In the central zone, Dora paced anxiously in a luxurious room.
When she heard the door open, she turned around urgently. "Mom, you're finally here."
Ning Wanrong glared at her, said nothing, and shut the door tightly.
"Speak. What's so urgent that you had to call me here?"
"Mom, did you find someone with an awakened plant-type ability? I'm being pushed to the edge by those old men."
Dora looked completely miserable.
If it wasn't for her engagement, those old men wouldn't have let her come back at all.
She was supposed to return tomorrow. She had no other choice.
Ning Wanrong frowned deeply. "That shouldn't be the case. That plant encyclopedia came from your grandfather. He found it in some ancient ruins."
The Ning family had tested the book's power—it was real.
Under Ning Wanrong's sharp gaze, Dora shifted uncomfortably and avoided eye contact.
Ning Wanrong's eyes narrowed. She slapped Dora hard across the face.
"Tell me the truth. Did you even read the book?"
Dora clutched her stinging cheek and collapsed onto the bed, looking terrified.
"I… I did read it."
But her voice sounded weak and unsure.
Ning Wanrong suddenly grabbed her chin and forced Dora to face her.
"Dora, you know how little patience I have. Tell the truth."
Dora winced in pain and tried to struggle, but couldn't break free.
"I really did read it, but some parts were hard to understand."
The truth was, she wasn't interested in planting at all.
She read the book, but nothing stuck. It was like she hadn't read it.
Smack.
Another slap landed. Ning Wanrong's elegant face turned twisted and frightening.
"How did I give birth to such a failure? Even Danielle is better—at least she has a good-looking face."
Dora held her face, looked down, and stayed silent. Then, suddenly, she looked up with hatred.
"You think I wanted to be born from you? If you're so great, go have another one! But no, Dad didn't even want to—"
Before she could finish, Ning Wanrong slapped her again.
"You little brat! How dare you say that!"
Ning Wanrong trembled with rage, staring at Dora with disgust.
"You think your father didn't want more kids? The truth is, he wasn't worthy. He's nothing—not even worth a toe of that person."
After saying that, she realized she had said too much. Her expression turned evasive.
"You stay in this house and reflect. Don't go anywhere."
She opened the door and left. Outside, she spoke to someone. Inside, Dora sat weakly on the floor, leaning against the bed.
She hugged herself tightly. Her thoughts drifted to the past.
"Hey, who are you?" Danielle had asked.
Dora had stood timidly behind Ning Wanrong, not daring to speak. She had never seen such a beautiful little girl—like a fairy.
Ning Wanrong pinched her hard on the arm. "What are you staring for? Your sister's talking to you. Have some manners."
"Danielle, this is your little sister Dora. She'll be playing with you from now on, alright?"
Dora remembered it clearly. The first time they met, Danielle had looked at her with proud, cold eyes.
From that moment on, Dora began to imitate Danielle's every move. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't match her.
Some things just seemed to be innate. Dora knew she didn't have it, so she started down a different path.
It worked. Every time she stayed quiet and looked pitiful, people automatically assumed Danielle had bullied her.
And that idiot never explained herself. So stupid.
But why? Everyone thought Danielle bullied her, but still forgave her because of that face.
Even her own mother always looked at her with disgust and hate.
Why?
Dora buried her head in her arms and cried.
Beep. Beep.
The bracelet started ringing.
Dora ended her call, but the bracelet rang again.
She answered angrily, "Who is it? Are you crazy?"
"Miss? Didn't you say if Young Master Qingfeng contacted Danielle, we must tell you immediately?"
The person on the other end was scared by Dora's tone and spoke cautiously.
Dora froze, forgetting all the frustration from earlier.
"That's impossible. We just got engaged yesterday. He wouldn't have had time to meet Danielle."
"It happened a few days ago. Young Master Qingfeng called Danielle to Tianqing Hotel. We don't know what exactly happened, but later, he had Mu Hong transfer five million to her."
Clack.
The sound of grinding teeth echoed through the room.
Dora's face was emotionless as she hung up and immediately dialed Qingfeng.
Soon, Qingfeng's exceptionally handsome face appeared on the screen.
"Dora, what's wrong? Are you still at home? Weren't you heading to Sky City?"
Dora took a deep breath and forced a smile. "I'm feeling a little unwell. I'll go in a few days."
Qingfeng looked slightly anxious. "Really? Then make sure to rest well. Don't delay the elders' plans."
Dora's smile stiffened, and the words slipped out of her mouth.
"Qingfeng, if my awakened ability wasn't plant-related, would you still be with me?"
Qingfeng paused on the screen, a flicker of complexity in his eyes.
Then he smiled gently, showing just the right amount of affection.
"Why would you think that? Are you too tired lately? Just rest properly and stop overthinking. I'll come see you after I finish my work."
Dora gave a half-hearted smile and ended the call, leaning on the bed with a bitter grin.
Busy.
Busy is good.
But... Bang!
She slammed her fist onto the bed frame. What could a man who was about to marry into the Duo Family possibly be busy with?
Maybe he was busy keeping other women company.
Sure enough, a man who lost his chastity was like a cracked, stinking egg—flies everywhere.
Danielle… Danielle… if only I had your face.
Dora took a deep breath and made another call.
"Hello, Grandpa? I want to stay at your place for a few days."
Very soon, Dora left the house. Upstairs, Ning Wanrong looked down with clear dissatisfaction in her eyes.
But Dora didn't care anymore.
She stood coldly next to the spaceship, suddenly turning to Ning Wanrong.
"Mom, you better get that matter done fast. Otherwise, neither of us will have peace."
With that, she stepped into the ship, pretending not to see Ning Wanrong's face suddenly sink with anger.
The Ning residence.
Among the Eight Great Families, they were the best at healing.
In a quiet study room, Dora sat face-to-face with a kindly-looking old man.
"Grandpa, I want a new face."
Ning Caishen was shocked by her words. "Dora, why are you suddenly saying this? Changing a face isn't a small matter."
Cosmetic surgery was banned in Elysium. No one knew exactly why.
But Dora was calm, without a trace of panic. She stared at Ning Caishen.
"Grandpa, I know you have a way. As payment, I'll give the Ning family a new seed. One that's never existed before."
Ning Caishen narrowed his eyes. "You've figured out the secret between fruits, vegetables, and energy?"
He was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed out loud. "Good, you truly are the Savior Girl. I'll help you. Tell me—whose face do you want?"
"Danielle's."