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Chapter 10 - Chapter 010 ( Transformed )

Vincent Huang looked relieved — as did Norte Huang, who had been restless and worried.

They finally understood why their father had insisted that everyone leave through a single door and drink a "refreshing beverage" before going home.

That drink, it turned out, was a memory-erasing potion their father had prepared in abundance — far more than the number of guests who actually attended.

As if he could foresee what was about to happen.

Or perhaps, he was simply prepared — because no one ever knew when the first symptoms would appear.

They had only hoped it would happen after the celebration ended at nine that evening.

But their father's timing was wrong.

Midnight hadn't even arrived, and Nattalie Huang had already begun to transform.

Fortunately, her transformation was slow and gradual. Nakulla Huang didn't have to call Collis Mao, his trusted assistant, to increase the potion's dosage.

If everyone had seen Nattalie's full transformation, chaos would have been inevitable.

Only now did Nattalie understand why her father had been reluctant when she begged for a grand celebration for her sixteenth birthday — the age that symbolized freedom, beauty, and the bloom of youth.

She had wanted a dazzling party. Something unforgettable.

Yet, because of her father's logical and strangely cautious reasons, she had agreed to hold it at home — a private celebration.

He even hired an event organizer to perfect the décor and the menu.

But the guest list was limited strictly to her friends.

No reporters. No outsiders.

Just them.

Now, at last, Nattalie understood the truth behind all her father's decisions.

Her body weakened, her pride crumbled, and her heart filled with remorse.

Once, she had hated him for being too controlling.

Now, she was overwhelmed with gratitude.

With deep sadness, Nakulla Huang looked at his trembling daughter and asked softly,

"What is it, my dear? Is something still troubling you?"

Nattalie shook her head weakly, words slipping away from her lips. But then, with a quivering voice, she confessed the deepest fear in her heart.

"I'm scared, Father. I'm scared people will hate me. I'm scared they'll stay away from me. I don't want anyone to see my ugly side — to think I'm a monster."

And soon, Nattalie's fear proved real.

More than once, she found herself sneaking through the school halls — fearful, trembling — in a campus so vast it could hold thousands.

After that dreadful night, after all the revelations that shattered her sense of reality, she refused to attend school.

She locked herself away, replaying the same thoughts again and again:

What did I do wrong?

She had never bullied anyone, never sought conflict — except, perhaps, with her one and only rival… Yoanna Wen.

Yoanna, with her tomboyish air and arrogant smile, despised Nattalie's life as a young actress — and envied her flawless grades.

Every time they competed in exams, Yoanna would ignite her temper.

Yet, despite their rivalry, they had always fought cleanly, never resorting to deceit or manipulation.

Nattalie Huang had always lived carefully — protecting her image as a sweet, intelligent girl loved by the public.

Fans adored her. They built clubs in her name, came to her filming sets, showered her with gifts and praise.

Their love made her feel cherished — perhaps even invincible.

She used to believe that only envy could turn someone against her.

But now, after all her success, she had to bear something far heavier — a hatred she couldn't blame on anyone but fate.

She had become something less than human. A creature that could change shape.

The only time Nattalie had felt such despair was years ago — when her favorite music box, her seventh birthday gift from her father, fell and shattered into pieces.

The same pain now returned, tenfold.

"Hiks... hiks..."

Tears streamed down her cheeks. Crying was supposed to help — yet this time, it only made things worse.

Her heartbeat quickened, erratic, pulsing with strange energy.

The sobbing of a girl slowly shifted into the mewling of a cat.

A white cat, trembling, her clothes scattered across the floor.

From the next room, startled by the sound, David Huang rushed in — confused, searching.

He saw the scattered garments, the trembling creature with wide, tearful amber eyes.

"Meow..."

It called out softly, almost as if saying his name.

David froze, staring at the cat — then at those eyes, that unmistakable gaze.

He whispered, half in disbelief,

"Nattalie? Is that... you?"

The cat blinked, sorrow glimmering in its eyes.

David groaned, dragging a hand down his face in defeat.

"Oh no... Why did you have to turn into this, my troublesome little sister?!"

He stood there for a moment, torn between anger and pity.

Even if he wasn't the one cursed, the sight of his sister's suffering made his heart ache all the same.

***

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