Julian touched the cold metal of the silver coin pendant very carefully.
His thumb traced the worn edges that he recognized from years ago.
"Where did you get this?" Julian asked with a shaky voice.
Elena looked up into his eyes with confusion and deep fear.
"My mother gave it to me when I was little," she whispered.
Victoria stepped forward with a deep scowl on her face.
"Stop talking to the staff and throw her out," Victoria demanded loudly.
Julian ignored Victoria completely as he kept his eyes on Elena.
He remembered a tiny girl who saved his life twenty years ago.
They had both worn matching silver coin pendants after that summer day.
His family had searched for the missing benefactor for two long decades.
The wealthy patriarch had left half the family estate to that missing child.
Victoria had claimed for years that she was that very child.
She had collected thousands of dollars from the family trust based on that lie.
Julian stood up slowly while keeping his arm near Elena for protection.
"Where is your original matching coin, Victoria?" Julian asked firmly.
Victoria froze on the spot as her face turned pale white.
"I lost mine years ago during a storm," Victoria stammered quickly.
"You said you kept it locked in a safe," Julian replied coolly.
The nearby guests began whispering among themselves as they listened closely.
Elena stood up slowly with help from Julian's steady arm.
"My mother told me never to lose this necklace," Elena said quietly.
"She said it was proof of our family's true history," she added.
Julian turned toward the head of security standing near the main entrance.
"Bring the family lawyer to the study immediately," Julian ordered loudly.
Victoria took a step backward while holding the hem of her gown.
"This is absurd, you are taking the word of a servant," she yelled.
"I am taking the word of the truth," Julian answered back with confidence.
He guided Elena away from the crowd toward the private hallway.
Victoria watched them leave with anger and fear in her dark eyes.
She knew her comfortable life of luxury was about to crumble down.