Chapter 5 Chapter 5

"No, Granny. I can’t marry her," Dylan said, frowning deeply. "She’s ugly now. What will people say? Besides, I don’t even love her."

The old woman stood up slowly from the creaky bed and walked toward him.

"Dylan… even though you’re not my blood, I’ve always treated you as my own. When the time is right, I’ll tell you how to approach her. For now, your job is to protect her."

She headed for the door, then paused. "Go back to your family tomorrow. You’ve been away long enough."

"Granny… is there really no other option?"

The old woman turned with a sharp smile. "Marry her… or become a cripple?"

Dylan stared at her for a long moment, then let out a defeated chuckle. "Fine. I’ll marry her."

"Good boy."

The next morning, Dylan’s assistant Leo arrived at the old cottage to pick him up. After hugging his grandmother goodbye, Dylan climbed into the black Jeep.

"Where to, Master?" Leo asked.

"Home."

As the car moved, Dylan leaned back and sighed. How am I supposed to marry that ugly girl?

Meanwhile, Beauty and Sally spent the entire day parked outside the supermarket, hoping the old woman would appear.

"I’m losing hope," Beauty whispered, staring at her lap.

"We won’t stop until we find her," Sally replied firmly.

When they finally returned home exhausted, a message was waiting for Beauty: she had to appear at the head office the next morning.

Dylan woke up early the next day in his secret mansion. He got dressed in a sharp black suit, admiring his reflection in the mirror. At 28, he had built an empire in secret — no one knew he was the true king of the modeling industry.

"Leo, let’s go."

Beauty sat nervously in the car as Sally drove them to the head office. No matter how hard she tried, the scarf, mask, and glasses couldn’t fully hide her face.

"They’re going to mock me, Sally."

"Stay strong. I’m right here with you."

Inside the MD’s office, Beauty removed her glasses. The man’s eyes widened in shock.

"Miss Beauty… it’s really true."

"Yes," she said, voice shaking. "I don’t know what happened. I just woke up like this."

The MD sighed and pulled out her contract file. "You’ve been nominated for Most Beautiful Model of the Year. With your current… condition, it’s going to be difficult."

"Please, just give me time. I’ll fix my face. I promise."

Beauty left the office with a heavy heart. The moment she stepped into the hallway, whispers erupted.

"Look who we have here… Cursed Beauty."

It was the same group of models from before. They pulled out their phones and started recording.

"Just who are you?" Beauty asked, trying to sound brave.

"Your worst nightmare," the leader sneered. "Take more pictures!"

Laughter and flashes surrounded her. Tears streamed down Beauty’s ruined face. She wished the ground would open and swallow her.

Suddenly, a strong arm wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her against a firm chest and shielding her from the cameras.

"Leo," a deep, commanding voice said coldly, "make sure that woman is blacklisted from the modeling industry — nationally and internationally."

Beauty froze. She slowly looked up at the tall, extremely handsome man protecting her.

"Yes, Master!" Leo replied.

The hallway went dead silent.