why does elena look different in season 8

Xandra Quinn has only ever had her grades. So when school heartthrob Robert Miller confesses publicly, she shocks everyone by saying yes. She knows it's a trap set by her jealous rival Amelia Moore, but why refuse? Xandra stops studying, openly wasting time with Robert, while Amelia celebrates her "victory." What she doesn't know—Xandra already has a Harbard offer. On exam day, Amelia mocks her, only to find Xandra revealed as the national top scorer—with a perfect score.

Live-streaming sensation Kate Turner finds herself framed—and in a twist of fate, transported back to 1994. In this unfamiliar world, she crosses paths with Ewan Clark, a sharp-minded young man recently returned from overseas. Determined to survive, Kate leverages her modern marketing savvy to spark a business revolution, quickly making a name for herself.As Kate and Ewan face off against rivals and sabotage, a bond begins to form between them. But success draws envy. Back home, Kate’s own family, consumed by jealousy, subjects her to constant manipulation and cruelty. Refusing to back down, she fights to reclaim what's hers—with Ewan standing firmly by her side.Through hardship and ambition, love quietly takes root. And thirty years later, when Ewan gets down on one knee, the two look back on their journey—from past to present—and step into a future they've earned, hand in hand.

Christie, a struggling single mother, steps in for the wealthy socialite Sophie Yates on a blind date with the returning commander, Sewell Lewis, in a desperate bid to save her ailing son. Little does she know, she is the very woman he has been searching for over five long years—the one he never forgot. As the blind date spirals out of control, Christie tries to avoid him, but her true identity begins to surface. Caught between lies and genuine feelings, Sewell's pursuit becomes unwavering. Amid the chaos and heartache, their tangled paths finally converge, and they embrace the honesty of their love.

Modern elite assassin Morgan Calud dies and transmigrates into a woman with the same name. After Morgan's father died in battle, her mother disguised her as a boy from birth so they could maintain their position in the Calud family. As Morgan grows up, she yearns to reclaim her female identity but fears that discovery would mean death for both her and her mother. Planning to escape with her mother before her secret is exposed, Morgan is unexpectedly noticed by Shane Burke—the Aetheria Dynasty's only duke with a different surname, a man of overwhelming power and ruthless temperament. He brings her back to his estate, and from then on, she must outwit him daily just to survive.

Two years into her marriage with Allen Howell, Isabel Lawson has a dream. Tomorrow, her husband will meet his soulmate. They’ll share a passionate night together, and from that moment on, Allen will shower this woman with everything—bidding millions on jewelry at auctions, gifting her the designer clothes and luxury bags that once belonged to Isabel. In the dream, Isabel desperately fights to save her crumbling marriage, using every trick against the mistress, only to be abandoned by her husband and die miserably in a psychiatric hospital. The first thing Isabel does when she wakes up is to slap her husband three times, and the plan begins…

At 15, Evan Jose met the love of his life. Having been diagnosed with a rare illness since childhood and given no more than 30 years to live, Evan tasted a candy from Tina Skyler, and that very candy drove away his misery. Over the years, Evan kept supporting Tina, watching his little moon grow into an exceptional dancer. When he had only 7 months left to live, he made a selfish decision. He married her, aiming to love her silently, as he had done for the past 14 years. But he forgot that the look of love can't be hidden. His feelings grew stronger. He reveled in her cute yet awkward attempts to please him, was captivated by her unintentional touches, and couldn't bear the thought of any other man near Tina. With his life slipping away and his love impossible to let go, a countdown of love began.

Three years ago, to repay Sara Crane's father for saving his life, Ian Griffin married into the Crane family. He secretly helped the Cranes reach a higher standing in society so that they would one day learn his true identity. Three years later, after making his last delivery for the day, he coincidentally saves Stella Wade, the Queen of Commerce, who was attacked by Estrya Assassins. After instructing his subordinate to handle the aftermath, he hastily leaves. Little does he know, Stella has fallen for him at first sight and wants to offer herself to him, along with Nimbus Group, which she has been managing for years.

Olivia Jones had failed five times to win over the school heartthrob, Boyd Chappell. On her sixth reincarnation, the system finally suggested a change—try his quiet best friend,Ethan Carter.She braced herself for another uphill battle, but to her surprise, Ethan was easy to get close to. He remembered everything she liked, always showed up when she needed him, and even… had photos of her from all five of her past lives.Turns out,he had secretly loved her for years, silently watching her through every cycle of rebirth."This time… could you look at me?"he asked softly.Olivia wavered. She had come to fulfill a mission—but found herself falling for his quiet tenderness instead.When the system declared the mission complete and asked for her final wish, she didn't hesitate:I want him.—After all the chasing, it was the one who waited for her that became her true redemption.

