what is the story of the ugly duckling

Rick Carter has been a vegetable ever since an accident two years ago. In place of Mary Holt, Rose Abney marries him and takes good care of him, earning her the favor of his mother, Ann White.

Despised by his in-laws, Marshall leaves with his wife and daughter, only to reveal his true identity as Harrington Group’s new CEO. Facing betrayal and family rejection, he fights to reclaim his dignity and build a new life on his terms.

Caden, the youngest scientist, faced a tragic life due to family conflicts. After being reborn, he decided to distance himself from his original family and live for himself. In this new life, Caden no longer remained weak; he proved his abilities to his deskmate, his family, his classmates, and even to the entire nation and the world. He established himself as a once-in-a-millennium genius.

When Jude Cohen is still a child, Hooper Group uses malicious competitive tactics that lead to Jude's father being convicted and dying by suicide, leaving young Jude's family devastated and broken. After reaching adulthood, Jude conceals his identity and takes a job at Hooper Group as a regular employee in the audit department. Through a series of overt and covert power struggles, Jude eventually rises to become the chairman, gaining complete control of Hooper Group. Jude then holds accountable those who had harmed his family years ago, while also reforming the company's culture. Under Jude's leadership, Hooper Group is transformed into an exemplary and ethically responsible enterprise.

Quincy Bolton is betrayed by her husband and best friend, who conspire against her. On her way to a business meeting, she's given water laced with sleeping pills by her best friend. After falling unconscious, they dump her in a flood-prone area, where she's swept away by a mudslide. Her husband, Chuck Willis, and best friend, Claire Lloyd, plan to take over her company and even threaten her parents. Just when they think they've won, Quincy makes a dramatic return and turns the tables on them.

Pregnant Whitney was involved in a car accident, which turned out to be a conspiracy orchestrated by her husband, Kelvin, and his so-called "cousin" Lily. The two had colluded to kill her. Fortunately, Whitney was reborn, and this time, she set an elaborate trap, making Kelvin pay in blood and lose all his wealth! Afterward, she continued digging into the company's financial issues, exposing the mole in the finance department who had been working with Kelvin. The wealthy Leonard Gould assisted her throughout the process, and their relationship gradually grew closer. After a series of events, Whitney successfully achieved her revenge, and her enemies received the punishment they deserved.

Wealthy heiress Sheryl, in hiding her identity, supported her beloved Tom in his entrepreneurial endeavors. However, after three years, she was met with Tom's betrayal. In a fit of anger, Sheryl impulsively married Ryan, a stranger who happened to pass by. To her surprise, Ryan turned out to be the CEO of a conglomerate. Over time, they protected and grew to love each other, navigating the challenges of their unexpected marriage.

Alina, the true Windsor heiress, lost at three, was replaced by Angela. Found years later, Alina faced Angela's schemes and family alienation. After a tragic death, she was reborn, left the Windsors, and forged her own path. The family, through coincidences, realized her true love and regretted their actions.

Layla Nott has been infatuated with Seth Upton since she was a teenager and even willingly gives him her vast inheritance to help him build Upton Group, transforming the Upton family into one of the most prominent families in Yeldon. However, ever since she married into the Upton family, her health has deteriorated. One day, after a visit for medical treatment, she returns home to find Seth fooling around with her stepsister, Sharon Black. Septh's mother, Susan Upton, is at home and clearly condones the affair. After being humiliated by Sharon and Susan, Layla is left shaken by Seth's confession—he has only ever been interested in her wealth and has never loved her. He has even purchased a massive life insurance policy on her and is now waiting for her death to cash in on the payout. Heartbroken by the revelation, Layla feels her life is pathetic. Impatient for her demise, Seth takes her to the rooftop and pushes her off. As she plunges to her death, Layla swears that if she were given another chance, she would exact her revenge and make sure they pay for their betrayal.

