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Chapter 332
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 333
Suzy hadn’t expected to walk in on this scene when she came looking for Suzy. Her steps slowed, eyes flicking between the two of them with a mix of surprise and suspicion."What are you two doing in Suzy’s place?"Both froze at once.Edwin instinctively let go, taking two steps back to compose himself.Julian straightened his collar. "Uh... I’ll go get changed.”With that, he turned and headed back inside.Edwin’s gaze darkened as he watched Julian walk upstairs like he belonged there. His hand clenched at his side, veins bulging under his skin."Uncle Edwin..."Stellar had seen enough to understand exactly what was going on.She bent down, picked up the bouquet of roses from the floor, and raised an eyebrow at him. "Didn’t you used to swear that you’re going to be a lifelong bachelor, not the kind to ever settle down for anyone? So, what’s this supposed to be, then?"Edwin’s expression stiffened.That comment hit like a boomerang, coming back to smack him square in the face. For o
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"Miss, you probably don’t know this yet. Over the past six months, Mr. Ward has been sending gifts to the house every now and then. “I don’t know how he figured out what the Mr. and Mrs. Rivers like, but everything he sent matched their tastes perfectly..."At first, of course, the old couple turned him down coldly.But Stephen didn’t give up. He sent Laurence a rare first-edition hardcover from his favorite classic author. For Martha, he tracked down a limited-edition vinyl from a beloved jazz singer she’d always wanted in her collection.In the end, they couldn’t resist and accepted the gifts."I only found out because the housekeeper mentioned it when I visited," Mary said with a smile.Stellar felt a wave of emotion she couldn’t quite name.In the background, quietly and persistently, Stephen was doing everything he could to make amends, trying to win over her grandparents. His methods might’ve been a little sly, but it was all for her.Her cheeks flushed slightly at the though
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Stephen got up and followed after her. "Let me help too."The two of them entered the kitchen one after the other.Mary was cooking, while Stellar helped wash the vegetables before handing them to Stephen to cut.As Stephen reached out to take them, his fingertips accidentally brushed against her pinky. It felt like a jolt of electricity ran through her limbs, leaving her whole body tingling.Stellar quickly pulled her hand back in a panic, her ears turning red.Stephen couldn't help but smile.The air between them felt sweet and charged with tension.Outside the kitchen, Laurence and Martha had seen everything through the doorway. Their expressions grew increasingly serious."What do you think will happen if the two of them end up together?" Martha asked softly."No," Laurence replied flatly.Although the broken engagement was long behind them and Stephen had done more than enough to prove himself, earning back much of their goodwill, Laurence still shook his head."I still don't ag
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"Hm?" Stellar tilted her head curiously, looking up at him, only to meet a pair of eyes deeper than the night sky. For a moment, she completely froze.Stephen gazed into hers, as if silently laying his heart bare."It’s just... without you, work hasn’t felt the same. All the fun little moments are gone. I want to share everything with you."Back at the SA base, they used to see each other nearly every day.A flush crept across her cheeks. She hadn’t expected him to say something so unabashedly tender. Her heart was racing, and for a moment, she didn’t know how to respond."You… you could always text me," she murmured."You wouldn’t find it annoying?" he asked, almost hesitant."Of course not!" She pressed a palm to her burning cheek and added with a casual air."Depends on my mood though. If I’m free, I’ll reply."A deeper smile flickered in Stephen’s eyes. His voice, low and magnetic, sent a shiver down her spine. "Then I’ll look forward to your replies every day."Stellar’s he
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The next day, Stellar finalized her new research direction.Once the clean-energy tech rolled into production, she assembled a fresh team under her lead and launched a new project group. She outlined the detailed plan to her colleagues, who not only admired her vision but quickly fell into step, getting preparations underway for phase one.With things relatively calm, she finally had a bit more free time.That afternoon, she headed home early, planning to swing by the market to pick up some things or supplements for her grandparents. After all, even Stephen knew how to choose gifts they liked—she couldn’t keep being the indifferent granddaughter with nothing to show.But just as she stepped outside, she froze.Stephen was there, tall and composed, clearly having waited for a while.Her heart tensed as she remembered the decision she made last night. Trying to stay calm, she walked over. “Senior, you’re not at the office today?”“I’m here for you.”His gaze locked on her, steady and
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Stephen didn’t even flinch. With a completely straight face, he said, “I figured it mattered to you. So, I wanted to give you one myself, to make up for it.”Stellar’s face turned scarlet. She didn’t even have time to deny the whole jealousy thing. Flustered and frustrated, she snapped, “You can’t just give something like that so casually!”“I wouldn’t give it to anyone else,” Stephen replied plainly. “But you’re different. I want to give it to you.”He said it with such calm sincerity, so openly, as if sharing something that personal in the middle of a store wasn’t the least bit embarrassing.Her heart pounded wildly, and all she could think about was turning and bolting for the door.Just then, the sales associate chimed in with a cheerful smile. “Choosing wedding rings? We offer custom engraving—initials, special dates, anything you'd like.”“We’re not a couple,” Stellar blurted out immediately.“Mm.” Stephen nodded calmly, unfazed. “Not yet.”The associate gave them a knowing lo
