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Chapter 9

ผู้เขียน: Warm Cocoa
Stealing confidential information was a cardinal sin in their industry.

If the accusation stuck, Stellar would face legal consequences, potentially even prison time. Brighton Group would also risk being implicated.

At the banquet that night, Shane hadn’t believed Percy’s claims. But now, with Percy barging into Brighton Group with apparent preparation, Shane couldn’t dismiss the possibility entirely.

Turning his attention to the proposal, Shane flipped through the pages. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes before he looked at Stellar.

“What does Miss Rivers want to do?”

Before Stellar could respond, Percy cut in, his voice laced with smugness and indifference, as though he was savoring the moment she would plead for forgiveness.

“Do you even have a choice? I’ve given you countless chances, but you insisted over and over that you weren’t representing Moore Enterprises. Stellar, without Moore Enterprises backing you, do you really think you’re qualified to negotiate with Brighton Group?”

The words caught in Stellar’s throat.

She had never intended to utterly humiliate Percy. Despite the pain he had caused her, she couldn’t forget the moment in her darkest hour, under a torrential downpour, when he reached out to help her.

But this man, arrogant, unrelenting, and entirely unreasonable, had pushed her past her limit.

“Fine, since you’re so determined to paint me as guilty, let’s make a wager. If my proposal has nothing to do with Moore Enterprises, and if Riverside Corporation’s collaboration with Brighton Group is entirely based on our own merits, I want you to publicly apologize and admit that you’re a blind, heartless jerk!”

Her final demand carried a surge of suppressed emotion that couldn’t be held back.

Percy laughed, his anger bubbling into derision.

He came here with his company’s team, not the police, as a final concession to save her dignity.

But she didn’t know how to take the olive branch.

“Go ahead, but don't come crying for my help when things fall apart.”

Shane glanced at Stellar, a subtle gleam flashing in his eyes.

He suddenly smiled faintly and said, “Oh, I’ve heard that there are some personal grievances between Miss Rivers and Mr. Moore. But since this concerns Brighton Group’s reputation, I hope Mr. Moore doesn’t mind if I step in as well?”

Percy was more than willing.

This was his chance to wipe away the humiliation of that night at the banquet and to show Stellar that without him, she would accomplish nothing.

Both sides brought in teams to thoroughly examine every detail of the proposals, including project materials, market strategies, and other specifics, comparing them for any overlaps. If a significant overlap was found, the accusation of plagiarism would be indisputable.

Percy sat arrogantly in his chair, his cold gaze sweeping over Stellar.

He expected to see panic or embarrassment on her face, but instead, her expression remained calm and poised. She even had the composure to quietly chat with Shane while sipping tea.

Did she think he was invisible?

He turned his head away in frustration, but his peripheral vision caught the glimpse of her slender legs under the hem of her skirt, wrapped in black stockings. The irritation that had been building in his chest since the previous night only grew more intense.

At that moment, his assistant leaned in and murmured, “Mr. Moore, the overlap rate isn’t enough.”

“What? That’s impossible!” Percy’s anger erupted, and he slammed his hand down on the table with a loud bang, sending the room’s atmosphere into a nosedive.

However, Shane remained unfazed and calmly said, “Mr. Moore, this is Brighton Group. I suggest you keep your composure.”

Percy’s face darkened further, his expression as cold as a stormy sky. He snatched the file from his assistant’s hand and flipped through it, his disbelief growing with every page.

The core concept of the project was clear. Even if Stellar had redesigned the proposal, it should have still overlapped with Moore Enterprises’ original work. Yet the data in front of him completely defied his expectations.

“This… you wrote this?” Percy asked, his voice filled with disbelief as he turned to Stellar.

Shane chuckled. “Mr. Moore, are you implying that Brighton Group provided it instead?”

The obvious answer hit Percy like a slap across the face.

Just as he struggled to regain composure, one of the compliance officers suddenly spoke up. “Mr. Moore, there’s an issue with this material.”

Percy immediately stepped forward, scrutinizing the documents.