Graysen Grimes is consumed by grief over his late wife, leading the family nanny, Caitlin, to believe she'll become the next Mrs. Grimes. While Graysen is away, Caitlin moves her relatives into the mansion. She seizes control of Graysen Group, running the company into the ground. When Graysen discovers the betrayal, the shock makes him collapse—he's hospitalized. While he's unconscious, Caitlin even kidnaps his only daughter Janessa... After regaining consciousness, Graysen exposes Caitlin's deception. In retaliation, she secretly works with rival corporations to sabotage his business. In the end, justice prevails—Caitlin lands in prison while Graysen Group makes a triumphant IPO.

Mia Joy, a recent police academy graduate, went undercover as a Blossomfall Maiden to expose a sinister human trafficking ring disguised as a divine marriage ritual in Blossomfall Village. Venturing deep into the mysterious cave, she confronted a criminal gang. Through her courage and determination, she uncovered the crimes committed by the village chief and his accomplices, ultimately rescuing her sister Lana Joy and other captive women.

Evelyn Willow, a strong female general, is honored by the emperor with the title of "Wise General" for her victories. Returning to the capital for her sister Vera Willow's wedding, she's mistaken for a beggar due to her worn clothes. Despite this, Vera fiercely defends her. But on the day of the wedding, Vera is betrayed by her entire in-law family. Evelyn uses her power to strike back, defending her sister's honor. After helping Vera annul the marriage, she arranges a new match with Caius Nelson. On the day the duke sends his betrothal gifts, both sisters unexpectedly encounter the parents who abandoned them. Evelyn decides to make them regret their actions for the rest of their lives.

Leola Dawson returns home from abroad for her brother Tyrone's proposal to Helen Miller. At the proposal, Helen mistakes Leola for "the other woman." Helen and her family mistreat Leola based on this misunderstanding. Tyrone, influenced by Helen's family, turns against his sister. Finally, Leola and her parents clear up the situation, and she becomes the heiress to Dawson Group.

Ten years after Yancy Stuart vanished in a tragic hiking accident, her brother Jeffery finally found her, only to learn she had no memory of him. When Jeffery rescued Yancy from an abusive boyfriend, they agreed to reconnect despite her lost memories. Driven by guilt for not protecting her before, Jeffery worked to improve her life, but rebuilding their bond proved challenging. As they grew closer, Jeffery discovered they weren't biologically related. Embracing his feelings, he confessed his love. Together, they overcame adversaries, media scrutiny, and personal struggles, ultimately forming a strong and loving family.

When a disagreement arises between the CEO and his wife, what happens when a sales director becomes entangled in the situation?

On the day of Valeria Castle's engagement, her mother, Marilyn Castle, arrives at the banquet disguised as a cleaner, only to face humiliation from the Hardy family. A wealthy woman fights her over a parking spot, her future mother-in-law enforces strict household rules, and her fiancé demands an outrageous betrothal gift. But Marilyn soon reveals her true identity. Wayne Cuddy, Aaron Shaw, and Basil Brady step in with a billion-dollar dowry, instantly turning the tide. From that moment on, she proves her strength time and again, expertly resolving the crisis at Price Corp. In the end, as foreign capital threatens their empire, she takes Valeria abroad—ready for the next battle.

Mya Walker falls into a trap set by her stepmother, becoming pregnant with the child of Southia's most esteemed man Caleb Monroe. After a challenging nine months, she is forcibly operated on, losing her first child to a villain, while the other four are heartlessly disposed of. Five years later, Mya, now a formidable figure, returns to seek revenge on those who wronged her. Determined to find her children and succeed in her career, she stops at nothing. When her children's father pleads for reconciliation, Mya coldly rejects him, showing him that he doesn't deserve her!

Charles Lawson, a talented college graduate from a rural background, marries into the wealthy Campbell family. After joining Glensvalw's Campbell family, he is morally manipulated by his wife Kinsley and dedicates himself to managing Neon Corp. When Charles asks Kinsley for 3,000 dollars to buy a train ticket to visit his parents, she coldly refuses and has her bodyguards take his phone. Worried about their son, Charles' parents die in a highway accident caused by fatigue. After preparing the New Year Eve's dinner for the Campbell family, Charles learns of his parents' death. Unable to endure the oppression, he erupts in anger, overturning the dining table. He then decides to leave his unloving wife and child, abandoning the Campbell family.