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Chapter 45
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As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 46
Chris finally realized Xavier was serious, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Are you out of your mind?" But almost immediately, his shock morphed into mockery. "Or maybe the price just isn’t high enough for you. Fine, name it, how much will it take to get you on board? A hundred thousand dollars?" Xavier’s expression remained ice-cold. "There isn’t a price." He wasn’t going to sell his conscience just to help cover up their mess. Chris let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh. "Well, aren’t you noble? Acting all righteous now, like you’re better than the rest of us." Then, as if a sudden realization struck him, his eyes flickered with amusement. "Wait a second… don’t tell me you’ve got a thing for Stellar. Is that why you’re so eager to distance yourself from us?" The second the words left his mouth, Chris realized he might have overstepped. He just came from the private room where they learned that not only had Stellar refused to crawl back to Percy, but she had actuall
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 47
After finishing their meal, Stellar led Suzy to their destination. It wasn’t a high-end shopping mall or a luxury boutique but a small, tucked-away shop in a quiet alley. The storefront had a classical charm, and the moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by a minimalist yet elegant interior. It was a hair accessory boutique. Ornate hairpins and combs were displayed on wooden shelves, each piece carefully arranged. But what truly stood out was the jaw-dropping price tags. Stellar pulled Suzy straight to the back of the store, stopping in front of an emerald-green hairpin. "Take a look at this one." Having spent years in the entertainment industry, Suzy had developed an eye for luxury. At first glance, the design seemed understated, yet the craftsmanship was anything but simple—bold yet timeless, its intricate details drawing her in. Her gaze swept over it, then dropped to the small nameplate below. The moment she saw the designer’s name, she nearly jumped in
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 48
Margaret put on a patient, almost motherly expression as she spoke, as if offering heartfelt advice. But after the first couple of words, any pretense of kindness disappeared, leaving only arrogance beneath the surface. The condescending smile and patronizing tone were all too obvious. However, Stellar simply smiled. She reached out and grabbed Suzy’s wrist, stopping her before she could explode. With a quick glance, she signaled her to hold back. As a public figure, Suzy couldn’t afford a scene. If word got out that she was caught arguing in a boutique, the damage to her reputation would bring her more trouble than it was worth. A second later, Stellar’s voice turned cold. "That won’t be necessary." Without sparing Margaret another glance, she turned to the store attendant and said politely, "Please take this hairpin down for us." But the attendant didn’t move. By now, she had pieced together the situation. From the looks of it, these two weren’t wealthy custom
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 49
The store attendant’s face went pale with shock. “C-Co-Founder?”She knew the boutique had two owners.One was the main investor.The other, the one who had built the brand’s reputation, was the designer behind it all, Rian.And Rian… was Stellar?But that wasn’t possible. Wasn’t she just some broke ex-girlfriend?The realization hit hard, leaving the attendant frozen in disbelief.The manager, finally noticing the strange atmosphere, took one look at Stellar’s expression, then at the stunned store attendant. After overhearing a few snippets of their argument, he immediately understood what had happened.His face darkened."You’re fired!"The words dropped like a hammer.The attendant’s face went deathly pale, and the entire store fell into dead silence.Margaret, standing nearby, was completely stunned.The woman she had just ridiculed, assuming she was nothing without Percy, was actually the co-owner of this boutique?And not just any co-owner, she was Rian.The very designer whose
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The sales associate nodded and retrieved a bamboo-inspired hairpin. The design was sleek and sophisticated, with two finely carved bamboo leaves at the tip, giving it a realistic, almost lifelike appearance. Its vintage charm made it the perfect piece for an older woman.Stephen examined it closely. "This one. Wrap it up." There was something unique about her designs—an undeniable artistry. His grandmother would probably like it. …Meanwhile, after leaving the boutique, Stellar and Suzy strolled through the shopping district, planning to pick up a few more things. Just then, Suzy’s phone rang. "Hello—?" She listened for a moment, her expression shifting. After hanging up, she let out a sigh, looking disappointed. "My agent just called. I need to rush back for a last-minute shoot. I’m sorry, Stellar. I really wanted to have dinner with you tonight." Regret was written all over her face. "It’s fine. Work comes first.”She knew how hectic Suzy’s schedule was—filmin