After a moment, he slammed two sheets of paper onto Shane’s desk.

“Mr. Howe, with such a critical material selection error, do you still believe Stellar and Riverside Corporation can handle this project?”

Straightening up, Percy looked down at Stellar with a triumphant sneer.

“Yes, you studied aerospace, but you never even graduated. Even if you hired someone to draft a flawless proposal, it doesn’t change the fact that you have glaring gaps in your expertise. Once the project begins, any mistakes could cost Brighton Group dearly—losses Riverside Corporation couldn’t cover even if it folded entirely.”

The room fell into a heavy silence.

Standing tall with inflated self-importance, Percy fixed his gaze on Stellar. He anticipated her scrambling for an explanation or, better yet, pleading for forgiveness.

In his mind, he was transported back to that stormy night when he’d found her—lost, broken, and vulnerable. He took her in, cared for her, and believed she owed him her life for it.

But instead of panic, a technical team member from Brighton Group hesitantly raised a hand, wearing an awkward yet polite smile.

“Mr. Moore, isn’t it possible that the material Miss Rivers provided is actually more advanced and precise?”

For a split second, Percy’s expression cracked.

It was as if the roles had reversed, and now he was the one left looking like a fool.

Moore Enterprises had their own experts on hand, and it didn’t take long for the results to come in.

“Mr. Moore, this is LN steel—the most advanced material on the market. It’s something we couldn’t possibly...”

The revelation hit like a thunderclap on a clear day.

Shane rose slowly from his seat, his smile faint but full of meaning.

“Mr. Moore, it seems you’ve lost the bet. Brighton Group’s public relations team is ready whenever you are to assist with your apology statement.”

Percy’s face turned an angry shade of crimson.

In the bustling main hall of Brighton Group, where many visitors were conducting business or seeking partnerships, the commotion in the meeting room quickly drew attention. The door, left ajar, invited a growing number of curious onlookers.

At first, the security team tried to keep the crowd at bay, but after a subtle signal from Shane, they stepped aside, allowing everyone to watch freely.

Among the crowd, a sharply dressed middle-aged man stepped forward, his expression laced with subtle amusement.

“Mr. Moore, a man’s word is his bond. You’ve made a promise. Don’t even think about going back on it now.”

Still seething, Percy clenched his jaw tightly. When he recognized the man, his expression stiffened further.

“Mr. Turner, I apologize for this embarrassing scene. The renewal contract has already been prepared. We’d be honored to have you visit Moore Enterprises to finalize it.”

Nicholas Turner was a heavyweight in the city’s business circles and one of Moore Enterprises’ most valued clients.

The current contract was set to expire this quarter, and just a few days ago, Nicholas sent a renewal request. Why was he suddenly appearing at Brighton Group now?

However, before anyone could speak, Nicholas smirked dismissively and said, “As for the renewal, I think we’ll need to revisit that.”

With that, he completely ignored Percy’s stunned expression, bypassed him, and instead walked directly toward Stellar with a cheerful smile.

Extending his hand, he said, “Miss Rivers, so you’ve switched companies? Why didn’t you tell me earlier? The last time I worked with Moore Enterprises, it was you who finalized the deal!”

“Mr. Turner.” Stellar was equally surprised but quickly understood that he must have overheard the advanced technical details mentioned in her proposal earlier.

After all, businesspeople were all seasoned players, each as sly as the next.

Even so, it was understandable. She responded with polite composure, her tone perfectly measured. “I’m sorry, but yes, I’ve already left Moore Enterprises. I no longer handle anything related to them. If you’re thinking about renewal…”

“No, no, no, Miss Rivers, you misunderstand!” Nicholas quickly waved his hand. “What I mean is, now that you’ve joined a new company and brought in new technology, you must include Turner Corporation in your plans!”
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  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 10

