로그인공유
Chapter 97
관련 챕터
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 98
But after the initial shock, jealousy hit her like a wave.Why?Why did Stellar, a woman she saw as nothing more than discarded leftovers, always have powerful men standing by her side?What did she have that Yvonne didn’t?Her gaze instinctively shifted to Percy.No matter how she measured it—looks, intelligence, presence—Percy was leagues below the man standing in front of them now.Even fate seemed to favor Stellar.Percy, meanwhile, stood frozen in disbelief.He had never imagined that this man before him was Brighton Group’s CEO, the industry’s most sought-after visionary.However, Stephen paid them no mind. Instead, he arched a brow, his voice carrying an effortless, almost lazy confidence."If Stellar were really trying to latch onto someone, she wouldn’t need to look elsewhere—I’m right here. She doesn’t even spare me a glance, so why would she be interested in him?"His remark left Yvonne, Percy, and Stellar speechless.The murmurs in the crowd only grew."He’s got a point. W
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 99
"Our company intends to use this land to build a luxury resort. It will attract international travelers and serve as a hub for cultural exchange, creating a bridge between domestic and global tourism…"Mark listened carefully, nodding subtly in approval.It was a solid proposal.Then, it was Brighton Group’s turn.Stephen glanced at Stellar, silently signaling for her to take the lead.She raised a brow, momentarily surprised by his level of trust.But since he was giving her the stage, she wasn’t going to shy away from it."Our plan is to develop this land for the advancement of aerospace technology. It will serve as a research and development facility, contributing to the nation’s space exploration efforts and scientific innovation."Mark sat back, absorbing her words.Her explanation was articulate and her vision was ambitious.There was something remarkable about a young woman with a mind set on shaping the futureAt that moment, she wasn’t just presenting a project; she was illumi
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 100
Stellar could hear the malice dripping from the reporter’s words.She took a deep breath.This incident hadn’t been a secret back then.But after all these years, for someone to bring it up now—so deliberately, so calculated—it was obvious this wasn’t just a casual question.Someone planned this.But they seemed to have forgotten one thing—she was no longer the same Stellar Rivers from back then.Her therapist had told her once that running from the past would never free her from it. The only way to take back control was to face it head-on.She refused to let this moment break her.She had rebuilt her life from the ground up.She was not that helpless girl anymore.And yet, the weight of the stares and the judgment seeping into the air had pulled her straight back into the nightmares of her past.She tried to speak, tried to force out a response.But no sound came.The memories clawed at her, her stomach twisting violently, her body betraying her despite every ounce of resolve she had.
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 101
The two reporters who just spoken were startled when the situation suddenly turned against them. They exchanged glances and attempted to slip away in the chaos.However, with just a single look from Stephen, the security guards swiftly restrained them.His voice was cold as he said, "As journalists, you have no professionalism and are unqualified for this job."Leaving those words behind, he turned and walked away, leaving his assistant to handle the matter.When he came out, he saw Stellar standing by the door.Her slender figure exuded a quiet resilience that unexpectedly tugged at his heartstrings.He quickly approached her. "Let's go home."Seeing that it was him, Stellar let out a small breath of relief and nodded.The ride back was silent. Stephen, being considerate, didn’t say much either.Even though she gathered the courage to face her past shadows, the whole situation had still left Stellar unsettled.After getting out of the car, she absentmindedly bid Stephen goodbye.Bac
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 102
Before she even realized it, her mood had lightened, and the tension in her features had melted away."Senior, thank you for teaching me all this."Before she even realized it, her mood had lightened, and the tension in her features had melted away.A radiant smile spread across her face—so bright that in Stephen’s eyes, it outshone the stars above."There’s no need to keep thanking me. Friends don’t count favors," he said naturally. "Besides, you helped me land that project—think of this as returning the favor."His words warmed her heart.The term friends had a nice ring to it."That’s true. In that case, I won’t hold back in the future.”Glancing at her phone, she added, "It’s getting late. I should head back."Stephen walked her to the door. Just as she was about to leave, he suddenly spoke."I’ll look into it. I’ll find the evidence."Stellar paused, momentarily caught off guard, before realizing he was talking about the human traffickers.She told him someone had set her up, th
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 103
Stellar had no idea what Lilian was about to say. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides.Then, in the next second, Lilian threw her arms around her."Stellar, you’ve been through so much… it must have been so hard for you.""I saw the news yesterday. I think you're incredibly brave. Escaping from human traffickers is not something just anyone can do."Stellar froze, momentarily caught off guard.Was Lilian worried about her?A strange warmth welled up in her chest, and her eyes stung for a moment."I'm fine… it’s all in the past now."Lilian straightened, studying her face carefully. Only after confirming she wasn’t just putting on a strong front did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.She read enough horror stories about women being trafficked to remote towns—places so isolated that even climbing a mountain would take hours.To escape from something like that, it took more than just intelligence and quick thinking. It required resilience, an unshakable will to survive.Even Na
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 104
She also had the evidence she had gathered back at Moore Enterprises—proof of all the shady tactics Percy had used over the years.This gift was going to be spectacular.After getting everything ready, she was about to leave but hesitated. The Harlow and Moore families wouldn’t take kindly to being backed into a corner. Maybe she should call her uncle and bring a few extra bodyguards, just in case?Before she could make a decision, the doorbell rang.Stellar frowned. Who would be here this early?She walked over and opened the door."Well, well!"The woman at the door casually pushed down her sunglasses, revealing a pair of striking, mischievous eyes."Good morning, sweetheart.""Suzy?" Stellar was taken aback."What are you doing here?"Suzy arched a brow, looking completely justified in her presence."I saw the news about the Harlow-Moore engagement party. It’s been all over the media for the past two weeks. “You’d think they were announcing a royal wedding with the way they’re ma
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 105
Stellar was momentarily surprised to see Stephen, but she quickly recovered, greeting him with a bright smile."What a coincidence, Senior! You got an invitation too?""Mm. Percy invited Brighton Group."Stephen offered a simple explanation.Stellar nodded in understanding.As the CEO of Brighton Group, it made sense that he’d be invited.However, what she didn’t know was that the invitation had originally been sent to Shane. After all, Brighton’s elusive CEO rarely made public appearances, so no one had expected him to attend.Stephen personally took the invitation because…"Ahem—"Suzy arched a brow at the scene unfolding before her, then spoke up at just the right moment."I’m heading over to the dining area for some food. You two take your time chatting."And with that, she slipped away.Stellar saw right through her little ploy but could only shake her head helplessly. With no other choice, she turned back to Stephen."So, Senior, how’s the development going for the land you acq
최신 챕터
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
