Pampered by my three brothers: the return of the neglected heiress

Chapter 444: Because I believe her

[FLASHBACK]

"Miss Bennet, is it true that you're part of this grand scheme...?"

"What's your brothers' involvement in all of this?"

"Miss Bennet, why did you do such a thing? Are you not ashamed of what you've done to your family?"

Reporters swarmed around the police officers escorting Penny to the station. Penny flinched at the camera flashes and microphones being shoved in her face. Though the police tried to hold them back, they could only do so much.

"Miss Penelope!"

"Miss Bennet!"

"Why would you do such a thing?"

"Was your brother, the soldier, involved too?"

"Slater Bennet's your brother, Miss Bennet-does he have a say in this?!"

"The Prime Group was part of this scheme... is that how your family accumulated its wealth?!"

All their voices and questions blended into the air, making it hard for Penny to focus on who was speaking. With the pushing, the yelling, and the intensity of the crowd, it nearly suffocated her.

'I feel dizzy,' she thought, squinting against the lights. She felt lightheaded. She didn't know whether it was from the suffocating air or the fact that she hadn't eaten in the past twenty-four hours.

The police had shown up at the most unsuspecting time of the day. Just as Penny had been debating whether to eat or sleep, exhausted from working tirelessly for the past week. Or was it the lack of sleep? She hadn't had much of that, either.

"Miss Penelope!"

"Miss-"

Penny's drifting thoughts halted as something hit the side of her head. Her brows rose, the pungent smell of rotten egg assaulting her nostrils.

man's voice suddenly echoed through the air. His outburst

silence fell over the scene until

"You killed my daughter! Because of

reporters swarmed around him like bees to a flower. A few stayed with Penny,

was as though her mind had gone blank for

she murmured, trailing off, just as another egg struck the other side

"Traitor!"

hit her.

an angry crowd-previously thought to be bystanders-began to express their grief and anger.

a moment to process what was

the furious faces of people she didn't even know, hearing them call her every vile name imaginable. The reporters relentlessly filmed and questioned her, caring only for their next big story. The police, although protecting Penny, mostly seemed concerned about

It was chaos.

dragged Penny towards the station, another object came flying her way—this time, a pebble. Though small, it

She touched her temple with her cuffed hands and noticed the blood on

the fact that this was all real? The arrest, the police, and

she raised her head to fully absorb the scene, and

Penelope, please say

"You killer!"

world is better without you in

hate, she realized she was wrong. Tears slowly welled up in

shaking her head. "I didn't...

Penelope, are you

are you admitting

pushed their microphones so close that they were nearly touching her face. The police had to drag Penny

But finally...

out in panic, turning her head as she tried to defend herself. "It's not me! I didn't do it! Please! I didn't! It's not me!

filled with desperation, tears streaming down her face as

Please! It's not me! Please believe me I didn't do it!

words repeatedly, almost begging, until they reached the station, where the reporters were not allowed to

***

not me! Please believe me-I didn't do it! Please... believe me!