    Stellar’s eyes flickered subtly.She had expected this outcome.But with business opportunities knocking on her door, there was no reason to turn them away. She offered a graceful smile.“No problem, but I have some matters to handle right now. Let’s discuss this later.”Nicholas didn’t press further, nodding with satisfaction before cheerfully walking away. As he left, he threw a parting remark at Percy.“Mr. Moore, since the contract has expired, we’ll have to see if there’s another chance to collaborate in the future.”The implication was clear: there would be no renewal.Percy was so furious he could barely contain himself.He hadn’t anticipated that Stellar truly had the capability to pull this off—humiliating him at Brighton Group and even stealing away one of Moore Enterprises’ key partners.Staying any longer would only worsen the embarrassment, so he reluctantly signaled to his team.“We’re leaving.”But before he could take another step, Shane chuckled lightly.“Mr. Moore, do

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 11

    William Moore’s scolding hit Percy like a bucket of cold water, sobering him up almost instantly.“You know how much the Harlow family treasures Yvonne. They wouldn’t even dream of scolding her. And you had the nerve to tell her to leave? Tomorrow, you’re taking a gift to apologize and make things right. “The business scene in Riverdale is volatile right now, and there are competitors trying to seize market share. The Moore family needs the Harlow family’s support. Do you understand me?”Percy didn’t particularly care about the idea of a business alliance through marriage, but with the collaboration with Brighton Group now out of reach, cutting ties with the Harlow family wasn’t an option either.“Fine,” he muttered after a long silence, hanging up the phone and sinking back into the sofa, his expression blank as he sat there in silence.Xavier cast him a glance, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smirk.“I’ve got other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave. As for help

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 12

    Yvonne stood there, dressed like a peacock in full display, her outfit dripping with gold and jewels, flaunting her wealth and superiority. Her voice carried an air of unrestrained arrogance.“Well, well, if it isn’t Stellar Rivers, the illustrious representative of Riverside Corporation who just signed a deal with Brighton Group. What’s this? Picking up trash outside a school now?”She smirked, lifting her foot to step on one of Stellar’s scattered books.Ha! So, what if Percy didn’t like her? He was still going to obediently get engaged to her.Every time Yvonne complained to her parents about her frustrations, they coddled her endlessly. Not only did they pressure her uncle to invest an extra two million dollars into her latest film, but they also arranged a dinner meeting with the Moore family tonight at an upscale restaurant to finalize the engagement date.Stellar’s gaze turned cold as she looked up at Yvonne.“Move.”“And if I don’t? What can you do about it?” Yvonne sneered, to

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 13

    Stellar didn’t want to talk about it, and Claude didn’t press her further, though anger surged within him. “It seems someone needs to be taught a lesson,” Claude thought.The drive was quiet, with neither of them saying much. When they finally arrived at the restaurant, Claude broke the silence. “Alright, enough with the gloomy face. Eat first. You’ll need a full stomach to think things through.” Stellar could tell Claude had noticed her troubled mood but chose to give her space. His subtle way of showing respect made her feel comforted. After parking the car, Claude led her inside to the private room he had reserved in advance. The restaurant’s decor was luxurious, with an elegant ambiance. From the main hall, the soft notes of a piano melody flowed in, soothing and uplifting, as though washing away her worries. Stellar gradually felt her emotions settle. Soon, dish after dish began arriving at their table. Although each portion was small, the sheer number of dishes was

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 14

    When Claude returned with a dark expression, Stellar immediately set her utensils down. “Uncle Claude, you don’t look too happy. Did something happen during that call?” Seeing her concerned face and recalling Yvonne’s venomous behavior, Claude felt a sharp pang of heartache. Not wanting to ruin Stellar’s mood, he brushed it off casually. “It’s nothing, just ran into a barking dog.” Stellar paused, then offered her own calm reassurance. “Well, if it’s just an animal, there’s no need for us to stoop to their level.” Claude burst into hearty laughter, his mood instantly lifted. Picking up his utensils, he placed more food on Stellar’s plate. “Here, eat more, Stellar. You’re far too thin. You need to take better care of yourself. As long as I’m here, I’ll make sure you’re well-fed and never mistreated.” A warm feeling blossomed in Stellar’s chest. It felt wonderful to be cared for like this.…After the meal, Claude went to fetch the car, leaving Stellar waiting outside.

