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Chapter 173
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 174
Lilian’s wink practically screamed: “Gal, I’ve set everything up for you! Now go for it!”Stellar had no choice but to bite the bullet and sit beside Stephen.The space between them was small—just a slight shift, and their shoulders would touch.Stephen, as usual, remained composed. He quickly placed their order, and every dish he chose happened to be her favorites.It was impossible for Stellar not to notice.Luckily, as they waited for their food, the group naturally fell into conversation, and the relaxed atmosphere helped ease her discomfort.Meanwhile, at another table not far from them…“Ah—so spicy! But so good!”Dawn fanned her mouth dramatically, her face flushed from the heat, as she turned to the man across from her.“But, Mr. Moore, I have to admit, I never expected someone of your status to eat at a place like this. Turns out you’re more down-to-earth than I thought.”Percy watched her, amused by her unfiltered reactions, but as he did, a familiar face flashed through his
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 175
Percy’s temper flared instantly. “Who said I have to lower myself and chase after her over and over again?”As he spoke, his fingers unconsciously reached for the pendant resting against his chest—a smooth, polished stone disc.It was something Stellar once gave him, something she specially picked out for his protection. Back then, he carelessly tossed it into a forgotten corner of his villa, not giving it a second thought.But recently, for some reason, he took it out again and started wearing it.And now, as if he had finally found an excuse, he snatched it up and marched straight toward Stellar’s table.With a sharp thud, he slammed it down in front of her.The lively chatter around the table came to an abrupt halt. Everyone stopped eating, stunned by the unexpected intrusion, and turned their attention to him.However, Percy had eyes only for Stellar.“This is the pendant you specially got for me,” he said, his voice laced with accusation. “You went out of your way to have it bl
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 176
“!!!”The bystanders exchanged looks of admiration.Was this what they called the confidence of the one who held the real power?Even Keith twitched at the corners of his mouth.What a pretentious act. Seriously, did he think playing the bigger man makes him look impressive?He knew Stephen was just putting on a show, deliberately making himself seem refined and unbothered.And yet, despite knowing that, Stellar couldn’t help but find it amusing, and, in a way, unexpectedly moving.Meanwhile, Percy’s face had turned an alarming shade of red, on the verge of exploding.Either these two men had lost their minds, or the entire world had gone insane.Was Stellar really that irresistible? Enough to make two powerful men swallow their pride and step aside for her?The thought burned through him like acid.She was once devoted to him, belonged to him.Now, she was the one being fought over.The mix of regret and fury twisted deep in his gut.Before he could say another word, Stellar reached
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 177
Dawn smirked to herself but kept her expression warm. "Absolutely! A man as generous and thoughtful as you, Percy, is hard to come by. I can't help but envy Miss Rivers!" Percy’s lips curved into a slow smile. He genuinely thought Dawn was a remarkable woman. His impression of her improved significantly. He just couldn't understand—why couldn't Stellar be as understanding as Dawn? Turning to Dawn, he said, "Dawn, I'm really glad to have met you. To show my appreciation, how about I take you shopping and buy you a piece of jewelry?" Dawn chuckled and shook her head. "Oh, please, I have no interest in jewelry. It’s all just decoration—pretty but useless. You can’t eat it, can you? If you really want to thank me, just transfer me the money for dinner." She appeared cheerful and straightforward, completely unfazed by the idea of jewelry. Instead, she cared about something as simple as the cost of a meal—frank and adorable. Percy couldn’t help but admire her, feeling even m
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 178
"Alright, time to head back."Bother Stephen and Keith were speechless.An awkward silence stretched between them as Lilian and the others struggled to hold back their laughter, following Stellar outside.Initially, Stellar planned to leave with Lilian, but before she could, Lilian waved her off dramatically, raising her voice on purpose."Oh no, sorry, Stellar! I have something else to take care of, so I can’t go with you. Why don’t you let Stephen or Keith give you a ride home instead?"Stellar was speechless.Watching Lilian wink at her before walking away, Stellar instantly understood—this girl was just here for the drama, happily stirring the pot.The next second, her phone buzzed with a new message.She tapped the screen and saw a text from Lilian:“Go for it, heartthrob! Wishing you success in winning over both of them and expanding your royal court!”Followed by a grinning emoji that made it all the more infuriating.Stellar's mouth twitched as she snapped her phone shut."Uh…
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 179
"It’s probably because, as a kid, I was always fascinated by the sky. I wanted to fly like a bird. “Then, when I saw spacecraft landing in space, I was completely in awe—it was inspiring and moving. “I started imagining that one day, I could build something even better, something that could make history. “Of course, that sounds like a wild dream, but I believe having dreams is what makes us passionate and drives us to achieve them." As Stellar spoke about her field, her eyes sparkled with excitement, just like the girl Stephen had seen in that old photograph—bright, full of ambition, and completely devoted to her passion. "What about you? Why did you choose this major?" "I…" Stephen hesitated for a moment before answering in a low voice. "There was a time when I felt trapped, like I was suffocating in a cage. I wanted to escape, to see a bigger world. “I didn’t have many hobbies back then, but my family bought a lot of model planes. I kept assembling and disassembling th
