Semua Bab As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart: Bab 461 - Bab 470

Everyone instinctively turned their heads as Lucien stepped up beside Stellar. Smiling faintly at Joy, he said, "After such a significant contribution, you're already planning to cast her aside? Miss Shaw, are you trying to make our entire research institute the laughingstock of the industry?"Joy’s expression froze.The man before her stood tall, and with those deep blue eyes, he gave off an intimidating presence. Though he was smiling, it carried an unsettling chill that instantly weakened her aura.Before she could figure out a response, Stellar let out a cold laugh. "This isn’t the first time Miss Shaw’s tried to stab someone in the back the moment they were no longer useful."That snapped Joy out of her daze. She snapped back in anger, "Just because she made a contribution doesn’t mean her mistakes can be overlooked! If we let her and her team off that easily, what about everyone else’s hard work?"As soon as those words left her mouth, the other researchers around them visibly

Stellar’s face darkened. “Who would stoop to something that…”She suddenly paused mid-sentence. A thought struck her like lightning.Of course. That was it—someone had tampered with the equipment, not the data.Her expression shifted in an instant, the realization lighting up her eyes.Evan caught the change and a sharp glint flickered across his own gaze....Three days passed in a flash.On the fourth day, shortly after Stellar and her teammates arrived at the institute, Joy once again blocked their path."Three days are up, and not a word from you. Don’t tell me you were hoping to bluff your way out of this?"Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction, her tone smug. “Unfortunately for you, I won’t give you that chance. Pack your things. You're done here.”People from across the institute gathered to watch the confrontation unfold.But facing Joy’s aggression, Stellar and her team remained calm and composed.“Sorry to disappoint you, Miss Shaw,” Stellar replied lightly. “The issue’s been f

After Joy fled, Dean turned to Stellar with a deeply apologetic expression. “I’m so sorry, Miss Rivers. What happened was entirely my granddaughter’s doing. I owe you an apology and my thanks. You saved the entire project.”Stellar couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy. For a man with such a long-standing reputation, having someone like Joy as a blemish on that legacy was a cruel twist.“I only did what needed to be done,” she said calmly.She didn’t make things hard for the old man. As far as she was concerned, the matter was settled.“Thank goodness!” Lilian chirped. “To celebrate our clean slate, dinner’s on me tonight!”She was in particularly high spirits after everything had been resolved. “And Stellar, make sure you invite your senior. He was the real MVP of this whole thing.”“Alright.” Stellar sent a message to Stephen.But this time, the reply wasn’t what she expected.“Sorry, I’ve got a dinner meeting with a project partner tonight. Can’t reschedule. You all go ahead

Dawn stiffened in fear, goosebumps prickling across her skin.She never imagined Percy could make a comeback like this, standing tall at the peak of his career again. Regret and frustration gnawed at her. The money she’d wrung out of him before was already squandered, and under her mother’s pressure, she had no choice but to shamelessly cling to him again."Percy, I didn’t have a choice. It was my mom and my brother—they forced me. You know what it was like for me growing up. “I was used and drained by them. If I didn’t listen, I wouldn’t have survived. I never really wanted to hurt you."Tears welled in her eyes as she tried to look pitiful, hoping to soften him."Is that so?"Percy’s smile was icy as it tugged at the corner of his lips. "Well then, let me help you."Hope flared wildly in her chest. She thought he still had lingering feelings for her, that maybe he was ready to take her back."Really?""Of course." Percy tapped a few times on his phone, his expression darkly amuse

The call was from the Institute."I understand," Stellar said simply before hanging up. She turned to Percy, her tone polite but distant. "There’s been an issue with my project. I’ve been asked to return and work overtime. Could you give me a ride back?"Percy’s heart sank, but all he could do was nod and drive her back to the Institute.Just as she opened the door to get out, he lingered, eyes fixed on her, clearly struggling with something he wanted to say."Percy."She turned back, her eyes sharp, voice firm."We’ve both moved on. I’d appreciate it if you could let the past go and stop showing up like this. Whatever was between us—it’s over."She didn’t wait for his reaction. Without so much as a backward glance, she walked straight into the building.Percy stood frozen in place, as if struck by something sharp and unforgiving. His chest tightened, breath caught in his throat, pain spreading like a slow bleed.Closing his eyes for a long moment, he finally forced them open again