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 51
"I've already called the police. There are surveillance cameras here. This was an attempted assault. She won’t get away with it."The familiar voice caught Stellar off guard.She looked up, finally seeing the person who had saved her.Stephen?He was the one who pulled her out of danger?Her lips pressed together slightly, an unfamiliar feeling settling in her chest.He always seemed indifferent toward her, never particularly impressed with her in class.Yet just now, without hesitation, he risked himself to save her.Maybe… Stephen wasn’t as cold as he seemed.Meanwhile, Camille went pale at the mention of the police.Terror finally dawned on her."No! Don’t call the cops!"Camille scrambled forward, half-kneeling on the pavement, grabbing onto the hem of Stellar’s clothes.Tears welled in her eyes."I swear, I wasn’t trying to kill you! I just… just wanted to hurt you a little! If the police get involved, I’m done for! I’ll lose everything!"Desperation dripped from her voice as she
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 52
Stellar froze for a moment, her gaze falling on the broken hairpin lying on the ground.She recognized it immediately.Stephen hesitated as well, reaching down to pick it up but she was faster."This is mine."She examined the fractured piece, noting the clean break."It’s broken."It must have happened during the fall when he shielded her.Blinking in surprise, she processed the thought—Stephen had bought one of her designs?Was it just a coincidence? Or was he at the boutique earlier too?Either way, the hairpin was damaged, and she felt responsible.After a brief pause, she spoke with quiet seriousness."It looks like the fall cracked it. If you don’t mind, I can repair it for you. Or, if you'd prefer, I can replace it with a new one."She would consider it her way of making up for today.Her clear, earnest gaze held no ulterior motives, only genuine sincerity.Stephen was momentarily at a loss for words.But he knew she had the skills to fix it.After a brief pause, he nodded.A sm
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 53
The compliment felt even more genuine this time.Stellar, feeling a little embarrassed by the praise, quickly stood up and looped her arm through Mary’s."Alright, Mary, let’s go eat."The two of them walked downstairs, chatting and laughing, the atmosphere warm and lighthearted.The next day.Stellar headed to the university library to study.She needed to fully immerse herself in the research materials Victor gave her. Tomorrow, she would officially join the project team at the institute.But as she stepped into the library, she unexpectedly spotted a familiar figure by the window.Even in a room full of people, Stephen was impossible to miss.Sitting with perfect posture, he had an undeniable presence—calm, distant, and completely unapproachable.An aura that warned others to stay away.But Stellar, unaffected, walked straight toward him.Sensing movement, Stephen instinctively looked up, his gaze meeting hers.A second later, a small, elegantly wrapped box landed on the table in f
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He stepped up beside Stellar. Knowing her well, he didn’t try to dissuade her. Instead, his expression was firm. “I’ll support you.”Stellar felt a wave of emotion surge in her chest. She gave a solemn nod.Percy stood frozen in place, utterly stunned. They were all insane!Wasn’t Stephen her boyfriend? How could he just stand there and watch her risk imprisonment? He was supposed to be the one who cared about Stellar the most. Yet, at this critical moment, he had completely lost his voice.In the end, Stephen and Stellar personally headed to the control tower to direct the landing."Stay calm. This is no time to panic," Stellar’s voice came through the cockpit radio.Under her steady reassurance, the captain, who had been on edge, visibly relaxed.She began directing his every move with precision while Stephen worked on the ground, coordinating preparations for the emergency landing.Finally, when the moment was right, Stellar made a swift decision and commanded the forced depl
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 213
