Why Did She Pick The Innocent Maid?

The silence in the grand foyer was deafening. The elite guests, who just moments ago were ready to crucify the young maid, now stared at Vanessa with a mixture of disgust and shock. Margaret Sterling looked as though she might faint, her impeccable composure ruined by the sheer humiliation of her chosen future daughter-in-law being exposed as a malicious criminal.

— "Daniel... I... it's a misunderstanding," — Vanessa choked out, her voice entirely stripped of its former arrogance. She reached a trembling hand toward him.

Daniel stepped back, entirely repulsed.

— "A misunderstanding? You stole from my family and attempted to destroy an innocent woman's life just to satisfy your own twisted ego. You are done here, Vanessa. Security will escort you off the property. My lawyers will contact your father regarding the theft."

— "You can't do this! I did it for us!" — Vanessa screamed, her mask entirely broken as two burly security guards flanked her, dragging her toward the heavy oak doors. Her frantic protests echoed into the rainy night until the doors slammed shut, sealing her fate.

The crowd slowly began to disperse, the festive mood thoroughly shattered. Margaret retreated to her quarters, humiliated and silent.

Daniel turned his attention back to Emily. He knelt down on the marble floor, completely uncaring of his expensive tuxedo, and gently picked up her discarded handbag, handing it back to her.

— "Emily," — he said softly, his eyes filled with profound regret. — "I am so incredibly sorry. You did not deserve any of this."

Emily wiped her eyes, her cheek still throbbing violently. She looked at the man who had just saved her from prison.