The Running Commentary That Fueled My Comeback

"Penelope, how could you do this to me?"

Hearing Clara's sobs, Ursula turned around. "Clara, do you know her?"

"Mom, she's a friend from the orphanage. Henry, her, and I grew up together.

"She was only repeating what I told her. I'm the one who shared those stories.

"Penelope, I trusted you like a sister when I shared those memories. How could you turn around and use them to lie to my parents?"

Henry stepped forward, his expression darkening like a brewing storm.

"Penelope, Clara has tolerated you over and over. Why can't you just leave her alone?"

Victor was taken aback. "Wait, did she bully Clara?"

"Yes, Mr. Wright. Clara never said anything because she has a kind heart. She didn't want to cause you any trouble.

"But personally, I've had it with Penelope's toxic and jealous behavior!

"She has been envious of Clara since we were kids. At the orphanage, she would steal Clara's toys. Once we started school, she even tore up her homework.

"With time, her jealousy worsened, fueled by Clara's acceptance into your family and her newfound wealth. She even questioned me about why Clara was picked.

"I told her it was because Clara looks so much like Mrs. Wright. After that, Penelope deliberately went and had plastic surgery to resemble Mrs. Wright!"

His words hit me like a lightning strike. I stared at Henry in disbelief, my body shaking uncontrollably.

Those 18 years we shared as kids meant nothing at this moment; he was a complete stranger.

What unsettled me the most was the cold, merciless gleam in his eyes. It was a side of Henry I had never seen before.

Tears welled up, blurring my vision. "Don't be ridiculous! We grew up side by side. How could you not know what I look like?

"She's the one who stole my identity to get close to my parents. How dare you have the nerve to blame me for plastic surgery!"

Henry's expression darkened even more. With a sharp glare, he hissed through clenched teeth, "It's precisely because we grew up together that I know your true nature. I remember better than anyone what you used to look like."

With that, he pulled out an enlarged photo and handed it to Victor and Ursula.

The girl in the picture had crooked features and bore no resemblance to Ursula whatsoever.

"This is what Penelope looked like before," Henry said, pointing at the photo.

[That scumbag is ruthless. I can't believe he used someone else's photo to fool Ursula.]

[Don't cry! Hurry, show them your selfies!]

I quickly grabbed my phone, but the moment I opened the photo gallery, my heart sank.

Three years ago, Henry had dropped my phone into the lake while we were out on the water.

This new phone only contained recent pictures. Any evidence from the orphanage was completely wiped clean.

[It's over. Those two villains set this trap three years ago. There's no way the heroine can prove herself now.]

Seeing me clutch my phone in silence, Victor and Ursula exchanged helpless glances, realizing I had nothing to show.

Seizing the opportunity, Clara sobbed quietly.

"Penelope, I know losing the scholarship has been hard on you. If it's money you need, I can give it to you.

"You can have anything you want… just please don't take my parents away from me..."

Ursula immediately wrapped her arms around her.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. We'll always be your parents. There's no way we'd ever leave you. Let's go home."

Victor shot me a cold, disapproving glance. With a flick of his hand, he called for the bodyguards to escort me out.

[This is bad. The heroine has no proof left!]

Just as the bodyguards reached for me, I blurted out, "We can do a DNA test!"