Joy’s expression flickered for a moment before she finally spoke with composure. "My apologies. I made an error in judgment by assuming it was an engine failure from the start, which nearly led to an incorrect conclusion." She admitted her mistake openly and without hesitation. No one criticized her for it. In fact, their admiration for her only grew. Before long, the investigation report was submitted. But just as the tension had eased, another piece of shocking news arrived— "This is bad! The commercial airline under the research institute has another aircraft, AT1083, with the same issue. It took off not long ago! Unlike the A16, this isn’t a test flight—it’s already in service!"The air traffic control tower just reported that the plane has already flown over a thousand kilometers. “Its landing gear won’t deploy, and other systems are malfunctioning. It’s currently circling above the airport, and if this continues, it could face the same fate—another crash!"The highe
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Percy thought Stellar had become arrogant and complacent ever since reclaiming her status as the Rivers family heiress. She was completely out of touch with reality. It was necessary to bring her back down to earth. This wasn’t a place for her to act recklessly. Even Joy felt a little embarrassed by his words. Sensing the growing tension, she stepped in to smooth things over. "Mr. Moore, I don’t think Miss Rivers meant any harm. She’s just a newcomer without much experience. There’s no need to be so harsh." "Ms. Shaw, you’re being too lenient with her. A professional investigation like this is not something an intern should be involved in." Percy genuinely believed he was doing Stellar a favor. If she knew what was best for her, she would step aside. Otherwise, she’d only make a fool of herself in front of seasoned professionals. Stellar almost laughed in disbelief. An outsider was standing here lecturing her about aerospace engineering? It was beyond absurd. S
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Joy’s expression remained serious. "Got it. I’ll make the necessary arrangements right away." She then turned to the interns behind her. "From here on, Mr. Smith will guide you through the rest of the base." With that, she was about to leave. "Wait…" Stellar stepped forward urgently. "Ms. Shaw, please let us come along. We might be able to help." An accident during a test flight was a major issue. And as a future member of the engineering team, she had every reason to be involved. Joy furrowed her brows slightly before nodding. "Alright, you and three other interns, follow me." Stellar and the others quickly joined the group. The team went through an extensive investigation—analyzing the black box, running accident simulations, and reviewing flight data. But no clear issue surfaced. Frustration settled over the room. The A16 model was a brand-new aircraft, and no one had expected such a critical failure on its very first test flight. If they couldn’t pinpoint the r
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 210
A woman with sharp, cropped short hair strode into the room with long, confident steps. She stood around 5'9", dressed in a fitted gray business suit that accentuated her sleek and commanding presence. She looked effortlessly cool and composed. Two staff members followed closely behind her. "Hello, everyone. I’m Joy Shaw, an engineer and operations commander at SA Aerospace Base. I’ll be leading you through the facility today. Please state your names, verify your identities, and follow me." Joy got straight to the point, skipping unnecessary pleasantries or any hint of arrogance. Her crisp and efficient demeanor made a strong impression, earning instant respect from the group. Snapping out of their daze, everyone took turns introducing themselves. When it was Stellar’s turn, Joy paused for a brief moment, her smile growing a touch more genuine. "So, you’re the prodigy I’ve been hearing about. Stellar Rivers—your reputation precedes you. I’m looking forward to seeing wha
As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart Chapter 209
She briefly explained the situation to Stephen, and he immediately offered her a suggestion."What was his idea?"Among the group, only Victor was still in the dark. Stellar filled him in, and after hearing the explanation, Victor burst into laughter."I knew it! When it comes to strategy, no one outsmarts that kid! Let’s have a celebratory dinner later—I’ll invite him to join us."Stellar agreed and dialed Stephen’s number again, only for the call to go unanswered once more.A strange feeling settled in her chest.Was something going on with him?She mentioned it to Victor, who mulled over it for a moment before shrugging. "If he’s busy, let’s not worry about it. Come on, let’s go enjoy our victory dinner."The group headed to a nearby restaurant, indulging in a well-deserved feast.Just as the gathering was winding down, Victor stepped out to take a call.When he returned, his expression was solemn and heavy.The mood instantly shifted.Stellar and the others tensed. "Professor, did
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"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
