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Chapter 128
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 129
"She’s drunk." Stephen handed Stellar over to Mary without another word and turned to leave. Mary finally understood that Stephan had brought Stellar home out of kindness. She quickly called after him, gratitude in her voice. "Thank you, Mr. Ward." Stephen walked back to his own villa, but an unshakable frustration lingered in his chest, like a weight pressing down on him. He stepped onto the terrace, letting the cold night air wash over him, yet it did nothing to settle his mood. Feeling Irritated, he pulled out his phone and dialed Shane’s number. The call connected quickly. "Hey," Stephen’s voice was low. "Got time? Come have a drink with me." A beat of silence, then Shane’s exasperated voice came through. "Seriously, man? Have you already forgotten? I’m still in Ashfield recovering! How am I supposed to drink with you—through a screen?" Stephen said nothing. Shane, sensing something was off, narrowed his eyes. "Wait a second… Why do you sound so down? Don
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 130
Lilian, ever the optimist, hadn’t connected the dots yet.But Stellar’s stomach sank.Her brows furrowed instinctively.A name immediately came to mind.Still, she hoped she was wrong.That hope lasted until she stepped out of the research institute in the afternoon, only to spot Percy standing not far away.Opposite him was a nervous-looking freshman, clutching her hands together as she worked up the courage to speak."Percy… I’ve admired you for so long. You’re the reason I chose this university. I really like you. Can you give me a chance?"But Percy looked utterly impatient."Enough. I don’t even know you. What do you really like? The fact that I have money?" His voice was sharp and dismissive. "Let me tell you something—I already have someone I like. It’s Stellar Rivers. She’s a genius. Do you think you can compare to her? Get lost."The girl’s face crumpled, her eyes welling with tears.And then, she spotted Stellar stepping out of the building.Her expression twisted into one o
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 131
At that moment, Percy could no longer bear to stay.Burning with humiliation and rage, he spun on his heel and stormed off.He ran straight out of the campus, clutching the velvet ring box in his hand.Staring at the gleaming diamond inside, he felt a bitter contrast—the confidence and excitement he’d felt when he first brought it now seemed like a cruel joke.Stellar really didn’t hold back. She hadn’t spared him even a shred of dignity.Fury surged through him. With a sharp motion, he tossed the ring into a nearby trash can.Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he kicked the bin over, sending its contents spilling onto the ground before storming off.But halfway down the road, resentment gnawed at him.Frustration and regret gnawed at him, a lingering sense of unfinished business hanging over him.With a scowl, he turned on his heel and walked back.Just as he reached the school gates, his eyes landed on a young girl bending down to pick up his ring.Her side profile was sharp and delic
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 132
Percy finally learned that her name was Dawn Jones. It was a nice name, but her family was incredibly poor. She had picked up the ring to sell it for money to cover living expenses. That was something different from all the women he met before. Percy could see traces of Stellar’s past self in her. But unlike Stellar, who was resilient and unwavering, always giving selflessly to him without greed and never complaining about hard work, the other women who approached him were like Yvonne—vain and materialistic, always asking for designer bags or jewelry. However, Dawn was different. She openly admitted her poverty without shame. After all, she had no control over the circumstances of her birth. Her straightforward and genuine nature made Percy see her in a different light. When the car arrived outside the club, Percy and Dawn walked in together. "Mr. Moore, since you're here for drinks, remember to request me later. That way, your order will be counted under my service,
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 133
“What is it?” Stephen turned to look at her, but before she could answer, he added, “I have work to do. If it’s not important, let’s talk later.” He cut her off again.She swallowed back her frustration. “It’s nothing.” For the rest of the day, they crossed paths in the lab multiple times, but there was no real chance to talk. A vague restlessness lingered in Stellar’s mind. By the time classes ended, Stephen had already left early. Lilian and the others invited her to dinner, but she turned them down. Her mood was complicated as she returned to the villa only to run into Stephen again. This time, she didn’t hesitate. Stepping forward, she handed him a neatly wrapped gift box. “Senior, thanks for taking me home last night. I know you said I don’t have to keep thanking you, but you’ve helped me so many times. “This is just a small gift I made to show my appreciation. I won’t bother you anymore unless it’s something important.” Stellar had never been the kind of per
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 134
“It was a gift from a relative,” Stephen answered casually. Stellar thought it was quite the coincidence that both their families had ended up hiring the same design firm. Following him into the kitchen, she opened the fridge only to find it practically empty. It was obvious he rarely, if ever, cooked.Stephen looked a little awkward, as if considering calling the whole thing off. But Stellar didn’t see it as a problem. “No worries, I’ll grab some ingredients from home. Just wait here.” Before he could object, she was already heading out. When she told Mary she was cooking for Stephen, the older woman gave her a knowing look that made her feel inexplicably self-conscious. Afraid she might say something embarrassing, Stellar grabbed the ingredients and hurried back. Even though Stephen didn’t know how to cook, he didn’t just stand around. While she busied herself in the kitchen, he helped however he could—washing vegetables and chopping ingredients. His fingers, da