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 15

    Stellar paused for a moment, guessing that Claude likely saw what had transpired earlier. Yet, out of respect for her, he chose not to intervene or ask questions. Her heart warmed at the thought, and a genuine smile spread across her face. “I will. Thank you, Uncle Claude. Drive safe.” She waved him off as he left before heading back into the villa. …Later that evening. After a relaxing hot shower, Stellar stepped out of her room, only to receive an unexpected phone call—from none other than Percy’s mother, Margaret Farrell. “Stellar! It’s so good to hear your voice!” Margaret’s tone was syrupy sweet, just as it always had been. “About what happened at the restaurant today, I wasn’t ignoring you on purpose. You know how much I’ve always cared for you, don’t you?” Her words sounded warm and familiar, but Stellar had long since seen through the façade. She didn’t respond, keeping silent on the line. Margaret, sensing the lack of engagement, grew impatient. “Are you hol

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 16

    To stand up for Yvonne, Jonathan was willing to go to such lengths.Did he truly despise her that much? Enough to crush her dreams entirely?Jonathan faltered for a moment under Stellar’s piercing gaze. Something about her eyes made him feel a flicker of unease, even guilt, but he quickly averted his gaze.Yvonne, eager to prevent any softening of his resolve, wasted no time fanning the flames.“But sister, haven’t you already secured the favor of multiple men? Mr. Howe, and that wealthy, dashing gentleman who picked you up the other day? Why bother stirring up trouble here on campus?”Jonathan’s head snapped up and the brief moment of hesitation wiped clean from his face.“Stellar,” he scolded, his voice brimming with anger. “When did you become so shameless? After leaving the Harlow family, you’ve been jumping from one man to another. It’s disgraceful!”The memory of her unapologetic attitude the day before resurfaced, fueling his frustration. She showed no remorse for her actions an

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 17

    When it came to sharp-tongued remarks, Victor was unmatched, leaving no room for pleasantries. Yvonne’s face turned crimson as she was rendered speechless by his blunt dismissal, and even Jonathan was momentarily stunned into silence.However, Victor paid them no further attention and turned to Jasper. “Jasper, weren’t you just saying you wanted to meet the investor who would invest one hundred million dollars into my project? Well, here he is!” His expression was indignant as he patted Claude on the shoulder. “And if a mere two million dollars can bar Stellar from returning to this school, then surely one hundred million dollars can ensure people like this…” His disdainful gaze flicked to Yvonne, and he enunciated slowly, “…are banned from ever setting foot on this campus again.”For a moment, the entire room fell into stunned silence. All eyes turned to Claude, their disbelief evident. A man this young and polished had casually invested one hundred million dollars? Who was he?How

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  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 220

    "You don't have to be so formal with me," Stephen said, his gaze warm and unwavering.But Stellar didn’t look up at him. Instead, she simply replied, polite as ever, "It’s just basic courtesy between friends."With that, she turned and walked into the lounge.Stephen felt a pang of disappointment but knew better than to rush things.Just then, Joy approached from the distance."Stephen, there are still some details about the aircraft incident I need to go over with you. Can we talk in the office?"Since it was work-related, Stephen gave a nod and followed her.Meanwhile, after a sleepless night, Percy spent hours going over every moment he had shared with Stellar.Finally, he had put together what he wanted to say—how he could convince her to help him.But when he searched the maintenance area, she was nowhere to be found.Just as confusion settled in, he turned back only to see Stellar stepping out of a room marked with Stephen Ward’s name.Her face was slightly flushed, steam still

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 219

    With a sharp slam, Stephen set his glass down on the table, his gaze turning icy as he shot a look at Shane. "Is that funny to you?""Ahem..."Shane cleared his throat, realizing that pushing any further would only get him into trouble. He quickly straightened his expression."Alright, alright, let’s get serious. I know you’re frustrated, but listen, I've got to say, I think you’ve always liked Stellar. That little girl from the past? That was just an obsession, maybe even a sense of duty."Don't confuse the two, or you’ll regret it someday.""I know."Stephen’s voice was steady, sharper than Shane expected. "That’s not the problem. I just don’t know how to pursue her without being too abrupt. If I don’t act soon, I’m afraid she’ll slip further away from me."From the way Stellar treated him today, he could feel the distance growing between them, and that alone sent a wave of unease through him."Hah! So even the great Mr. Ward can struggle when chasing a girl," Shane teased, barely ho

