Semua Bab As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart: Bab 551 - Bab 560

“Stellar, do you think this failure means they’ll stop working with our base altogether?” Lilian asked, her expression clouded with worry.Stellar thought for a moment, then something clicked in her mind like a sudden bolt of clarity.“I might have a solution!”The crisp voice rang out clearly in the tense room, instantly drawing every pair of eyes to her.“Who’s that?”Though plenty of people at the base knew her name, the place was massive—easily housing over a thousand staff. Some of the senior engineers, especially those who didn’t follow external news, didn’t recognize her at all.“That’s Stellar Rivers, one of the most well-known engineers of our generation. She’s been published in international journals and has led several groundbreaking research projects. I heard she even opened her own lab.”“She’s ambitious, I’ll give her that,” someone muttered. “But satellites aren’t her area of expertise. What could she possibly contribute here? This better not be another publicity stunt

The rich blend of spices and numbing heat spread across her tongue.“This is amazing!”Stellar closed her eyes in bliss, completely unaware that a smudge of sauce had clung to the corner of her lips.Stephen noticed. Without a word, he reached out, his rough fingertip gently brushing the spot clean.The intimate gesture made her freeze for a beat, a flush creeping up her cheeks.But Stephen acted like it was nothing. He casually wiped his fingers with a tissue, then nodded toward the next stall to shift the moment. “Want to get some ice cream?”“Y-yeah, sure!” she agreed quickly, playing along.They each picked a different flavor and wandered deeper into the night market, walking side by side like any ordinary couple, wrapped in a simple, quiet sweetness that belonged only to them.Just as the mood was at its warmest…“Watch out!”A loud, jarring rev of a motorcycle engine roared from behind.Stellar’s instincts screamed at her, and the moment she turned, she saw an oncoming motorbike

The girl looked at them with genuine gratitude. “Thank you both for helping me. I’m Winnie Warren. I owe you a huge debt, and I promise I’ll find a way to repay it.”“No need to be so formal,” Stellar said with a casual wave. “We’re all from Capital City. It’s only right we help each other out.”“I can’t accept that,” Winnie insisted, her tone firm and sincere. “I was raised to repay kindness, or I’d have no conscience. If it’s alright, would you mind sharing your contact info with me?”Perhaps it was the seriousness in her expression—or how earnestly she asked—but Stellar eventually gave in and exchanged contact details with her.“By the way, are you studying abroad here, or just visiting?” Stellar asked politely.“I’m not a student. I’m actually here on behalf of my company to attend an international exhibition…”Winnie shared a bit more about herself, completely at ease. “I’m currently staying at the Hilton Hotel.”Stellar blinked in surprise. “What a coincidence. We’re here for th

It made her feel like some kind of shameless flirt.Feeling irritated, she shot back, “I don’t need any.”Stephen didn’t seem to mind. With casual grace, he brought the glass to his lips and tilted his head back, draining it in one smooth motion.A trickle of deep red wine slid from the corner of his mouth, down his collarbone, and disappeared into his chest.The air thickened with the scent of wine and something darker—intoxicating. It was enough to make her head spin, like all rational thought had been poured out with the wine.Stellar shot up from the sofa. “Well, the issue’s resolved, so I’ll head back and rest! Good night!”She couldn’t stay a second longer because she was afraid she’d completely lose control.She rushed out the door, closed it behind her, and practically fled back to her own room. She turned off the lights and went straight into bed. She shut her eyes and forced herself to sleep.But no matter how many times she turned over, her mind kept replaying Stephen—ev

The distant roar of jets from the outdoor flight demonstration echoed through the exhibition hall, blending with the sharp scent of metal and the sleek atmosphere of high technology.“Whoa, look over there…” Winnie pointed excitedly toward the Norton city pavilion just ahead. A crowd had gathered around, listening intently as one of the engineers gave a passionate explanation. Media crews swarmed the area, cameras rolling, flashes going off nonstop.“This is seriously impressive,” she said, her eyes full of envy.Stellar let out a soft laugh. “Well, it is their home turf, after all.”The mood remained relaxed as the trio continued to take in the sights of the exhibition.Until the peace was shattered by a cutting voice laced with mockery.“Guess what I just saw? Can you believe there are people from Capital City who actually think they belong at a show of this level? "Where do they even get the nerve? I doubt they could put together a basic passenger jet, let alone an advanced fight