Mark rushed over to Elena and gently helped her stand up.
Elena was shaking violently as tears streamed down her cheeks.
Mark: Are you alright, Elena? Did she hurt you?
Elena: I am fine, Mr. Sterling. But I swear I did not take her ring!
Vanessa: Mark, why are you holding that maid?
Vanessa adjusted her gold dress with an arrogant smirk.
Vanessa: She stole my heirloom ring while I was getting ready!
Mark: Be quiet, Vanessa! I saw how you treated her!
Vanessa: She is just a servant in your house!
Mark: She is a human being who deserves respect!
Mark turned his attention back to Elena's trembling hands.
His eyes landed on the silver medallion she held tightly.
The medallion had an intricate crest carved into the silver metal.
Mark's breath caught in his throat as he recognized the symbol.
Mark: Where did you get this necklace, Elena?
Elena: It belonged to my mother before she passed away.
Mark: What was your mother's full name?
Elena: Her name was Rose Sterling.
Vanessa's face instantly lost all of its color.
She stepped back with wide, panicking eyes.
Vanessa: That is impossible! Rose Sterling died twenty years ago without children!
Mark: That is what your father wanted everyone to believe, Vanessa.
Mark took out his phone and clicked on a secure digital file.
Mark: My uncle left behind a secret trust fund before he died.
Vanessa: What are you talking about?!
Mark: My uncle had a daughter who went missing after his estate was settled.
Mark showed the high-resolution photo on his phone screen.
It showed an old family portrait of Rose Sterling wearing the exact same silver medallion.
Mark: Elena is my biological cousin and the rightful sole heir to this mansion.
Elena gasped softly and stared at Mark in utter disbelief.
Elena: I... I don't understand. I am just a maid.
Mark: You were hidden away so someone else could steal your inheritance.
Mark turned his head slowly and locked eyes with Vanessa.
Mark: And I know exactly who planned the entire cover-up.
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