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 180
Stellar jumped, caught off guard, as a sudden wave of guilt washed over her."Uncle Claude, don’t misunderstand. It was just a team dinner, and Stephen happened to be heading in the same direction, so he gave me a ride home," she quickly explained with a smile.Claude’s eyes narrowed. "Why did you need a ride from him? What happened to the Ferrari I gave you? Why aren’t you driving it?"Stellar felt a bit flustered. That flashy convertible was way too eye-catching—driving it around didn’t scream student; it screamed heiress on a joyride.Forcing an awkward laugh, she made up an excuse. "I just haven’t driven in a while, so I’m not used to it. I’ll take it out once I feel more comfortable."Claude wasn’t buying it. "That’s easy to fix. I’ll assign a driver to take you everywhere.""Uncle Claude…" Stellar clung to his sleeve, putting on her best pleading expression. "Please don’t do that. Just let me keep a low profile, okay?"The moment she pulled the sweet niece act, Claude sighed in
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 181
Stephen hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "Are you free tonight? A friend of mine is hosting a birthday party for his fiancée, and I need a partner to attend with me. I’d like to take you as my date." Stellar's breath hitched slightly. "Your… friend?" A birthday party for a friend’s fiancée, yet he specifically invited her—was there some kind of hidden meaning behind this? "He’s Gavin Lockwood. He has a good relationship with the Rivers family," Stephen explained. Understanding dawned on her. So that was it. This was just about strengthening ties between their families. Nothing more. For some reason, that realization left a strange sense of disappointment in her chest. But she quickly pushed it aside and smiled. "Alright, I’ll go with you. Just give me a moment to change into a dress." But Stephen had already anticipated this. He reached into the back seat of his car and pulled out several gift boxes. "I’ve already prepared everything—gowns, jewelry
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 202
Five minutes later, Stellar arrived at the Howe Grand Hotel, where Suzy was already waiting at the entrance. Seeing her approach, Suzy grinned and hooked her arm through Stellar’s. “You’re finally here! You have to help me win that consecrated rosary bracelet today. It belonged to my all-time favorite triple-award-winning actress. “They say she was completely unknown before, but after wearing that bracelet, her career skyrocketed—she kept landing roles and winning awards non-stop. “I want to be just as successful as she was.” Stellar couldn't help but laugh. “I didn’t know you were this superstitious.” “You don’t get it. This isn’t superstition—it’s just how the entertainment industry works. “Some people struggle for over a decade without making a name for themselves, while others become overnight sensations after just one drama. “I’ve seen it happen so many times. Sometimes, you really have to believe in luck.” Suzy spoke with conviction, and Stellar had to admit there w
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 201
Ten minutes later, Stellar changed into her workout attire and stepped out. She had deliberately chosen a long-sleeved top today, covering her from neck to waist without revealing anything. Yet, it only accentuated her slender figure and graceful curves. Her hair was pulled into a simple ponytail with a headband, making her look light and energetic like a fresh-faced college freshman. Even Stephen couldn't take his eyes off her. Let alone the other men around, some of whom were already itching to approach her. That was until Stephen took two steps forward, casually positioning himself in front of her. His icy gaze swept over the crowd, sharp and piercing like an ice dagger. The chilling pressure surrounding him made people instinctively shrink back. Even so, a brave girl couldn't help but step forward. Gathering her courage, she asked, "Uh, hey, handsome, can we exchange numbers?" Stephen turned his gaze toward Stellar instead, his expression softening. Without hesit
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 200
Stellar tapped on her phone screen, typing and deleting, over and over. She had been staring at the chat window for ages, struggling to figure out how to start the conversation.Before she could make up her mind, a message popped up from Stephen.“What’s wrong?”She froze.A second message followed immediately.“You’ve been typing for a while. Were you trying to say something?”Her face heated up in embarrassment.She was caught red-handed.Well, since she’d already been exposed, she decided to get straight to the point.“Sorry, Senior. Please don’t take what Mary said to heart. She didn’t mean any harm.”After sending the message, she bit her lip, feeling a bit nervous. What if he was actually offended?But within seconds, his reply came through.“I know. Since she suggested I should train more, how about you join me at the gym and give me a few pointers?”She blinked in surprise.“How did you know I work out?”“I saw you practicing with Mrs. Warren on the terrace before.”Stellar w
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 199
