All Chapters of The Ugly Duckling: Rise of the Forsaken Wife: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Danice was too shocked to control her emotions. Her eyes widened. What is he… doing here?Julian tilted his head, a lock of untrimmed hair falling over one eye. “...You recognized me?”Danice blinked, her mind racing. At this point in time, they hadn’t met. No— even in the past, they never met at the welcoming banquet. Panic tightening her chest, she quickly slipped on her practiced mask. She had promised herself she would avoid him in this life. Today’s encounter hadn’t happened before, and it shouldn’t happen now.She tossed the handkerchief back to him. “I’m not crying.”Taking a discreet breath, she added, “I was only startled. I thought you were a ghost.”Julian glanced at the handkerchief thrown at him, his face as unreadable as ever. “You look like you’re crying.”“I’m not,” Danice snapped. “I didn’t shed a single tear.”“But in the hall, you teared up.”Danice’s thoughts stuttered. …Right. She’d staged that display, pretending to cry as she left.Wait—was he watching me this w

Aside from the folders for Danice to get familiarized, Designer Li gave her another task.“Every young miss of a prominent family has cultivated refinement skills since childhood. Each is an expert in a particular art. The young misses of the Roan family, especially, are known for their talents. There will be occasions when you’re asked to perform and display your abilities. I advise you to learn some skills now so that, if called upon, you won’t be left with nothing to show.”After saying this, Designer Li introduced a series of instructors to Danice: first a dance teacher, then a piano instructor, a vocal coach, and finally a painting tutor.Thus, a new routine began for Danice at the Li mansion.Every morning at five, she jogged through the town, circling past the surrounding villas and returning to the Li gates twice before breakfast. She dined with Butler Hans and sometimes with Designer Li, who would share lessons and guidance over the meal. After breakfast came piano lessons. A

Vanessa worked quickly. In just three days she had already prepared the celebration banquet. The Roan family once again opened its gates, welcoming guests from every industry. Among all the branches, the First Branch had the widest network and strongest influence.The crowd this time was easily ten times larger than at the recent welcoming banquet. Because the two events were held less than a month apart, many guests who attended both couldn’t help comparing them.“The First Branch is truly impressive. Every hall is packed. It seems everyone who received an invitation showed up. Last time, one hall wasn’t even filled,” a guest remarked as he looked around. He was a minor celebrity whose family was in business. He had attended the welcoming banquet out of curiosity—to see the long-lost daughter and watch whatever drama might unfold. Tonight, he wouldn’t have bothered to come, but his father’s alliance with the First Branch left him no choice.Around his table sat other young people fro

Two Days Earlier…Since he was close to retirement, Doctor Gomez no longer accepted patients unless they were relatives or individuals with such prominent backgrounds that his service was needed. Aside from a few old friends who trusted only him with their health—and the occasional young master from the Amberford family—Doctor Gomez rarely involved himself in hospital affairs. Still, as the hospital’s director, he was required to visit at least once a week.Today was one of those scheduled visits.During the rounds, Doctor Gomez and the other board members walked through each department, inspecting the facilities. As they passed the ER wing, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure at the front desk.“Designer Li?” Doctor Gomez recognized his long-time friend immediately. But instead of delight, his expression turn to concern. Seeing someone he knew in the ER was rarely a good sign. “Why are you here? What’s going on?”Designer Li, dressed in crisp business attire, looked as thou

“She just offended Designer Li last time—how dare she show her face here?”“Look, she even wore the exact dress Yvette is wearing. Is she a fool, or is she really that desperate for attention?”“I wonder why the Roan family still keeps her.”Danice endured their whispers, lowering her head in shame until her eyes fell on the beautiful white dress she had chosen so carefully. Ever since that incident a month ago—when she had unknowingly offended a society madame—she had dreaded stepping out in public again.Now her own branch of the family had arrived for a celebration banquet in honor of her sister. Danice had heard so many impressive stories about Yvette from her cousins that she couldn’t help but admire this sister she had never met.She wanted to welcome them properly, but the fear of embarrassing the family held her back. Only Sophia’s encouragement—her sole friend in the Roan household—gave her the courage to attend. Determined not to repeat the same mistake, Danice had sought So