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Chapter 23
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 24
After finishing her meal, Stellar intended to leave and didn’t bother acknowledging Percy. She walked straight out of the campus gates. With an upcoming commitment to attend a few project meetings with Shane next week, Stellar knew her wardrobe needed an upgrade.Though her closet was filled with dresses and gowns handpicked by Claude, she found his taste a bit too plain for her liking. For important occasions, it was better to pick out outfits herself. Besides, Claude’s black card came with a minimum spending limit. If she didn’t spend enough, he’d take it upon himself to send over more clothes, so she’d much rather choose things she genuinely liked. Since the area was close to the city center, Stellar decided to stop by for some shopping. She stepped into an understated luxury boutique and soon spotted a gown displayed in a glass case. Unlike the other items in the store, this one stood out—elegant and clearly expensive. Noticing her gaze lingering, a sales associate eagerl
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 25
Percy snapped out of his daze at Yvonne's words. His mind wandered to how Stellar had been cleaning just hours ago and to the stinging slap she had landed on his face. His brows furrowed slightly, and in an attempt to assert control, he slid an arm around Yvonne’s waist and strode forward.“Stellar, what are you doing in a place like this? Do you really think your cleaner's salary can cover anything here? Or is this someone else's money—a handout from some guy you managed to fool?"Hearing his voice, Stellar turned. Her gaze swept over the pair, lingering briefly on their entwined bodies. A flicker of disgust crossed her eyes, but there wasn’t a hint of care or jealousy.Without a word, she turned and walked toward another section of the boutique, ignoring them entirely.The dismissal darkened Percy’s expression further. He had expected her to show some kind of reaction—anger, sadness, anything—at seeing him openly flaunting another woman. But to his disappointment, there was none.S
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 26
"Percy, you’re the best," Yvonne said, lifting her chin proudly. She shot a smug, challenging look in Stellar’s direction.Stellar watched the two of them put on their little performance and couldn’t help finding it amusing. Truly, birds of a feather flock together.Percy, noticing Stellar’s faintly amused expression and her complete indifference, felt his pride take another hit. His face darkened as he turned to glare at the sales associate.“Well? What are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear me?”The sales associate quickly explained, “I’m sorry, sir, but that designer piece is one of a kind. As for the others, they’re limited editions and completely sold out. If you’d like, we can place an order and have them shipped in. You’d just need to make payment now and pick them up later.”“How much are they?” “The gown is handcrafted with embroidered details. It costs six hundred thousand dollars. The custom suit cost four hundred thousand dollars. This piece here…”Percy’s eyes widened, an
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 27
After all, she needed him now, so Percy didn’t bother with pleasantries. Without looking back, he got into the car.Yvonne, still fuming over his earlier attitude, swallowed her anger for the sake of the project and followed him.On the drive back, her attention was drawn to a small angel figurine on the dashboard. The figurine held a little charm bag, its design cheerful and whimsical.But could this possibly belong to Percy? The thought made the answer obvious.Yvonne’s disdain was immediate.“Why would you keep such a cheap-looking figurine in your car?"You should have something like a gold-plated angel figurine or a rare vintage collectible—something that reflects sophistication and status."Percy glanced at the figurine and froze slightly.If he remembered correctly, Stellar had gone out of her way to get it for him from a church. She earnestly told him to keep it in the car to ensure his safety.For a moment, his mind wandered, recalling Stellar’s bright, joyful expression at t
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 28
Unbeknownst to her, across the street from her villa, Stephen had just returned home, enjoying his usual solitary routine. After spending some time in his study, he took a shower and waited for dinner to be delivered. During the lull, he stepped out onto his upstairs terrace for some fresh air. That was when he noticed the lights in the kitchen across the way and a petite, busy figure moving inside. Was that… Stellar? Recalling her behavior at school and now seeing her living in a villa, he couldn’t help but frown. What was she doing here? Wasn’t she the one who reportedly threw away her education for a man? And now that they’d supposedly broken up, was this villa his parting gift? Or had they never really ended things? Stephen’s displeasure deepened as he mulled it over. However, watching the two figures through the window, even from dozens of meters away, he could sense the warmth of their atmosphere. For the first time, the solitude he’d always enjoyed felt a little col