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 135
It was the sound of a racing heartbeat, loud and urgent, as if demanding to be heard. Stellar’s cheeks burned as she quickly pulled away from his arms. “S-Sorry…” Stephen’s hand was still resting on her waist. Only when she had steadied herself did he slowly let go. “It’s fine. Let’s go.” His expression remained unreadable, as if the moment hadn’t affected him in the slightest. Stellar didn’t dare look at him. Flustered, she hurried ahead and completely missed the way the tips of his ears had turned red, the contrast against his black stud earring making it all the more obvious. By the time she reached her house, she barely managed a quick goodbye before darting inside. Mary was already waiting by the door with an umbrella, ready to go out and fetch her. Seeing Stellar rush in, she quickly stepped forward. "Miss, did you get caught in the rain? Here, dry off properly."She handed her a clean towel, then suddenly frowned in concern. “Wait a minute, why is your face
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 136
Percy was just about to say something to salvage the situation when Dawn spoke first, her tone casual. “Last night was just a drunken mistake. We’re both adults. I’m not that old-fashioned. Don’t worry, I won’t cling to you.” Percy, who had been trying to figure out how to distance himself, was momentarily stunned. As Dawn sat up, his gaze landed on the crimson stain on the sheets. So last night… was her first time? Sensing his discomfort, Dawn spoke again, reassuringly. “Seriously, don’t overthink it. If anything, I should be thanking you for letting me crash here. “Otherwise, with the dorms locked, and me too stingy to book a hotel, I’d have ended up spending the night at a fast-food place.” She was completely unfazed, showing no trace of embarrassment. Something about her straightforwardness stirred something in Percy. Even if she insisted it didn’t matter, the fact remained—he had taken something from her. With that thought, he grabbed his wallet from the night
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 398
Stellar found the whole thing baffling. She didn’t even know why the other party hated her so much.Still, after this incident, she realized she'd been far too nice to Joy.After retrieving the blueprint, she knocked on the team leader’s office door.Lucien wasn’t surprised to see her and even invited her to sit.But Stellar stood straight and got straight to the point. "Mr. Song, I want to report Joy."She stole my blueprint and, along with Christopher Sung, forcibly occupied Lab 1. They refused to let me in to use the equipment, which seriously disrupted my research. I hope you'll look into this."Lucien raised an eyebrow as he listened. The light in his blue eyes flickered, and he spoke lazily, "Oh? And why would you think I’d offend Mr. Shaw’s granddaughter and his favorite student just for you?""Because to me, this is a place for research. Everyone came here with a dream, hoping to contribute to the country. Who someone is doesn’t matter."Stellar's tone was calm and firm. "If y
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 397
Joy was quietly reveling in her triumph.With the tide so clearly turned in her favor, Stellar’s team was seething with frustration.But Stellar simply let out a soft laugh, then spoke with calm poise. "I may not have signed my name on the blueprint, but unfortunately for you, Miss Joy, while I was drawing it, my fountain pen accidentally left a blot of ink on the back."She flipped the original blueprint over. Sure enough, there was a dark ink stain on the back.A flicker of panic flashed across Joy’s face, but she quickly recovered and snapped, "That blot came from my pen. You probably saw it earlier and decided to claim it as yours."That seemed plausible enough, and the crowd began to murmur in agreement.But Stellar let out a sharp chuckle. "Ah, I forgot to mention that this isn’t just any ink. The one I used has a distinct scent of lavender. You’re welcome to smell it yourselves."A few people stepped closer out of curiosity, leaned in, and took a sniff."It really does smell
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 396
Did she have no idea just how powerful his background was?Or maybe she knew and still didn’t care.The thought only piqued Evan’s interest. He leaned in, smirking, and kept pushing. "And what makes you so sure I took your blueprint? Got any proof?"Stellar’s expression darkened.Just then, Joy walked over, arms full of documents. "Stellar, can you stop making a scene? You couldn’t come up with a proper design, so now you're blaming others? Aren’t you embarrassed?"Having been outshone by Stellar time and again, Joy had been quietly stewing in resentment. Now that the tables seemed to turn, she seized the chance to mock her, eager to see her humiliated in front of everyone.Sure enough, the commotion drew a small crowd from the institute, curious to watch the drama unfold.But those sneering and skeptical glances didn’t faze Stellar one bit.She turned to Joy with a cold stare.Then something on the back of the blueprint Joy was holding caught her eye. Her gaze sharpened instantl
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 395