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 218

    Ethan had only gotten dragged into this because of her. Stellar curled her lips into a cold smile and spoke, her voice steady and sharp. "Since when did asking questions become something to be ashamed of? Or are you telling me you all know everything?" The moment she finished speaking, the ones who had mocked Ethan stiffened, caught off guard. They clearly hadn’t expected an intern to have the guts to challenge them so directly. "Being willing to ask, learn, and seek answers is a sign of humility and dedication. But instead of encouraging it as senior professionals, you ridicule it? What kind of logic is that? Or is this just how your team operates? Are questions not allowed?" A flush crept onto their faces. As seniors, they had planned to put the intern in his place. Yet instead, they had been publicly called out and humiliated by someone younger. Their pride took a heavy hit. One of the leaders, a man named Guy Wellson, scowled, his temper flaring. "Stellar, don’t

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 217

    The call was from Dawn, her voice laced with cautious humility. "Percy, I just had a prenatal checkup at the hospital. The doctor said my health is a bit weak… Can you transfer me some money for nutrition expenses?" Percy didn’t hesitate. "Alright, how much do you need?" Since she was carrying his child—and the situation benefited his return to the Moore family—he naturally intended to take responsibility. "Can you send me forty thousand? I’ve also run into some other issues… Don’t worry, consider it a loan. I’ll pay you back once I’ve sorted things out." Percy pressed his lips together. He wasn’t entirely pleased with her sudden high demand, but in the end, he softened. "There’s no need to talk about paying me back. I’ll send it right now." After hanging up, he transferred the money. On the other end, Dawn received the funds without a flicker of emotion. She immediately wired the amount into another account. "There, are you satisfied now?" She raised her gaze cold

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 216

    A strange sense of unease crept up on Stephen.“Stellar, you don’t have to be so formal with me. Actually…” He hesitated, as if struggling to put his thoughts into words.“Hm?” Stellar blinked, her expression curious.She looked just like the little girl from his memories—bright eyes, delicate features, lips like soft peach petals. The resemblance was uncanny.And yet, the shocking truth was… that little girl wasn’t Stellar.It was someone else entirely.When he first uncovered the truth, he had found it absurd.But now, looking at the woman before him, her radiant smile pulling him in, his thoughts became clear.He knew now, without a doubt, the one he liked, the one who made his heart race, was Stellar.Summoning his courage, he finally spoke. “You’ve always been someone very important to me…”Stellar paused for two seconds before responding with a relaxed smile. “And you’re an important friend to me too.”Stephen’s brows furrowed.That wasn’t what he wanted to hear.Why was she sud

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 215

    As Stellar and Stephen stepped out, they happened to catch the last part of the conversation. Stellar raised an eyebrow slightly, sensing an inexplicable hostility from Joy. But that was strange—they had only just met, hadn’t they? Stephen, however, didn’t hesitate to correct her. “Ms. Shaw, you got one thing wrong. It wasn’t me. It was Stellar who directed the landing. “She handled the controls with precision, ensuring the aircraft landed safely. She’s the real hero of this operation.” Joy paused for two seconds before quickly recovering, her tone easygoing. “My bad, Stephen. I can be pretty blunt sometimes—not as sensitive as most women. Maybe I didn’t phrase it well just now. “What I meant was, you two worked flawlessly together to resolve this crisis. You both deserve recognition for your efforts. “I’ll be reporting this to the higher-ups, and they’ll be awarding you both with honors.” Stellar finally spoke. “I only did what I could. I don’t need any awards.” “No,

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 214

    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

  • As the Fake Heiress Rose to Power, the CEO Falls Apart   Chapter 212

    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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