Rosalie wasn't too worried. She and the others were already buzzing with anticipation for the Fu family's princess's birthday banquet that evening.
The grand celebration officially began.
As Rosalie, Chloe Zhao, and Ethan Sun entered the lavishly decorated hall, they were stunned by the scale of the event. Every major figure in Yecheng's social circles was present—clear evidence of the Fu family's power and prestige.
"Has the little princess made her debut yet?" Chloe Zhao whispered.
"Not yet, but she should be here any minute."
Just as she finished speaking, the crowd's attention shifted toward the grand staircase.
A girl slowly descended from the second floor, wearing a romantic white gown that floated elegantly with each step. Her hair was styled into a braided updo, adorned with a sparkling tiara. Subtle makeup highlighted her delicate features.
It was Emily.
"Wow… the Fu family's little princess is gorgeous!"
Gasps and praise echoed through the hall. Ethan Sun was stunned. The young heiress was breathtaking. If only he could date someone like her...
But who was he? Just a common man. She was a princess born into privilege. There was no way she'd even notice him.
As Emily reached the base of the staircase, a crowd quickly formed around her.
"Happy birthday, little princess!""This is our gift to you!"
Emily accepted the presents graciously. "Thank you."
Chloe Zhao grabbed Rosalie and Ethan Sun's arms. "Let's go up too—quick! We need to give our gifts!"
"Right."
The three of them pushed forward through the crowd, plastering smiles on their faces. "Happy birthday, little princess."
Emily looked up at them, her expression playful as she blinked. "Rosalie, Chloe, Ethan—don't you recognize me?"
The guests murmured in surprise.
"The little princess knows them by name?"
The trio froze.
"You… you know us, Your Grace?" Rosalie stammered.
Just then, a calm and clear voice rang out behind them. "She knows you far better than you think."
Everyone turned. Celia stepped forward elegantly, her presence commanding attention as the crowd instinctively parted to let her through. She walked straight to Emily's side.
"Emily, happy birthday."
"Emily?" Rosalie, Chloe, and Ethan gasped in unison, all eyes widening as they looked at the birthday girl again. "You're… you're that Emily?"
The one they had called "ugly"?
Emily smiled. "That's right. It's me."
The trio was dumbfounded.
Where was the birthmark? How did it disappear? And when did she become the Fu family's little princess?
Their minds spun with disbelief.
Chloe Zhao and Ethan Sun were both frozen, especially Ethan. He stared at Emily like he was seeing a ghost. Just days ago, she was the awkward girl who quietly handed him cash—and now she stood before him, radiant and elegant, the legitimate heiress of the Fu empire.
Compared to her, Chloe paled in every sense of the word.
And she was the one he had dumped?
Just then, a sharp voice interrupted the silence.
"Chloe."
Zhao Lei strode through the crowd, face dark with fury. Seeing her father, Chloe tried to stand tall. At least she could rely on the fact that he was supposedly close to President Fu—right?
Before she could say a word, smack!A sharp slap landed on her cheek.
Zhao Lei pointed at her, voice shaking with anger. "Who told you to come here? I'm just President Fu's driver—a driver! And yet you've been out there telling everyone I'm some trusted advisor? Spreading lies just to puff yourself up, and even stealing someone else's boyfriend? Shameful! I raised you better than this!"
Everyone gasped.
A driver?
He wasn't a confidant of President Fu?
Ethan Sun felt his stomach drop.
He had traded the Fu family's only princess… for a driver's daughter.