To fulfill his grandfather's wish, Blaine Scott reluctantly agrees to marry Amelia Lane for three years. Throughout the marriage, Blaine has been abroad and has never met Amelia. Even their divorce agreement is handled by his lawyer. Little does Blaine know that Amelia is actually the woman who saved him many years ago. However, a scheming woman, Ivy Blake, frames Amelia's brother and even pretends to be Blaine's savior, managing to gain his favor. In a twist of fate, after signing the divorce papers, Amelia unexpectedly has a one-night stand with Blaine, who has just returned to the country. On top of that, Blaine has also acquired the company Amelia works for and ends up as her boss!

Sophie Quinn, from an ordinary family, dated Spencer Xavier, heir to a wealthy family, for nearly three years. After graduation, his mother's interference and Zoe Sanders' schemes indirectly caused her father's death. Heartbroken, Sophie quietly left with their dog.Four years later, Spencer reappears as her new boss and appoints her as his assistant. In public, he is a cold, untouchable CEO. In private, he relentlessly pressures her to explain why she disappeared. Though he claims it is revenge, he is always the first to protect her when she is in pain.When the truth is finally revealed, Spencer becomes her unwavering protector, even if it means standing up to his family.

Six years ago, Winni and Chester were a loving couple, until Chester's old friend Ruth returned to the country. Ruth disguised herself with a kind face and became friends with Winni, secretly plotting to replace Winni as Chester's wife. Not long after, Winni became pregnant, but the doctor informed Chester that the child had no blood relationship to him. Chester iced out Winni and gradually grew closer to Ruth. Six years later, Winni's son, Ron, was critically ill with leukemia. Only Chester's bone marrow could save him. In order to please Chester, Winni had to bow down to Ruth. However, during their interaction, she gradually uncovered why Chester thought Ron was an illegitimate child.

Katy Ferguson is a renowned businesswoman in the city who dotes on her biological daughter Naomi Ferguson, giving her everything while remaining cold and distant toward her adopted daughter Alice Ferguson. However, Naomi schemes to steal the family fortune,causing Katy immense suffering. Before dying, Naomi reveals the truth: she's actually a fake daughter! Everything stemmed from butler Howard Adams' conspiracy years ago—he switched his own daughter with Katy's real daughter, deceiving Katy for her entire lifetime. Only in her dying moments does Katy realize that the "biological daughter" she spoiled her whole life wasn't as worthy as the adopted daughter she drove away three years ago. Given a second chance at life, she decides to shower all her love on Alice instead.

To repay the kindness of her savior Trevon, Anya Sharp agrees to a mysterious old gentleman's request: to work as a live-in maid for six years, caring for Blake Huber and his young son. During those six years, Anya quietly endures the Huber family's cold treatment and the constant scheming of Blake's ex-wife, Keira. She keeps her head down, waiting patiently for the agreement to end. But when Keira suddenly returns, the favoritism and betrayal from both father and son shatter Anya's resolve. Heartbroken and disillusioned, she walks away the moment her contract ends—and reunites with Trevon who has finally recovered. Only after losing her does Blake realize what she truly meant to him. But by then, it's too late. When the long-buried truth finally comes to light, Blake suffers a life-threatening injury protecting Anya. In the end, Anya chooses to move forward with Trevon, leaving the pain of the past behind.

In their previous lives, the empress and the consort spent their whole lives locked in a bitter rivalry. It wasn't until their deaths that they uncovered the truth—they had both been pawns in the emperor's game. Their children were used to turn them against each other, and their families had all perished at the emperor's hands. Reborn, the empress returns to the very day the emperor falsely accused her of causing the consort's miscarriage. This time, she does everything she can to protect her former enemy. But before she can offer an explanation, she discovers that the consort has been reborn as well. Once they confirm their shared secret, the two women turn from rivals to allies, determined to take down the unfaithful emperor together. In their previous lives, the emperor's power was still shaky at this point, and he relied heavily on the political influence of both women's families. This time, the empress uses his greed against him and brings him to his own downfall. At the story's close, the consort embraces a life of peace while the empress ascends the throne with grace. For once, the women of the imperial harem live peacefully, free of rivalry. Who says a woman can't wear the crown?