind it stands the Harlow family from Southport. Do you know much about them?"A wave of shock rippled through Stellar’s heart.Claude had assured her they went to great leng
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 92
As if the endless demands weren’t frustrating enough, they were also draining his finances.The moment Percy so much as suggested a compromise, Yvonne would throw a tantrum, playing the spoiled heiress to perfection."If you can’t meet my expectations, I’ll tell my uncle and the others that you can’t even afford this. Let’s see how he deals with you then."Percy knew all too well how much the Harlow and Jonathan’s family doted on her. They would bend over backward to satisfy her every unreasonable demand, and somehow, he would still end up being the villain in the story.If word of this reached his father, he’d be in for a lecture, and if it caused any trouble for the engagement, it could even hurt the company.His past missteps had already cost Moore Enterprises several partnerships, leaving the business on shaky ground.At this point, he couldn’t afford any more turbulence.And Yvonne, of course, had figured that out. That was why she was pushing her limits, knowing full well he ha
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 93
"What’s that supposed to mean? Why are you talking like that?" Lilian frowned, clearly puzzled. "I’m just stating the facts. Is there a problem with that?" Vivian shrugged innocently, but her tone carried the same irritating smugness. Lilian couldn’t stand that attitude. Simon, ever the peacemaker, sighed and stepped in. "Alright, both of you, let’s just drop it and keep working." "We’ve been at this for hours. If it’s not working, maybe we should just cut our losses," Vivian said flatly, dousing any lingering hope."If this approach isn’t yielding results, we should consider switching to another—" Before she could finish, Stellar suddenly spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "Hold on. I’m about to get the answer." Vivian’s brows furrowed slightly. Then she let out a soft, condescending scoff. "We’ve all been working on this for hours with no solution, but now, suddenly, after sitting there mumbling to yourself, you think you can solve it?" "You—!" Lilian’s tempe
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Vivian’s palms were slick with nervous sweat, but she kept up her bravado, voice sharp despite the tremor beneath it."You have no right to accuse me! I didn’t tamper with the data. You're making baseless accusations!"Stellar arched a brow, her gaze sharp enough to cut through any pretense."Oh? So, you’d rather go public with this? Let me lay out the evidence for everyone to see?"Her voice was calm, almost amused, but the weight behind it was undeniable."You really think I’d confront you without proof? You really think your plan was flawless?"Or do you honestly believe someone like Alex Porter wouldn’t throw you under the bus the second things got tough?"Three pointed questions—each one hitting harder than the last.Vivian’s confidence crumbled as cold sweat trickled down her back.She had been so sure her plan was airtight, convinced she had covered her tracks.But Stellar had unraveled it all so effortlessly.And Alex? That idiot would sell her out in an instant if someone pres
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 95
Stellar flinched, startled, and quickly turned around, only to find Stephen standing beside her. She had no idea when he even got there. "Senior…" She blinked at him suspiciously. "You heard everything just now?" "Hmm. I happened to be in the restroom." Stephen’s tone was casual as if it were just a coincidence. Stellar’s eyes gleamed with a mischievous glint. "Well, I guess you saw through me." She let out a small chuckle. "I was bluffing to see how she’d react. Turns out, she folded instantly. If I actually had proof, I wouldn’t have let her off so easily." Someone who couldn’t focus on their research and instead schemed to sabotage others’ work wasn’t worth any sympathy. Just having her step down from the project while still keeping her spot as a graduate student was already giving her more mercy than she deserved. "Senior, do you think I was too harsh?" Her eyes shimmered with mischief, not at all apologetic. Instead of coming across as cunning, it made he
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 96
Percy instantly recognized the man standing beside Stellar—it was the same guy he had seen with her at the private dining restaurant that night.So, they did know each other.Was she here with him?That thought alone sent a deep sense of unease surging through him, an almost suffocating sense of urgency.His fists clenched tightly at his sides.Not long ago, she was always the one by his side, helping him secure project after project.But now?Now, she stood beside someone else, acting as if he were a stranger.They were once so close, yet at this moment, they had never felt farther apart.A desperate urge clawed at Percy, compelling him to reach for something—anything—before it slipped away completely.He stepped forward, about to say something to Stellar—But before he could, the host of the event, Mark Seaton, made his way toward the crowd.Percy swallowed back his impulse and forced himself to stay put."Welcome, esteemed guests. I know you’ve all gathered here for the same reason—
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 97
Stellar almost laughed.The sheer audacity.How could Percy possibly think he was better than Stephen?How shameless did he have to be to say something like that with a straight face?Just as she was about to respond, a sharp voice interrupted."Percy?"Percy turned, only to see Yvonne approaching.She was clutching a wine glass tightly, though her expression remained composed on the surface.Inside, she was seething.The heiress of the Seaton family, one of the owners of this very land, was part of her social circle. That was how she had gotten an invitation to tonight’s event.But the last thing she expected was to find Percy here—and worse, standing so close to Stellar, locked in a heated exchange.They appeared to be laughing and chatting.Had he deliberately turned down her invitation just so he could come here for Stellar?Had he lied about his business meeting?Fury burned through her veins, but she swallowed it down, composing herself as she made her way over."Percy?" she cal
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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
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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
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"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
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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
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"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
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"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
