The man turned up the sound.

The hallway filled with the woman’s voice.

“If he ever finds out who you are, everything becomes yours.”

The maid stopped crying.

“What does that mean?”

The woman in bronze went pale.

The man slowly stood.

“Who is she?”

No answer.

He looked at the maid again.

For the first time, he noticed the small pendant around her neck.

His expression changed.

“Where did you get that?”

The maid touched it nervously.

“My mother gave it to me before she died.”

He stepped closer.

The pendant carried the same family crest engraved above the ballroom doors.

The woman in bronze suddenly shouted,

“It proves nothing!”

The man turned toward her.

“You knew.”

She backed away.

He looked at the terrified maid.

“Your mother’s name?”

“Anna.”

His eyes filled instantly.

Anna.

His older sister.

The woman his family claimed had died childless twenty-two years ago.

He looked back at the woman in bronze.

“You framed her because you recognized the necklace.”

She began shaking.

The maid whispered,

“Why would that matter?”

The man looked around the mansion.

Then back at her.

“Because if you’re Anna’s daughter…”

His voice broke.

“…you’re not the maid here.”

The room went completely silent.

“You’re the heir.”