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All Chapters of Ugly Duckling Becomes National Beauty: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

When I stood rooted to the spot without saying a word, my younger sister, Vivian Sterling, shot Mom and Dad a reproving look. "Blob's super self-conscious about her appearance as it is, Mom and Dad. Instead of triggering her, you should compliment her!"Dad knitted his brows as he gazed at me. "Take off your mask and let me see if there's anything that can still be done."Before I could make a move, Mom sneered. "Beauty comes from within. Vivian's gorgeous and kind-hearted, unlike a certain uncultured swine who doesn't even know how to greet us after walking through the door. Let's not waste our time. I'd hate to lose my appetite for dinner." I had manners, but I couldn't bring myself to call these strangers I was meeting for the first time in 18 years "Mom and Dad". I tightened my grip on my duffel bag. "Excuse me, where's my room?"The mask covered half of my face, but it couldn't hide my ethereal, pristine voice. Mom, who had been hostile toward me a split second ago, sud

Chapter 2

Ms. Fairchild replied almost instantaneously. "Got it. By the way, you have a lovely name!"I responded politely, "Thank you. My grandma picked it out for me." Mom and Dad had only given me the nickname "Blob", claiming a crude name would make me easier to raise. Then, like the trash my nickname implied, they had dumped me at Grandma's house right after I was born. When I was five, I was about to start elementary school. I needed a legal name for my official records—a full name with a last name, the name I'd be known by for the rest of my life. Grandma called Mom and Dad several times. Their answer was always the same. "Yeah, yeah, we're thinking about it. We're super busy auditioning for roles and going on nationwide tours. It's literally just a name. Why are you in such a hurry?"Months flew by, and before long, the first day of school was right around the corner. Afraid that I would miss enrollment and end up starting school a year later than the other children my age, Gra

Chapter 3

I was about to tell Dad not to bother when a bodyguard hurried in. "Mr. Smith's here with wine from his own vineyard, Mr. Sterling. He said he'd like to have a few drinks with you."Dad immediately broke into a smile as he rose to his feet to greet him. Then, as if a thought suddenly crossed his mind, he whipped around to look at me. "I have an important friend over, so you'll have lunch in your room. The housekeeper will bring your meal up shortly. When you're done, just leave your tray at the door."Don't come downstairs unless you have to. We'd rather not have to explain how we ended up with such a genetically mutated, ugly daughter." Vivian, twirling in her gorgeous dress, looked up at me like a proud swan. "Don't take it personally, Blob. Mom and Dad are an award-winning actor and a famous singer, after all. They need to protect their privacy and can't afford even the slightest scandal. "Please enjoy your lunch and rest up in your room in the afternoon. If no one calls for

Chapter 4

Even as they watched me get compared to a piece of trash by the fiance they had chosen, Mom and Dad didn't defend me. In fact, they turned to Sylvan, flushed with shame. "When we made that arrangement before she was born, we had no idea what kind of child we were going to have. Don't worry, Sylvan. Our families go way back; of course, we'll marry off our most outstanding and beautiful daughter to you. "As for this ugly thing, we'd rather keep her at home for the rest of her life than let her ruin someone's life!"My hands balled into fists, but I kept my mouth shut, as I couldn't be bothered to defend myself. After all, I didn't want such a harsh and cruel fiance either.Sylvan, however, had no intention of letting me off the hook. He closed in on me and pressed even harder, "You're being too hard on yourselves, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling. To be honest, with the two of you as her parents, I'm sure your daughter can't be all that bad. So, I'm quite curious to see what she looks like.

Chapter 5

The crowd hurriedly backed away, avoiding me as though I was the plague. I lowered my head and looked at my reflection in the water, only to see my long hair completely plastered over my face. The water had swept away my baseball cap, and only a pair of large, dripping-wet eyes could be seen through the strands. I certainly looked disheveled and frightening. Using both my hands and feet, I pulled myself out of the pool.Vivian deliberately covered her mouth and gasped. "I'm so sorry, Blob! I didn't mean to! I only wanted the cosmetic surgeons to help touch you up so you could face people with confidence in the future. I didn't expect things to turn out like this, nor did I want to freak everyone out!"I shot her an apathetic look and remained silent—because although she kept apologizing and insisting that she hadn't done it on purpose, she couldn't hide the gloating smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Without sparing me so much as a glance, Mom and Dad urged me, "Hurry up