Stellar gave a brief rundown of the events, making sure to emphasize how Stephen had inspired her during the competition. His guidance helped her stay calm under pressure and successfully reconstruct the model on-site. Mary’s emotions shifted as she listened, her expression softening ever so slightly. While she still had her reservations about Stephen, she couldn't deny that Stellar was the most impressive one of all.After all, it was her own talent that had secured the victory. "But it wasn’t just that," Stellar continued. "Earlier at school, when our project hit a dead end, it was Senior who let us use his lab and helped us through it. “Then, he took me to an exclusive symposium, giving me the opportunity to showcase my work. “And when my ex wouldn’t stop harassing me, it was Senior who stepped in and got rid of him…" There was more. When the media tried to smear her, he was the first to stand up for her. At Percy and Yvonne’s engagement party, it was Stephen who pres
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 198
She also knew that it was Stephen himself who had proposed breaking off the engagement. Before leaving, Claude repeatedly warned her to keep an eye on him—under no circumstances was she to let him set foot inside, much less treat him with any kindness. At the thought of this, Mary rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. "Oh my, Miss, you brought a guest? A little heads-up would’ve been nice—I didn’t even have time to prepare properly. “After all, our humble home hardly seems worthy of hosting someone as esteemed as Mr. Ward." Stephen’s lips twitched. He was sharp enough to catch the clear disdain laced in her words. Stellar felt a little awkward and was just about to smooth things over when Stephen stepped forward on his own. With an easy composure, he handed her a finely wrapped gift box. "Mrs. Warren, no need to treat me like a guest. I’m just a friend of Stellar’s. Since this is my first visit, I wanted to bring a small token for you and her. I hope you’ll accept it."
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 197
As they left the café, Lilian was still fuming on Stellar’s behalf. "What is wrong with the Moore family? The son’s a cheating scumbag, knocking someone up before even getting married. “And his awful mother—how dare she said you’re infertile and unmarriageable? Please! Anyone who marries into that family is the real unlucky one!" She ranted with such righteous indignation that her cheeks flushed red, making her look both feisty and adorable. Stellar’s heart warmed at her friend’s unwavering support. Feeling amused, she reassured her, "Alright, it’s over now. The Moore family has nothing to do with me anymore." Hearing that, Lilian breathed a sigh of relief for her. "Good riddance. A wonderful woman like you should never step into an ill-fated home. Your future is only going to get better from here." Stellar smiled and nodded. She couldn’t agree more. Thank God she had escaped that nightmare. Never again would she allow herself to be trapped in a relationship like th
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 196
Had she heard their entire conversation just now? Margaret’s expression darkened. "Well, well. The esteemed Miss Rivers, eavesdropping on someone else’s private matters. Don’t you find that disgraceful?" "If you wanted privacy, you should’ve had this conversation at home. This is a café—anyone can walk in. “You were speaking so loudly, I thought you were hoping people would overhear." Stellar retorted without hesitation, not bothering to be polite. Margaret choked on her anger. "Since you heard everything, then that saves me the trouble," she sneered before yanking Dawn Jones closer, her voice dripping with condescension. "This woman has barely been with Percy for long, yet she’s already carrying his child. “And you? You’ve been with him for years and haven’t even gotten pregnant. I’d say you’re infertile at such a young age. “You might as well start looking for a divorced man with kids, since that’s all you’ll be able to marry in the future!" Stellar’s eyelid twitched
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 195
Lilian dragged Stellar through the crowd, her excitement evident. She had complete confidence in their victory.After all, their performance was leaps and bounds ahead of the competition.But for some reason, Stellar couldn’t shake the feeling that things weren’t so simple.Alex and his team had seemed overly confident. And considering that Harold’s team had consistently secured top rankings in past competitions, could there really be nothing shady going on behind the scenes?She knew Harold well enough to know he didn’t deserve his reputation.Still, since they were here to relax, she pushed those thoughts aside for now. The group had a great time exploring the university before finally heading back to their lodgings.The next day, they were set to return to their school. Stellar specifically asked Stephen if he would be going back with them, but to her surprise, he said he was staying behind for a few more days. She had no idea what he was up to.So, she returned to campus with
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 194
As they walked backstage, Lilian looked at Stellar with admiration written all over her face. "Stellar, you are my angel! If it weren’t for you turning the tide, we would have completely embarrassed our professor." However, Stellar didn’t take all the credit. "This was a team effort. Without your support, I wouldn’t have been able to pull it off alone." "This whole situation is definitely not a coincidence." Simon had a sharp eye for details. "Our model was sabotaged—someone deliberately tampered with it. And I already have a suspect in mind." Stellar was well aware that there was an eighty percent chance that Alex’s team was behind it. But for the sake of their school’s reputation, they couldn’t expose them here. She would settle this matter when they got back. Before they could confront anyone, however, Alex and his team stormed over, brimming with hostility. "Stellar Rivers! You planned this, didn’t you? You deliberately held back just to shock the audience and g