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The thought left Stellar with a strange heaviness in her chest.“When… did you change the décor in here?” she asked, trying to sound casual.Stephen glanced at her, reading her expression carefully. Then, to her surprise, he asked, “You don’t like it?”She blinked, caught off guard. “Why would it matter if I do? It’s your place.”“I just wanted you to feel good every time you came over,” he said simply. “So, I looked up suggestions online and changed the style based on what people recommended.”Her eyes widened. “Wait, are you saying you did all of this yourself? The decorations, the setup, everything?”She could hardly picture Stephen—the cold and strict CEO—carefully arranging throw pillows or selecting warm-toned tablecloths.And the fact that he’d done it just to make her feel comfortable?“Yes,” he said, his gaze steady. “I thought you might like it.”Her heart gave an unsteady lurch.Where on earth had this man learned how to be so disarmingly thoughtful?He knew exactly how to
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The moment Stellar heard the film’s title, her eyes lit up.It was a movie she’d loved for years but never had the chance to see in its full, uncut form.After a brief internal struggle, she decided to stay.They settled in the living room, turning on the projector and starting the film.At first, she was hyper-aware of Stephen beside her—his presence, his quiet breathing, and the warmth radiating from him. It made her sit a little too straight, her movements a little too careful.But ten minutes in, the story drew her in, and she slowly began to relax.By the end of the hour-long film, her eyes were burning with unshed tears.Even though she’d seen it before, the emotions still hit her like the first time—raw and aching. She forgot he was there at all.A single tear slid down her cheek, only to be gently wiped away by a warm, calloused hand.His thumb brushed across her skin—rough and careful all at once.The sudden contact snapped her back. She looked up, startled, only to meet hi
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 374
Over the years, you changed your identity and deliberately cut ties with them to avoid being found out, living a glamorous life on your own. “If the truth gets out and everyone finds out about your background and what kind of person you really are, do you think you'll still have a place in this circle? “When that happens, my grandfather will be the first to kick you out of the family!”With those biting words, Christopher’s expression darkened, and he was left speechless.“So I suggest you know your place. Do as you’re told and stay out of things that don’t concern you. Otherwise…” Joy’s tone was sharp, thick with threat.Under pressure, Christopher finally kept quiet. Even though he was deeply unhappy with how Joy handled things, he had no choice but to turn around and leave silently.Just as he walked out, a slow round of applause came from the doorway.Joy looked up and saw a laid-back man strolling in.“Joy, you’re really getting good at this. Taming Christopher like that is like
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After a round of brief introductions, everyone quickly dove into the project work.With hardly anyone dragging their feet, progress was smooth. For Stellar, things moved along efficiently. After completing the initial stage of her research, she quickly identified a direction for the next phase and decided to use a critical piece of lab equipment for the upcoming experiment.She headed to the relevant department to file a request.“Sorry, Miss Rivers, that high-grade instrument has already been reserved. We only have one available,” the staff member informed her.It didn’t come as a complete surprise.After all, it was a top-tier device, rare even on the international level. It was the world-class equipment and elite talent that drew her to this institute in the first place.“No worries,” she replied. “I’ll go check in with the lab and see if I can borrow it for a bit.”With that, she made her way to the lab and knocked on the door.“Well, well, look who it is. Isn’t this the one and
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"If you dare bother us again, I’ll take you to court, and have you thrown in jail."Her words made the man freeze. He looked ready to fall to his knees. "Yes, yes—thank you, Miss Rivers! Thank you! We promise, we won’t cause any more trouble."In the end, the IOU was signed, and Cheryl, reluctantly parting with her precious savings, handed over twenty thousand dollars. Her son matched it with another twenty thousand, and only then did the family leave, utterly humiliated.Once the door shut behind them, Martha turned to her granddaughter with a heartbroken look."Stellar, I’m so sorry. This was all my fault. I never should’ve invited them over. You spent months working on that data, and now it’s gone... You let them off lightly, didn’t you? For my sake?"But Stellar just grinned, mischief twinkling in her eyes. "Grandma, you’re giving me too much credit. That file? It’s all in my head."As she spoke, she sat down, opened her laptop, and her fingers flew over the keyboard. Less than f