The very next second…“Pfft…”Someone couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.A ripple of muffled chuckles spread through the room.Stellar froze, bewildered, and turned to look at the projector screen, only to see an enormous turtle displayed across it.She stood there, stunned."Miss Rivers, if you're having trouble with the design, no one’s going to mock you," Joy seized the moment to attack. "But what’s with the turtle? Are you trying to be funny, or do you just not take the project seriously?"Stellar quickly snapped out of it and responded, "This isn’t my drawing."Joy arched a brow, sarcasm dripping from her tone. "Oh? Then what? Did I draw it?""Yeah, Miss Rivers, are we supposed to believe you’re playing some elaborate prank on all of us?""Is this what genius arrogance looks like?"Just when people had finally begun warming up to her, it all crumbled in an instant. Voices chimed in one after another, mocking and skeptical.Stellar’s expression darkened. She knew someone
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 394
She denied it three times, but Stellar still looked suspicious. That man's voice on the phone sounded oddly familiar.But seeing she clearly didn’t want to talk about it, Stellar didn’t pry. She wasn’t the type to dig into other people’s business. "Alright then, I won’t ask about yours, so you better not ask about mine."Lilian quickly nodded. A mutual understanding was reached.That afternoon, they resumed work on the new project, which involved the latest aerospace technology design and development.After two solid hours of work, Stellar finally took a short break and headed to the break room with the team for some water.They had just stepped out when a figure entered from outside.Evan walked in, his expression dark, clearly in a foul mood.These days, he’d finally managed to be in the same research institute as Joy. He’d gone out of his way to shower her with kindness, offering her everything he thought was good. But she didn’t appreciate it at all.In fact, she told him to
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 393
There was still no reply from the other side, so Stellar set her phone aside and headed to the bathroom to wash up. When she came back, she watched a movie for a while.Only then did she pick up her phone again and unlock the screen.But there was still no reply from Stephen.A faint sense of disappointment crept in. She turned off the light, lay down, and placed her phone on the nightstand, ready to sleep.Just then, the screen lit up.A flicker of joy surged in her chest. She quickly grabbed the phone and tapped to check it, only to find it was a spam advertisement.Stellar’s forehead twitched. She nearly swore out loud. "They keep sending me this junk. I'm filing a complaint tomorrow!"The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. But just then, another message popped up.“I just finished work. Still up?”“I just got back my phone. Sorry, I’ll keep it on me next time.”“Did you eat, rest, and take care of yourself properly?”Stephen’s message came like rain in a drought.I
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 392
It took Stellar a moment before she finally spoke, disbelief lacing her voice. “Wait, doesn’t that mean she basically admitted to covering up crimes? Isn’t that illegal too?”“Exactly, but I guess she’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. She kept insisting it was all Tori’s doing—that she and her son were innocent.”Suzy let out a snort. “I’ve never seen anyone exposing their own son’s crimes on camera and dragging themselves down with him. “No wonder Eddie turned out the way he did. With a mom like that cheering him on, it’s no surprise he grew up thinking he could do whatever he wanted. “The apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree.”Stellar felt a wave of complicated emotion. The woman she remembered to be gentle, kind, and full of warmth suddenly appeared like a total stranger.Had it all been an act?She let out a soft sigh.Suzy must have picked up on her silence, because her voice turned more soothing. “Stellar, don’t let this weigh on you. That mother and son duo were hid
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 391
“I just came back to grab a file,” Claude said, his tone laced with suspicion. “I thought I heard you talking to someone just now?”“Nope!” Stellar answered quickly, not daring to admit the truth.Claude studied her for a moment, then his expression eased. “Stellar, I’m not against you dating, Just remember, men are mostly just entertainment. Don't get too serious. If it starts going south, cut your losses and move on. The Rivers family will always have your back.”Stellar twitched at the corner of her mouth and thought, “Uncle Claude, are you seriously telling me to be a heartbreaker?”“That doesn’t sound like a good idea,” she said hesitantly.“Why not? Your happiness is what matters most. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, kick them to the curb. Simple as that. “Of course, we’ll also keep an eye on things and make sure no one messes with you.”There was a sharp glint of calculation in Claude’s eyes.Stellar could only offer a wry smile.She hadn’t even started dating yet, and even
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Stephen let out a quiet sigh and turned, ready to leave.“Do you like Stellar?” A sweet voice chimed in beside him.Xavier turned in surprise, puzzled as he looked at the young woman. “You are…?”“I’m Stellar’s friend, Lilian Yates.”She was supposed to be in the gallery that day, but a last-minute delay with her project caused her to arrive just in time to catch the end of the scene.And what she saw in Xavier’s eyes that were filled with admiration, reluctance, and a trace of sorrow, she knew Xavier had feelings for Stellar.“I…” Xavier was caught off guard, unsure how to respond.Lilian cut him off with a grin. “You’re the legendary attorney she always talks about, right? Perfect. I was wondering if I can ask you for a favor?”“What kind of favor?” he asked, instinctively curious.She leaned in and whispered something in his ear, her voice barely audible. When she pulled back, she added softly, “But you have to promise to keep it between us.”Xavier paused, considered it, then nod