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 29
Shane’s admiration for Stellar deepened as he looked at her. “Miss Rivers, you’ve truly exceeded my expectations.” Not only was she beautiful, but she also possessed intelligence, talent, and an unshakable composure when dealing with seasoned veterans. It had been a long time since he’d encountered someone as intriguing as her. “Since you gave me this opportunity, Mr. Howe, I couldn’t let you down.” “There’s actually another client we need to visit,” Shane said, his tone thoughtful. “If we can secure a partnership with their company, this project could reach a whole new level. But that client is a tough one. I was ready to give up, but now, with you on board, I think it might just be possible.” Shane’s gaze lingered on her, his eyes filled with admiration. He was genuinely intrigued by her but confessing that outright might scare her off. Unaware of his thoughts, Stellar simply felt a bit embarrassed at his praise. “Mr. Howe, who is it? I can give it a try.”After all, th
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 30
No wonder Rivers Corporation reached out to him, offering to give up an additional five percent of the profits on their new project just to convince him to withdraw his investment from the Harlow family.They even made it clear that the withdrawal was specifically because of the Harlow family’s heiress. Moreover, they promised compensation with an even better project.At first, Zachary thought the Rivers Corporation was simply throwing its weight around. But seeing the pair in front of him and listening to Percy’s tone, he found those rumors he’d heard didn’t seem baseless anymore.His next words carried a distinct hint of mockery."What exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Grayson?" Percy asked, frowning slightly, sensing that the remark was not without intent.Zachary didn’t bother mincing words, his expression laced with disdain."I’ve heard, Mr. Moore, that for years, your company’s success has relied heavily on Miss Stellar Rivers’ talent and expertise to secure contracts. But now tha
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 31
He didn't believe anyone would dare take on such a task."No, we can't. But, Mr. Grayson... I believe there's no company in the entire industry that can—"Before he could finish, a crisp female voice suddenly rang out from behind."We can!"Percy looked up in shock, only to see Stellar approaching with graceful strides. Her red lips parted slightly as she effortlessly provided the explanation he had struggled to come up with regarding HY materials. She even pointed out the commonalities between HY and CM materials. Simply put, CM material was just an upgraded version of HY material."Give me a month, and I guarantee this material can be successfully upgraded!"As she spoke, Stellar cast a cold glance at Percy.She originally intended to come here just to test the waters, wondering how to tackle this difficult challenge. But she hadn’t expected that as soon as she reached the doorway, she would hear Percy’s words, giving her the perfect opportunity.If she remembered correctly, her
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 208
"Mr. Rowan, I didn’t do it! This is all just Stellar’s baseless accusations—""One million dollars."Stellar suddenly threw out a precise number.Harold’s eyes widened.She smirked at him, her voice dripping with mockery. "One million in bribes—quite the investment, Professor Xander. But what I’m really curious about is, as a supposedly dedicated professor, where did you get that kind of money? “Embezzlement? Kickbacks? Were all those research projects you led actually your success? Or did you steal someone else’s work?"Her words were razor-sharp, striking directly at his most vulnerable spot."Shut up!"Harold’s face turned red with fury. Losing all composure, he lunged forward and raised a hand to slap her.But before he could, Victor stepped in, blocking the strike."Harold Xander! You shameless bastard—you think you can lay a hand on my student?" Victor had been in stunned silence moments before, but now his fury erupted. Without hesitation, he shoved Harold away and barked,
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 207
