All Chapters of The Ugly Duckling: Rise of the Forsaken Wife: Chapter 91 - Chapter 97

Zarius shut the script. Scene 45—this was one of the hardest scenes he had ever had to play. He could only hope all his preparation for it would finally pay off.“Action!” Director Choi shouted, and the camera began rolling.Zarius stared into the empty air, his gaze fixed on the clock. He recited Zeke’s inner monologue in his mind, channeling those emotions into his eyes. Then, slowly, he lowered his head to look at the knife in his hand.“Cut!” Director Choi’s voice boomed through the megaphone. “Zarius, you’re about to kill yourself — end your only life with your own hands! What do you think a person should be feeling inside?!”Zarius: “...” He followed the script flawlessly — what had he done wrong this time?For this scene, he had interviewed many suicide survivors, watched countless films and documentaries, and even talked with psychiatrists about it. But knowing something and expressing it the way Director Choi wanted were two very different things.Zarius tried again — and aga

After dinner, the three of them went back to the apartment complex where they were staying.Facing the “poorly maintained” building, Zarius froze. He had been imagining a hotel—with a grand reception desk in the lobby and an elevator. But this place… was this even a hotel?“Which floor are you staying on? I got my room on the third floor,” Danice asked.Zarius’s disbelieving eyes turned to Gilbert. The latter felt his boss’s prickling gaze and chuckled awkwardly. “...Fifth floor. I thought there was an elevator…”Zarius: “…”When Danice walked a bit ahead of them, Zarius hissed under his breath, “Why didn’t you tell me the place was like this?”“Boss, you didn’t ask. You just said to find a room quickly.”Zarius: “…” So it was his fault?!Unfortunately, he had already told Danice he was staying here. Canceling the room now might offend his new “brother.” What if Danice thought he was too picky or looked down on places like this? That would give a terrible impression!Zarius gritted hi

95The smoke was beginning to disperse as the firefighters sprayed water all over the set.Director Choi was busy reviewing the footage on the monitor, while Danice sat at the side with a towel draped over her head. Because the fire had spread too much, the firefighters had immediately turned on the hose and showered the entire set before Director Choi could even call “Cut.” Fortunately, he was satisfied with the result. The parts they couldn’t capture properly were filmed separately—most of which were Zarius’s scenes.Director Choi spotted her and called out, “Don’t go home yet, Danice. Let’s have a small celebration party tonight with you and Zarius. You both did a great job.”Danice was taken aback, then her eyes curved in delight. “Thank you, Director Choi.”That single praise made all her struggles feel worth it.……Director Choi was very generous. He brought them to a high-end restaurant and rented a private room. He even said his usual catchphrase, “Order as much as you want.”

“.....he turned to look at her and in that instant—” Danice read slowly from the book.Headmaster Roan, sitting beside her, read the words softly as his eyes followed the text. “…Eurydice faded back into the shadows forever.”Danice closed the book and smiled. “Good job, Grandpa. One storybook down for today.”It had been three days since she arrived, and she had been personally taking care of her grandfather. She prepared his meals herself and helped him practice his cognitive and motor skills by reading, writing, and walking together, step by step. With her around, Headmaster Roan seemed livelier and more energetic in participating in his rehabilitation.Butler James, who was listening from the side, commented, “You don’t know this, young miss, but when the doctor first gave him that storybook, he never even touched it. It was only after you arrived that he started reading it.”“Hey, you’re not supposed to tell her that,” Headmaster Roan scolded lightly, glaring at Butler James, who