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As soon as Stellar finished speaking, Cheryl’s legs gave out beneath her, and with a loud thud, she dropped to her knees.Only then did the weight of the situation truly hit her.She scrambled forward on hands and knees until she reached Stellar, clutching desperately at her sleeve, tears streaming down her face. "Miss Rivers, I was wrong. I swear I know I was wrong! My grandson didn’t mean to do it, he really didn’t. Please, have mercy. Don’t hold this against us!"I’m old, and there’s no way we can afford four million! I’m begging you, for the sake of my friendship with your grandmother, please let us off just this once!"Stellar’s eyes were icy, unmoved.She was about to turn to her grandmother for guidance when Martha stormed over and slapped Cheryl’s hands away."Don’t you dare touch my granddaughter with your filthy hands! How laughable. You finally realize how serious the matter is when you need to pay the four million dollars? “My granddaughter worked for months on that data,
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The little brat joined right in with his grandmother, hurling insults. "You filthy woman! Seductress! You’re a liar! Dream on!"Stellar didn’t waste another word. She pulled out her phone and spoke calmly into it. "Hello, is this the police? I’d like to report a case of intentional property damage. Please send officers over immediately."With that, she hung up.Cheryl’s eyes bulged, her face flushing red with rage. "You’ve lost your mind! Calling the cops over something like this? You’re insane. We’re leaving!"She grabbed her grandson’s hand and turned to storm off only to be blocked at the door by several bodyguards."No one’s going anywhere," Stellar said coldly. "Not until the police arrive, assess the damage, and calculate the compensation. Then you can leave."A shiver ran down Cheryl’s spine.The chubby boy burst into loud sobs. "Grandma! I’m scared!"Cheryl, flustered but trying to keep her composure, cooed, "Don’t be scared, baby. They’re keeping us here against our will. Jus
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"Who let him into my room?!"Stellar's voice was cold and sharp, carrying a force that made the air around her feel heavy. Even Cheryl flinched instinctively."What happened?" Martha quickly stepped in, alarmed.Only then did Cheryl snap back to herself and immediately launched into complaint. "Martha, you really need to teach your granddaughter some manners. Arguing with a child? Honestly, she’s completely out of line—no patience, no grace whatsoever..."Before she could finish, Stellar cut in, her voice like ice. "Grandma, her grandson went into my room, tore up my bed and desk, broke several pieces of my makeup, and worst of all, he corrupted an important document on my laptop.""What?" Martha’s face darkened at once. "Cheryl, how could you let this happen?"Realizing her grandson was indeed at fault, Cheryl forced a shameless smile. "Oh, come on, it’s just some makeup. He’s just a kid. He didn’t mean it. It’s not like he knew what he was doing. Can't you just let it go, for old t
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So, she teased him on purpose. "Then maybe you should consider joining us at Starlight.""Are you trying to poach me?""Yep. Will you let me?"Stephen seemed to think it over for a moment, then shook his head. "Better not."Stellar knew switching bases wasn't something anyone would do on a whim—she’d only been joking. Still, hearing his firm refusal made her feel a tiny twinge of disappointment."Aren’t you going to ask why?""Hmm?" She looked up, puzzled. "Why?""Because…" Stephen looked down at her, eyes warm with amusement. "As far as I know, Starlight doesn’t allow workplace relationships. And that’s something I just can’t give up."Stellar’s heart gave a hard thump. In that moment, she finally understood what it meant to feel butterflies.This man had a way of tugging at her heartstrings with just a simple line."Ahem..." She couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips and quickly turned her head. "Well then, I guess it really is out of the question."They let the subject pass
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Earlier, Martha had let Cheryl's endless bragging slide without a word.But this time, her expression turned cold in an instant."My granddaughter doesn’t need to do chores. She’s the pride of our family—born to be loved and cherished. Whatever she wants, we can give her. No one has the right to order her around."Cheryl was taken aback, stunned into silence for a moment before snapping back, "What man would want a wife who can’t even handle basic housework? I’m saying this for her own good! Aren’t you worried she won’t be able to get married?""Then she won’t," Martha replied without hesitation."If she stays with us for the rest of her life, so be it. We’re more than capable of taking care of her."Cheryl fumed, feeling like her good intentions had been thrown back in her face."Grandma, I want a drink! And snacks!"The chubby boy came running back, flushed and sweaty after tearing through the house.Cheryl dropped the argument instantly, her focus back on her grandson."Alright, alri
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Martha and Stellar shared a helpless glance before finally giving in with a quiet nod.They drove Cheryl over to the preschool together.All the way there, Cheryl kept bragging nonstop. "This preschool? It’s the top bilingual academy in the area. All the language teachers are brought in from overseas! Tuition alone runs around four or six grand a year. “My son really values his kid’s education, so he’s giving him the absolute best. It’s like pouring money down the drain, but thankfully, he makes enough to support the family. “He even bought a house here and paid four hundred thousand dollars without blinking."The more she talked, the prouder she sounded, completely unaware that the car she was riding in was worth far more than that.Stellar’s ears were practically going numb from the constant boasting. But out of respect for her elder, she held her tongue and didn’t interrupt.When Cheryl finally ran out of things to say and noticed the lack of praise from her audience, she turn