Everyone froze for a moment before it clicked.Of course.If Harold’s team couldn’t bribe the judges, then the only way to manipulate the outcome was through the final scoring process. Since the judges worked independently and had no knowledge of each other’s scores, there was plenty of room for tampering.“I’ll handle it.”As the heiress of the Rivers family, Stellar had her own connections. Without hesitation, she stepped out and made a call, instructing someone to investigate.An hour later, the results came in.The information wasn’t enough to outright expose Xander’s team for fraud, but it was enough to shake them up.Returning to the lounge, she shared the findings and the plan with her team.“Let’s do it!”Everyone agreed unanimously.“Won’t know if it works unless we try.”Half an hour laterHarold strode into Richard’s office, flanked by Alex and the rest of his team.Their faces beamed with pride, fully expecting this meeting to be about receiving their Outstanding Research
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 206
Half the day passed in a blur. During lunch break, Stellar checked her phone multiple times, but Stephen’s reply never came. "Stellar, any news?" At the cafeteria, Lilian leaned in curiously. "Did Stephen reply? What did he say? Is he going to help investigate?" Stellar set her phone down on the table, screen facing down, and tried to keep her expression calm. "He hasn’t replied." "Huh? How’s that possible? Aren’t you two a couple? I thought you were practically glued to each other all the time." Lilian blurted the words out, half-joking. But Stellar’s expression subtly shifted. "You’re overthinking it. He and I… aren’t in that kind of relationship." Her tone was light and indifferent. Yet, the moment the words left her lips, an inexplicable emptiness settled in her chest. Lilian, realizing she might have touched a nerve, awkwardly rubbed her nose and exchanged glances with Simon and Nathan, silently urging them to say something to ease the tension. "Actually, S
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 205
"We should go find the professor and ask about it!"Stellar suggested, and the others immediately agreed.The group hurried toward the academic building, only to be informed that Victor, Harold, and several other professors were currently in the dean’s office.Those two rivals in the same room?Stellar's eyelid twitched, and an ominous feeling crept over her.Leading her team, she made her way toward the administration office.The door was slightly ajar, allowing them to catch a glimpse inside."Professor Xander, congratulations! After three years, you've once again led your team to victory in the aircraft model competition!"The president, Richard Rowan’s voice was filled with satisfaction."Bringing honor to the school and recognition to my team is simply my duty," Harold responded humbly."No need to be modest—this is all thanks to your efforts."Richard beamed, the wrinkles on his face deepening with his broad smile."After careful deliberation, the administration has decided to on
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 204
Stephen seemed to be clutching something in his hand, his expression slightly off. It wasn’t until he heard her voice that he finally looked up. Seeing that bright, radiant face before him, for a moment, it overlapped with the image of the little girl in his memories. His heart clenched, a complicated emotion flickering across his features. Stellar noticed something was off and instinctively dropped her smile. Concern crept into her voice. “Are you okay?” Stephen snapped out of his thoughts. “It’s nothing. What a coincidence, really.” No wonder he thought he heard Stellar’s voice upstairs earlier and assumed it was just his imagination. “Did you win anything good at the auction?” Her gaze drifted to his hand, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. Stephen’s grip tightened slightly, and almost instinctively, he responded, “Nothing much.” Until he confirmed the identity of the seller, he didn’t want Stellar to know about it. But that simple action made her expression stiff
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 203
Percy didn’t raise the bid again. As expected, but Stellar didn’t care much. With the bracelet in hand, Suzy was overjoyed. Seeing her friend happy, Stellar felt satisfied as well. Now that they had achieved their goal, the two planned to leave early. Just then, however, the next auction item caught her attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on our sixth auction item—the Regency Emerald Pendant—a three-hundred-year-old antique, crafted with the finest techniques of its era..." The auctioneer’s voice brimmed with enthusiasm, but Stellar was utterly stunned. How was that emerald pendant on stage?It was hers. She had always kept it safe. Was the one being auctioned… a fake? The auctioneer continued, “This heirloom has been passed down through generations of a distinguished family, making it truly one of a kind! “However, due to financial difficulties, the owner has been forced to part with it. Don’t miss out on this rare treasure! The bidding starts at two
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