Chapter 6

Mom and Dad both wore looks of surprise and embarrassment. Mr. Montgomery, however, acted as if he didn't notice a thing. "I'm sure you know that I've been preparing this film for years. The reason I've kept putting off production is because I'm waiting for the female lead I've had my heart set on to show up."Under Vivian's teary gaze, Dad bit the bullet and asked, "Mr. Montgomery, if you don't mind me asking… which starlet do you have in mind?" Mr. Montgomery shook his head, a wistful look surfacing in his eyes. "She's not part of the entertainment industry. She's just an ordinary girl, and I don't even know where she is. However, the moment I first laid eyes on her, I knew she was my female lead. "She's the only one who can play the role!"Right after saying that, he unlocked his phone. The photo was visibly dated and pixelated, yet he had kept it as his screensaver. "Once you see her, you'll understand what I mean."Mom and Dad accepted his phone, and with just a glance,

Chapter 7

Dad's eyes flickered with a hint of revulsion when he saw me out in the open. "Are you heading out?"I nodded. "I'm moving into the dorm early."After hearing that, Mom and Dad didn't bother asking anything more. "Alright, then. Off you go. We can clear out your room to turn it into a dressing room for Vivian."It was as though saying even one more word to me was a waste of their precious time. Vivian couldn't help but bury her face in her hands and sob, "Did you come out here just to laugh at me, Blob?"Dad gently stroked Vivian's head. "Cheer up, Vivian. What right does this ugly duckling have to laugh at you? Dry those tears, pumpkin. I'll increase your allowance by another ten grand, okay?"Mom pulled Vivian into her arms and comforted her. "Exactly. She's too ashamed to show her own face in public, so what right does she have to judge you? Since she's moving out today, I'll take you shopping right now. We'll buy you lots of new clothes, jewelry, and makeup and fill the wh

Chapter 8

Ms. Fairchild was thrilled for me. "Which agency do you want to sign with, Aria?" she chirped.I shook my head. "None of them. I'm not interested." Ms. Fairchild chuckled awkwardly when she heard that. "Aria, could you please go out there just this once, for my sake? The dean just called me. If you don't go, neither of us are going to be able to explain ourselves."I had no choice but to go out and deal with them in my slippers. When I showed up in my pajamas and slippers, without any makeup on, dozens of people instantly poured out of the waiting vans. "Good heavens, she's even more gorgeous in person than in the video!" "Aria, you were born for the spotlight! Choose our company, and we'll definitely make you a mega-star!" I was overwhelmed by the crowd when a familiar figure squeezed through. "I'm here on behalf of Grayson Entertainment, Aria. If you're willing to sign with us, I'll offer you the best contract and benefits we have!"Sylvan finally looked me in the eye, b

Chapter 9

Dad sighed in disappointment, grumbling under his breath, "And here I thought you might actually be of some use for once. If I could track this young lady down, I'd be making a major contribution, and my resources would double overnight!"Mom looked indignant as well. "I must find her and take her on as my final mentee. My time may be passing, but she has what it takes to become famous nationwide—even worldwide—and carry on my legacy!"Just then, Dad received a phone call. His expression instantly changed drastically. "Aria? Her name's Aria?" I felt my heart sink.Mom and Dad rushed up to me, visibly nervous. "Blob, it's fine if you don't know her personally, but does her name ring a bell?"I tugged at the corner of my lips, realizing that all these years, Mom and Dad didn't even know—or care to know—my legal name. In their eyes, I would always be nothing more than a blob they could dump wherever they pleased. "How would I know when you don't?" I retorted.Vivian breathed a si

Chapter 10

Vivian shot me a triumphant look. "Blob, who in their right mind installs surveillance cameras inside their own home? If it weren't for your sticky fingers, we never would've dreamed in a million years that we'd have a thief under our own roof!" Vivian was smugly slandering me when the housekeeper suddenly slapped her forehead. "Hold on, we do have surveillance cameras! Mrs. Sterling had us install them a short while ago because she was afraid that her eldest daughter from the countryside might try anything funny. She had us install pinhole cameras in the hallways and at the staircases. "We were told to throw her out immediately if we noticed anything suspicious."Mom had secretly had the cameras installed to keep an eye on me. Irony of ironies, they ended up clearing my name instead. Vivian blanched. "Perhaps we shouldn't check the footage, after all. My necklace has been found, and since we're family, we should spare Blob the embarrassment."I turned to the police officer.

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