True Heiress Returns: A Family’s Reckoning

Kate (Penelope)'s POV: The heart-wrenching pain suffocated me, yet I couldn't move or speak. Is there no one to save me? Amid the bustling crowd, no one noticed my distress. My heart sank deeper as the faces of the people I'd just encountered flashed through my mind. Who was it? Who wanted me dead? 'I'm not ready to die—I want to live!' I implored inwardly. Suddenly, the pain vanished, replaced by an eerie, otherworldly calm. Judging from the way things had unfolded—I must already be dead. After what felt like an eternity, a sharp headache struck. 'If I'm dead, why can I still feel pain?' My body grew unbearably hot, my vision blurred. Struggling to open my eyes, I was met with unfamiliar faces. In an instant, another person's memories flooded my mind, hitting my skull. Looking down, I saw a pair of delicate, youthful hands that weren't mine. Could it be that... my soul had crossed over into another body? Sorting through the memories, I realized I was no longer Penelope Briar, the nation's beloved actress, but Kate Hastings, the good-for-nothing heiress of the Hastings family. Underneath me, the room buzzed with elite members of the society, gathered for the birthday banquet for Kate's maternal grandfather, Christopher Bennett. This Kate was nothing like me. Although a true heiress of the Hastings, she had been raised outside the family till she was sixteen, when she was reclaimed. Since her return, she'd been outmaneuvered at every turn by Fiona Hastings, the adopted daughter who had won over her parents and uncles. Kate, timid and outcast, would often hide away in the attic, weeping in silence. Today, Fiona, eager to seize more of Kate's resources, let herself fall down the stairs, claiming Kate had pushed her. Kate, in disbelief, was killed by the sheer power of shock. The remnant consciousness of her echoed in my mind as I took in her despair. I whispered softly, "Kate, from now on, I will be you. I'll avenge you and live out the life you deserve. Rest in peace." As her consciousness faded, the last tear of her life traced my cheek. Downstairs, Fiona was putting on a show. "How careless of me! Please don't put it on Kate," she said, her raven hair cascading over her shoulders, her piercing green eyes glinting with a hint of malice. Suddenly, Clark Bennett, one of our maternal uncles, stormed forward. "Kate Hastings!" he snarled, glaring at me. "Look what you've done! I warned you not to harm Fiona!" From behind Clark emerged a man who bore some resemblance to him but appeared slightly younger. It was Samuel, another uncle of both Kate and Fiona. Thanks to Fiona's scheming, all nine of their uncles had developed a deep misunderstanding of Kate. They saw her as a worthless yet malicious woman, showering their affection only on Fiona, perceived as virtuous and generous. Samuel's green eyes bore into me. "Kate, you've gone mad! How dare you attack Fiona at a banquet? Apologize now!" He roared, "Are you deaf? You really have no manners—and now you're harming your own family! How despicable!"  Clark yelled from downstairs, "Samuel, stop wasting words. Drag her down here! This wicked girl needs to be taught a lesson!" I scoffed, brushing off Samuel's attempt to grab me, and descended the stairs. My gaze swept the room, studying everyone's expressions, before settling on Fiona. "Do you have proof I pushed her?" "Proof? Who else could it be? Fiona wouldn't throw herself down the stairs! Just admit it, you disgusting thing!" Samuel snapped. I turned to Fiona, my voice icy. "Let's check the surveillance footage then." The room gasped in disbelief. They couldn't comprehend why I'd be so calm. Clark shot me a venomous glare, his voice thundering with rage, "Bring the footage! Let her face the truth!" A servant hurried off. Fiona paled, her voice trembling. "Uncle Clark, Uncle Samuel, let's drop this. I don't want to ruin Grandfather's birthday banquet!" "Fiona, don't worry. Justice will be served!" Clark declared. The servant returned, breathless. "I checked the surveillance, but…" "But what?" Clark demanded. "The footage has been damaged." "What?" the crowd exclaimed. Fiona feigned generosity. "If it's gone, let it be. I'm fine—just a few bruises and scratches. Let's not spoil the celebration." But I caught the flicker of triumph in her eyes. Did she not know the footage would be damaged? What was going on? The murmurs around me grew. "Fiona is so kind!" "Kate is so cruel—she's all quiet and nice on the surface but rotten to the core. How could she harm her own family? She's a pest!" Clark glared at me, disgusted. "You planned this, didn't you? You destroyed the footage to cover your tracks. How cunning! You must be punished!" "Punished?" I crossed my arms, frowning. "Since there's no proof, couldn't I just as easily claim she framed me?" Clark shook his head. "Fiona would never do such a thing. Kate, you're beyond redemption. Do you think I don't know about the things you did to Fiona?" Samuel sneered. "Enough, Clark. Dad will be here soon. A woman like her will never admit her guilt. Someone take her away and lock her up!" He then addressed me, "You're confined until you repent!" Several servants closed in on me. Disgusted by their bias, I squinted, strategizing my escape. Just then, a voice rang out. "Old Mr. Bennett has arrived!"